Lefty – 73 years young

I’m doing well nine days after my left hip was resurfaced by Dr. Mont at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore.

The first three days after surgery were somewhat discouraging, but on the fourth day I started using crutches, which I find to be MUCH preferable to a walker. I’m 73, had no one to accompany me to Baltimore from upstate New York, and live alone, so I decided to spend some time in rehab here before heading home.

Sinai Hospital kept me its “acute” rehab unit for six days and then said I was doing so well that Medicare would no longer pay for “acute” rehab, although it would pay for “sub-acute” care – so yesterday I was moved to a Genesis nursing home/rehab facility in suburban Baltimore. My current plan is to stay here until next Friday, when a friend will be available to drive me home. I could  manage at home now, but it would be difficult while I’m still on two crutches. It looks as if I’ll be on one crutch or a cane by next Friday, which should make it much easier to cope.

The physical therapy setup at Sinai is first-rate, although I’d describe the PT at Genesis as somewhat mediocre. However, the Sinai PT people showed me how to do a full range of exercises on my own and I’m doing them, even when a PT person isn’t available here.

When I get home I plan to spend a lot of time in the YMCA pool and am glad that I spent some time there before surgery.

My only complaints at this point are that I’ve developed a urinary infection which is resulting in my not getting enough sleep and my inability to keep a pillow between my legs while I’m sleeping. I wish I had one that I could strap on somehow, but that doesn’t seem feasible, at least not here.

Many thanks to Clay Primrose and everyone else who were so helpful as I prepared for my now-successful resurfacing.

Lefty

Mont, 10/18/07