Revision THR Nanamac's story - Part 2

[nanamac]

It was a year ago today that I found the wonderful people of BoneSmart and I can't say thank you enough. Mine has not been an easy recovery, still isn't, but I hate to think of what it would have been like without the support of Jo, Jamie, Jaycey and a mass of wonderful, caring members.

As you can see, I am still around, still looking for answers, and feel that if I can give ANY little thing back to a fellow hippie who is struggling, even just a sympathetic word or a smile, then that is just a token of my appreciation.

I woke up this morning and couldn't easily roll over in bed...and it was my OTHER hip that had the God awful bone on bone pain. So, I see my new OS on Wednesday and we shall see.

I am keeping fingers crossed that I can find the courage to go thru another THR if need be, and perhaps if all goes well I will consider yet another revision to see if that may rid me of this unexplainable, and constant thigh pain.

That being said, THANK YOU for being here, I sure need you folks...

Staff Note: Janet's story begins with this thread. You may want to click on the link and read it prior to continuing on.

 

[Jaycey]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Aw Janet - thank YOU for hanging in there! Even though you are part of the group who have had a bit more challenging recoveries you have always been here for others and I so appreciate that!

Please let us know how your appointment with the OS goes. And rest assured we will be here for you through whatever procedure you need on hip #2.

 

[Josephine]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

You're made of strong stuff, Janet. I've always admired that. But another hip? That will take some thinking about, I'm thinking!

 

[nanamac]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Yes, indeed. BUT, and that's the magic word here, I didn't know what to look for in an OS and have learned soooo much from this forum. The new OS that I have is very experienced AND a revision specialist.

I know when my first hip deteriorated it went very quickly from "see us in 6 months" to "now you have protrusio". So, I am very familiar with the pain, and it will not get better on it's own. I may get some more time out of it with another cortisone shot.

I went to a wonderful hospital in Boston the first time, but for all I know I was the first patient that my former OS did a THR on. That was my own fault, as I didn't know any better. Now I do.

In any event, as with my first THR, sometimes we end up not having to make the decision at all, our body does it, and I had to have the protrusio fixed pretty quickly.

Believe me, if I have any other choice I will go for it. We shall see what he says come Wednesday.

 

[nadineme]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Good luck Janet. I hope the appointment goes well for you. You have been at this a long long time. Hang in there. We will all be here for as long as you need us.

 

[Paignton]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Good luck and fingers crossed for you Janet

 

[referee54]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

You are very welcome, but I would like to thank you for all of your posts that helped others through issues and the processes both before and after the THR's---you have been an asset to all of us here on the forum.

I am hoping that this one is certainly easier than your first! Hang in there!

 

[JennyAWX]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

So sorry to hear that you are having so many problems and so much pain. Hang in there and let us know what the surgeon says. You have our prayers and best wishes.

 

[Jamie]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Janet....you are such a sweetie and one determined lady. I admire your courage so much!! I'll be looking for that report after you see this new doctor. I pray it will be the turning point for you .... finally!

 

[nanamac]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

This is the same OS that I saw in February Jamie, the one who sent me to pt again, to see if it would help at all. There is nothing on films warranting another revision. AT least not then.

This time around it has dragged on to get back there, as I first had to deal with the back pain because I wore the lift for a month.

Then, I had some buggy thing and had to cancel my appointment with him. This week I am going to try again to finally get there. I do have complete faith in this new OS and my NP's husband also goes to him and is a candidate for a THR as well, because of a double hip fracture from a fall.

No, he's been doing these for seventeen years and is highly recommended. I made the mistake of thinking I would get better care in a big, Boston Hospital. My bad . If only....

But I was petrified and didn't know any better...now I do :wink1:...

 

[DaveGM]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

No Janet.....Its a big thanks to you

When I fisrt found Bonesmart and had a bit of a moan in my first post because I (wrongly) thought i was making little progress, you were on one the first to offer advice and reassurances. As you have in all the many other posts I have read in the intervening 6 weeks.

I did not realise that you were having a more dificult recovery yourself. It is people like you that make this forum and really help others on this journey

I look forward to hearing from your posts that everything is getting resolved and the future for you is looking good.

With best wishes

Dave

 

[Suzieslips]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I'd like to say Thank You to you Janet.
Your posts here (and on my thread) have helped me a lot at a very confusing time!
Now I'm wishing you all the best and hoping that this time around things go an awful lot smoother for you.

 

[nanamac]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Oh! You are all so sweet! And here I am acting quite pitiful at times ...The constant nagging pain can really do a number on your head after a while. But I feel the pain that you all have gone thru.

Patients that seem to breeze thru recovery don't realize the agony it is, both mentally and physically, on the family as well as the person. They are so lucky, and that IS they way it should be.

But for those of us who were not so fortunate, well, it takes one to know one as they say, and I do feel for you all.

I really feel so very greatful to have found this forum, and tell all my doctors about it, as well as probably everyone that I know. And I have made some life long friends because of it.

Having a problematic surgery has shown me that I can get thru just about anything, even when I believe that I can't! You just keep waking up and putting one foot in front of the other.

That's not saying it is easy, but when you feel like giving up, just think of how things will be a year from now. It does get better. Am I perfect yet? Absolutely not, probably never will be, but I'm ok. And that's ok.

I'm still looking for a way to make it better than ok, and if I have a "good" outcome on my other hip, when it comes to that, I may just go for it again on the poor one. We shall see.

Until then, I am so glad to have all of you :wink1: !

 

[Catherine]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hi there

I've not been around for a while and so sorry to hear your other hip is giving you problems. I hope you get the advice you need. I'm back in tomorrow to have the left side replaced too. I'm not going to pretend and say I can't wait because it is incredibly scary when you think you know what to expect second time around. BUT! Life and pain levels have improved so very much since February and if it needs doing then it has to be done. I wish you the very best of luck with your OS and would like to thank you for all your advice and support on this site, I'm positive you have been an inspiration to so many!

 

[nanamac]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Good luck tomorrow Catherine. I will be thinking of you and I'll pray for you. Just think, it has only been 4 months for you, and how far you have come!

By Christmas you should be pretty darn close to perfect, and it will all be behind you for good. I know they say to get thru the day, but by looking ahead, you will see what is possible, because you have been there before.

You take care, and please let us know how you are doing. :prayer1:

 

[forbesy]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hi Janet

You are a very kind caring person and fingers and toes crossed you get this problem sorted and get some answers on Wednesday.

Billy

 

[sharonslp]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Janet, I am confident that you will know what to do and when to do it. Your past year's experience proves your resilience and ability to roll with the punches. I do think you deserve one easy THR before you tackle yet another revision. And you deserve an uneventful revision. Whatever you do and whenever you do it, I wish you simplicity and speedy recovery.

Sharon

 

[pctcoach]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Janet, your positive attitude, kind and generous words, and gutsy determination are an inspiration for us all. What a journey you have been on. Happy anniversary. I hold the vision that your thigh will just decide to leave on its own and that any surgery you need on the other side is smooth sailing. Thanks for what you bring to this forum.

 

[nanamac]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Well I saw my OS today and he got me in for a CAT Scan tomorrow evening. He didn't have a lot to say today, even though I had typed out a gizillion questions.

After he gets the results, I will meet with him again on July 1st., the first available appointment. He said we'll talk then.

I am going to try to scan in an ex-ray from today. You can clearly see the LLD by the height of my pelvic bone on the right side.

 

[nanamac]

Re: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Did I get it ? Ah, there it is!