...And so, I Begin

[Jaycey]

I am going to ask the handler for my doctor about the possibility of a bilateral procedure.

Sounds like a good plan. If you are a candidate it means one surgery and one recovery. Please keep us updated!

 

[gullimac]

Talked to the handler for my OS and he does not perform bilateral total hip replacement. I am contemplating looking for another surgeon or looking at doing the 2nd hip 6 months later (as opposed to the 1 year I was looking at). I think I can make it work with my job, if my bosses will go for it. I would have to go out on leave without pay for hip #2, but even at a year apart I would not have built up enough time off anyway.

I don't particularly want to go surgeon shopping again. But, I guess it can't hurt to get another recommendation from my primary care physician at my physical next week

 

[Jaycey]

For me the most important factor in going forward with this surgery is your relationship with your surgeon. If you trust your surgeon and feel good about working with him other factors may become less important. Won't hurt to see another surgeon but if you don't feel perfect about him I'd try and work with your existing OS.

 

[DGrant]

I've been following your journey, as we've seemed to have allot in common in size/stature... I do see that you're contemplating and/or thinking about a bi-lateral procedure because of problems with both hips. I want to share, as I was also told I'd probably need both hips at some point, and that my right hip wasn't much better then the left. With my left hip being so drastically blown up though, it was decided we'd start with that, as it just wasn't working at all.

To my surprise, after getting the left hip done, I found it has greatly reduced the fatigue on my right hip.. and as I've healed considerably at this point(I'm 65 days post-op), I've also found the right hip(non-op side) has also been greatly relieved... and would credit this to its now being helped greatly by my new left hip... matter of fact, I'm feeling like my new hip is now a bit more dominant when I need... as well as, the back pain(arthritis related) is subsided greatly. I do attribute all of this to now being able to move/walk/stretch/etc.. in the natural way a body should be able too.

I'm sharing this, as it might be food for thought for you, in the case of having only one hip done, I can say that in itself might benefit you greatly... as it has me. I was questioning and worrying about getting both hips done too, but at this point, I can probably say I do believe I can get a few more years out of my right hip, as at this point, just not having it doing all the work is relief in itself.

I totally understand that you've got many responsibilities, and you're needing to work around those as much as you can, and if I was in that position, knowing what I know now, I would only get one done at a time, as the relief from just getting one fixed is incredible... but that's all for you to gauge of course... as your hips might both be extremely worn. Mine are, but I took the gamble on the worst one, and so far its paid off big time. Please just take this as food for thought, as I'm only sharing it so you might know another side of a story.

I do wish you well.... and I hope you're getting by better now that you've got a goal, and a surgery date. I think in another 4-5 months you'll be right about where I am, and you'll be so happy you did it.

 

[gullimac]

I talked with my primary care physician (who I trust very much) today, his advice was to trust my surgeon. If he doesn't do the bilateral procedure and I have confidence in him, stick with him. It fits with the ideas I had gathered from my reading on BS.

I talked through the my 6 month option and the timing with my principal. She understood and felt like it was workable. The next step is setting a meeting with our HR guy to determine if I need any paperwork or documentation to qualify for the Family Medical Leave Act. Then I lay out the my plans to our Headmaster.

 

[gullimac]

So I am officially on my surgeons schedule for Right THR on April 26th. PreOp on the 22nd.

Now comes the "hurry up and wait" portion. I deal with that a lot at work. Frantically working to get an event ready 3 hours early and then having to sit and wait patiently for the 3 hours to pass for workers, officials and teams to show up.

 

[Jaycey]

Well done on getting your op date @gullimac ! Sorry about the long wait. Waiting is actually the worst part of this journey! Just keep busy.

 

[gullimac]

@DGrant you mentioned a while back you had days where you just wanted to walk in to the hospital, lay down and say lets do this now. I am having one of those days today. I just hurt today. Too much time on my feet at work, not sleeping well, frustrated.

Oh well, shiny new hip is less than 3 months away, right?

 

[Jaycey]

@gullimac we see this very often here on BoneSmart. When members finally get their op date it's as if all the resistance to pain drops - an acceptance that things are not right and life is just getting frustrating. Sorry you have to wait so long! Hang in there!

 

[DGrant]

@DGrant you mentioned a while back you had days where you just wanted to walk in to the hospital, lay down and say lets do this now. I am having one of those days today. I just hurt today. Too much time on my feet at work, not sleeping well, frustrated.

Oh well, shiny new hip is less than 3 months away, right?

Oh yeah... so sorry man. It will get easier I assure you. I so know that feeling(as we all do here I'm sure)that you're just spent, burnt out, hurting, frustrated, etc.. I'd venture a good guess here by mid summer you'll be bionic, or feel like you are anyway. I know that might not help the time and pain pass, but look forward to a new life dude.

Seriously, and I also believe from what I've read of you, you'll be blowing people away with your new gift... and as well use it to help others, as well as yourself. I'd also venture to say, you and your family will have a great year once you're over this hurdle. These things are what I've come to call "curve balls in life".

I know each and every one of us in these forums have learned new and great skills, that we will carry forever. The skills you've learned to this point to deal with the situation will only help you to be much more productive when you've got all of your physical challenges worked out.

You'll only look back when you hear or think of someone that's in the same distress you were at some point. Its a life changer, and you're going to love it I think. I know I do, and I consider myself fortunate every day, as will you, and I really consider you fortunate to have a date and target. I can say, getting the hip itself really isn't the big monster I thought... It was everything else I had going on around me, and those that really counted on me, and feeling like I'd let someone down... It so wasn't the case though.. my family and friends were by me the whole time. I didn't need to do anything but ask... and now I can only ask them "what can I do for you?"..

Hang in there... keep posting and reading.. Lay down when needed.. rest when needed.. and I'd imagine the rest of the time you'll be out wearing out that natural hip to the fullest(I know I did..), and looking forward to the future.... keep fighting the good fight!. I so look forward to reading your journey... I know it will be good.

 

[Cynthia777]

Hang in there @gullimac, this too shall pass. I, too, need to get both hips done. I really wished that my surgeon performed bilateral, but he doesn't, so one hip it is. Fortunately, here in the U.S., we do not have the long waiting period that you do in the U.K.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and will be popping in here and there to see how you're doing.

 

[gullimac]

Ouch!! Two real bad days in a row. I think some of it may be the weather, but man today was the worst it has been. Had a hard time finding a comfortable sleeping position last night. Once I got to sleep, I slept about 2-3 hours, then had to move and couldn't get comfortable again. Hoping tonight is better.

On a brighter note, at my 1st graders' performance at the PTA meeting tonight I was talking to our neighbor down the street about my upcoming surgery. He volunteered to take the girls to school the last month of school to help out. I know that my wife is going to have to go out of town in the 3rd week of my recovery. Having that help in the morning will keep us from over working my Mother-in-law.

 

[gullimac]

My wife and Mother-in-law both had the same idea I had today. I am going to try sleeping in my recliner tonight to see if that helps wth my sleep issues.

Driving the car is really bad and lying down flat is terrible. I can't get comfortable laying on either side. Surprisingly I had to sit in a hard stadium chair for several hours today watching our swimmers in the State Meet and that wasn't so bad. The 3/4 mile walk to the parking garage was brutal. The drive back to campus was awful. Working home basketball Senior Night was painful.

Sitting in the recliner feels pretty good. I realized it was the one place I have had luck being comfortable. I just bought this recliner as an early Christmas present for myself. Did a lot of research thanks to some things I saw on BoneSmart. Had not considered a lift recliner until I Saw it on here. Has already been well worth the price I paid for it. Hoping this is the answer for my recent string of bad days.

 

[Jaycey]

@gullimac many of our members have great luck with their recliners - both pre and post op! So sorry you are having a long and painful wait for your op. I guess the decreased mobility does help to confirm you are doing the right thing having your THR.

 

[Toddlermom]

I know they say to ice post surgery, but I have been doing it this week with some gel packs from the sports store....since I am off pain meds for 5 more days.

Might help? Enjoy your nest!

 

[Toddlermom]

And by the way, I found some small gel packs for the kids in the shape of animals. That way the toddlers don't mess with mine--

Perfect.....frog and pig..... at the local drug store in the children's medice section.

The kids now request them for the smallest boo-boos!

 

[gullimac]

@Toddlermom thanks for the reminder! I thought about that yesterday too, but totally forgot by the time I got home. The recliner worked better for me than the bed had. So that is good news. Still tender this AM, so icing should be a good next step.

 

[gullimac]

So it appears the lift recliner has become my new bed. At least for a while. Glad to be sleeping again.

My Saturday was bad--couldn't really bear weight on my bad hip. Could not have possibly gone to work if I had to that day. I had to use the cane my Mother-in-law gave me. Sunday was a little better. Yesterday was better and today I am back to my new normal.

I am sure I will have a few more bumps in the road on my way to April 26th. But I know there is an end in site.

 

[gullimac]

So after a week sleeping in the recliner, I tried going back to the bed. Made it a night and a half. Back to the recliner for me tonight.

I read back through all the informational materials my OS gave me this weekend. The first time I read through all of it was several months ago before I learned so much from the folks on here. Have seen a lot of discussion on TED hose on here recently and was happy to note in my packet that my OS does not have his patients wear them. Also after reading about @Toddlermom feeling rushed out of the hospital post-surgery I made note that my paperwork indicates a 1-3 night stay in the hospital.

 

[Toddlermom]

You want to know what's loco? There was permanent signage listing the recovery activities on day 1, day 2, and day 3! My mom actually took a picture, lol!!! At 3 pm on day 2.......we could document all of the things that we were supposed to learn before we were supposed to learn.