Preop anxiety

[uberalan]

Dwight,   Way to go.  I am so looking forward to people commenting on my lack of a limp rather than on my limp.  ;D

Wayne,  Great advice.  I have built a new PC over the weekend and loaded some new games, so I am looking forward to some downtime.  :)

[uberalan]

My wife and I met with Dr. Gross and Lee Webb today for my pre-op appointment.  They are everything that has been reported on this forum.  Words to describe them: Comptent, Compassionate, Confident and Passionate.  I feel very good about my decision to come to SC for my surgery.

They took new xrays and Lee remarked that she was surprised that I was still able to walk given the picture of the right hip.  Dr. Gross confirmed the need to also do the left.

Both Lee and Dr. Gross were very patient and unhurried in answering all my questions.  Being an engineer,  I sometime venture too far "down in the weeds" but Dr. Gross answered even these questions.  We had an interesting discussion of how combining CTSCAN imaging, computer aided design and CNC  technology, and robotics may lead to some break throughs in locating and "installing" the acetabular sockets in the future. 

Dr. Gross and Lee Webb are very passionate about what they are doing and for a patient that is great.  I feel like they are continuing to look for opportunities to improve their technique and make things better for their patients.

Alan from Denver
Soon to be Gross Bilateral Hippy: Dual Biomet Magnums R=-3/16/09 & L 3/19/09

[dvander]

Alan,

Big week in front of you!  Relax and try to enjoy the ride.  There will be bumps on the recovery road, but you will be a new man, with a renewed outlook on life, with a more positive perspective in problems.  Hope you will give a post or two on the other side of surgery.

It IS a source of great joy to have folks comment on the lack of my limp.  It's even more enjoyable to ride the bike, cut the grass, and be active without pain!!!

Dwight V
11/18/08 RBHR Dr. Jinnah

[sunny]

Hi Alan, I to was overly anxious.  I was a "furniture walker".  I waited to long to get to a surgeon.  Now as I look back, It is a couldof, should of story.  I am starting my fourth month and walking around just fine.  I also wish I had known about this web site before my surgery, it would have been very helpful.  Looks like you have lots of helpers now.  Good luck.


Sunny

[Tarhoo2]

Alan,

Just another surface hippy -- actually double surface hippy -- sending a shout-out to you.  Everything will go fine and you'll be very glad you had the surgery.  The surgical pain I felt in the recovery room after my first resurfacing was less than the pain I had been experiencing from the OA in my hip(s).  Based on that experience, I actually looked forward to having the second done.  I'm almost at one year on the second (15 months on the first) now and I couldn't be happier and more grateful for what my orthopaedist was able to accomplish.

We'll be here for you on the "other side" and have plenty of advice and support then too!

Best wishes to you!

Jim

[uberalan]

Dwight,

Thanks for the encouragment.   I am anticipating that same joy of folks commenting about my lack of a limp!

This morning my wife and I went shopping for some final items for my hospital stay and just walking around the store was such an effort. It seems like my condition has become so much worse since I set my surgery date.

I was walking daily for almost an hour last fall and now that seems like such a monumental tasks (not to mention the five miles I used to run daily at noon just a few years ago seems like something from someone's else life.)

Alan/Denver
Double Gross Hippy Biomet Magnum Recap R 3/16/2009 and L 3/19/2009

It IS a source of great joy to have folks comment on the lack of my limp.  It's even more enjoyable to ride the bike, cut the grass, and be active without pain!!!

Dwight V
11/18/08 RBHR Dr. Jinnah

[uberalan]

Jim,

Thanks for the encouraging words from another double dipper  :)

I was dreading this weekend with the thought of just waiting around for Monday morning to walk across the parking lot to the hospital and roll the dice on my future.  Forecast was from rain.

But it hasn't been bad at all. My daughter drove down from the D.C. area and spent the weekend with us.  Saturday we drove down to Charleston and took a bus tour of the City.  the rain even stopped for awhile. I would have loved to have gone on a walking tour through the streets, but now that is just not possible.   I made a mental commitment to return within a year and actually take a walking tour with my wife and my two new hips.

We enjoyed a great meal lat night and had a great time with our daughter.

Sunday morning we did some shopping in the rain, sent our daughter back to D.C. and this afternoon I am keeping busy reading unexplored areas on The Surface Hippy  web site and posting comments.

There is so much information here. I feel I am prepared for Monday morning and playing with a pair of "loaded dice" with Dr. Gross and Lee Webb.

Alan,

Just another surface hippy -- actually double surface hippy -- sending a shout-out to you.  Everything will go fine and you'll be very glad you had the surgery.  The surgical pain I felt in the recovery room after my first resurfacing was less than the pain I had been experiencing from the OA in my hip(s).  Based on that experience, I actually looked forward to having the second done.  I'm almost at one year on the second (15 months on the first) now and I couldn't be happier and more grateful for what my orthopaedist was able to accomplish.

We'll be here for you on the "other side" and have plenty of advice and support then too!

Best wishes to you!

Jim

[Tekka]

Alan,

All the very best mate...good luck from the UK.

Regards

Terry

[obxpelican]

Alan,


Things will happen quicky tomorrow, if you're already registered at the hospital you will go in, hang out until they come and get you and not long after they see you in pre-op they will give you the "I don't care medicine" and you won't care at that point if they tell you they are going to give you a mohawk with green stripes.

As soon as they give you that special happy med things go really well, I remember some big nurse pulling me up towards her for the spinal I really do not remember much after that except waking up in recovery asking them if I got the HR or a THR, then asking when I can go for a walk on my crutches.

The good thing about you Alan is that it does not matter if they do the wrong hip.... they will both be done anyhow.    ;D

Take care, post when you can and you are feeling better, God speed be with you!!!


BTW--- if you can sneak a couple hundred doses of that happy medicine for me I would be greatly indebted to you   :D


Chuck


Chuck

[uberalan]

It is  official . I am now a surface hippie!  I arrived at the hospital at 8:45 this morning where I was quickly ushered through admissions to pre-op preparations.   The hospital staff was very helpful, unhurried and professional.  The last thing  I remember prior to surgery was bending over for the spinal tap. I then woke to a surreal environment created by drugs and a return to consciousness. While in recovery, Dr. Gross came by and said the operation was extremely successful.  I am now in my room, and with the exception of some nausea, doing very well.  The floor nurse indicated I would start physical therapy tomorrow.  I can truly say that at this point I have felt no pain from the operation.  We'll see how it goes tomorrow... (My wife is typing this for me from the hospital room)

[Tarhoo2]

Congrats, Alan!  You made it to the other side!  Suggest you medicate as your medical team suggests and not try to "tough it out."  Also, you will find that ice and elevation are very good friends.  Take your time and be patient.

Best wishes,

Jim

[obxpelican]

Another Gross Surface Hippy.

So the bug juice got you too?    ;D


Good stuff, huh?



Chuck

[landaq007]

Congratulations on the beginning of your new life!! Like Tarhoo2 says "Ice & Elevate" and use the pain meds!  Please tell Lynn and the PT folks Tim D from Atlanta says hello.  I am sure Thursday will be just as smooth! 

[DirkV]

Let me add to the congrats and best wishes for getting your life back! I read your post about foregoing the coffee-weaning, so I hope your recovery starts with a good cup of coffee in the morning :-) . And I had to chuckle recollecting my immediate post-op evening. Before I got the warning about potential nausea, the dinner nurse came in and I ordered a 3-course meatloaf, potatoes, veggie, dessert, etc. Luckily I didn't have any post-op nausea.
-Dirk

[wayne-0]

Good to hear things went well. Isn't it nice to have that bone on bone pain gone. The road has just begun for you but every day will get a little easier and better. May your recovery go as smoothly as your surgery.

Wayne

[uberalan]

The first night was not too bad,well not bad considering it was in the hospital.  I slept well (even fell asleep during 24).  Still no pain. Dr. Gross came by to check on me.  He warned me (as others here on the forum)  about not waiting too long before asking for the pain meds.

PT is scheduled for this morning and afternoon and Occupation Therapy for tonight at 1000 AM. Knot sure how much it will hurt the frist time I stand.

One down and one two go on Thursday.

Thanks for all the encouraging posts.

[Pat Walter]

Alan

I wanted to wish you Good Luck on Thursday.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

I hope you continue to recover from the first resurfacing and by this time next week, will be crutching around on 2 new hips.

Good Luck.

Pat

[uberalan]

Pat,

I really appreciate the prayers and good thoughts. 

This morning I did my first PT session. I walked on crutches for about 50  ft and I had very little pain.

I also received my daily living kit consisting of a leg lift strap,a sponge on a stick, a "picker-upper" and long shoe horn.  Given the two ice cooling machines, I am wondering how we can bring it with us on the return plane.

This afternoon I walked about 200' on crutches and was feeling pretty cocky about my recovery. The feeling lasted until I went to the bathroom and suddenly passed out.  I remember thinking I am going down and better keep my leg out in front of me.  My wife was "riding shotgun" and helped to lower me to the floor.

Turns out my BP dropped to about 60/40.  I had read another forum member's posting about passing out due low BP. Very fortunately it appears my hip was NOT hurt as I went down. I will definitely be more carefull regardless of how I feel.

My right leg feels so tight and packed,  someone described it as being a dead log.  Don't want to think having two of these dead stumps after Thursday. I will think positively about not having arthritis pain.

[obxpelican]

Alan,

You'll be surprised how quickly those logs turn back into legs..... Lee told me the magic day is around 9 or 10 days and things really begin to progress for you so when you get back home take advantage of the pampering because you'll be cutting grass soon.

That picker upper and the sock tool rocks, I really did not use the other stuff.

Sorry to hear about your BP, that is VERY common so don't worry, it's due to the drugs you were given during surgery.


Chuck

[uberalan]

Thanks Chuck.

Last night my hip hurt for really for the first time and I asked for pain meds. Dr. Gross had warned me that the second day is often the peak in soreness.

Dr. Gross and Lee both came by this morning to check on me.  I wished all doctors were like Dr. Gross, what a great man.  Both said I was doing great.

I got up and  one of my "other" biological systems restarted and while in the bathroom I shaved and cleaned up.  Feel really great.

I went double the distance from yesterday in this morning PT with Joe and Carter.  Also learned to do stairs.  I have another session this afternoon.

The left hip is scheduled for tomorrow at 0730 AM and Joe said we would try doing a PT session tomorrow afternoon.

Question for other Hippies:  Did you polar ice machine have a manual pump that allowed you to use it on the plane?  The pump in my hospital room appears to be electric only.  Do they give you a different than the one you used in the hospital room.