kelli,
i'm new to this board, and am reading some of the older posts. i, too, am 47 (in october) and facing this, after major back surgery (even more major than i acutally realized, luckily it went wonderfully!). i'd been off my feet for 2-1/2 years due to misdiagnosis. even w/ the hardware installed in my back, the only pain i awoke with was surgical. even my nurses were amazed at my recovery and light use of (self administered) morphine. we were blessed unseasonal warm, dry weather, and i was wrapping presents on the floor (surgery was oct 17, the day after my birthday), getting up stairs, STANDING to take a shower until the hot water ran out
.
all was well until the weather turned cooler and WETTER. i began to complain about my "pelvic joint", and actually wound up seeing one of my doc's partners in march. loosing my newfound mobility, having to up pain meds, and the day to day stress of pool construction, i was blubbering and couldn't even speak. his patience was already shot that day. basically, i've been counting the days until i could be released for the THR.
now i'm scheduled for 9/29, have been ***ured this will be a walk in the park compared to the last one, i'm swimming best i can at least 1/4 mile at least 5 days a week (often more and further. i do have a lovely tan!).
i'm freaking.
have you done it yet? HOW DID IT GO? i've read so many on here that swear they can do anything, to which my doctor replied, yes, but are they following what the doctor has TOLD them? i'm most concerned about getting to the floor and back up, and of course, the fear of dislocation.
i haven't talked to anyone my age about it, so i'm really curious. i do have to say that one of the things that keeps me going is rudy galindo's story (the ice skater). for years the doctors have blamed my ice skating days for the bad knee. its obvious i've got serious joint problems. my skating days are long over (even the thought of trying to land on this leg sickens me).
anyway, sorry, but i'd really like to know how things went for you.
i'd be glad to exchange emails to discuss this.
i really hope you get this, and thanks for the patience!!
mendi