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Life has destroyed my hips; surgery August 26, 2013.

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Roofmaster, I went in to where I work at about 2 1/2 weeks and went around with my cane saying hi. More than one person said it is great seeing me walk without being hunched over. And I seemed to be smiling more like I wasn't in pain. YEAH, it shows!
 
Roofmaster, luckily my day job, I am programmer for HP, was very easy on my hips. When I would do physical stuff, like walking the dogs, going to my BJJ classes, and anything else physical i would pay the same day and the next and barely walk. I just got used to the pain for 4 years and wasn't taking any meds. If my job was a physical job there would have been no way I would have made it as long as I did. If I kept going the way I was going I was sure I wouldn't be able to walk in a year. But now, wow.. the post-op pain doesn't even compare.. What a blessing... Don't have to live thru or contend with that arthritis pain anymore.. Just get yourself in the mindset that your body will heal and don't overdo it. Good days ahead, and that's for sure.
 
Roofmaster I asked my doc about doing a BTHR, since both of mine are shot, too. He said he felt it was too much "insult" to the body all at once and doing the second might endanger the first, etc. Also he said because my bones were thinning, it would not be a good idea at all. He said he only does BTHRs in emergency situations, like patient was run over by a truck or something. I'm having the second one done a month later. It'll be OK.
 
Yup I definately have the mindset that my body will heal.My life has been mind over matter.Im sure this will be no differant than so many other challenges.Hell when I fell off the roof 3 years ago everyone including doctors,wife,friends,boss all thought it was a career ending injury.9 inch plate 13 screws and a year of PT through horrible hip arthritus and I was back on the roof...unfortunately cuz look at me now.You that have had the surgery must have asked yourself why you waited so long.As easy as it seemed from day of insurance to date set for surgery Im asking why I waited.I lost 6 years of my life.What a maroon I am.I have so much catching up to do.Grandkids that need to be taught how to swim and shoot a compound bow.Camping,hiking,climbing.Walking the beach.Oh man I miss walking the beach .Dreams will come true.
 
Almost 9 oclock morning comes early and a roof awaits a hobbling roofer night guys and gals.Thanks again.Till tomorrow.Peace.
 
Oh!!!... talk about terrible timing, having to move five days after surgery.:sos: How will that work?
Your leg is going to feel so much better compared to what you have put up with before surgery but don't even think about lifting a finger to help your family during the move no matter how insignificant it seems at the time. You would never do that, right? :)
 
Roofmaster I would definitely recommend moving house before your op. You will not be able to lift or push furniture around in the early days.

Hope all is well today. We are all worried about you climbing up and down ladders with those bad hips. I remember trying a ladder when I was first diagnosed. Couldn't make the first step let alone up to a roof! Take care!
 
Roofmaster Like you, I waited far too long to face the fact that my hips weren't going to get better, and would only get worse. I regret that I didn't do this sooner, but I am hardheaded and I was scared. Also I didn't have the best insurance. I pretty much had to wait for Medicare to be available to me; I couldn't have afforded it without the Medicare and my Advantage HMO. With the other insurance my portion of the bill would have been more than I could manage. But, even after the medicare kicked in, I still waited another year and a few months because of fear. I, too, wasted years in pain and I can't wait to get a life back. This waiting is getting me down now, though. I have almost two months still to wait and I have a lot of pain and mostly just sit in my recliner chair. I quit my part time job because I just couldn't manage anymore. I just can't imagine trying to get up on a roof -- several days ago I tried to get up on a step stool to change a light bulb and I couldn't even manage that.

I envy you that you've got a pretty close date. I also think it's a wonderful idea to find something to do where you don't have to be climbing ladders and carrying heavy things all the time. We do worry about you trying to do all that.

I'll keep you in my prayers.

Peace and love to you.
 
9 pm, just getting to bed. Gotta give you guys a shout before bed.

No @Goody2Shoes I wont be doing anything but resting and eating and drawing,reading playing guitar and posting hear for the first two weeks after surgery.

And yes Butterfly I am moving everything into storage before surgery so after I can come home for 2 days then I'm going to stay with my brother for a couple of weeks, he's a quadriplegic. Then I'm going to my sisters from there. Life's a little whacked right now. But it's all good, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

You know I appreciate the concern you guys have for me on the roof but I assure you every single movement I make is calculated in advance with pain, and I mean face constantly contorted pain. I have two expressions at work, laughter and grimacing pain face. Believe it or not the young fellas can almost put on as many sqares as me.

I digress,really I have been doing this for 32 years and aside from pain I'm safe. Knock on wood. Knock knock.

That being said, today I missed a step on a staging plank and went down on my right knee and found a new meaning for the word pain. It was a stupid misstep and I had two stages below me so I had no chance of falling to the ground but it took me out for 5 minutes and then it was super limpy for the rest of the day. That's how I fell 3 years ago, pilot error.

I cant wait for surgery and I cant wait to get off the roof. Ok I typed this on my phone which has taken me 42 minutes so goodnight people tomorrow a roof awaits a hobbling roofer...thanks again....
 
Are you planning to work right up to the day of surgery? Yikes! I hope your relatives are close to you so you don't have to go a long way for post-op stuff. I hope you have a chance to get well into recovery before you have to look for a new place to live. What a hard thing for so much to be going on all at once!

Peace and love.
 
Actually yes I am planning on working until the Friday before surgery which is on a Monday. Personally I would love to just throw in the towel, almost wanted to today but I couldn't live with myself if I did. That's just not me and I think it was bsilvers who said keep your eye on the prize. Besides this has been a 6 year journey what's 3 more weeks. No my brother and sister dont live close, it's a 45 minute drive.

What kind of post op stuff will be going on? Wont I be able to drive shortly after?

Ok I really gotta get to bed. Peace.
 
Im sorry I was wrong it was cnydutch that said keep your eye on the prize. And he's right if I can work right up to surgery that's a milestone that will make me feel good and the positive feeling I get will transfer right to my healing.

Ok Im really going to broken sleep now night everyone. Peace.
 
Well, if he only does so few hips, then you're better off having them one at a time.

I think you're doing really well too. I don't know how you do it, up and down all those ladders ...
[Bonesmart.org] Life has destroyed my hips; surgery August 26, 2013.
 
Roofmaster said:
Dr.Heacox .... does 3 or 4 procedures every couple of weeks and uses spinal.
Click to expand...
Well, if he only does so few hips, then you're better off having them one at a time.
Roofmaster said:
I try really hard to put on a happy face though and under the circumstances I think I'm doing fine.
Click to expand...
I think you're doing really well too. I don't know how you do it, up and down all those ladders ...
[Bonesmart.org] Life has destroyed my hips; surgery August 26, 2013.

Roofmaster said:
every single movement I make is calculated in advance with pain.
That being said, today I missed a step on a staging plank and went down on my right knee and found a new meaning for the word pain.
Click to expand...
:skep: Methinks there is a little contradiction between those two comments! :whistle:
Roofmaster said:
What kind of post op stuff will be going on? Wont I be able to drive shortly after?
Click to expand...
Depends what you mean by 'shortly'. Did you not read the articles I left your earlier? One of them states "driving at 6 weeks". It rather depends upon what your surgeon requires. Did he say anything about 90 degree restrictions? You will also need to have stopped taking pain meds which can go on for about 4-6 weeks. And then there's the Energy drain for THRs. All these were in the articles I left you.
 
Yes I read the articles Josephine. I'm sorry I forgot about the 4-6 weeks to drive and the energy drain. I'm not sure about the 90 degree caution yet.

I made a final appointment with Dr. Heacox today for the Thursday before the surgery for any final questions that might come up between now and then. I was told on Monday at the pre-op testing he uses the spinal. What does that mean? A needle stuck into my spinal cord? Isn't that dangerous? I'm aware of the sensitivity of the spinal cord, my brother is a quadriplegic from breaking his neck in a car accident. What are the risks involved in that procedure? And how do they do it and why?
 
I had a spinal with a general. They usually give you a happy pill in pre-op...just to get you "happy" and carefree. Then, on the table they sat me up...I felt a gentle prick in my lower back (I think they use a local so you don't feel it) and then I layed back...then they put a mask over my mouth and the next thing I knew I was in recovery room and things were coming in and out of focus like they do on TV or in the movies. Best part was, no hip pain!!!!!
 
Sounds great but is it risky? Chance of paralysis? Are they injecting something in the spinal cord?
 
There is some information on anesthesia - spinal in the "library". There is less chance of complication compared to a general. You can either stay totally awake (can't imagine) or have a light sedation so you don't have any idea what is going on. Every surgical procedure carries some degree of risk but as far as i know permanent nerve damage is rare.
 
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