Hi,
I had my pre-op assessment today, it all went well. I live in England so I am getting my treatment on our NHS system, I have found this very good so far.
That was until today as I felt awkward and uncomfortable. We had a group pre op physo, there were about eight of us and some people had their son's and daughter's with them. Now bearing in mind I'm only 39 years old and was comfortably the youngest person being treated you'd think the staff would have known about my case.
Any how they didn't, they thought I was the son of one fine gentleman until I started to ask a lot of questions-thanks to the people on this web site. It was quite funny to watch the realisation dawn on the nurses face as she checked her list to see she had a 39 year old patient. She did apologise at the end of the session, but it did bring home the reality how young I am to be needing an operation of this sort.
My surgery is booked for the 7th of June and I know in my head I need it now. After 9 years of putting up with my hip pain, which has slowly become worse. I have limped for at least the last 6 years and my one goal is to walk without a limp again.
As the eighty something year old lady said to my today you look fit. To which I replied I am apart from my hip. Hopefully I will feel at least 90% fit again after my recovery.
Apart from the group session everything else was fine and I know my surgeon has a lot of experience. So I hoping for a good result.
I'll keep you all up dated with my progress.
Cheers
Ian
Yes, I am sure that we have all had that reaction from someone at one time or another. Even at 49 years old I hear people surprised that I am getting a new hip. The fact is that resurfacing gives us younger people a reason not to continue to live with less quality of life waiting for a THR.
I don't know your definition of "fit" but I plan on being 100% fit once my hip is fixed. The pain and lack of ROM has made it difficult to work out. Even hiking and walking are a pain in the hip. I promise never to take a run or bike ride for granted again.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Dan
Just today someone told me I was "to young" to have had a hip replacement - I am 54 - and I smiles and told the, as my doctor told me, it was something that happened when I was 11 to 15 years old and so all the "fitness" stuff has just put off the need for repair.
You will do fine - have a good English beer and smile back
Cheers - Phill
I'm another 'you're so young' at 33. Though it was nice to hear in the beginning it slowly annoyed the living daylights out of me. It sounds like you all handled this with far more grace that I... at the time I smiled and nodded, though inside there was annoyance.
I don't think it was the statement itself if coupled with astonishment annoyed me, it's when the slight pity creeps in that I gritted my teeth as I smiled. It is what it is and aside from the rare 'woe is me moments' that I might have had once in a blue moon, it's part of me and I've had a good life so far and made the most of what I've got. It is about to get even better too with the help of two new shiny BMHR's :)
I also tired of one or two staff speaking to me like I was old and demented which I think really is a horrible way to speak to those that aren't 'so young'. I got on really well with all ages when I was in rehab even though I was the youngest by a long way. We all shared a goal and had something in common and as we encouraged each other we enjoyed each others company. I don't think I spoke to anyone with that 'you are old and demented voice'. At least I hope I didn't.
I am sure you will do well and the fitness that you have will help you through the rehabilitation process. I hope that the group that you will be in rehab with give you the support and encouragement that mine did - it truly did make such a positive difference. Keep smiling!
Me too, bilateral OA at 40. I'd like to think that my lungs and heart are in good shape due to all that damage my hips took over the years from running, skiiing, soccer, walking twice as fast as evry one else,...
I'm 38 and had my hip done 10 weeks ago. It feels great! You will be feeling great too soon! I was like you, in pain for the last 8-10 years and really limping badly and in a lot of pain the last 2-3 years. The last 2 months have been great. I am not limping, I am not in pain.
I have to wait until 6 months post op before I can run on my implant, and I'm not at 100% yet, but I'm a million times better than before surgery. I can lay down in my bed at night and my hip feels "quiet". No trobing pain..no pain at all. I can walk up hills or up and down stairs without pain.
Don't worry about the surgery...look forward to it. It will be the first day of the rest of your pain free life!
I stressed about the surgery beforehand...worried about what would happen, would it hurt, etc etc. I'm a big baby! It didn't hurt, it was less pain than my hernia surgery 5 years ago. I wish I had done this sooner!