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Scared newbie... Hip is shot. What if it doesn't work!!??

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Shrinkette, it is going to get better but prepare your husband he still has to take care of you for a while!
 
@charmed-life Oh, of course hubby is well aware of that. He just wants me to begin the treatment/healing process. I've shared with him so much of what I've learned here as far as what to expect during recovery. I'm just so anxious to end up "better"! Thank you.
 
My husband has been great and probably more tolerant of the recovery timetable than I have been! I could get used to the pampering...
 
shrinkette said:
Am SO worried I won't be able to stand up straight. Leg opposite the operated side hurts down the back & I can hardly straighten up. That leg is considerably longer & will hopefully be corrected during surgery.
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I know it's hard to imagine but you will be able to stand and walk using that new hip from day 1. Sure you will need a walker or crutches until you get your strength. But that prosthesis is tough. Even if the correction in length is not 100% - you will still be moving around and standing up straight. Just remember, most new hippies feel like there is a leg length difference at first. Give it a few weeks and this feeling usually disappears. Not long now @shrinkette !
 
@shrinkette. Are you actually a shrink? At the risk of sounding like a broken record i really suggest belleruth naperstek's "preparing for surgery". You can see her on youtube talking to cancer survivors to get an idea. You've made it this far. You'll make it thru.
 
The lead up time is the worse @shrinkette, you are nearly there... soon you will be able to focus on recovery :)
 
@Jaycey Thanks so much for the feedback. But -- not sure my post was clear. Leg to be operated on (left) is now shorter. Doc says he can correct this (and I DO hope I feel that difference!). And sure, there is much b-on-b pain in that hip! But it's the pain in OTHER leg, down my butt & into the back of that thigh AND feeling I can't straighten more on that side, that's what's scaring me. Almost feels like a sciatic thing. Make any sense? Still think I'll be able to straighten up? Have never experienced or been told I have a back problem. What-if ??????!!!!
Love,
Quasimodo
 
@dickinson Thanks, Devorah. I did get the Naperstek CD; just haven't listened to it yet because I never play CDs @ home, but do have a payer. Hubby promised to set me up with it today. Actually, guess I could play it on computer. And yes, I am really a shrink. Licensed by the State of Florida to practice Mental Health Counseling.
I'm good at helping others -- just not so good at me. Right now, anyway.

So you have an Ellen for a roommate! Great that you're playing nice. So how're you doing with yours? Still feeling pretty good? When are you off to rehab? How did it feel to walk?
 
A week from right now I hope to feel groggily elated. Right this moment I feel... nervously impatient, kind of like a horse straining at the bit at the starting gate (not that I've ever been to a horse race. I just figure that's how they feel!)

Just had my hair done in preparation for the Big Event. That's a good thing. Word from my GP is that "everything's within normal limits"... so, good to go. At least, no hysteria-making surprises! I think I would've snapped like a twig. I am obviously finding writing to be cathartic; I better curtail this need to tell all. I'm obviously not a good role model for stoicism... even my cat is sick of me. Love you all.

Ellen aka Quasimodo
 
Ellen, that last week is hard to wait - you just want to be done and started on the healing. We were lucky, friends had invited us to stay a week with them in Costa Rica the week before - got home, and had surgery 2 days later. -it was a great distraction since I didn't find BoneSmart until I was in the hospital! We will help you wait though!
 
@charmed-life Hi & thanks for the kind words. Frankly, I don't think I COULD'VE done any traveling now, but Costa Rica must've been a lovely distraction. I don't think I've read your thread... How bad was your condition by the time of surgery? Well, I'm glad you found BS in time to reap the benefits during recovery! Yes, please stay with e through this up-and-down week!
 
Ellen -- If talking, talking, talking makes you feel better, DO it. Your cat will forgive you(cat probably loves it -- I think pets love the sound of our voices), and we here are always interested to hear about each other's journey -- after all, we are all in the same (or at least very similar boat). I personally always find your posts helpful and comforting. You and I are SO alike (at least I feel that we are). I have always found that talking about something (even typing about it) takes some of the awfulness out of whatever I'm worried about, and the connection to others is very grounding. And when someone writes back with a similar story it makes me feel (1) that I'm not crazy and I'm not the only one that has the thoughts or feelings, and (2) wonderful to be connected to another human being in it all, and (3) less like the biblical Job. When I was so scared initially at the prospect of having surgery, I somehow had the idea that I was the only one that felt so scared and that everyone else just bravely sailed through it and that my feelings were probably just childish and silly. Then when I heard others say they were also fearful, and no one minimized my fears or made fun of me, it somehow took a great load off and I could start moving forward. It still helps me every single day to hear others' stories and to know I'm not alone in all this. So I truly believe all the talking, talking, talking helps us all help each other and ourselves. End of lecture, as you say.

I went and got my hair trimmed right before my surgery, too, because I didn't want it to get too ratty while I couldn't drive. I also got a pedicure (no polish) because I can't trim my own toenails -- still can't, but I think that is more a low back thing than a hip thing and I'll probably never be doing my own toenails, which is OK with me.

I'll bet you can straighten up a lot more even right after the surgery. But you'll still probably have to use the walker for a while, so don't get discouraged about that (I say that so blithely -- I HATE that walker, but it is a necessary evil; I am even back to using it now for a while. YUCK!! Quasimodo is back!) You probably won't know how your other hip/leg will react until a while after the surgery; it has to make adjustments of muscles, ligaments, etc. My other hip actually felt a little better after the first surgery, even though I already knew it was totally mush and had to be replaced.

Will you be able to post to the forum from the hospital? I hope so. I really couldn't, because all I had was my phone, and even at the best of times I'm not very good with those little teeny keys.

Love to you,
Milli

PS: You might want to take some lip balm with you to the hospital. I found that my lips were very dry and sort of cracked while I was in there.
 
Dear Sweet @Butterfly A quick thanks for the post. As always, you nailed it when speaking of the importance a "connection" plays during this ordeal. Be back later after hubby and I forage in the refrigerator (well, HE forages, I direct) for latest leftovers. Love, Ellen
 
@Butterfly As promised, I'm back. Thanks again for addressing the benefits of talking/venting & the comforting responses it provides. Just having the ability & opportunity to compare ourselves to others in similar boats does normalize us and even more, empowers us to move beyond those crippling fears.

For me, having to use the walker longer than I would like to, is manageable. Just take away the pain!! I'm willing & happy to take it slow & easy. Just standing straighter would give me boost!!!

As for posting from the hospital, I would certainly want to & plan to have my trusty iPad by my side. It will be easier to post from this. I know the hospital had Wi-Fi, so no sweat. Expect to hear from me once I'm able... I'm gonna wanna shout it from the rooftops!

Pooping out about now so gonna say goodnight. Tomorrows hubby is going to theatre with our daughter; it'll be a good break for him -- an enjoyable respite from the pity party at home, as well as some good bonding time. And I could use some alone time, too! We've still got to raise the commode & shower chair a bit. All in good time.
Talk to you soon, Milli, & do hope you're finding some relief for that SI joint issue. You'll be seeing your OS fairly soon, I believe. Good luck!
Love
Ellen
 
@shrinkette well, you're now down to less than a week. Thinking of you and all the others getting new hips in the next weeks. Agree with you and everyone that talking things through seems to make everything easier. It's so great to have thus outlet to share our highs, lows, fears, joys, etc. enjoy your alone time today. I live alone so I've got lots of that, but for me my enjoyment is having a free day where I can stay in my Jammie's all day and never leave the house. With work, church, and other activities, I don't get that much. Today is one of those days so I'm really looking forward to that. Lots to get ready for my surgery so it will be a busy day but just nice to have to get all dressed up and go out! Hope you have a great weekend!
 
@shrinkette Ellen, I am thinking of you today. I think you are going to do great. Only a few more days. The waiting is the hardest part! (I think it was Tom Petty who said that) :)
 
@Dmcfad2 Hi, Debbie... Thanks so much for your kind words. You've got yours coming up in March. I hope that by that time I'll be able to be as helpful as others here have been to me. As I just wrote in Madowa's thread on the recovery side ("Peggy's Progress", I think), I'm a bit crazed. Trying to keep it under control, but am not always successful. Check out her thread if you haven't already -- she just had her op 4 days ago & is doing nicely.
Do you have your own thread? I'll look for it!

Ellen
 
@shrinkette Yes, I have my own thread called Am I Ready? I have just been posting my doubts, fears, decisions, indecisions, on and on and on.....I can't seem to make up my mind on this surgery, so my thread is all over the place! I'm the one who is having pain in the "good" hip and wondering if I should change my surgery to that hip. Although, today I was noticing pain in both hips when I took a walk with my husband and it kind of woke me up. I think I am in some kind of denial as to how much I have altered my lifestyle to compensate for the pain. A long walk today brought it all back! I will check out Madowa's thread. Thanks.
 
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