Megan Jones

Lothian, MD

"I am a writer, photographer, musician and a black and gold bleeding fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I have had to face a great many medical hardships over the years starting at the age of 19 when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a disease of the central nervous system. There is currently no cure for MS and unfortunately over time the symptoms get worse...In 2007, I became a right above-knee-amputee. A routine operation 4 years ago became anything but routine when I developed a life threatening infection. I was rushed into the first of many emergency operations quite close to death. I was sent to an orthopedic surgeon specializing in severe bone trauma and bone infections in the hopes of ending the vicious cycle of recurring infection in my knee... In time, infection and surgery caused severe arthritis in my knee destroying the joint which meant pain 24/7. One night I stared up at my ceiling and realized that there are so many things I want to do in my life and so many places I want to see. I had a talk with one of my surgeons and made a life altering decision and one that I do not regret. I did my research, talked with my doctors, talked with my family, and talked with my physical therapists. I healed well after the amputation and was practically a new person overnight. It was plain to see that something dwelling in my leg was making me sick even when it didn't appear that an infection was present because I finally looked healthy... Unfortunately, I developed two more infections in my residual limb and including those my operation tally is 23 on my right leg alone. It's been rough but I take each day as it comes. Do I have bad days? Are there days when I want to throw in the towel? Of course, I am only human. I allow myself those down days but pick myself up, brush myself off, and carry on again. I have to. I want my life back and I am doing what it takes to get it back. I have started eating healthier and am starting to exercise more. This fall I hope to learn how to ride a bike with my prosthetic leg as one more way to keep myself active.... Exercise is key with MS and with today's advances in prosthetics; amputees can now do things that able bodied people can do. People often hear my story and tell me what an inspiration I am, but in truth I don't see myself that way at all. What I see when I look in the mirror is a young woman doing whatever she has to do to get back to all of the things that she loves doing... Positive thinking is one of the things that has gotten me through the last few years. The power of positive thinking is incredible. Humor is also key. I own shirts with sayings such as, "Dude! Where's My Leg?" "It's Taking A Lot Longer for My Leg to Grow Back Than I Thought It Would," and "You Can Count on me but only up to 15!" I am proud of where I've been and how far I have come."