new ,with long history

[mdakota]

hi there, this is my first time here. well heres my story. was born with bilateral hip dysplasia. i've had 22 reconstructive surgeries, chiari, salter shelf procedures. derotation osteotomy's , osteotomy's. multiple pin traction, avn, with core decompression. but my last surgery was at the age of 12 and i'm now 36. at 17 i was told to reduce activity, use a cain and oh by the way lose weight ( 5'6", 134 at the time). so of course i did none of that. i never used a cain i was 17, i increased activity and have always done work that required alot of walking ( currently a dialysis nurse, constant walking). and have had three kids the youngest 6 months old. the other two 12, and 8. the last one really took its tole, my right hip is completley flat. and fixed in position i have forward motion only. the left cracks and pops and is unstable. i went today and set my date and its june 8th for the right, and then the left 6 weeks later. i feel like a million dollars right now. i've waited for this day for 19 years. i am here because i'd love to hear from others and as i see here i can even hear from others with dysplasia and that is new for me. of course i want to hear how i wont believe the difference, how recovery was hard but worth it. i'd love to hear from people who have had both hips done. i've never walked a day in my life where i didnt think about my legs, so if you can tell me what to expect i'd love it. its nice to be here and thanks

 

[YoungM]

Mdakota, welcome to the board! You will find several members on here who had both hips done and are pleased. I had a RTHR 5 weeks ago and am amazed by my progress and no hip pain. It's an exciting thing! Why were you told to lose weight at 134 and 5'6!

Melissa

 

[PRGal]

Mdakota, welcome to Bonesmart! I must say you have an incredible story--and an amazing resilience to have gone through so much. It's really terrific that you have such an enthusiastic and positive outlook for your upcoming THRs--that's absolutely the best outlook to have in the few weeks leading up to your surgeries! Will there be a day when you don't think about your legs? Believe it!

 

[kangaroo]

134 lbs or kg?

 

[mdakota]

134 lbs or kg?

lol, yep lbs, and like you if it were kg's it would have been understandable. but i've never been little enough for the dr's. even after three kids i've stayed in the 150's. so now there really on me to lose, i know its easier if i weigh less but when i read the drs report from the visit ( had to have a copy for my records) said i was obese, i couldnt believe it. all i could think is wow, at least i was an adult by then or it would have really hurt my feelings hard enough to know everyone notices how you walk without thinking , i'm fat too. not great for adolescent self esteam

 

[mdakota]

prgal your words gave me chills. i told the dr today that i dont care how much work i have to put in just give me two good hips to do it with and i'll do it. i do dialysis not ortho because i would be the wicked soldier nurse, heel toe heel toe dont drag your foot. bend your knees. i know it hurts but you got to do it. at least with dialysis i have no opinions, i treat what the patient tells me because i know i dont know how they feel. and other times i'd be too easy because i know how bad some stuff hurts and you do need a kick in the pants to do what you need to. but what you said about not hurting. thats the day i'm waiting for. and that is what i'm willing to work for. i've never even let myself believe that day could come or exceping how things have been would have been imposible. i've never even taken pain meds until the last 4 months, i've taken anti inflamatories,, motrin, i loved vioxx, and now mobic and i take that better then i ever took birthcontrol. lol. and to have to take pain meds now to function on top of mobic just to make it thru a work day. is really hard because pain is a symptom, if their werent a problem i wouldnt have it. and keeping an eye on that is how i knew something was bad now. thanks for your replys keep sending them i crave hearing more. it really keeps me from worrying

 

[Judles]

Welcome mdakota!!! You will definitely be feeling better in a matter of weeks now,,,,you will really start to LIVE again!
As far as being "obese"......is your doctor kidding? Especially after having 3 kids and not being as active as you could be? That they even wrote that in your records is objectionable! Anyway, you will do great!!

 

[mdakota]

dont worry, that was the consult at mayo clinic in rochester mn. when i was 17 and any more i really just smile at them when they say stupid things like that. i had a doc tell me i'd really do better at 110lbs, i said great whos gonna carry me around. you offering? " lol. anyhow if i didnt hear a dr tell people quit drinking caffine, lose weight or quit smoking it would be like finding medicine without nausea vomiting and diarrhea as a side effect. i know where i'm comfortable and i'm really happy about 140. one boss i had (dr) said anyone with a body mass index greater then 50 % dosent need to stop for lunch. its stupid comments like that , that keep me in perspective.

 

[Judles]

Keep your humor.M!!! You'll go far!!!

 

[TBONE]

Hi Dakota--I'm a bilatTHR, on 4/1/09 and 51 years of age. My problem started at 10 or 12 y.o but I never knew anything until my mid 30s and really ignored it until January of this year when my wife made an appointment for me. So I'm not nearly your situation, but I can tell you that it is like having a huge weight lifted from you. to know that you can now walk and do things that others do without effort, and perhaps that you used to do, is just wonderful. And as for both hips, I had mine simultaneously, and it was really pretty easy. One thing you will notice is that the rehab takes a long time, but you ill have a lifetime to improve and to enjoy so it's a small price to pay. I'm very happy for you Dakota.
Tom
BTHR, 4/1/09

 

[Karen54]

mdakota, you have a wonderful sense of humor! That and your attitude will get you through this in great shape! And we are all here to offer all the support you could ever want!

Karen
RTHR 2/4/09

 

[Peta]

Hi mdakota and welcome! I had a LTHR in October last year and will be lining up to have my right one done before too long! My quality of life has improved unbelievably! It is honestly THE best surgery ever!

And I CANNOT believe that you were classified as "obese"!!!! I don't even want to think what that makes ME!!

Peta

 

[Peta]

Quick question.........when you guys write a date i.e. 24th April 2009, do you put the month first? or the day?
We Aussies put the day - then the month - then the year. Just wondering..........

 

[Judles]

Yep,,we put the month first,.....so today is: 4/23/09!

 

[Karen54]

Peta - we put the month, day, year - mine was Feb. 4, 2009.

 

[Peta]

I thought that must have been the case! Thanks for clarifying!

 

[Jamie]

Welcome, Dakota!! So glad you've decided to take such a bold positive step in your life. Go, girl!!! I'm still trying to figure out that weight thing. You certainly are taking that better than I would!!! Geeze! And the doc who wrote that in your chart probably had a nice little paunch under his lab coat too!!!

I think you are in for the best experience in your life with the surgeries. You know what to expect and you have such a great attitude going in. I hope everything is smooth sailing for you. Heaven knows you DESERVE pain-free and mobile hips!!!

We'll be here to celebrate your milestones with you. Happy posting!!!

 

[JudyS]

Welcome MDakota,
i had my right hip replaced last June 6th. It is the best surgery ever. I have had lots of surgery lately and the hip was the best with the best outcome.
You will be so happy with the success of it.
We are all here to help you now and through the recovery
judy

 

[Josephine]

What a fantastically positive attitude! And such a familiar history - how many kiddiwinks have I seen through that routine in my time?! BTW how were your kids' deliveries. I seem to remember that a Chiari was not recommended for girls because it altered the internal anatomy of the pelvis.. Do I take it all was well?

 

[mdakota]

tbone, that is just what i need to hear, no one here has the same story weve all endured different things to get to this point, but we all seem to know when were there. were not the 91y/o who just fell and broke her hip, and only knows post op, were the people who had to go thru enough to make this a choice and its a hard one. knowing that there are risks and doing it anyhow not really knowing the outcome. i'm greatful for each and every one of you. and am truly enjoying the inspiring stories. you hit the nail on the head, doing things others dont even think about.. i heard one of my coworkers say , dialasys is 90% routine and 10 % sheer terror, the rest of the time we "just" walk around. and it just about brought me to tears because when every step is a thought. just walking around is a big deal. thanks for your reply nice to meet you. tell me more about the recovery. i'd love to know