Greetings - So glad I found you!

[Hoppy Nanny]

@hopefulm.....hope the four weeks goes quickly for you!! The waiting is truly the worst part of it all........!! Xxxx


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[AnnieABC]

November 11 will be here before we know it, Mary! I've been trying to imagine what my hip will feel like with no pain, and I can't even do it. I guess with pain for over 20 yrs, I have no memory of what it was like.

Hang in there. It will be here soon enough! Don't you have a trip to look forward to?

 

[hopefulm]

Thanks,@AnnieABC , we will be getting new hips soon!!! Relaxing tonight on an ice pack, did a little gardening yesterday, suffering today. . .it will be so nice to be able to bend down without pain. . .my husband says I've been limping for at least 5 years. It's amazing how much I blocked until I finally couldn't function any more. I'm hoping that the second hip will be OK for a little longer, but I will probably face that in a few years (want to make it another 1 1/2 years so I'll have Medicare - my insurance costs are pretty high for this one.)
Yes, I leave for Nolo on Sat - going with my best friend Annie! We worked together for 20+ years, and she is receiving an award from our professional organization, so it will be great fun to honor her and see lots of old friends - eat well, enjoy great music, and laugh with some favorite people. I'm a little worried about the flight, but did decide to call the airline to get a cart for changing planes. . .had to get over the embarrassment of feeling like an old lady (hmmm, maybe, I am!). This group has been so terrific. . Knowing you will be going through surgery "with" me is so comforting.

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

Enjoy that trip @hopefulm....that cart will make all the difference to your confidence during the journey! Old ladies....I think not!! Just getting started on your new pain free hips!
Good luck too @AnnieABC!!


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[hopefulm]

Another thing I never knew. . .the US airlines (at least Delta for my flight) are wonderful about accommodating travelers with disabilities. I felt much better when I made this reservation 6 months ago, but started really worrying this past week about sitting in a tight seat with no leg room. . .so I called the airline, and was given a bulkhead aisle seat. I'm nearly 6 feet tall, with very long legs, so I'm not sure i could have tolerated the 5 hour flight without keeping my right leg extended most of the time. The agent was wonderful, kind, and considerate.
I'm getting very excited to be having a fun trip before surgery!

 

[Poppet]

Welcome @hopefulm - a little more reading for you - knowledge is power! your November surgery date is coming around fast

Slow and steady and remembering that recovery from a joint replacement can be a marathon and not a sprint gives one permission to recover in one's own timeframe

The following is a link to an article which provides the current science regarding the healing beneath and around the implant and approximate timeframes for the healing phases and processes and the relevant nutritional information for each phase.

Healing Phases & Nutrition

This second link is to other nutritional articles which you may find interesting, including one relating to bone health.

Nutritional advice for pre op and recovery

This third link refers to my ongoing research..

nutrional-snippets

 

[hopefulm]

Once again, I have to say how grateful I am to have discovered this incredible resource for information and support! I honestly don't know how I would be coping otherwise. I had my "class" today to prepare for surgery and was pretty disappointed. Mostly involved a PT quickly covering a few points in a booklet, while saying repeatedly, "And your therapist will teach you about this after surgery." . . Showed a couple of slides of how to navigate stairs, and demonstrated (very quickly) how to back up a single step, without explaining how one should turn around afterwards. Also showed one slide of getting into a car, without any real explanation of how to manage it. (Fortunately, I found several great YouTube videos on my own.) She reviewed the 3 recommended post op exercises, and that was about it. Mentioned icing as an option, not stressed at all. If I hadn't spent time on this forum, and researching several joint center websites (including my hospital), I would be completely overwhelmed and terrified. So once again, thank you!!!
The booklet provided is OK, but nothing more. The library here is so much better, especially relating to things like healing phases, possible fatigue and depression, managing constipation, and the importance of good nutrition.
As a health care professional in my past life, it's sorely disappointing to see what could and should be available to patients vs what is actually provided.
OK, that's my soapbox for today. Just a little over 2 weeks, and still anxious, but trying hard to be positive & optimistic. . .and so ready to be free of this burning pain that has me awake on my ice pack one more night.
On a brighter note, had a wonderful trip to New Orleans, rode the streetcars to sightsee, met friends for lots of great food and fun, and was treated well by the airline, so all - in - all, well worth the pain of sitting and walking.
Now it's time to organize the house, freeze some meals, make my daily. Post op "charting" records for keeping track of meds and exercises, and planning for Thanksgiving by ordering pies, and designating all other tasks to others! Novel approach for me, but kind of fun!
16 days to a new hip!!!

 

[Jaycey]

planning for Thanksgiving by ordering pies, and designating all other tasks to others!

Well done on the delegation! Sounds like you are really getting prepared for this. Not long now!

 

[hopefulm]

11 days 'til 11/11. . .countdown underway. Still having days of sheer terror, interspersed with optimism & hope for this pain to be gone!

 

[AnnieABC]

@hopefulm We'll make it!

 

[dede62]

The countdown is good. It means that mentally you are ready to move on to the next phase of recovery. My pain management doctor and GP both noted the uptake in attitude prior to surgery. Just knowing there was an end in sight to the pain helped me get through those last few days until I was on the other side and not looking back! Your date is the day before my 2nd anniversary. Wishing you the best on this last leg before the healing work begins!!

 

[hopefulm]

Thanks for the kind words,@dede62! I think I am ready. . .I have been cooking the last few days - made homemade meatballs in red pasta sauce (8 meals), cauliflower soup (2 meals), & chili verde (4 meals) - all packaged and frozen. This morning I made the BS recipe for 6 Week Bran Muffins for the frig. Arranged weekly housecleaning service and dog bathing, and boarding for him while I'm in hospital.
I was talking to my (wise) daughter this morning about all this. She said, "That's great - you needed to feel like you have control over some of this process!" She also reminded me that her dad is pretty capable, and she is available to help anytime!
So, all in all, I'm feeling better and better about getting through this next hurdle.

 

[Michegon]

@hopefulm Hi, Just thought of you and your THR. You are going to be fine. Watch out for steps and leaves in Portland now that the rains have come. Good luck and i will be following your recovery.

 

[hopefulm]

Thank you for thinking of me,@Michegon! I'm feeling less anxious as the big day approaches. . .next week this time I should be home with my shiny new hip. Yay!

 

[hopefulm]

Final pre-op appt today! Met the PA who assists in the OR, filled out hip assessment questionnaire, to be repeated post-op. Both the OS & PA examined me again, and commented that my right leg -op side - is longer than the left now. The surgeon states that it will be longer with the new hip, and I will definitely notice it more. . .he says that I may need a small lift for the opposite shoe, until I have that hip replaced. ( they both said "when, not if".)
So I've read threads on LLD, and figure I'll just have to deal with it.
5 days and counting!!

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

Not long now until you are rid of that awful pain @ hopefulm...glad the pre op went well & you enjoyed your trip! X


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[Alloway]

Counting down! The thought of the surgery can be daunting so why not treat yourself to something nice for the hospital stay, if finances can afford? The book you've had your eye on, a pretty wash bag....I treated myself to a bar of this lovely Italian soap (£5.00) a bar but it does last for ages...it seemed a simple thing but it meant I was surrounded by a lovely perfume every time I washed my hands. Good luck and I'm sure you'll achieve a wonderfully life changing result.

 

[hopefulm]

What a lovely thought, @Alloway! I took your words to heart and bought myself a soft new robe that I've been coveting for some time. . . Thanks for the words of encouragement.

 

[Tin Lizzie]

hopefulm, thanks for your support and for letting me know that you that you can understand what having CMT is like. My mother also had it but no-one knew what it was then.I was very apprehensive about having the surgery because of it and worried about how I would manage in hospital with my leg braces and dodgy feet and balance etc, but my hospital experience was absolutely positive, in spite of being a bit unwell for a couple of days. And although the early days were painful, the pain on weight bearing had gone. I know from reading your posts that you are also worried but you don't have long to wait now and by the end of next week you should be home and on the road to recovery with your husband serving you all those delicious meals you have been cooking!
Al the very best for the 11th - we'll look forward to hearing how it all went.

 

[hopefulm]

Thank you,@Tin Lizzie ! My poor mum & gram both suffered from CMT without knowing what was wrong. My one brother has been severely affected, and has been disabled for years. Another brother has tripped, and torn rotator cuffs in both shoulders due to the foot drop. So I really am fortunate to have been relatively healthy. At this point, I'm feeling pretty cheerful & optimistic. . .I know I sound like a broken record, but I know I'm coping because of all the incredible support from everyone on BS!