Two Year Anniversary/Metal Testing

[Boomer]

It has been just over two years since my second hip resurfacing, and two and a half years since the first. I requested a script for the metal toxicity test from Dr. Rector, who was happy to comply. Blood was drawn at Boulder Community Hospital but sent to the Mayo Clinic for analysis. It took nine days to hear from Dr. Rector with the results. My Cobalt level was 7.1, my Chromium level was 4.8. Both levels are with the safe range for bilateral Hippys, so no concerns. Dr. Rector was not surprised, since he implanted the hips properly.

Newbies and lurkers take heart. I am an exceptionally active 60 year old, and except for a perpetually tight IT band on my right leg, have found few limitations. I'm seeking out a personal trainer to help me with the IT issue, which is probably due to my dislike of stretching with the foam rollers. I have two of them, but they beg for attention.

I have found some things I cannot due despite having two perfectly installed Birmingham play hips. 1) I cannot do any yard work or home improvement projects, 2) Despite years of ballroom dancing lessons, I still cannot dance, and 3) Despite fifteen hours of coaching and receipt of my motorcycle endorsement, I still cannot competently ride a motorcycle. So items 1-3 no longer appear on my To Do List. Instead, I bought a new basketball and plan to start working on my rusty jump shot.

Thanks for all the support from this wonderful Hippy community over the years. Life is good.

Boomer

[hernanu]

It has been just over two years since my second hip resurfacing, and two and a half years since the first. I requested a script for the metal toxicity test from Dr. Rector, who was happy to comply. Blood was drawn at Boulder Community Hospital but sent to the Mayo Clinic for analysis. It took nine days to hear from Dr. Rector with the results. My Cobalt level was 7.1, my Chromium level was 4.8. Both levels are with the safe range for bilateral Hippys, so no concerns. Dr. Rector was not surprised, since he implanted the hips properly.

Congrats Boomer! (or colloquially.. Boomah!).

Those are good - one note: when I did my levels at 4 years, they had gone down from the initial readings. Not saying yours will, but they can go down.

Newbies and lurkers take heart. I am an exceptionally active 60 year old, and except for a perpetually tight IT band on my right leg, have found few limitations. I'm seeking out a personal trainer to help me with the IT issue, which is probably due to my dislike of stretching with the foam rollers. I have two of them, but they beg for attention.

They are your friends, and like many friends that are good for you, are sometimes neglected.

I have found some things I cannot due despite having two perfectly installed Birmingham play hips. 1) I cannot do any yard work or home improvement projects, 2) Despite years of ballroom dancing lessons, I still cannot dance, and 3) Despite fifteen hours of coaching and receipt of my motorcycle endorsement, I still cannot competently ride a motorcycle. So items 1-3 no longer appear on my To Do List. Instead, I bought a new basketball and plan to start working on my rusty jump shot.

If I remember right, you had the fun hip implant versions put in, so (1) doesn't surprise me. (2) is dependent on much more than your hipness. (3) Is something I have no idea how to do, so its implications are far beyond me.

Basketball is one of my activities, so welcome to the land of shooting at a simulated peach basket.

Thanks for all the support from this wonderful Hippy community over the years. Life is good.

Boomer

Congrats again Boomer!

[happyhopper]

Can you explain the difference between a Birmingham play hip and the normal BHR please?  I haven't heard of them before.  Why do they prevent you from yard work (is that sweeping up), and dancing?
Regard
HH

[evant]

Perhaps we're being gently teased.

Having been given a second chance at life, Boomer completely understands the important things and what is the best use of his time.

Yard sweeping, home improvements, plus recreational stuff that he's valiantly tried and didn't take to, for whatever reason, do not make it on to his 'important things in life' list anymore.

Not a bad lesson for all of us.

[happyhopper]

You're not being teased at all, these are genuine questions.  Hopefully Boomer will answer them rather than someone in a different country, as I assume Boomer is not from the UK.
H

[Boomer]

Dear HH,

Like most Hippys I gave up almost all of the activities that I enjoyed when the pain became unbearable. I thought the good times were over, until I met Dr. Rector who gave me two new hips and told me to go enjoy my life. I had a lot of catching up to do, so we all agreed that my new hips were designed for play only. And, I don't do anything but play with these hips. At the mere mention of work, I disappear like smoke. You will never meet a lazier person or one who smiles more than me because all I ever do is play!

I can't dance because I am a stiff old guy with no rhythm. I can't ride a motorcycle because I'm terrified of injuring myself. I've had enough surgery and rehab to last a lifetime, so I am not longer much of a risk taker.

I live in Colorado and ride one of my bikes almost every day in the mountains. Weekends are for hiking those same beautiful mountains.

Life is very good.

Boomer

[Dan L]

Boomer;

Congrats my friend, that play hip still keeping you on the "straight and narrow" I see.  Fantastic.  My yard work model (left side) is holding up very well but the fun hip (right side) keeps pulling me hiking up the escarpment in the Lake Erie Grape Belt, so I often pull muscles with my split models.

All the best for continued pain-free life and biking whenever you like.  I am very ahppy for you.

Dan

[happyhopper]

Thanks Boomer
I am pleased you are having fun and that it's not the implant or hip stopping you doing the yard work, and  that you are so busy hiking!
Hope you occasionally take the person doing the yard work with you!!
Regards
H

[WTW15]

Boomer - Great to hear your doing Wonderful!  I haven't had the metal testing yet, as I creep up on 3 yrs, but I did have my 2 3/4 yr check up and all looks good.

Glad the Play Hips are still playing.   If you ever want a ride on a motorcycle,  let me know and I'll throw ya on the back of mine  ;)

[RobMsport]

Boomer -- My left hip was BHR 'd in 2000 and am waiting for the right hip to have the same done pretty soon hopefully . I still race my car which although it's difficult to get out of (getting in's a doddle , I just fall into the seat ;D) -- the metal hip doesn't prevent me from playing on track but it does hurt like hell for the following week after . The only thing that would stop me race driving would be my GP not passing the medical required each season , so hopefully I'll race till I drop  ;D
Don't have any plans to die in my armchair  :P

[Woodstock Hippy]

Boomer, glad everything is going well and that your new hips are for play only!  Did you retire after your surgeries?  I did and life couldn't be better!!

[Boomer]

Woodtstock I never worried that your life after BH was going to be spectacular, but thanks for confirming my expectations. You always had the most pastime thoughts for everyone visiting this site.

I sold my company in anticipation of retiring but agreed to stay on for awhile to help the buyers figure things out. The stress of running a business is mostly gone now, so I have been spending a lot less time in the office and a lot more time riding the trails in the mountains by my house. I rode more this summer than ever before, and had a blast doing it.

I tried to rake leaves a week ago, in clear violation of what my play hips were designed for. Much too hard for me, so I dropped the rake and went for a bike ride. I think the rake is still out there somewhere.

Thanks for dropping by Woodstock. Nice to hear from you.

Boomer

[Woodstock Hippy]

Congratulations on the sale of your company.  I guess you won't find that rake until spring.  By then the leaves will be gone anyway.  These days I use a gas blower on the leaves at the Woodstock house.  What used to take all day now takes about an hour.  On Long Island, I wait til spring and they are gone.

I did have one big set back.  I had a spectacular mountain bike crash.  Total yard sale!  I was just starting to get my speed back but I still wasn't holding lines through the turns very well and I caught my handlebar on a sapling.  The bike went on way and I went twisting in the other.  I got up and a lot of me hurt so I rode carefully home.  Afterwards running was fine but if I missed clipping in on the road bike or came out of the pedal on the mountain bike I would get a pain that shot right out of my eyeballs and stopped me right in my tracks.  It turned out to be a torn glute tendon and it did heal but poorly.  First I went to a chiro for Graston treatments to break up the scar tissue.  Then no running of cycling for two month to lent it heal.  It still wasn't right so I went to a PT for three months to strengthen my butt.  Now, I roll it a couple times a week and do strength exercises when I can and I can still feel it but I'm good to go; running, cycling, swimming and realizing that this retirement business it the best thing ever!

Good luck, Boomer, I hope you never find that rake!!!

[ecchastang]

Boomer

Glad to see you are a Dr. Rector patient, as I have my first appointment with him March 2nd.  Excited for the possibility of getting something done.