Bob,
Living life without legs is not nearly as bad as what you might think. I lost both of mine more than a foot above my knees in December 2007, I was only 46 when it happened to me. The time I spent in pain and unable to walk much at all for six months before they were amputated was much worse than having no legs now. The first three or four months after they were gone were pretty rough. You learn quickly what you need to do to get around or perform your daily tasks. There is one thing I need to share. Once my legs were amputated 90% of the pain was gone. Once they healed completely, (about eight weeks in my case) I had no more pain. This allowed me to get a good nights sleep and be much more productive than before. I also have vision problems, legally blind from my diabetes. I am able though to do some part time secretarial work from my home. My husband and I still go camping and fishing like we always did before. It's a good thing we bought a pontoon boat about eight years ago instead of another boat. I am able to wheel myself, sometimes with my husbands help onto the boat and have a good time. If I were in your boat knowing what I know now I would just have the doctors amputate them both right now and save yourself years of pain. Even if they need to take them above your knees, the prosthethic legs they have now are very good. Most likely you would be walking in less than the six months they want you to have the casts on for. Good luck in whatever you decide to have done. Take it from me though, life goes on without your legs. You just need to be strong and make the best of it. Having to use a wheelchair like I do isn't so bad either.
Linda