ROCKVILLE CENTRE (WCBS 880) — A Long Island woman who lost both of her legs as a result of unknown diabetes has become an inspiration.
Patricia Lewis, of Rockville Centre, lost both of her legs below the knee last summer and has been recovering at Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing Center since November.
Though, Lewis has remained positive during her time there and told WCBS 880’s Sophia Hall, “I'm just grateful to be alive.”
On Friday, she will be going home for the first time since her surgery and plans to dance her way out the door.
Before she does so, however, she was given the chance to thank the staff that has helped her adjust to life in prosthetics.
“I cried when I got them, I really did. Just to know and put it on, it’s just like ‘Oh my gosh, they kind of look like my feet and they feel like my feet,’” Lewis said.
Lewis, an oncology nurse in her late 40s, told WCBS that her ordeal began when she ignored pains in her legs and later suffered a stroke. She says anyone who is experiencing something similar should seek medical attention.
“If you feel something that’s out of sorts, just make sure you get it checked out,” she cautioned.
While she says she sometimes feels phantom pains, she’s adjusting positively and says she still plans to make the most out of life.
“It’s surprising the simple things that we take for granted,” she said.
Lewis went on to tell others, “Just appreciate everything, as simple as having a shower.”