Hip Infection* I am the Storm

[danelady]

@Jamie Hi Jamie! Thank you for the help. I'm not in recovery mode even though I had my surgery 3 months ago. Right now I'm in 'sorry, the surgery failed mode', still in pain, still only able to inch my way around the house, . My surgeon wrote in his notes that I needed a custom cage, cup, flange thingy, well that's what I found in his notes. Am I so out of date to expect someone to at least spell it out to me face to face?

I noticed as I got older and my hair got more gray I became invisible out in society and I honestly don't care. I'm getting sick of this awful pain and sick of being ignored. I'm not a person that asks for help, I'd rather find someone who can help me and pay them and appreciate that they were available to help me.

I had a great recovery in all my previous joint surgeries because I went out and researched for myself what to do and not do. I set my home up like a hospital...everything waist high, I joined Costco and loaded up a cart with lots of food, toilet paper, ziploc freezer bags. Also got the toilet riser and TWO grabbers because I knew I'd drop one of them. I cooked lots of food then froze single meals to pop in the microwave. I lived alone in a semi for many years, sometimes finding myself shut down in a blizzard for days. You learn what's necessary to do to stay alive and make it back home again. I guess it's a lot like the military, which I tried to join but was turned down because of my knee.

So now I'm in limbo....floating....wasting time.....

 

[Jamie]

I'm sorry, @danelady, but no one is a "failure" at 3 months out unless there is some physical problem with your implant placement or the components. What you're experiencing are soft tissue problems and, while it can take some time and sleuthing to get to the bottom of what's causing your pain, it can usually be done.

When was the last time you met with your surgeon?

 

[danelady]

First off today is a GREAT DAY!
Oh Jamie, I am sorely sorry for being such a whiner, yikes I hated what I have become. There really is no excuse for getting my panties all ruffled but I hadn't heard from my dr since Jan 20 when he let me know the surgery didn't last. After that not a peep.....only from radiology who told me he ordered another CT which was done on March 15.

 

[danelady]

Oops...

 

[Abbylayla]

@danelady. Where did you have this surgery?

 

[danelady]

I lost another post, lol.....go figger. I'll answer you in just a sec, Abbylayla!
I want to apologize to the forum for being such a cry baby....ucch.
I finally got to see my surgeon today, first time since he told me on January 20 that my surgery on January 3rd failed and I never really got any definite plan of action.

But today we had a great talk about his plans for me, but first I had to let him know that his ensemble of black mask, black scrubs and black Hawaiian tribal tattoos looked great and can I take your photo? lol. I have photos of all my drs and lucky me, they get better looking with every surgery!

He is having a triflange cup custom made for my destroyed acetabulum from all the pics that have been taken. I also need to lose the weight I gained the last year I drove the truck. The pandemic had turned everything topsy turvy, more people were ordering on line, more stores were running out goods and I was running hard and living on vending machine food. (if you had toilet paper thank a trucker)

I am feeling strong again. This will work, I know it. Thank you all for just being here.

 

[danelady]

@Abbylayla
Hi! My original THA was done in the Phoenix area 5 years ago and I walked out of the hospital the next day
My revision surgery was done in the Tucson area. I spent so many years alone in the truck I just wasn't accustomed to talking, just taking orders. So when my hip started causing me intense pain and I met up with drs I never really asked questions, all I did was listen and hoped they could make the pain stop. Coming to see my surgeon today, prepared with questions and concerns, really made the difference in our dr/patient relationship. We are good. I see a future I can live with. It really is best to have an open dialogue.

 

[Mojo333]

Yay hay, you tough woman you.
Glad to hear today was a great day and no apologies are necessary.
We want the forum to be a safe place to whine, vent.... receive advice, reassurance and sympathy.
Our collective stores make an awesome resource for all hippies!

 

[danelady]

@Mojo333
Thanks, I appreciate hearing that. Living on the road for so long and witness to so many horrible accidents my heart goes out to people who survived these accidents but have also lost their independence due to significant injuries. Truckers spend their lives a mere 6 inches away from death and dismemberment, trusting that oncoming drivers are paying attention.

My vow is that once I am better I want to volunteer to help other people like me, people who live a distance from hospitals and drs, who cannot walk into a store and buy food to eat...and even if you shop on line and they bring it to your vehicle how do you get it into your home? If they have a dog someone needs to pick up the dog poop for them. I'm sure there are a lot of people like me who refuse to ask for help. I want to be that help and make their life just a tad easier.

 

[CricketHip]

Great news about your meeting with the surgeon! You’ve learned to advocate for yourself..

PS. We all have whinged a bit on here.

 

[Elf1]

@danelady that is fantastic news! So happy you've been able to sit with your surgeon and get some good answers!

 

[Mojo333]

@danelady
I manage a Food Bank and am blessed (with the support of the community)to be able to help my less fortunate neighbors.
I also see so many people step up to do the little things (as you described) that mean so much to people who are struggling.
Small Acts of kindness can certainly make a big difference in our neighbor's lives.

Hope the rest of your week is bright.

 

[danelady]

Preparations for second revision surgery after failed first revision. Currant state of hip: Protrusio Acetabuli

4am. Awakened by the sing song melodies of the local band of coyotes who pass through here every day just before daybreak. Today is my big turn around. No more dwelling on the pain or the mistakes of the past but focusing on what must now be done....and done with perfection....if I want to once again walk a dirt road, the ground sparkling with gold, silver and a vast array of pretty rocks.

The GOAL
Until day of surgery arrives, arrange living space with as many necessary items and as close as possible to avoid further damage. Instant Pot will arrive later today so in a few minutes I will head to town and walk into a supermarket to buy food to COOK in it. Haven't walked into a store since last October....
This is how I prepared myself 2 years ago for my recovery from spinal fusion. Cook food, separate into freezer bags to be frozen then popped into microwave for meals.

Hang poster with list of what to do and not do.....
Never cross legs
Sleep with pillow between knees
Do not bend waist more than 90 degrees.
Cut out all sugars

Remember, must walk through this last valley of pain to get to the life I planned.

 

[Layla]

Hello @danelady
One of my BoneSmart colleagues is into cooking and left a helpful post a few years back on meal prep and how she prepared for her surgeries. Check it out. Hopefully you'll find some of her tips beneficial as you plan ahead.
Happy Thursday to you!
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/pre-surgery-meal-prep-ideas-and-tips.49960/

 

[danelady]

@Layla Thank you so much!! You know I want to check out how she prepared! Truckers love to show off their cooking skills in the semi, they not only share recipes, they teach newbie drivers how to save money and eat healthier!

So let me tell ya about my trip to Market....and what I did wrong. I usually call in my grocery list to the closest market and it is ready to pick up when I get there, but the pickers text me non stop that items are out of stock and would I 'settle' for something different.

So I decided to hit the Walmart about 5 miles further and they have scooters with baskets and as much as I hate being on those things, figured a few burnouts and I'd feel spry again. The baskets looked too small to make this 60 mile round trip worth the price of fuel....so I walked, sure it would be a walk in the park...um, NOT. When I made it to the back row I was no longer shopping. I was trying to ignore the pain. My eyes started welling up with tears and I thought Oh No, tonight they will put up missing posters and send out Search and Rescue. As I passed the camping gear I thought my only chance of survival was setting up a tent and blowing up an air mattress. A whimper escaped me with every footstep.

My new Insta Pot arrived shortly after I got home.....it's the little things.....but I'll wait till the morning before I even open the box.








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[danelady]

@Layla

A gift from the heavens she is! Thank you for steering me towards her thread!

It seems to be nap time for this retired trucker, right now.

A little shut eye and I will return to learn more!

 

[Layla]

Hello again,
I’m sorry to read of the pain you suffered on your trip to the market. It sounds awful and unfortunately many of us can relate. You're welcome in response to your thank you for leading you to lovetocookandsew‘s thread. I’m sure she’ll be open to responding if you have questions about anything. Wishing you comfort and some restorative rest.
@danelady

 

[myglasshalffull]

danelady,
I find the entire medical system to be in turmoil. I was on vacation when I had my surgery. Then came back home and my ortho here just keeps taking x-rays and telling me to be patient.
I'm not patient!
I still have soooo many questions that have yet to be answered. I'm making a list for my visit on Tuesday.
It's like, this is my body and I now have something foreign in it and I need to know what to expect. Thank goodness for this site because I've learned more here than from either doctor!
I was expecting in 30 days post op to be walking on my own, back to my life, and I understand that's very optimistic after reading everyone's journey here.
We are on this road together...one of my best friends broke her wrist around same time my hip was fractured so we cry and laugh together a lot!!!
Hang in there.

 

[danelady]

Holy Moly! I am reading you loud and clear! I made the mistake of thinking the revision would be a piece of cake like the original LTHR I had 5 years earlier. I walked out of the hospital the very next morning, 2 days later had me on a bicycle , 5 days after surgery he said I could take a hiking...nothing real, real strenuous. I never felt one little hiccup, not one glitch in the matrix....until 3 months after I retired. I have never not been able to take care of myself and I have never felt so insignificant by someone who promised they could put me back together again.

A few years ago I met a cool couple and their cat while fueling in a truck stop in Rapid City, South Dakota. They were traveling around the world in their super cool van which he built himself. About 2 months ago they got to Columbia where her knee was giving her so many problems they decided to get a new one installed. The care they received from EVERYONE was top shelf. They went to the US Embassy where they were able to get an interpreter who accompanied them every step of the way. The most incredible thing though was their dr! No Physician's Assistant as middle man, the dr did one on one with them. I mean, I would seriously consider going there myself!

Well, let's cheer each other on as we travel down this long and winding road!

 

[Layla]

Following is danelady’s latest update, accidentally PM’d to me -

danelady said -
An update on my situation follows…
My new surgeon performed my revision surgery in January which quickly failed. I guess that now there is a custom fitted hip being constructed for me for a future surgery.
Last night I decided to look up my surgeon's credentials and saw that my surgeon finished residency 2 years ago, and that he is ACGME approved with his 'area of interest' (not his specialty) orthopedic surgery. I don't really understand what ACGME is except that it is an accreditation program. My surgeon was not listed as being board certified, but I understand that he might be working towards it? I am just wondering if my destroyed hip will be better off in more experienced hands.

My last surgery was my first go round in the Medicare system and I have a sneaking suspicion that's why the more experienced surgeon’s didn't want to touch me. I relocated and had to find all new physicians. My new PCP referred me to a surgeon who looked at my x-rays and said ”it looks broken and I'm not touching that“.
He referred me to another ”specialist“ who looked at my CT scan and said ”wow, I've never seen that before, sure I like a challenge". I no sooner walked into my house and he called to tell me he was passing me on to another surgeon, but that he would assist. The first time I met the lead surgeon was only minutes before the surgery.

I actually like newer physicians, but this one did not seem confident, and he got a little snarky with me...but I set him straight on our next meeting....in a most friendly manner. I let him know the gray hair and bad limp does not a feeble, doddering old fool make. We had a good laugh....but still. Who I AM upset with are the 2 more experienced surgeons who had no interest in helping me get better. And they call themselves '”specialists”. Today I've been searching the internet for a surgeon who would just be willing to give
me a second opinion.

I never looked to see if the second surgeon I was referred to accepted my insurance because hey, I assumed he did because I was referred. I just now went to the the practice's page and was shocked to see that he doesn't....but the surgeon he assigned to my THR does.

I see the surgeon who performed my revision is in all the right organizations, but he is not yet board certified. I am finding it difficult to trust this guy when I feel like they have been pulling the wool over my eyes. I think there's a great lesson to be learned here......DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST!
Sadly, I was in so much agony I just wanted someone to make the pain stop.