THR in October

[hburi]

I just found this place yesterday and I am sure glad I did. I found out in July that I need a hip replacement for my right hip. I have avascular necrosis brought on by high dosages of prednisone to treat lupus. I have never been in so much pain as I am right now and I am counting down the days til my surgery in October.

I'm 41 years old and never thought I'd be having a hip replacement at this age. I am glad to see that there are others out there like me.

I am both scared and excited about this surgery at the same time. Scared because I don't know what to expect and excited that it may give me my life back. Before I became incapacitated due to this problem, I was very active, I am a cyclist and am used to being outdoors quite a bit. I also spent a fair amount of time in the gym. Not being able to do these things right now is killing me!

I will probably have lots of questions for you guys but have already had several questions answered here by reading through the old threads.

Heather

 

[hburi]

Re: Hi All! I'm new here!

sorry for the title of my post. I just saw the FAQ's and saw that this is a no-no!

Mods, please feel free to edit the title

 

[Texas]

Re: Hi All! I'm new here!

Hey Welcome !!!!!!!!!! Im a knee but questions are always welcome. Its normal to be nervous post anytime even to chat......And ask away ...we are all here to help ya...others will post soon............Im 42 never thought I would have a knee repl but I guess thats the way it is.....lol.....Hang in there you will be ok....... Search around and take it all in..........Good Luck to you...........)

 

[kangaroo]

Re: Hi All! I'm new here!

Hi Heather,
Superb news, life is about to have a new renaissance for you....you'll be back on that bike, and cycling really soon!!!!! I am now 4 months on and I can ride (except my daughters bike has a few issues!) I'm going to get a new bike for Christmas! Outdoors, hiking, picnicing, .....just doing it. A good time for surgery for you because the time when your a bit less able will be right in the middle of your winter .....and then spring will hit and you'll be up and riding.

Don't be scared.....I do understand the feeling......but the unknown is far worse than the reality, or at least it was for me!.....I'm 43 and have 5 kids and I'm scooting along . My only issue is that I don't have enough range of movement in any direction....I don't know if that is just me and I have to keep stretching..... I think the joint is fine.....I just have a long history (43 years) of stupid hip syndrome! But even if I don't ever have a great range of movement the improvement is huge!!!!.....

Get your crafts and other stuff organised for your recuperation time, start making freezable meals and be prepared to be a little dependent for a while, and then you'll be ready to go!

You know, I haven't had anyone ask me if I have "hurt myself" because of my limp for weeks now.....I'm just me and the other thing is I feel better in my skin....I don't feel like everyone is looking at me....and if i catch myself in the mirror I am so straight now!....I actually feel good, and physically so much stronger and dare I say beautiful (as beautiful as a mother of 5 with stretch marks, "Budha boobs", no stomach muscles, slightly overweight, train tracks on the hip, varicose veins, .....) and there are no more excuses for why I can't.....except of course when it comes to picking up the kids %#4675 stuff, or carting the washing through the house, down the steps, and into the laundry....thats what kids are for!

Stay positive, you'll be great
Rachel

 

[loghaula]

Re: Hi All! I'm new here!

Hi Heather,
You will find all kinds of folks here, but the one common thread is that we have either had surgery, or like you, are anticipating surgery.
As you have been very physically active, you will find this to your advantage through your recupe. One thing you are going to have to have lots of is - patience. This surgery really requires lots of slow and steady, because as soon as you try to overdo things, especially at those times when you are feeling really good, your hip will have a hissy fit and hurt like the dickens.
I have had both hips replaced recently and have absolutely no regrets except that it wasn't done earlier.
Ask away on any subject; our forum advisers, Motherly Jo and Friendly Jamie can fill you in on the technical stuff, and all of us can help out with the rest.
I know the feeling as you are waiting for your surgery; it can't get here quick enough. And keep us posted on your venture as no two are exactly alike of which I can attest. Both of mine were two entirely different dramas with super outcomes. Good Luck:thmb:

Glenys
LHR 5/28/09
RHR 7/23/09

 

[tracie]

Re: Hi All! I'm new here!

hi heather,so glad you found this great forum you will find it such a great help with any questions you have about your up coming surgery. im booked in for rthr on the 23rd of sep there are a lot of us having surgery in sep on here so its great that we can all check in on each others progress. good luck with your op keep us all posted love tracie xxxx :thmb::D

 

[Josephine]

Title duly changed! Welcome to BoneSmart, Heather. You made a good choice - you've already discovered what a great resource this forum is. Just shout up when you come up with a question you can't find answers to!

 

[hburi]

Hi Everyone! Thanks for all the replies. This seems to be a very nice and knowledgeable group of people. The information provided here is helping to alleviate many of my concerns about this surgery. I also think it is very cool that there are people here from all over the world!

Just to give you a little more background on me and how I've been preparing for my surgery, I recently moved to St. Louis from Houston (long story but lost my job there and nothing new was coming availalbe so I had a long-term prospect in St. Louis so ended up making the move up here). Well, shortly after I accepted the job, sold my house and moved all my stuff out here, that's when my hip decided it was going to completely fall apart. so now I'm in a new city where I don't know anyone and haven't yet had a chance to really meet people and have no family here. and I'm having to deal with this. LOL

I had considered going back to Houston to have my surgery (as I have friends and family there) but didn't really relish the thought of recuperating in my Mom's spare room that doesn't get good air conditioning at this time of the year. So I've told her I will pay her expenses to come up here for a week to stay with me the week after surgery. Then I have another relative who is going to come the week after that and a friend who will be here the third week. I'm hoping by then I will at least be at a point where I won't need someone with me 24/7.

Tracie, I read your story (you are the mum in the UK that doesn't have any help after your surgery, right?) I really, REALLY hope you have found someone that can help you out for at least a few weeks post surgery. I've been doing a lot of reading on this and I think you will need someone with you...especially since you have young children.

I plan on getting all the items they recommend, a bath chair, the toilet extender (LOL), the stick to pick up stuff off the floor, the thing to help you get dressed, etc. And I will be moving some items around in my house to make them more accessible for me post surgery. (I know the rule about not bending past 90 degrees for the first month or so). That will probably be the hardest thing for me to deal with.

 

[Josephine]

Oh it is! I think of everything, people get most impatient and frustrated by that restriction.

 

[JudyS]

Welcome Heather,
I just love my new hip. I am very active also, used to be a runner. That is the only banned activity although I have tested the hip more than once and it feels totally normal running. Funny that I was planning on running this month until my back surgery, then the mountains caught on fire. I live in a suburb of Los Angeles.

My doc glued me back together, I had a posterior incision , at 3 weeks I started swimming. In a few weeks I was swimming a mile each day (about 5 days per week). At 3 months all restricitons were lifted and I started hiking again. Then I was doing both each day. I was still on pain meds, but they totally controlled everything and kept me doing what I love. I am not a bike rider , but do force myself on occasion and it was possible as well.

I think having someone with you for the first 3 weeks after you come home is a great plan, you should be fine on your own after that.
judy

 

[loghaula]

Sounds like you are getting things in order and under control. Try to keep getting some exercise as the more fit and supple you are prior to surgery, the better it is going into the recupe.
Having things at hand also applies to stuff overhead. Overextending upwards is not good.
Have your bed/recliner/whatever you will be confined to, as comfortable as possible, because you will be spending most of your time laying on your back. I added a topper pad to mine. And lots of pillows for when you pluck up the courage to lay on your side for a while. You will need them to prop yourself lengthwise. It really isn't as hard as you think, and is a welcome break. And have your phone handy where you don't accidentally make a lunge for it and fall. I relish my shower back scrubber with the extended handle. I use it to scrub my legs below the knee, as well as my feet - feels so good (the no bend rule).
Three weeks of home help should get you over the hump and able to fend more for yourself, but you still need someone handy just in case.
What with you having to uproot yourself and make a complete life change away from your family, then have this problem show its ugly head, you certainly have a full plate. I myself am a transplant, living in Mississippi, but my move was made years ago.
Good luck in October and keep the questions coming; we are all here for you.

Glenys
LHR 5/28/09
RHR 7/23/09

 

[TBONE]

Hi Heather--I agree with staying in St. Louis and having someone come up to help you for a while. At your age and given that appear to be fit (from your description) you just might find that you recover faster than expected.
I also cycled but by the time I had my surgery I couldn't even get on a bike...so I bought a trike with pedal length shorteners to accommodate my decreased mobility. That's all gone now and normal 2 wheel cycling is now an enjoyable and pain free pass-time. The components have sure changed a bit as well as the costs but I'm working my way back. And cycling feels very good for my hips and my recovery, assuming I don't fall.
My surgeon indicated that there is some indication that MOM joints handle the heat generated in the joints by cycling better than plastics. That was a factor in our (my surgeons and mine) decision to use MOM anatomical size replacement joints. Sorry, I didn't inquire much beyond that . Of course, Floyd Landis, the pro cyclist who had resurfacing, has MOM joints as well. Then again, you are still of child bearing years, so if you still want kids, then, I think MOM is not recommended. So many decisions.
Best of luck to you on your decision.

 

[tracie]

hi heather yes i agree with judy that 3 weeks sounds like a sensible plan my partner has 2 weeks off then it will be friends and family helping me.yes it is hard when you have little ones my daughter is 12 she is a great help to me now so im sure she will be brill after my op,my son is only three he is not to much of a handful so hopefully ill be ok he goes to nursery 3 days so thats a bit of rest time for me. good luck for your up coming surgery i hope we can all give you lots of helpful advice for when you have your op keep in touch tracie xxx