...And so, I Begin

[Jaycey]

Glad you are moving quickly with the dental work. Best to get this under control and not have it hanging over you during your THR recovery.

 

[gullimac]

Unfortunately my dental work is getting pushed back. There were problems with the impression of my bottom teeth and I had to back to try again. 4 attempts later, they finally got one they think will work, but the quickest they can get the dentures back is 12 days. So now the 17th is the new date for that. I will have to push some coverages around at work. It is what it is.

We had a rare good weather day yesterday, so I got out in the yard with my youngest and tossed the baseball with her. We have a retaining wall I can sit on and as long as she throws it close I am ok. It felt good to say yes when she asked me for once.

 

[DGrant]

Hi there gullimac. I see you're on your journey, with some turns in the road. I know (we all do I'm sure..) all too well how life and responsibilities can get in the way of remembering to take care of ourselves. Hang in there...
We're about the same age, and from what I can remember, about same build.. I am a tad ahead in the fact that I've had several things going on before, during, and after my hip replacement. One of the "afters" is my dental.... of which I've been several times recently for the "deep" cleaning, to try and clean up some gum disease, and get my gums tightened up... as I've got a few loose teeth myself..although surprisingly no cavities... I've had to do the "antibiotic" thing every time, as well as the mouth wash/rinse, and regular flossing...which is seeming to keep things at bay for now. My days of chomping into an apple are over though..I have to slice it.....oh well.. I can still eat them though fortunately..

Point is... as my 53 year tuneup comes to a slow finish, I can tell you from my experience, you will feel SO MUCH BETTER when its all done... So much better. You won't even believe it, until that one day in your future when you wake up, and it will all feel like a dream... Your hips won't hurt, your teeth won't hurt, and you'll smile every day... I swear.. its that cool man. I did it all that you're going through(with exception to just having one hip done)... and the diff is incredible. This doesn't make it feel any better in the present day, but I'd lay a heavy wager on it in the future. We're very fortunate to live in this day of modern medicine.. as uncomfortable as it seems, the outcome is years of relief... and you'll be saying to your kids.."try and keep up with me".. They're going to find out how tough Dad is... I'm sure of it. I wish you well.. and hope you feel better very soon. It will all be soooo worth it.

PS... I'm again only sharing from experience, as I've also had my eyes examined and got a new prescription for my glasses... every little bit helps.. I figured why not.. and all in all each one of these things has returned life back to me 10 fold.... I just have to remember I'm not 30 anymore.. which is tough, as I generally feel like I am again, and sometimes even act like it... it makes my wife nervous too... haha... Oh well. :D

 

[gullimac]

So today I had my hip class (Joint Effort--catchy name). I thought it was a good class, even though I knew most of the info from my time on BS. I appreciate that they offer it and they just expanded the offerings to 2 times per week. One of the speakers is a floor nurse and she was able to share some info on the time of day that the OS typically does rounds and when PT would come through the morning after. It does sound like they are looking to move you home after 1-2 days--closer to 1 she said.

I realized I will have to find my glasses to take with me for surgery. I will also have to take out the dentures that I will be getting next week for the surgery.

I'm so ready to turn the page to April and get to surgery and on to recovering.

 

[DGrant]

I had to take off everything, including my wedding ring. I've worn glasses for 10yrs and don't remember if or when I had them in the hospital. I do remember calling my kids and close friend, so I must have had them sometime to see my phone.... but I pushed that med button as much as I could... its amazing how that worked... At that point, I don't think my glasses made alot of diff... haha.. as nothing was clear with or without...

My wife was the "keeper and watcher" of all needed things.... and as soon as I was around, she gave me my cell-phone, and I held that thing... ha..., right there with the pain-med plunger. I was in the big house about 32hrs... give or take. Went in about 6:30am, loaded and rolling home about 3PM next day. My surgeon came in that morning(after surgery..).. liked what he saw and heard at that point, as well as how the procedure went, and said.. "OK.. you'll do this, and this, and..etc.. and we'll send you home today...."... I was like... " umm.....ok.. yeah...sure.." and it just happened... and I never looked back.

I just got the "OK" to do "anything I want" from my doc.. last Tuesday. You will too.. I'm sure, and it will be a dream as you look at your hip and wonder if it really happened...its that good.

 

[gullimac]

Thanks to @Cynthia777 and a few of you others I have issued my sister-in-law a Project Runway styled challenge. I have commissioned her to design a walker "apron" for me. I told her to think ambulation assistance device that is cross between Batman Utility Belt and stylish man accessory.

I told her she has 1 month and 17 days (not that anyone is counting ).

Figured it is time to start equipping my "Dude Den". Does that work as companion to Lady Lair ?

 

[dandy_candi]

I like 'dude den' @guillimac
I too am building up my 'lady lair' / hopefully picking up an electric arm chair tomorrow. I have a countdown App so I can check it daily! Bit longer than you, 82 days today!


Candice, 28 yo. Rheumatoid Arthritis. Australia. Sequential unilateral THR June 1st 2016 and July 13th 2016

 

[Cynthia777]

Omg! We were trying to figure out a counterpart recovery zone for the men, but couldn't come up with anything as catchy as "lady lair". Yep, "dude den" it is!!!! Great name for you guys out there. Another member said they bought one of those carpenter aprons that worked out well. Maybe your sister-in-law can find one with some deep pockets? The deep pockets are the key (they work especially well if you're home alone and need to carry liquid, as I can put my thermos in one of the pockets and it doesn't fall out). Good going on the name @gullimac!

 

[JMACCA]

One of the speakers is a floor nurse and she was able to share some info on the time of day that the OS typically does rounds and when PT would come through the morning after.

WOW It would be so useful knowing how the hospital 'works' and when they do their rounds - I think it is all of those 'unknowns' that certainly add to the anxiety...

I told her to think ambulation assistance device that is cross between Batman Utility Belt and stylish man accessory.

I LOVE that! I want pictures! Perhaps I need a wonderwoman utility belt - hey now that has me thinking!

 

[gullimac]

I had a conversation today with my just-turned 7 year old today about getting my "fake hip" as she called it. Then I showed her some pictures of what they looked like. She said that the ball part of the ball and socket looked like a door knob. Then she agreed with me that she would like to see that bone that they were going to take out. Sometimes it easy to recognize that she is my kid .

My wife and mother-in-law are starting to ask questions about my recovery. They were asking at a time that I did not really have the patience to go into a lot of detail about what I have learned. I told my wife that I wanted to let her see some of the information on Bone Smart so she can get a better handle on what to expect.

We are also coming up on the 1 year anniversary of my mother's death. Ironically, I will be having my rather significant dental work on the day before her passing. It's been a hell of a year. I have certainly had some dark moments. I am hoping that fixing these deteriorating hips starts me on the journey to being "me" again

 

[JMACCA]

We are also coming up on the 1 year anniversary of my mother's death. Ironically, I will be having my rather significant dental work on the day before her passing. It's been a hell of a year. I have certainly had some dark moments. I am hoping that fixing these deteriorating hips starts me on the journey to being "me" again

WOW it sounds like you are about to embark on a big healing journey for yourself, from loss to a more enriched experience, getting to a place of a new you. Your experiences of the last year will, I am sure, provide you with a great foundation for this next stage.

 

[Cynthia777]

You have much to look forward to @gullimac! Not only the years ahead watching your precious granddaughter grow up, but to years romping and playing in the yard with her painfree. Life can throw us curves, but there's always something bright amidst the darkness. Now listen to me, I'm trying to sound like Plato or Socrates!

 

[gullimac]

So, dental work tomorrow. I may not be up to checking in for a day or two. Ready to get this step behind me.

 

[Cynthia777]

Good luck to you tomorrow! I've been through extensive dental work (however not like what you are going to induce) and it isn't fun. Sending you well wishes and prayers for tomorrow. We will miss you! Hugs!

 

[Arlene56]

@gullimac good luck tomorrow at the Dentist. It sounds like you have had a go of it this past year. I lost my Mom 6 yrs ago and I think of her almost everyday. It is hard. But you are embarking on taking care of yourself. Good luck tomorrow.

 

[john2223]

Wow, I can only imagine how difficult it can be to do things with hip pain, especially with two daughters. I'm sure your surgery will help make you more physical able to do more things in your daily life. Like healer01 said try to keep your life in balance and take it one day at a time. I wish you the best with your surgery and recovery.

 

[Miss Muffet]

@gullimac - stage one for a better future is those teeth.
We're all so proud of you grabbing this chance to enhance your life. These bad times have to turn around at some point and this is just the start for you. Counting down my THR days (28) and then I'll be able to give you live feedback to cheer you on with yours

 

[Cynthia777]

Thinking of you today and praying all went well with your dental work.

 

[gullimac]

Hello all, thanks for the well wishes. Everything went ok. The extraction hurt a bit, I had a few teeth the dentist would have tried to keep if we had more time before surgery. Those were the ones that were the most painful to come out. Had to go fill my prescription for antibiotics and 800 mg Ibuprofin with my mouth full of bloody gauze and these new bulky dentures. Since I already have Hydrocodone Acetaminophin for the hip he did not prescribe anything else.

One thing I have certainly learned through BS and gotten the opportunity to practice was staying on top of my meds. I set an alarm to take my doses overnight and that worked well. Day 2 is supposed to be the peak of swelling. So far things feel ok, but the dentures just feel so big in my mouth.

 

[Miss Muffet]

@gullimac - SO pleased to hear all went well!
We've all been waiting to hear from you. What a relief it's over but more to the point you've conquered one of your fears which must make you feel so much more confident about stage two. And a great lesson on drug management too. From what you say it's worth having a broken night's sleep if it means the pain is under control. Happy for you - now to get healed up and pat yourself on the back