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Told my girlfriend about me getting new hip

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@Chessie. On the other hand, you could take it as her meaning you just seem SO young for your age. :) I will turn 57 at the end of this month and I've needed my hip replaced for several years due to an injury. Stuff happens, you know? I was one of the youngest in my pre-op class - some of the older ones were getting around better than I was, and a few were in wheelchairs. As fast as my condition was deteriorating, I'd likely have been there within a year - OS said I was "last stage/severe". I wasn't getting around as well as my 89 yr old Mom! Now - two weeks after surgery - that's all changing. I have hope for keeping up with my peers again and enjoying the next 30+ years of my life. :)


2014May5 - RTHR Direct Lateral Approach
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I am quickly learning that age is just a number. Can't count how many folks have said to me "you're way too young to need a new hip". The pain came on at 46 and now I'm 47 and resolved that I won't live with this debilitation when I have options I want back my ability to blend in normally, walk, run, tie my shoes and put slacks on like a normal person. So those who haven't been here just can't comprehend. They don't need to. We know what you're going through - we feel your pain and WE support you to make the right decision for yourself and your happiness. Best of wishes!!!!

Ten days to go for me and then I'm titanium :)

Tee in VA


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@moms4tne, I know what you mean - my hip issue is due to an injury a few years ago. Stuff does just happen...no way to control that! You sound like you are doing really well - hope your recovery keeps progressing nicely!
 
@frieds, that is exactly how I feel. I want back my normal activities. I am so tired of this pain I could just scream. :gaah:

I really liked the second surgeon that I saw on Friday. He showed me my x-rays, and wow what a difference since 2009. I could tell immediately which was the bad hip - there is cartilage left on the inner side, but on the outer side it is almost completely gone (I think he measured 1mm). You can even see where there is a flattened area on the femoral head in that area. Dang. It was good to see that...makes me feel a bit better about wanting to do something to fix this, knowing that there really is an effed up hipbone there! I have two bone spurs as well and he pointed those out to me.
He told me that people take one of two paths.
1) Since I still am quite mobile and not totally hobbled with pain (although I am limping), I could simply cut back on my activities, try injections, and continue to use medication to help with the pain. Doing that I could put off the surgery for a while, but of course the hip is just going to get worse. Or,
2) I could have the surgery, spend some time recovering, and then get back to doing the things I enjoy. Period.

It's a no-brainer, right?? He said he could put me on the calendar about 4 to 6 weeks out. All I have to do is call and tell them I am ready. My BF wants to know when I am going to call. I need to pick up that phone tomorrow and call. :)
 
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Hi @Chessie …it's a no brainer for sure……

I just turned 54, I was told on my 53rd birthday I would need a THR…..I was so upset…. I was thinking.. that's for old people I am too young. I found BS and realized many of us on the forum are in our 50's……I could have struggled for a few years……taken medicine and slowed down my life……but why……when the operation would give me back the life I want to live.

I had my operation on April 29th. I am doing very well……my OS told me after the op that my hip was gone but I hadn't done major damage to the surrounding area…..so less for him to repair ……Get it done….ignore negative people and comments……..honestly surround yourself with positive people…...:SUNsmile:
 
@Chessie - I'm sorry your friend was so misinformed and so non-supportive! You are as young as you feel - trite but true. Before my BTHR I felt about 90 yo most days. What prompted me to call my doc for xrays and referral to an OS at the age of 64 was one day at the grocery store while checking out I dropped my purse and stuff went all over the place! I was struggling to bend down and pick things up when the woman behind me gracefully bent down and retrieved my things for me. I thanked her sincerely and left the store feeling both grateful and disgruntled ..... because the helpful woman was in her 80s! Then after my surgery when returning borrowed items to the Senior Service Center the very nice lady who was helping me bring things in hesitantly asked me how old I was because the policy was to loan things out to folks over 60 ..... and she thought I was about 45-50! LOL had to dig out the driver's license to prove I was really of an age to make use of their loaner program. What a difference pain-free hips make!
 
@Chessie. You'll do fine and you won't regret it. In fact, you may find (as I did) that now that you've made this decision, you will allow yourself to acknowledge just how much pain you're in, and how difficult it's become to live life. It's part of the acceptance that leads to a peaceful result when July comes around. Yep, you'll be nervous when it gets close, but confidence that you've made the best decision for your future will carry you through.


2014May5 - RTHR Direct Lateral Approach
Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
@Chessie Best of luck with your forthcoming surgery. The build up/waiting is the hardest bit in my opinion, but remember, we'll all here to support you.
 
@moms4 - I couldn't have said it better myself. My surgery is May 28 and quickly approaching. I am nervous but not nearly as much as I used to be or thought I would be. The inner peace is reminding me no more limp, no muscle cramps, better sleeping, being able to move and do things again - all the things that added up to impeding my life. Inner peace - it's a great thing. Now I know day or two before I'll be a wreck but I think it's just because I'm a control freak lol :)

Tee


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@Chessie you made the best decision for yourself. I found out less than a year ago that the pain I was experiencing was caused by hip arthritis. I couldn't believe it at the age of 42! The surgeon said I was born with hip dysplasia so all my life my hips were not placed quite right in the sockets and that led to them wearing down prematurely. I decided to first do the cortisone injections in the hips because the doctor said I might get by for another year or so or even longer before needing surgery. Well, they only lasted about 2 weeks and the pain started coming back. By 2 months I was the same as before. So awful. So right after the holidays I scheduled my first hip replacement. Just had my second almost 4 weeks ago. I can now sleep soundly, am walking pretty good without any cane (working on this with the physical therapy), can put on shoes and socks, cut my toenails, shower without having to sit down, etc, etc.... I'm am starting to feel "normal" again and looking forward to this summer. I'm so glad you scheduled the surgery. You won't regret it. :)
 
@Chessie Well I don't see why having to have a hip replacement should be any more embarrassing than having to have your appendix out. I mean, it is just something that went wrong and needs to be fixed. People get all kinds of things fixed at all different ages, after all. I'd just tell 'em I was having my hip replaced, and if it bothers them, so be it, tho why it would bother them I can't imagine. It sure shouldn't bother you -- you are just getting something repaired to improve your life. It isn't like you are self-destructing or anything, you've just got a bad hip. Everybody has a bad something.

OR, you could tell everybody you hurt your hip parachuting in the Swiss Alps with your Italian fighter pilot boyfriend on a wild and crazy romantic weekend, if you wanted to add a bit of glamor to the whole thing. HAH!
 
Lmao @Butterfly! Love it. Hubby told me to say it was a night of rough passionate sex so just pardon the limp for a bit lol. Personally starting my scar story - thinking wrestled with a shark in the ocean while I was just in Cancun!!!

Tee


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Butterfly said:
@Chessie Well I don't see why having to have a hip replacement should be any more embarrassing than having to have your appendix out. I mean, it is just something that went wrong and needs to be fixed. People get all kinds of things fixed at all different ages, after all. I'd just tell 'em I was having my hip replaced, and if it bothers them, so be it, tho why it would bother them I can't imagine. It sure shouldn't bother you -- you are just getting something repaired to improve your life. It isn't like you are self-destructing or anything, you've just got a bad hip. Everybody has a bad something.

OR, you could tell everybody you hurt your hip parachuting in the Swiss Alps with your Italian fighter pilot boyfriend on a wild and crazy romantic weekend, if you wanted to add a bit of glamor to the whole thing. HAH!
Click to expand...

Actually the injury that precipitated my hip problem is so risque that I would not even tell the doctor. :heehee: I did tell the PA of the first one though...she encouraged me to tell the doc but I just couldn't. I did tell my GF because of her "OMG" reaction...and I think that made her realize that "hey - sh$t just happens"!!! :shrug:
 
Chessie said:
Actually the injury that precipitated my hip problem is so risque that I would not even tell the doctor. :heehee: I did tell the PA of the first one though...she encouraged me to tell the doc but I just couldn't. I did tell my GF because of her "OMG" reaction...and I think that made her realize that "hey - sh$t just happens"!!! :shrug:
Click to expand...

We're all intrigued now to know what happened to you!!!!!
 
Mai5ie said:
We're all intrigued now to know what happened to you!!!!!
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Weeeelll, I briefly covered that in my first post in this forum. No need to go through it again. :nah::) Besides, like my surgeon said, it doesn't matter how it came to be - it's really academic at this point. Nothing to be done about it but fix it! :tada: That is what I was trying to get my GF to understand. But most people will just go "OMG what?? You??". Sheesh.
 
People need to understand that injuries to joints can precipitate the development of very serious OA, and very quickly. It can happen to anybody, at any age - and ppl do not understand how debilitating it is! Naturally occurring "wear and tear" OA in the elderly might be acceptable to our youth-obsessed culture - but dancers, gymnasts, athletes, and everyday ppl like most of us here can all suffer unexpected illness or injury. I slipped on the ice going out the door and fell in a "splits" on the threshold. Hurt my ankle and elbow, and bumped my head - but the "sinister" injury was the tiny hip labral tear that would never heal. I didn't know - and most ppl wouldn't - that within 10 yrs time (by age 58) I'd likely have been in a wheelchair if not for this surgery. No shame - I'm just grateful it could be done and I can have my life back!


2014May5 - RTHR Direct Lateral Approach
Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
Geez.Imagine if she really told you what she thought about it. J/k. Rude but at least she's honest. Just worry about what matters. Your health. If she loves you she will be there through thick and thin. Hope you have a Speedy recovery! Man I must be the youngest ever darn near.
 
fulafoto said:
Last time I can remember being too young was when I was 16 and I was too young to drink :heehee:
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@fulafoto -----
[Bonesmart.org] Told my girlfriend about me getting new hip
 
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