"The world doesn't stop turning after an amputation" | Engel prepares for his "day of liberation"
Engel (68) from IJmuiden is counting down to January 9, 2026, the day of his below-knee amputation. The procedure will take place at the Spaarne Gasthuis in Haarlem Zuid. In this second blog post, he shares how he is preparing mentally and practically for this new chapter.
In his first blog post, Engel wrote about his decision to have his lower leg amputated. He now talks about how he’s preparing for the big day.
Every morning I think, “Only so many days left.”
The tension is starting to rise. "I can tell I'm a little more nervous," Engel admits honestly. "I have asthma, and I can feel it affecting me here too. But he has no doubts about his decision. "Not at all. I did think it through and discussed it thoroughly with my wife. Ultimately, I'm convinced things will turn out for the better."
After talking with the anesthesia nurse, Engel decided to go with spinal anesthesia. "It's something I'm really dreading because of the injection into the space between the vertebrae. But I also see the major advantage that it promotes faster healing. I will, however, be given a sedative."
Learning from peers
To prepare, Engel reached out to three people who had undergone amputations. “I’ve known one of them for nearly 30 years, and he said, ‘I should have done it sooner.’ The other had been in an accident and was back at work just six weeks later. Not fully back to normal, of course, but he’s the type who believes in ‘actions speak louder than words.’”
These conversations have mainly served to reassure Engel. "I know I'll be in a lot of pain at first, but once it's all over, things should get better."
What gives him confidence are, above all, the people who will be guiding him. "I have the most confidence in the surgeon, the physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, and the prosthetist. I’ll be working closely with the latter two in particular during the rehabilitation process. And in that case, trust is a solid foundation."
Getting the house ready
From a practical standpoint, Engel has made some good preparations around the house. "I installed a grab bar by the stairs to make it easier to reach the handrail. In the bathroom, I bought a bath chair and installed two grab bars there as well."
Since his wife Irina is still working and also has to take care of their dog Bob, Engel is thinking of her as well. “For now, I’m stocking up on all kinds of supplies so my wife doesn’t run out anytime soon. Non-perishable items like toilet paper, fish food, and so on.” He has also made arrangements so that, in the event of an emergency, someone with the necessary expertise will take care of his beloved 900-liter aquarium.
The instrument maker gave him a practical tip: to buy a pair of good shoes. "Because all I had were my orthopedic shoes, which were different sizes, and six centimeters of cork in the right shoe."
Joint effort
Although Engel is in charge of the preparations, it’s a team effort. "I'm not the one calling all the shots," he says. Since January 2024, he has lost 31 kilos. "Nine more to go," he says. "And now I finally have to buy some new pants. But also some shorts for lounging in bed. That's my wife's idea, though."
His son and daughter-in-law also play an important role. Engel usually takes his four-year-old grandson to school twice a week. “It took quite a bit of arranging with their employers, but everything’s sorted out now. That gives me peace of mind, too. They’re also happy for me that this is finally happening. But they’re a little nervous about it, too!”
Tip: Do your research
Engel’s advice to others is clear: “The thing is, you have to educate yourself first. Ask people around you who have been through this too.” His regular physical therapist, whom he’s been seeing for over 25 years, also supported his decision. “He told me I’d made the right choice.”
Engel has also done a lot of research online and on Facebook. "There are quite a few pages there with amputees sharing their experiences."
With a realistic yet positive outlook, Engel looks ahead: "I don't know how much pain I'll be in later. It's also quite subjective! I keep telling myself: the world doesn't stop turning after an amputation!"
In his next blog post, Engel will share his experience of the surgery itself and the first few days afterward. Follow along on Movao.