Feeling discouraged

[HippyJill]

Thank You, Thank You!

Mudpro, thank you for the thoughtful post.

Rachel, thank you for your empathy, encouragement, and helpful advice and direction. Best of luck to you as you continue with your recovery. Your post really touched me. I'm actually going to print out a few copies-one for my journal, and one to put somewhere I'll see more often. It's comforting to be reminded that there's another strong hippy mom out there who's making the best of a not-so-fun situation.

Parenting is challenging enough without any hip issues, and I admire you both for being positive and level-headed about all of this.

Thanks Again!

 

[mdakota]

wow this is why i love this this site. mudpro. what a man. i wasnt a candidate for resurfacing either. the osteotomies shortened the femoral neck and fracture there is the biggest complication. where mudpro was talking about six months down the line i always think about six months without the surgery. and how much more i could do a year ago. the few times the actual surgery part crosses my mind i really ignore it and think about six more months like this. i didnt think it would get this bad. i dont even want to know worse. at least when i'm thinking about recovery its about a gain instead of a loss. that for me is a wonderful thought.

 

[DianeC]

mdakota,

I know just what you mean. I figured I'd be getting really nervous with only 8 days to go, but my hip/thigh pain has gotten so bad I'm more focused on the pain relief the surgery will ultimately provide than on worrying about the surgery itself.

Diane

 

[Judles]

Great attitude, Diane!!! The countdown's begun.....get ready for relief !!

 

[mdakota]

diane that is exactly it. i'll be asleep during surgery so i'm not going to worry about that. lol. when you get to the point you know you dont have an option its pretty easy to feel resigned. usually," so and so fell so they had to have their hip replaced." it went from good to thr in 2 seconds. thats a tough adjustment. when its lingered on and intensified and then gotten to the point you just cant keep on like you are. that same hip sounds like such a blessing. believe me every day i thank God there is an option and i dont have to live like this forever.

 

[JudyS]

hippy's to be i just came back from a hike to my local stream and did not even think once about my new hip. It is just awesome. I had years of chronic pain and loss of range of motion, now it is the best part going on me!!! You will be so happy, great decision. I got excited before my surgery and I hope you all feel the same way.
:thmb:
judy

 

[mdakota]

judy, you've had alot this year so to think about hiking and enjoying it. that is just awesome i'm so glad. it was a pretty day out too.

 

[UTdave]

Jill,

Sorry I didn't see this sooner, but welcome to Bonesmart!

I wouldn't worry too much about the restriction issues. As Jo said, it flies by (as does parenting in general, I'd say!).

Parenting: I went and saw my ortho 1 month after my daughter was born. I quickly realized there was no way I was going to be able to keep up with 70 degrees of flexion and a few degrees of int/ext rotation in my joint (not to mention the constant pain). I too have dysplasia and have reached the 3.5 month mark from my second hip (Rt in 10/2008, Lt in 2/2009). I can effectively chase my child (who is now 15 months) around at a speed that keeps her out of harm's way. I can bend over and pick her (or any number of her toys, pacifiers, etc.) up off the ground, easily get down on the ground with her, etc. I can use the 7 hours or so I have to sleep each night and actually sleep instead of toss and turn in constant pain. In other words, life is good.

Activities: My Rt hip muscles (not joint!) are spasming and giving me some fits today. That being said, today was my fourth day of riding mountain bikes in a row and I went to the jumps for the first time today. I've been back to rock climbing, hiking, etc. I find myself less "limited" each day.

Resurfacing: Beware resurfacing with hip dysplasia. You can search for other posts of mine that guide you to research showing fairly high failure rates (5-10% in 2yrs) of this procedure in patients with significant dysplasia. The idea of activity limitations with modern total hip are pretty much unfounded, I think my above list of activities support this notion. Also beware of surfacehippy.org as they seem to be a cheerleader for this procedure even when (if you search their forums) their own experts feel dysplasia is a significant limitation for successful resurfacing.

Good luck! I think you'll be very happy in 6 months or so! Please check back and give updates!

Dave

 

[Judles]

There ya go, Dave! In your case....Spasming reflects activity!! You go, Man! You sound wonderful! Keep up the great recup now!

 

[Scott]

Dave - that's great to hear about your activities! Sorry about the spasms, but it sounds like you're able to do just about anything you want.