Bilateral THR ByGosh ByGolly ByLateral

[ByGosh]

zauberflöte LeeApril26 Songlady Nylsor and everyone And thank you ladies, too, for being here for me. This is such a stressful time. I've never been sick in my life, never had surgery, never been disabled or in pain. (thank god) So it's hard to believe this has happened to me. It's very foreign to my lifestyle and my image of myself as a healthy, active person.

I hope the cortisone shots work, too. Maybe it'll take a couple of rounds of shots, and maybe some oral prednisone, too. I do feel that I want further imaging done to be certain the implants aren't rubbing the tendon, or positioned improperly. That's my next step. An MRI, CT scan. I'll ask the OS what he recommends, but he's very conservative, and he may tell me to wait. I already asked my primary if he'd order an MRI and he said let's get the US first and see what it shows. But I still want it, and I'll just have to find a way. I can't accept this pain and limitation as my life now. If you could've seen me last fall, before the pain got bad, you'd never believe the difference. I never sat down during the day, except for dinnertime. Never sat on the couch, never mind laid on it during the day. It's unbelievable what a toll pain can take on a body and one's life.

Ok - so I think I had a UTI which started Wed. night.. Brought a clean catch urine to the lab, had the gyn order some macrodantin, and I'm starting to feel a little better. I got really scared because I felt so weak and nauseous and ill last night and this AM, I thought the worst. But now I seem to be feeling less sick. Hope it continues, and it was just a UTI, and nothing else is going on!

Nylsor I'm anxiously awaiting the royal birth, just like all of England is! I read that Kate headed back to London, and there are tourists and others crowding St. Mary's Hospital where they expect her to deliver. It'll be soon, that's for sure. She was due July11th. I'm curious what she'll name the baby.
And please take us on another tour of London when you have a chance. We all want to 'go'. It's so fun to hear about it, and visualize it!
Thanks for your well-wishes and prayers, ladies. I appreciate so much your help and support.

 

[nmay51]

ByGosh, I'm so sad and sorry that you're recovery is less than miraculous. I'm keeping you in my prayers for things to get better than new quickly. You have the best thread! Everyone is so supportive and it's very inspiring. I read all of it, and enjoy all of you here. I'm still cheering you on... all of you!

Nancy

 

[LeeApril26]

ByGosh Hope the UTI clears up quickly. They can sure make you feel awful. I can relate to your dismay at your incarnation as a sick person. That's how I felt when the hip began to go. I couldn't believe I couldn't fix it with exercise. Did PT and so much lap swimming that I made it much worse, and couldn't really go anywhere or do anything for almost three months. I was angry, incredulous and hated every minute of it. I hope the shots on Tuesday work, and work quickly. I don't know anything about ultrasound scans, except for pregnancy. I hope your physician will refer you for the tests you need to be sure of what is going on. I am sure you will find a way.

We just drove to the country and as we were leaving NYC the car thermometer registered 105 degrees outside temperatures. Take care of yourself in this heat. I'm sure it's not helping the stress and pain.

 

[zauberflöte]

ByGosh Hope that UTI clears up very quickly indeed! I do understand how a person's image of herself can be changed by pain and debilitating circumstances, especially when it's so sudden, as your situation was. You expected to get your old self only better, after THR, but here you are a worse self. Keep on advocating, you've come a long way in the past couple of weeks in terms of information gathering and diagnosis procuring-- and a treatment is just around the corner on Tuesday Keep cool in that a/c!

LeeApril26 105, wow. My car reads at the pavement level, we think, as we get temps like that in parking lots. But there in NYC I'm thinking it's pretty close to the truth. So many people who can't get away, have no a/c, no fans.... I pray they will come through this heat wave ok.

 

[ByGosh]

I couldn't believe I couldn't fix it with exercise. Did PT and so much lap swimming

LeeApril26 That's exactly how I felt! I started PT right away, kept walking and swimming and of course, it just progressed until I couldn't walk any distance without significant pain. I kept going swimming, but with a buoy and minimal kicking. At Christmastime, when I just felt I had to go into a store, my daughter or husband would take me in a wheel chair. Unbelievable. And I was still working my school nurse job. I never missed a day all year, right up to surgery. I'd take ice packs with me, and try to sit as much as I could. It's a small, quiet school, and I only worked 3.5-4hrs a day, thank goodness, so mostly I was ok. If I had to do anything - like run upstairs for an injury, I'd be in so much pain afterwards. It was just awful.
At first, I just didn't know what to do with the pain. Then I learned to prevent it alittle by taking Tramadol when I got up in the AM, and then again around noon, to try to stay ahead of it. I just figured that out a month or two pre-op, though.

I hope the shots on Tuesday work, and work quickly.

Oh, Lenora, I hope they do something for me. This is just becoming unbearable. As you can imagine, it has dramatically changed our lives here. I was the 'go-to' person in the family for everyone. My wonderful husband worked hard and provided, but mostly it was me who figured things out for the kids, the cars, the house. I can still use my brain, but I couldn't do important activities, like the college search for my youngest. Or go shopping and buy her a prom dress (although I did get a beauty on line @Nordstroms). It's so hard.

This is supposed to be the worst day yet for the heat wave here, thank goodness. It's unbearable, isn't it? The dogs just go out, then come right back in where it's cooler. I'm glad you can escape to the country. Maybe you'll swim again in the lake, grill some more delicious pizza. The mountains must be cooler! Stay hydrated and enjoy yourself. I think my UTI is responding, which I'm very grateful for.

 

[ByGosh]

you've come a long way in the past couple of weeks in terms of information gathering and diagnosis procuring

Thanks zauberflöte I'm trying to get back on track, and I hope I can, even if it's not 100% me. The only thing holding me up is pain. So let's all keep our fingers crossed that Tues will do something for this. If not, I'll have to figure out a different approach.

The air outside is still and hot and heavy. Oppressive, too. I'm thankful for the A/C, and feel for the poor people, especially in the cities, who don't have it. And the elderly- they're so susceptible. I'm sure there are some casualties in our state, unfortunately.

LeeApril26 just heard and posted on Littlejem s thread that the news said 270 people in the UK died from heat stroke and related illnesses! That's alot! I would imagine it's very difficult if they're not prepared for it with fans and A/Cs. Poor folks.

Songlady I'm thinking of your Mom and hoping she's ok in this heat. She has air conditioning, doesn't she? I'm sure you're taking good care of her and checking on her regularly.

 

[LeeApril26]

ByGosh I am so glad you were able to find your daughter's prom dress online, though I know shopping for it with her in a real store would have been much more fun. I bought the outfit I wore to my son's wedding in March online (several outfits-returned lots!) and had to be driven into Manhattan for a pre-wedding haircut, use a wheelchair at the airports and hobble around the wedding using a cane and on Percocet. You should see the wedding video. I look feeble. Very distressing. But at least I feel better now.
Your pain is going on way too long, and as the go-to gal, I know you are feeling awful and guilty anytime your husband or children have to take up the slack. I am very sure, though, that your well-functioning brain is working just fine, and you are still problem-solving for them all.
It is incredible that you made it to work everyday, and fulfilled all of your responsibilities while in such pain. Don't think I could have done that. You deserve to keep that job.
You must be "sitting on pins" having to wait until Tuesday for the shots, but you have done a terrific job managing all this-thank goodness you are not waiting four more weeks. I am sure you will able to advocate for more scans/MRIs if you feel you need them. I can understand that you need to reassure yourself.

We are in PA now, and once again I am wondering why I left my airconditioned apartment??? It is still in the high 90s, and I am too exhausted by the heat to go out in the sun to jump in the lake. Will do it in the morning, when I hope it will be cooler. I am praying for those thunderstorms to hit and cool us down. I may be sorry about that since our cabin is on the top of a big hill, and we can lose power quite easily. Oh well, then I will have to sacrifice and eat all the ice cream.


Very pleased your UTI is responding to the meds. Drink, drink and drink. Are you taking a probiotic? I am still on the antibiotics for the sinus infection and the dr. who prescribed them suggested I take the probiotics as well as eat Activia yogurt. I don't usually like it because it has sugar in it, but it doesn't taste too bad.
Take care.

 

[Songlady]

LeeApril26, ByGosh - probiotics: my specialty! Floraster is a good one to ward off antibiotic effects, but Align, Ultimate Care - a lot are fine. At my organ convention I realized I'd forgotten my prescription ones and bought a little jar of some by One-A-Day, like the vitamins!
Yogurt is OK but doesn't have that many strains. (I bet that's more info than you wanted...... )
Sorry it's hot there, Lenora! I look forward to this heat breaking, for sure......
Ice cream.... yum.....

 

[ByGosh]

I'm keeping you in my prayers for things to get better than new quickly.

nmay51 Thank you so much for your well wishes and prayers. I really appreciate it more than you know.
[q
uote="nmay51, post: 490218, member: 11343"]Everyone is so supportive and it's very inspiring.[/quote]
I agree with you! These wonderful ladies have been so kind and available and willing to provide all of us with understanding and comfort, especially when we need it most. It's so important! Other people just don't seem to understand, as they haven't had this surgery and can't imagine what we're going through. Even my nurse friends don't know. It's helpful to have others validate my feelings, my pain and frustration. Otherwise, I don't know what I'd do.
And how are you feeling? I'm glad that you and your 'hip sister' sandpiper are both coming along well, and getting stronger and better every week. It's wonderful to finally have your severe pain gone, and to look forward to getting your life back. Keep up the great work on your recovery! And thanks for being in touch.

 

[nmay51]

ByGosh, I thought I was doing ok... My daughter came back to see me and told me my hip is swollen. I felt it and agree... back to the ice for me. Who wants saddle bags, right?? I guess I just got a bit lazy. I hadn't put the ice on the hip for 2 days. oopsie!!! Still off the Prescription pain medicines, YAHOO!!!

I'm so hopeful for you, I just know that this will be the direction you need to go in to get back to a pain free active Mom, wife, family engineer, crossing guard, and all the other very important hats you wear.

My daughter and her husband just moved back into my house today. They are at a transition period, and need a place to regroup. My kids are my life and I would do anything for them. Hence, here they are, regrouping at Mom's house. As I read your post I felt a kindred spirit where our families are concerned. I love them and will do whatever I can to help all of my children (2 birth and one married in to us). I told them my only hope is that we love each other more when the arrangement is done, as we do when it began. My prayers are already in the works for that one.

My heartfelt prayers continue your way... and to your support system, here and at home...

Nancy

 

[anniemg]

So let's all keep our fingers crossed that Tues will do something for this.​

Hi ByGosh, I've been catching up on your thread...You really have been having an awful time of it...You always sound so positive, so I know that Tuesday will start you back on track. I will cross my fingers and say a prayer for you. As nmay51 said...you do have the best thread. Take care you will be in my thoughts.

 

[Poppet]

You are very welcome ByGosh, so many of us have 'walked in your shoes' to varying degrees.. We understand and we care and we will stick with you, until we see you recovered and able to move on with life.. One step at a time honey, don't get too overwhelmed with the big picture if you can xx

 

[ByGosh]

Oh Poppet Thank you for your kind and caring outlook. Truthfully, I'm really afraid that I'll never be normal again - that this is how it will always be for me - pain and inability to function. I don't even want to say that, but I feel that way. I wonder if THR patients with such severe tendonitis ever recover. It seems to be getting steadily worse now, too. I know I need to stay positive, but it's been so long. I have to keep my hopes up, though. It doesn't help not to! Thanks again for your support, you're really a sweetheart.

 

[alexthecat]

Hon, that was how I felt after three failed hip surgeries. It didn't seem like my life would ever be "normal". It is though. Today it's like nothing ever happened. I won't say it was easy. It was a heck of a journey and some days it was all I could do to put one foot in front of the other, in a figurative, if not a literal, sense. I got through it and you will too. Please try to believe that.

 

[ByGosh]

nmay51 I feel the same as you do about my own children. Your daughter and her husband are lucky to have you to help them. It can be hard for young people now, they need the support of their parents sometimes. It's wonderful they're so close to you that they could ask, and that they would want to stay with you. It's good for all of you to have each other. I'm sure there will be times when it's hard for everyone, but your devotion and love for each other won't stop. She knows you're doing it because you love them.

Ice sure does help, doesn't it? It'll bring that swelling down in no time, I bet. It's great that you don't need pain pills now. Don't let yourself suffer if you have pain, though.

I'm so hopeful for you, I just know that this will be the direction you need to go in

Thanks for that vote of confidence and the encouragement! As I said to Poppet, I'm worried, but I have to stay hopeful, too. I can use all of the prayers and support I can get. Everyone here is wonderful to each other.

 

[Poppet]

ByGosh, Before I had my RTHR I was severely immobile and was leaning on my elbows on a walker for two years and had suddenly been told (2 days before my first surgery date, which got cancelled) that the NSAIDs had given me the life long kidney disease.. Then surgery and 5 days in ICU literally fighting for my life my hubby tells me.. crash cart the whole bit..

I am not mentioning this to gain sympathy, but what I want to demonstrate is that I realized that my recovery, was not going to be like everyone else on the forum. It was going to take me a long time to recover. For example, the drugs they gave me in ICU caused my hair to almost completely fall out and it is still trying to thicken at 20 months post.

Hubby had educated himself (we are both researchers, scientifically) on the process and recovery from a THR and constantly reinforced that my full and complete recovery was going to take at least two years. So we fixed our minds on that timeframe and whenever I get/got frustrated and down, I just keep saying to myself.. Two years, and I was going to have to take it slow and steady.

I knew that just normal walking (and not a lot of that) and a whole heap of rest was what I was going to need, and a bucketload of patience, topped up each and every day. Every time a new pain or ache came out of no where, I would say to hubby, why?? And we would sit down and study the muscles, ligaments, soft tissue and come to the conclusion that a slightly different movement or stretch or an over enthusiastic Nordic Walk although it felt good at the time, later my body objected, so I learnt to back off.

When I write about being the consummate lazy bones, I really mean it. I want to protect this gift I have been given, but I know it will take time. I still have four months to get to 2 years and I am as active as I want or need to be right at this stage. Later when I retire and the working structured day of up at 5:30 am, shower, dress in business clothes, get there through traffic, sit in for 9, 10, 11 hour days in a stressful job all disappear then I will be able to reevaluate what level of exercise, activities I want to do..

But in the meantime, I keep saying to myself, recovering from a THR is a marathon, not a sprint for me, I am not in a hurry to go anywhere, just survive each day and enjoy the small achievements and milestones I pass.

You will get there, this won't be your new norm, you will recover, just time, lots of time xxxx sending big, big cyber hugs from down under xx

 

[nmscienceteacher]

ByGosh hang in there...we all know you have tremendous grit and determination as you have told us about working to the end under tremendous pain...so cry, or rave when you need to then pick yourself up and keep on with it. I hope and pray that the shots help...and don't forget how terribly important your own mental attitude is to your healing. You can do this...one day/hour at a time and you will get better in time. Will keep you in my prayers!

 

[ByGosh]

Hi anniemg Thanks for dropping by - good to hear from you. I hope you're coming along well and managing to stay nice and cooled off in your pool during this horrible heat wave!


I appreciate your prayers and inspiration. It's really helpful to have everyone's support. I hope things improve soon, it's been too long.
By the way, I hope SeaSiren is doing ok. I don't think she's posted for awhile. I'll have to check her thread again. I don't want to bug her, but I'm thinking of her alot and I wish I knew how she was doing. I know it's hard sometimes to write if everything isn't just as we wished it would be.

The weather is supposed to start breaking this weekend, thank goodness. It's been unbelievable, hasn't it? I'm glad we didn't have any power outages here. The news said that every state in the nation but for one (I think it was Michigan - the Great Lake State) had temps in the 90s today. I wonder if that's some sort of record? And LeeApril26 heard on the news that 270 people in the UK died from heat stroke and related illness. It's terrible, the poor people.

Take care anniemg and thanks again for your thoughts.

 

[ByGosh]

I got through it and you will too. Please try to believe that.

Aww alexthecat and Poppet and nmscienceteacher Now you're making me teary eyed... It's just so wonderful of you to send such inspiration and kindness to me.
I didn't know you had 3 failed surgeries alexthecat . My goodness, you're strong and you've certainly been through a lot! And here you are now helping all of us get through our own surgery. I want to hang onto your words and remember them when I feel hopeless. It is hard to keep facing each day. I'm so glad that you got your life back and are happy and healthy again. Thank you for sharing that with me. I didn't know, and it makes me hopeful for myself.

Poppet You have also been through such difficult times! How remarkable that you're doing so well, working so hard, and being an inspiration to us. Your journey's been a long one, too, and you're still going strong. It helps me to know that, I can't tell you how much. Even your time frame of two years, although it seems like an eternity, gives me more patience with my own situation.

I need to take each day as it comes, one step at a time - just like nmscienceteacher said. I know my own mental attitude is important, but it's hard to stay positive. Thanks for reminding me of all of this. I get so caught up in the worry and pain, and the effort it takes, and will keep taking, to pursue this, figure everything out, keep trying - but it's time, patience and persistence. I have to remember that.

Thanks for all of your help. It means a lot to me.

 

[sandpiper]

ByGosh. Oh my. I wish I could do something for you. I feel so bad that you are having such a horrible time of it. I know you will get through this but I 'm sure it's very difficult on you . I will keep you in my prayers my friend. I believe things will be ok and you will once again feel like your old self but I understand your feelings of dismay. I'm sending you a great big hug and lots of good wishes! I do hope Tuesday brings you the answers you need.