Bilateral THR ByGosh ByGolly ByLateral

[ByGosh]

Hi anniemg I can hear the thunder outside now and a short drumming of rain, which stopped at the moment and the sun is back out. I guess we will get some cooler air, I wonder if we'll get rain, we sure need it. It's scarey that your work place lost power - only in the sense that you or any of us dont want to lose power in this heat - but great that you could go home, especially two Fridays in a row. Yay for you- that's a bonus- nice start to the summer weekend.

All of the visitors to your thread are thinking good thoughts and praying for a good outcome for you....Hang in there!

Thanks, anniemg. It's good to know everyone here is on my side. I never woud have known how helpful people I haven't even met can be! It's amazing how terrific you all are.

 

[ByGosh]

Nylsor I'm glad it's cooled off for you, we're still waiting here - but the cooler air is coming soon, thank goodness. That's an awful lot of deaths -700! That must be some sort of record for a heat wave. I never realized you were so much farther north than us. You must be somewhere equal to Nova Scotia, because even in our most North Eastern states we get hot temperatures.
Your plan for your other hip is really a good one. You do need to ask for that hip xray as soon as you can, so you can start your investigating if you need to, on where to go for another THR. You shouldn't have to repeat what happened last time. That was horrendous for you both, from the pain to the delay in getting diagnosed, to the long waiting list, and the eventual decision to pay for it on your own. What a needless amount of physical and emotional suffereing you went through- such a shame. It's no wonder when it was all over you were depressed. You were no doubt running on a lot of adrenaline pre-op - constantly worrying, trying to figure it all out, a lot of stress hormones from the pain and the trauma. It's understandable. And I know you won't let it happen again. Even if the xrays show you have some time, maybe you should schedule it in case? I hope they're ok, though and the hip is just complaining from all of the work it's had to do helping you recover.
I remember Josephine saying in your thread the different places where the waiting list is shorter than where you are. She'd be an excellent person to ask where you should go - maybe where she works! You'd have Mother Hen looking out for you and making sure you got good care, and a good talking to if you didn't behave, too! Just what we all need - a Mom to keep us in line! All out of love and concern for our well-being, though.

Nylsor I can't wait for our next London trip with all of our BoneSmart friends. I looked up every place you took us to last time, and I loved seeing it all. Piccadilly looks like our Times Square in New York a bit - bustling with activity and shopping. Harrods is exciting, it's so big and famous, with so many nice things to buy. And so is Selfridges, just as much fun to browse. Hyde Park is beautiful and huge, like our Central Park in NYC- Green Park is also lush, with nice walking paths. I so enjoyed seeing Her Majesty the Queen's residence, and the lavish interiors. Wow. The tea in the garden is delightful, and so pretty with the flowers. Shopping in the palace giftshop was fun, too, I got my daughters pretty crown necklaces!
So you can see I made good use of your tour and enjoyed myself very much, thanks to you.
I hope you and hubby enjoy a nice, relaxing weekend and the cooler weather is easier on you.
Thank you for being such a special 'acoss the pond' friend.

 

[ByGosh]

Songlady (ahem) Thanks for the info on the yogurts and the probiotics. I love health info, especially from someone who's used them and knows.
I heard on the news that someone in Hartford died of heat stroke, but that's all I've heard so far. I hope we don't get anymore of this!
You've changed your type on your posts - it looks so different. That's happened to me accidentially before, and I had the darndest time getting it back.

 

[anniemg]

I never woud have known how helpful people I haven't even met can be!​

ByGosh, It's true isn't it...People are generally good...sometimes we forget how good people are with all the lunatics we hear about on the news today.
My husband keeps asking me if i am facebooking....i say no...i'm bonesmarting....the smarties are much more interesting!
We were chased out of the pool with thunder and lightning early this afternoon...but it didn't amount to anything....We are expecting storms early tonite and then some relief...

 

[ByGosh]

glynis Nice to hear from you. I'm so glad that you enjoyed your Alaskan cruise. Nylsor has one planned for this fall, too. It sounds beautiful with all of the gorgeous scenery and the wildlife. That would be fantastic to observe the animals in their natural environment. I'm glad that you told me about it - no sense lying here just focusing on the negatives. Those types of tales takes me out of myself a little bit, which is just what I need.
Your THR story is an unusal one and I hate to say it, really interesting, although unfortunate. Falling out of an airplane in a foreign country, fracturing your hip, having to negotiate the language for medical care and major surgery, is nothing short of amazing. It's a testament to your grit and determination. Surely it wasn't your choice, but you did well despite the unusual circumstances. Then your two stage revision for an infection was another trial for you to go through. Your story gives me encouragement, as do many stories here. I'm glad that you stopped by to remind me of what's possible to overcome.
You're doing so well now, despite your discomforts, though. You're living your life and enjoying yourself, still traveling and still healthy. That's an accomplishment.
Thanks for your visit and your good wishes. I hope that Tues is the beginning of the end of this difficult chapter in my life.

 

[ByGosh]

Aww Littlejem You're the one who went through so much in these past few years, starting with your first surgeries and treatment, and then your back and now both of your hips. Wow, that's a lot in a short amount of time. You have incredible strength to go through so much and still be here to cheer the rest of us on. It had to be so physically and emotionally trying for you, but you've been able to keep your spirits up, and keep your good sense of humor, and get on with your life. It must be all part of that 'stiff upper lip' you lovely British folks are known for. I'd say it shows great strength of character. I hope I can be half as strong as you've been! If you can go through all of that, it gives me hope for myself. So thanks for being a great cheerleader for the rest of us. Hopefully something will change for the better for me soon.

 

[Poppet]

It will... patience grasshopper

 

[ByGosh]

sqwerlie I'm glad you flew over with your super sqwerlie cape to come and visit me!

I'm praying that Tuesday comes quickly and with super results!

I hope so, too! Or at least start a process of healing for me. Thanks so much for your kind thoughts.
We're still sweltering here, but it's supposed to get cooler very soon, and it can't come soon enough for us.
I hope you've been staying comfortable where you are and your recovery is coming along well for you. Is your energy back now? Are the kids behaving for you? It's been so hot and dry here, our grass is yellowing. I hope you're having some rain to keep your crops thriving. How's hubby doing with his farming? What do you plant? - I hope you haven't been as hot as we have, although there was only 1 state in the nation that wasn't 90 yesterday, according to the news. Maybe yours was the cooler one? Or was it Michigan? Either way, I'm glad you're nice and cool with low humidity now. Take care, and thanks for being supportive to me. You're not only a super sqweril, but you're an angel, too.

 

[nmay51]

ByGosh, Two things I know from personal experience:
1. God never waists a hurt.
2. The only way we lose is if we quit.

After reading your thread, I know that you're not a quitter, therefore you will be a winner. You will overcome this challenging chapter of your life. You'll come out better, stronger and certainly wiser. There's no doubt in my mind.

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 think Poppet had very wise words about reevaluating her situation specifically to her. It struck me in my spirit, and I will do a lot of thinking over her comments.

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.

I don't care if my journey is a marathon, as long as I do it right, and I get to celebrate the little victories on the way.

I'm overwhelmed by your thread, always! You have such a wonderful group of friends here and I'm certain that your life outside of this beautiful forum board is just as rich with wise, supportive friends and loved ones. Good for you, you deserve every bit of it! I cant wait to continue following along your journey and cheering for you ever step of the way!

Nancy

 

[ByGosh]

Well, Good Morning Poppet ! It was 4:22 pm Saturday here, while it was 6:22 am Sunday there. You're way ahead of me, aren't you? 14 hours in time, and light years in wisdom!
You're used to being up early, aren't you, so even on your day off, you're up and about. I was the same way and I loved it. Now, I'd rather not get up so early if I don't have to. It's a bad habit to get into, sleeping late, I think. But I'll change when it's time.
I hope you enjoyed your Sunday, and thank you for the nice greeting and the healing wishes! You're a gem.

 

[sandpiper]

ByGosh I have a feeling sleep will come easily tonight! I'm exhausted! Yesterday was a long day and I felt it today! My body complained ! I finally broke down and took a pain pill. I could have held off but I figured....why suffer? Now I feel....GREAT! Ha

 

[ByGosh]

You have such a wonderful group of friends here

Yes they are all wonderful, and so helpful and caring to everyone who needs them. That's what makes this forum special, the people who participate to help each other - by doing that, we're all helping ourselves, too. It's good for everyone.
Thanks again nmay51 for your great post. I'm glad you got enrichment from Poppet. She does have some unique wisdom that she shares with all of us. And having you as a cheerleader sounds good to me!

sandpiper No need to suffer - if you have pain, that's what the pain pills are for. You're still fresh post-op and you want your body to relax and let those stress hormones disappear so the healing can take place - physically and mentally, right? You had a big day and were probably over-tired last night. Hopefully tonight will be a nice deep and restful sleep for you.

 

[Littlejem]

ByGosh thank you for your kind words but I'm not sure about my character possibly more a case of just getting on with it, I would like to think I was strong though...........

 

[sandpiper]

ByGosh. You were so right my friend! I slept like a baby last night!

 

[Nylsor]

PART 1
Good morning from the UK ByGosh, LeeApril26, Kim22, BeckyR, Littlejem, Songlady, anniemg, nmay51, glynis, sandpiper, Poppet, alexthecat and sqwerlie. I've invited you all along today on this new London trip because you are all friends of ByGosh . If I've left anyone out, I'm very sorry and you are very welcome to join us. If you've already been where I'm going to take you, you don't have to come along - I just thought it would be good to support ByGosh who kindly lets us hang out on her thread - a bit like squatters really, and who is having a really hard time at the moment. First, we are going somewhere very special - the Houses of Parliament. And yes, you really can visit them as I've been there on many occasions with students. Anyway we're going to catch the mainline train at the bottom of my road and stay on it right to the end of the track which is Liverpool Street in the City of London. It will take us 30 minutes and if you look out of the train windows, you'll see that the streets are getting more crowded and there isn't much green space to be seen. Well, we've all had a nice chat on the train and got to know one another so now we're going down onto the underground to catch the Circle Line to Westminster. As you exit the station you'll see an iconic landmark right across the road - Big Ben which is the name of the bell inside the clock tower but everyone calls the clock Big Ben. It's a pity we're not here at night when all four faces of the clock are illuminated. The tower was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Right, let's cross the road and walk along the front of the buildings of the Palace of Westminster which include Big Ben and the two Houses of Parliament. We're going through the public entrance so you'll all have to go through the security procedures. Just like the airports. And no, you can't take any pics or use your mobile / cell phone. We are going to be in here for 1 hour 15 minutes. After I've given my name to the official we'll meet up with our guide. As there are 14 of us we've got our own guide and a cheap rate. Ask the guide all the questions you want. We are going to follow the route the Queen takes every year at the State Opening of Parliament. First, the Queen's Robing Room where she puts on her robes and crown, through the Royal Gallery and the Prince's Chamber and in to the Lords' Chamber which is all red and gold and has the magnificent thrones where the Queen and Prince Philip sit and where she reads out what the Government is planning to do that session and is what the Government have told her to read. Oops, sorry ladies, you're not allowed to sit on the red leather seats. The policeman on guard will give me a good talking to if you sit down, even if I tell him you're hips are aching. They're for Lords and Ladies, Bishops of the Church, and the great and the good, none of whom have ever been elected to sit there and debate laws that will affect all our lives. Enough of that - I'll get off my soapbox. Now we're moving on to the 'common' side of the Houses of Parliament which is used by our elected representatives, known as Members of Parliament. We're going through the Central Lobby, the Member's Lobby and then into the chamber of the House of Commons which is where, if you watch the televised debates, you'll see our MP's shouting and bawling at each other like a load of hooligans. On your way in, you'll see a very large statue of Winston Churchill, our WWII Prime Minister, and you'll see that the toe of one of his shoes is shiny. Give it a rub for luck - I have. It didn't work. The House of Commons is small and scruffy unlike the House of Lords and when all the MP's bother to attend ( not very often) there aren't enough seats. Next, a real treat. After passing through St Stephen's Hall, you'll stand in Westminster Hall which was built in 1097. In this place, Nelson Mandela and US President Barack Obama have addressed members of both Houses of Parliament. The bodies of Kings and Queens lie in State here after their deaths and members of the public file past the catafalque until the funeral. Right, before we move on, we'd better go into the Jubilee Cafe and you can all have a nice cup of coffee or tea and give your hips a rest. I hope you've bought some souvenirs to take home with you. Don't buy anything heavy - remember the weight restrictions on your luggage. And what are you going to do with that great big plate with 'Souvenir of the Houses of Parliament' on it?
I'll be back later with Part 2 as someone in my house is grumbling about the non-appearance of lunch. Someone, (Mike) needs to get his priorities right Ros

 

[nmay51]

Nylsor, Lunch first, then "more please"!

 

[sandpiper]

Nylsor. Wow! I'm loving the trip but by all means.... Feed the poor guy!

 

[anniemg]

Nylsor, Excellent tour....Looking forward to Part 2.

 

[Kim22]

Nylsor Thank you for the tour which I thoroughly enjoyed and I look forward to the next part.Although I have been to London many times I have never been lucky enough to visit The H of P.so your tour was very interesting.

 

[LeeApril26]

Nylsor. Great trip! We're waiting in a pub 'til Mike finishes lunch.