2 weeks left to chicken out.. my random thoughts

[mcopt]

Hi @Mascaramom firstly great that you have found this forum I have found it so so helpful during the ups and downs of my hip journey and feel so lucky to have this sort of support friendship and advice literally at the touch of a button I am finally due my first op in 5 days long story but had first 2 cancelled of course I am scared but I find I have developed a strange sort of detached acceptance now and just want to get it done. I work with eyes(with people attatched !)and send countless people for cataract and other eye surgery invariably they are all scared and worried, its the ones who aren't scared are the ones who concern me ! Your feelings towards this are so natural it is unfortunate that you are so young but that should be a drive to get a decent life back. It is amazing how quickly these hips go bad I can relate so well to the problems you are experiencing, I am fully convinced that if I don't get mine fixed now I will be in a wheelchair in a year already on 2 crutches most of the time. You will do great keep a positive attitude ask as many questions as you want on here, nothing is silly, and one tip stay well hydrated before your procedure really helps in many ways.

 

[Bevlah]

@Mascaramom hi lovely lady. I am 15 days post op from a right hip and pelvic reconstruction. like you I was very scared and thought I was too young (53) but this forum site has been soooooo beneficial and everyone is soooo lovely! You really do feel like you are on your own until you come across this website!! I have had limited movement in my hips all my life and pain and it came to a head 8 years ago when I couldn't put socks on. The bad pain has only really been the last 6 months. Turned out my hips weren't even in the sockets and had acted like grinding tools and had worn away the sockets on my pelvis. No choice really but both hips to be replaced. As I am still in recovery I am not seeing the benefits yet but I know I am going to get my life back!! I will be able to walk, go on holiday, put shoes on! Etc etc. Please don't be scared, it is a surgery that you will be asleep for and no biggy and then you get to be spoilt, watch all the TV you want and look forward to pain free days. The scars well you can make up your own stories about them!! Sending lots of love

 

[Jaycey]

I NEED to accept this. I'm still in So much shock. But I'm in even MORE pain... ugh....

This is the hardest part - accepting that a part of your body has failed you. It's tough and the question is always why me. In my case it was something I was born with. The fact my hips lasted as long as they did was a real miracle.

The good news is post op you won't look back. Sure there is a recovery to go through. But unlike the bone on bone pain, recovery pain can be controlled. And each day you will see progress.

I will have about a 10" scar.

This will depend on how easy it is to access the joint. But I'll bet your incision is smaller. And in most cases the scars just fade to a very thin white line - hardly noticeable.

 

[Mojo333]

I'm too young, I don't have family history of OA, I don't want my hip replaced, what other choices...
All my story too...though not as young as you...otherwise was very healthy.
Also, times two on the hips! When I asked which was worse, OS said flip a coin
Now I have my life back, and no hip pain.
I know the diagnosis can be startling, but good to know there is something we can do about it!
You can do this...you and all you love will be the beneficiaries

 

[MammaT]

@Mascaramom, your surgery is the day after mine, we can compare notes! There’s a fairly decent sized group of us on here scheduled for February, some with first hip, some with second, some bilateral. We all feel different degrees of nerves about it. Try to focus on getting things ready ahead of time, that will keep you busy.

Once the post surgical pain tones down you will be amazed with how good no bone on bone pain feels. While I thought I knew how much I hurt before my hip replacement, when that pain was gone I realized how severe it really was.

There are so many success stories on here and you will soon be one of them.

 

[Layla]

Hi @Mascaramom
Hoping today finds you feeling comforted and a bit more at peace.

While 6-7 months is a long time to suffer physical pain, as well as emotional pain over a diagnosis, you are acting relatively quickly in the whole scheme of things. Some of us dragged on (me) thinking I'd try this supplement, or that supplement, chiropractic, cleaner diet etc. Obviously to no avail. All I did was suffer longer. You will be out of pain before you know it and as most will agree, recovery moves along quickly. I marked my progress by weekends as it was easier to remember how / what I was doing last weekend, while my hubby was home than trying to recall what I did on any given Thursday. I was always amazed at the strides I made and you will be also with your recovery. You're young and strong.....it will be great. Your kids will have mommy back in no time and hubby will have his wife back. But most importantly YOU will lose the pain and have your life back!

A beloved Irish guy who we all know around here offered me some of the most simple but wise advice. It was the night before my surgery when I reached out for the first time in a panic. He reminded me that while (tomorrow) my surgery date, was a really important date for me as I was talking the first steps to re-capture my life, for the professionals it will just be another Tuesday at the office. Your OS and his care team will be doing what they've trained to do and they ALL want the best possible outcome for you. Trust that and believe it! They make everything easy and so very comfortable that you don't have time to dwell. It's all over in a flash and you're onto the healing part. The pain you are now feeling will be gone! The pain it's replaced with, is all temporary. You will have meds to help control that, ice by the buckets, love from family and friends and US! Because who can better understand how you're feeling than us.

Please stop by often, with concerns, questions etc. We'll do our best to walk you to the door and then meet you on the other side. It's going to be good, trust me sweetie, it truly is.

You will find a list below of some items to aid in your recovery. Read and if you have questions......ask away.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/recovery-aids-a-comprehensive-list-for-hospital-and-home.12499/

Sending a warm hug. Prayers continue for comfort and peace of mind as you await February 6th.

 

[mcopt]

@Layla thank you for such a wonderful post that has really helped me today as well

Hey even big blokes cry !!

 

[Bevlah]

@Layla agree with Martin that was a lovely lovely post

 

[Mascaramom]

Every time I come back to this forum, like a balloon slowly releasing air, I feel a little bit of my anxiety go. Sometimes tears come along with it. Who am I kidding, every time tears come along with it. @Layla your words are incredibly comforting and this "smart bloke" you refer to ;) has just flipped a switch in my thinking. As an army wife, I spent many years listening to my husband say " don't worry Babe I trained my whole life for this". I guess I need to keep that in mind here as well.
Thank you for that list! Now I can do as @MommaT suggests and focus on that.

Can I post the instructions that I was given by my surgeon, for a second set of experienced eyes to see??

 

[Layla]

Aww, thanks @mcopt
Much love to you and big hugs too!
You know we all have a soft spot in our hearts for you.
I hope that humor of yours is "game on" right out of the gates post op
I'll bet we can count on you for some good laughs to cheer on our sweet new friend @Mascaramom

 

[Layla]

Sure, I don't see any problem in that. Remember we're not medical professionals,
with the exception of our Nurse Director Josephine.
But we can offer opinions on what worked, or didn't work for us.
Unless your OS seems like some crazy mad scientist it's probably best to follow his instruction.
But sure, go ahead and post instructions and depending upon its content we can maybe have Josephine
weigh in if you have questions or concerns. @Mascaramom

 

[Mascaramom]

Lol. @Layla
No my surgeon has been wonderful and did his internship, etc in my home town of Philly, how could he be anything but awesome. It just seems like soooooooo much information.

 

[Layla]

Well, how much info is there? Pages worth? Wondering if you should simply pose questions
on anything you're not understanding or looking for an uneducated opinion on....
@Mascaramom

 

[AgilityDog]

It recently occurred to me that I could get a really cool tattoo over my scar. Sometime. In the future. I don't have any, so you know I'm not rushing into that

 

[pkuznets]

Your reactions are normal, my friend. Unfortunately, once you’re living under the tyranny of bone-on-bone arthritis, there are no magic pills, no special PT tricks, and no words of comfort great enough to make you feel at home in your body. Surgery is the cure! It is an amazing journey—one that only requires you to lean into it and trust the professionals and the processes. I don’t know that I’ve ever met a person who says, “I wish I hadn’t had my hip replaced and that I could go back to the good old days of my demoralizing, excruciating, life-shrinking pain.” Nope. Everyone typically says “I wish I would have had it done sooner!”

Get the surgery scheduled and start making plans for your new life
Patrikya

 

[Mascaramom]

@Layla Simply posting the questions makes much more sense lol I realize everyone's recovery is different but there are a few things that stand out to me. Perhaps I will make a separate post. You are all such a wealth of information

 

[Jaycey]

@Mascaramom do go ahead and post your questions here. You have many member following you on this thread. I am sure they will be glad to provide you input.

 

[AgilityDog]

Not me. I am a wealth of stupid questions

 

[Layla]

I agree the forum is an asset and invaluable in so many ways.
The night before my surgery, referenced above, when I sent out a panicked SOS < yeah, just like that, lol! I quickly received a response from Ireland, another from Scotland and obviously other parts of the country. I laughed out loud to my husband and said "ARE THESE PEOPLE REAL?!!"
I couldn't believe that banging out a few help, help, helps on a keyboard garnered such prompt response.

It is amazing...and the light never goes out here! We'll be here to answer questions to the best of our ability, offer love and support. The only thing we can't do is physically dry tears but we'll try awfully hard with words of encouragement. Don't lose touch, sweetie.....we're here for the duration
@Mascaramom

 

[Mascaramom]

The night before my surgery, referenced above, when I sent out a panicked SOS < yeah, just like that, lol! I quickly received a response from Ireland, another from Scotland and obviously other parts of the country. I laughed out loud to my husband and said "ARE THESE PEOPLE REAL?!!"
I couldn't believe that banging out a few help, help, helps on a keyboard garnered such prompt response.

That is exactly how I felt when I woke in a panic last night at 3 am, only to find such kind words from everyone.


Today was tough emotionally. Very down on myself... But I feel like I've turned the corner from denial to acceptance. But it does seem to amplify my fear.
I've put on weight since being so sedentary since july, that's not helping, I know.
My whole body just aches and every movement feels like it takes every ounce of energy I have to move. Like Im wearing 50 pound weights.
Forget the hip pain, and pressure from all of the inflammation. And now that surgery is getting closer and I've stopped talking the ibuprofen..... ugh!!!


Ok. Sorry about the pity party.

11 days and counting.....