Anyone had THR with *very* young children?

[AZWildKat]

@Jaycey The sound is exactly why I don't think I could handle being awake. I was awake through 2 c-sections but those are quicker and quiet procedures. And there is the baby to keep you distracted! I know there is someone monitoring but the sleep part always gives me such anxiety. I've only been " put under" once for a endoscopy and it was using the same stuff they are using for my surgery. So far I've also had excellent anesthesiologists too so I'm hoping the same will be the case tomorrow. I'm super nervous about the whole thing.

@Tupperwarewolf, Thanks, tomorrow is the big day! I will post how things go with recovery and the little guys. So glad my in-laws are here to help! It is pretty fascinating the things they can do. I'm thankful we can get these bum joints replaced!

@Avn1999, hi! I've had the same experience with surgeons not getting the mom stuff. Especially the one I saw who didn't have children of his own. The surgeon I went with has kids (teens) but he still remembers what having little guys is like. This forum has been great to see so many success stories with younger patients. The response every time I tell someone what I'm having done is "you're too young." I want to get my life back though and be able to be active with my kids. Even if the thing only lasted 10 years that's 10 years of not having to sit out of activities. Do you have AVN as well? That is what 2 of the 3 surgeons diagnosed me with. I am apparently one of the % of people who "drew the short straw." I have no underlying medical conditions to cause it. I was told at 24 I would need to have it replaced due to osteoarthritis but no mention was made of AVN. At that time I did a cortisone inj (which did no good) It was a resident who did it and it was a terrible experience. Not enough numbing and he kept poking around missing the spot where he was supposed to be. One of the surgeons said that it could have been this damage that caused the AVN. Guess I will never know, at this point what's done is done. . I know they say it's not genetic but my brother (who actually lives in the UK, Shetland) had the same joint replaced at the same age. Seems too odd a coincidence. He was told Legg Perthes disease. Anyway, just a rant Take care and glad you found the bubble of young hip gals! I will have to post again after tomorrow. It's going to be really hard to sit back and let the grandparents take care of the kiddos. I know I have to though so that recovery goes well and I can be on my way! Just want to get this behind me!!

 

[Jaycey]

I'm super nervous about the whole thing.

Tell everyone you speak to at the hospital that you are anxious. They totally understand and will do everything they can to help you stay calm.

All the best tomorrow! See you on the other side!

 

[AZWildKat]

Thanks @Jaycey. I will definitely let them know. I'm going to be a mess. The nurse did tell me they will give me something to relax if needed in preop. Just can't wait to be on the mend!!

 

[Avn1999]

Good luck @AZWildKat. You'll be fine. The anaesthetists are very understanding and will help you.

Yes I have AVN in hips and shoulders following high dose steroids used in my chemo protocol for Leukaemia when I was 17. All clear with that and in remission for many years thankfully. Just have the damaged bones to deal with for the rest of my life!

I haven't heard of Legg Perthes disease. How is he now?

So sorry you have had all that trouble leading up to this. Just know that, in my opinion, a hip replacement is a life changer and I really hope it works for you.

Yes, you are going to have to watch relatives negotiate with your kids but they will love it and you have to focus on recovery.

What I didn't mention before is that my kids have been utterly adorable! My son will walk slowly down the stairs with me to make sure I am OK while my daughter is at the bottom holding my crutches ready for me!!

 

[Avn1999]

Just to say I have used some voltarol 12 hr gel today and it has made quite a difference.
It has taken the edge off the sharp pulling feeling I have had around the operation site so making my exercises a bit easier to bear.
Had hydro yesterday and physio today so I am tired but the PT suggested using the Wii fit board to help improve my balance which will be a fun! Just need to be mindful of wiggling!

 

[AZWildKat]

@Avn1999

Well, I made it through! I was terrified when they wheeled me to the OR. I warned them that I would have a major spike in HR. Don't think they took me serious until I heard home say "whoa is that her HR?"

So glad to hear that you are in remission! Sounds like you have been through a lot. So sorry you now have to go through all these joint surgeries : (

Legg Perthes from my understanding is the same as AVN but it happens as a child. As a result the ball never forms properly. My brother is doing great now, he had his surgery in 2011. So there's either a genetic component here or just a really odd coincidence. I will probably never know but I'm excited to start feeling better with this new hippy!! Probably going home today and get to figure out this whole breastfeeding situation. It's not going to be easy but I will do it for my sweet girl!

It's good to hear that your kids were helpful. I think they are usually pretty good at understanding mommy doesn't feel well. The 1st night my 4 yr old woke up scared and crying. When I talked to her she said she was scared for me because "she loves me so bad." It made me cry! Such a little sweetheart! I stayed one extra night just to feel a little stronger before heading home. Just had some meds so I'm ready to go walk a lap and get things moving!


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[Toddlermom]

Expecting to have a THR in 2016. I have a 4 and 2 year old, and if I can hold off for 6 months....I am hoping that my youngest will be a wee bit better at negotiating the world. (Right now she is throwing herself on the ground at every opportunity!). Glad to know that I am not alone on the toddler train--

 

[Hoot262]

I'm so happy to have found this forum and this post. I had THP on my right 7/2014 and my youngest was 9 weeks. Because it was summer we hired someone to come in for about 5 weeks and then the kids started school.

I just had THP on the left October 30th, so about 2.5-3 weeks out. I just turned 42 two days ago and have 4 children ages 8, 7, 5 and 18 mos. The older 3 are in school so I am home with the baby. I've been taking care of him pretty much on my own since last week. My husband took off the first week and works from home a couple days. Im having a real problem with my Dr understanding why I am still taking prescription pain meds about every 4 hours like in the hospital.

My family dynamics are obviously different than what one would think of as a typical THP patient. They are also a bit different than just a family with 4 young kids. My 8 and 7 year old boys have Down syndrome. My 7 year old is fine and mobile, follows directions, etc, but my 8 year old has much more prominent global delays. The 7 year old is our biological son, 1st born child. Then we had our daughter, then we adopted our oldest from an orphanage in Ukraine. He was almost 5 when we brought him home, weighed only 24lbs and had lived in a crib for 5 years. So, although he is still very delayed he has come an extraordinary long way and we are so proud. He started walking at 7 and is still sometimes not stable. You have to help him up and down the stairs, onto and off of the potty(both are training so I've got 2 big boys in diapers and the baby), he needs help eating. He's close but can't stab his food quite yet. He is developmentally around 2 years old. I have an almost 4ft, 50lb child that is in his terrible 2s. On a normal day, it's good. But when he decides to do the flop and drop in the driveway after getting off the bus, I have to wrestle with him and get him in the house. And forget getting him up/down stairs. They have 6 therapies a week
Between them, but at home. There are periods of time I'm alone with all 4 and next week they are out for thanksgiving so there will be 2 days I'll be home all day with them.
Ideal? No. Can I do it? Yes, but not without being very sore and hip throbbing. The meds are very effective at controlling it but they are making a huge deal out of it. My husband is dealing with thev dr because I'm upset about having to justify my use and continued need of every 4 hours. The weekend with hubby home I was able to take just Aleve, but Monday that wasn't the case. I don't feel that not even 3 weeks out that it's is so long that I'd still need pain meds. I said I don't even need the hydrocodone, I would do fine with Tramadol. So now I feel like I've done something wrong because of how they are acting and I hate that I have to give them this in depth description of my home life. I told my husband to just leave it that I'd make do and I'll probably be much better in a week or so anyway. I'm just frustrated at the situation. I don't have a history of asking for meds except right before and after my last surgery and this one but I feel like they're treating me that way.
Anyway, sorry so long. I'm just frustrated and none of my friends really get it. They know it sucks but not the frustration component. Thanks for listening!





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[Avn1999]

AZwildKat how are you now?
Toddlermom keep us updated.
Hoot262 - your doctor is a .... If you need the painkillers thats for you to decide. Sounds like you are doing a great job of a very busy family. Just make sure you don't overdo it!

I am coming up to 12 weeks post op. Getting around the house without crutches but still use one if out and about. Mobility is much better and the hydrotherapy has really helped. My physio has been doing some deep tissue massage which makes me want to cry, but no pain no gain, right?!

Unfortunately although most swelling has gone down, I still have this very sore and tender lump in the side of my hip, just behind my scar. Most of it is numb but the edge of it is painful on contact. I had not been concerned about it before as i thought it was just part of post op swelling, but now my physio has told me to see the gp because she doesn't know what it is.

Anyone else had this? My only thought is that I didn't have a drain in after surgery (which I have had before) so maybe it is fluid or blood? I don't know if the gp is going to be if any help. Hopefully see someone tomorrow.

Hope everyone is looking forward to Christmas - mobile or not! X

 

[pompeypfc]

I have twin boys who are 7 months old and I plan to have a TRHR in France at the beginning of February. As I live in the Middle East I will have to leave them at home with my husband and nanny. I expect to be away for 10 days and then to fly back to ME. I work full time so am nervous about how I will manage! I hope that I will become more mobile and that I can comfortably sit on the ground and play with them and of course catch them when they start to run away! It is nerve wracking to predict the difference having this operation will make and there is always the worry that there will be no benefit!

 

[Toddlermom]

I am having my surgery on Thursday! And I found the most adorable 'ice packs' for the kiddos in the children's medicine section (shaped like a frog & pig). I know that I will be icing the joint, and this will give them their own too. They are a big hit at our house for their boo-boos. Good luck @pompeypfc ! I hope you are already resting comfortably in France.