Re: What Surgery? Confused.

February 23, 2010

Celeste

You have to think it all through, and this is where prayer comes in, and

make a decision. I prayed about my hip replacement surgery for several

months and then just made up my mind to do it. I had to take off from work.

I live with a grown son, who works all day and is not around.

I live in the lower Hudson Valley area of New York. My surgeon was a

local doctor. The local hospital kept me for four days, I went to a rehab

facility which was about 15 miles from my home for 8 days until I could get up,

go to the bathroom, climb up and down stairs with a cane and take a

shower. Then my son picked me up and drove me home. The County visiting Nurse

came to check my vital readings and Coumadin numbers three times after I

came home. The Physical Therapist came to my home twice a week for three

weeks. Now I must get to physical therapy for the next 7 weeks at a local

rehab center. The visiting nurse and the physical therapist were super. I

cannot say enough good things about the surgeon, the hospital and its nurses,

the rehab facility and its staff and the County Nurse and PT. All great

people. This is where my prayers were answered. God put these wonderful

people in my path. I am truly grateful to each and every one of them. They

do His work.

I could have traveled to New York City to the special orthopedic hospitals

but after praying, I decided to stay around my own home.

My prayers were that God's hands would be with the surgeon's hands and that

all would go well. I prayed that this would happen if it were His will.

My friends prayed that God would grant a successful surgery if that was

His will. I have no regrets and just called my cousin who needs the hip

replacement surgery and is also trying to decide what to do.

A big consideration for you is that you have health insurance at this time

and it may not be there in a few years. What kind of care will you be able

to get without it later on down the road? Aside from the surgery and the

rehabilitation time, you will also need physical and occupational therapy.

This is crucial to recovery. It could be per session at least $80 give or

take without insurance out of your own pocket. With insurance it would be

just the co-pay.

What does your husband think you should do? This decision will affect him

for several months while you heal.

I will pray for you to make the right decision. Good luck with whatever

you decide.

Reen

February 23, 2010

No one can tell you when and whether to get a hip replacement because

it's an elective surgery.

Most of us get the surgery because the pain and loss of mobility is

compromising the quality of our lives -- we can look back and realize

that a year before (for example) we were able to do x, y and z and

that we are now limiting our activities. It's insidious because we

adjust since it's a gradual progression for most of us.

May you are not there yet because you don't talk about pain and lack

of mobility.

Everyone is scared prior to the surgery and to the extent that posts

on this list dwell on complications, it's a pity because for almost

all hip replacement people, the surgery was a momentary blip and our

existence after surgery is immeasurably better. Almost everyone feels

they waited TOO LONG for the surgery and most people needing a second

hip replacement have it sooner because they realize that the surgery

and recovery is a piece of cake compared to what their hip was doing

to them prior to surgery.

Prayer is NOT going to heal your hip. Perhaps you are not at the stage

where pain and immobility is hampering your existence but surely there

was some reason you initially went to the OS? Routinely people with no

pain don't get X-Rays and seek out medical opinions proactively.

Logistically you've got issues since there is a real possibility that

you won't have medical insurance in the future. I don't know what your

life is but most non-retired people have to work something out -- and

even retired people have logistical issues in terms of perhaps needing

some help in the early days of recovery if they live alone.

On Feb 23, 2010, at 5:39 AM, Cfourhorses@... wrote:

>

> Yeah...I am getting very scared and many people I know are telling

> me not to have surgery and keep praying for healing!! The summer

> just has become more complicated so it does not look like I can even

> get any down time. Need this like a needed another hole in my

> head!!!!!!!

> Celeste

>

> Re: [Total_Joint_ Replacement] Re: What Surgery? Confused.

>

> Cfourhorses@ aol.com said the following on 19/02/2010 00:34:

> > My local Dr. said that a new hip should last 25/30 yrs. What is the

> > point of a stop gap resurface when you have to go for the THR

> > anyway...only want surgery on each side!

>

> From everything that I have learned about the different types of hip

> replacements, I think your 'dr.' is being a little optimistic. I'm

> supposed to have been fitted with one of the most advanced types of

> prosthesis - large head ceramic on ceramic, and my surgeon told me

> that

> the estimated life span of these is 15-20 years. From all I can

> gather,

> these new joints may 'wear' well enough for 25-30 years, but it's the

> other issue that is the problem, that of joint loosening, and no

> matter

> how superior they make the new prosthesis in terms of wear factor, the

> new technologies have little impact on the joint loosening problem.

> (They need to develop a stronger glue!!! ;^) )

>

> Mick.

>

February 23, 2010

I understand that you are scared, Celeste...I think most of us were very afraid,

but when you consider that the damage the bone on bone does to your life, the

pain it brings, the loss of mobility, you have to really wonder what to fear

most...a life confined to limited movement and constant pain (if you work with

horses I'd think that's a non-starter for you!) or doing this thing you're

afraid of, getting through recovery and get rid of the pain and begin to have a

better lifestyle. The post op recovery pain is nothing compared to what you are

going through now.

There are very, very rare cases of spontaneous healing, and you have to know how

extensively your bones are damaged to even think it might happen for you. Those

friends who are giving you such advice...well, Celeste, have any of them had

this surgery to speak from personal experience? They don't walk in your shoes.

Believe that you can and will recover after surgery...I think that prayer is a

little more forward thinking.

It sounds like you have a lot on your plate already with your husband's

illness. Like Jujulabee said, most of us waited too long...and I agree with

everything she said in her message to you. Find out what services you can

receive after surgery...home health care PT, equipment, your doctor's office

should assist with that. While you still have insurance to cover the procedure,

I think you need to think and pray about that instead of waiting and looking for

answers from friends.

Good luck to you....you're in my thoughts and prayers.

Lynn

What other people think of me is none of my business! Terry Cole Whittaker

Here's my art blog: http://www.adreamseyeview.blogspot.com/

From: Cfourhorses@... <Cfourhorses@...>

Subject: Re: Re: What Surgery? Confused.

Joint Replacement

Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 8:36 AM

Yeah...I am getting very scared and many people I know are telling me not to

have surgery and keep praying for healing!! The summer just has become more

complicated so it does not look like I can even get any down time. Need this

like a needed another whole in my head!!!!!!!

Celeste

Re: [Total_Joint_ Replacement] Re: What Surgery? Confused.

Cfourhorses@ aol.com said the following on 19/02/2010 00:34:

> My local Dr. said that a new hip should last 25/30 yrs. What is the

> point of a stop gap resurface when you have to go for the THR

> anyway...only want surgery on each side!

From everything that I have learned about the different types of hip

replacements, I think your 'dr.' is being a little optimistic. I'm

supposed to have been fitted with one of the most advanced types of

prosthesis - large head ceramic on ceramic, and my surgeon told me that

the estimated life span of these is 15-20 years. From all I can gather,

these new joints may 'wear' well enough for 25-30 years, but it's the

other issue that is the problem, that of joint loosening, and no matter

how superior they make the new prosthesis in terms of wear factor, the

new technologies have little impact on the joint loosening problem.

(They need to develop a stronger glue!!! ;^) )

Mick.

February 23, 2010

Thanks....within 2 yrs. I have added a toilet riser because it was painful to

stoop and get up from that...the riser fixed the pain. 2 summers ago I found I

could no longer ride a bicycle. The past 2+yrs. riding my horse has wained

because of the pain straddling and staying straddled...my last ride was

11/10/09, excruciating buttock, groin and shooting thigh pain. I have been

riding 40+ yrs. and was not about to stop at age 49! Riding is my passion...now

I cannot and it stinks! My daughter and I love riding together!! I also find

myself tripping more often. Dr. said I am in end stage hip failure w/ SEVERE OA

and was surprised I was not in more pain than I am in my everyday walking etc.

He gives me 3 yrs. to a wheel chair. Until Dec. I assumed my muscles were out of

shape and I sought PT. Guess I was way off I work every day at 2 jobs and

take care of my disabled husband and mentally/emotionally disabled woman. I

groom dogs & cats, lift a lot of struggling weight...and do the heavy farm work

7 days per week. I am a Christian and have many Christian friends who believe

God can heal me & my husband.

Celeste

Re: [Total_Joint_ Replacement] Re: What Surgery? Confused.

>

> Cfourhorses@ aol.com said the following on 19/02/2010 00:34:

> > My local Dr. said that a new hip should last 25/30 yrs. What is the

> > point of a stop gap resurface when you have to go for the THR

> > anyway...only want surgery on each side!

>

> From everything that I have learned about the different types of hip

> replacements, I think your 'dr.' is being a little optimistic. I'm

> supposed to have been fitted with one of the most advanced types of

> prosthesis - large head ceramic on ceramic, and my surgeon told me

> that

> the estimated life span of these is 15-20 years. From all I can

> gather,

> these new joints may 'wear' well enough for 25-30 years, but it's the

> other issue that is the problem, that of joint loosening, and no

> matter

> how superior they make the new prosthesis in terms of wear factor, the

> new technologies have little impact on the joint loosening problem.

> (They need to develop a stronger glue!!! ;^) )

>

> Mick.

>

February 23, 2010

I would like to add that I think you are perhaps over-complicating

your decision by even considering doctors who aren't in a reasonably

proximate geographical area. Upstate New York (particularly Rochester

and Syracuse) have world class facilities and doctors.

Logistically it was not even possible for me to think about a doctor

that would have required extensive travel because any support system

would either have to be brought or paid for. While I agree that people

should seek out the best surgeons, a hip replacement is not an

esoteric procedure. If I were in the boonies with one doctor who only

did a few each year and a third rate facility, perhaps I might think

about traveling to the NEAREST first class facility but I wouldn't go

to the ends of the earth because one doctor has a " name " .

I live in Los Angeles and there were OS who were considerably more

famous than the one I chose. I chose him because he was in my network;

worked at a hospital I wanted to use; performed the anterior approach

on the Profx table and had excellent credentials as well as an

extensive practice. At a certain point, unlimited choice makes one

unable to make a decision -- could I have kept on looking? Sure -- but

to what purpose as I knew whatever happened I had made the best

possible choice.

On Feb 23, 2010, at 8:34 AM, Lynn wrote:

> I understand that you are scared, Celeste...I think most of us were

> very afraid, but when you consider that the damage the bone on bone

> does to your life, the pain it brings, the loss of mobility, you

> have to really wonder what to fear most...a life confined to limited

> movement and constant pain (if you work with horses I'd think that's

> a non-starter for you!) or doing this thing you're afraid of,

> getting through recovery and get rid of the pain and begin to have a

> better lifestyle. The post op recovery pain is nothing compared to

> what you are going through now.

>

> There are very, very rare cases of spontaneous healing, and you have

> to know how extensively your bones are damaged to even think it

> might happen for you. Those friends who are giving you such

> advice...well, Celeste, have any of them had this surgery to speak

> from personal experience? They don't walk in your shoes. Believe

> that you can and will recover after surgery...I think that prayer is

> a little more forward thinking.

>

> It sounds like you have a lot on your plate already with your

> husband's illness. Like Jujulabee said, most of us waited too

> long...and I agree with everything she said in her message to you.

> Find out what services you can receive after surgery...home health

> care PT, equipment, your doctor's office should assist with that.

> While you still have insurance to cover the procedure, I think you

> need to think and pray about that instead of waiting and looking for

> answers from friends.

>

> Good luck to you....you're in my thoughts and prayers.

>

> Lynn

>

> What other people think of me is none of my business! Terry Cole

> Whittaker

> Here's my art blog: http://www.adreamseyeview.blogspot.com/

>

> From: Cfourhorses@... <Cfourhorses@...>

> Subject: Re: Re: What Surgery? Confused.

> Joint Replacement

> Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 8:36 AM

>

> Yeah...I am getting very scared and many people I know are telling

> me not to have surgery and keep praying for healing!! The summer

> just has become more complicated so it does not look like I can even

> get any down time. Need this like a needed another whole in my

> head!!!!!!!

> Celeste

>

> Re: [Total_Joint_ Replacement] Re: What Surgery? Confused.

>

> Cfourhorses@ aol.com said the following on 19/02/2010 00:34:

> > My local Dr. said that a new hip should last 25/30 yrs. What is the

> > point of a stop gap resurface when you have to go for the THR

> > anyway...only want surgery on each side!

>

> From everything that I have learned about the different types of hip

> replacements, I think your 'dr.' is being a little optimistic. I'm

> supposed to have been fitted with one of the most advanced types of

> prosthesis - large head ceramic on ceramic, and my surgeon told me

> that

> the estimated life span of these is 15-20 years. From all I can

> gather,

> these new joints may 'wear' well enough for 25-30 years, but it's the

> other issue that is the problem, that of joint loosening, and no

> matter

> how superior they make the new prosthesis in terms of wear factor, the

> new technologies have little impact on the joint loosening problem.

> (They need to develop a stronger glue!!! ;^) )

>

> Mick.

>

February 23, 2010

I don't want to wade into the field of religion but if there is a God,

he created doctors and medical procedures that can heal you -- I don't

think there is a documented case of faith growing bone although faith

can of course help one cope with physical pain.

I'm not sure what anyone else can do in the way of providing you with

information. You now have insurance -- presumably your friends who

are praying for you would also be willing to take concrete steps after

your surgery to help you take care of those things which need

attention during your recovery.

If your husband is currently working at the moment, surely he

doesn't require 24 hour medical care and would be able to take care of

himself for awhile.

I guess you can wait until you are in a wheel chair because then you

won't have two jobs to take time off from; you have no medical

insurance since your choices of doctors and hospitals will be limited

and your husband is completely disabled since you would have to seek

some form of nursing home assistance to care for him.

On Feb 23, 2010, at 8:47 AM, Cfourhorses@... wrote:

>

> Thanks....within 2 yrs. I have added a toilet riser because it was

> painful to stoop and get up from that...the riser fixed the pain. 2

> summers ago I found I could no longer ride a bicycle. The past

> 2+yrs. riding my horse has wained because of the pain straddling and

> staying straddled...my last ride was 11/10/09, excruciating buttock,

> groin and shooting thigh pain. I have been riding 40+ yrs. and was

> not about to stop at age 49! Riding is my passion...now I cannot and

> it stinks! My daughter and I love riding together!! I also find

> myself tripping more often. Dr. said I am in end stage hip failure

> w/ SEVERE OA and was surprised I was not in more pain than I am in

> my everyday walking etc. He gives me 3 yrs. to a wheel chair. Until

> Dec. I assumed my muscles were out of shape and I sought PT. Guess I

> was way off I work every day at 2 jobs and take care of my

> disabled husband and mentally/emotionally disabled woman. I groom

> dogs & cats, lift a lot of struggling weight..and do the heavy farm

> work 7 days per week. I am a Christian and have many Christian

> friends who believe God can heal me & my husband.

> Celeste

>

> Re: [Total_Joint_ Replacement] Re: What Surgery? Confused.

> >

> > Cfourhorses@ aol.com said the following on 19/02/2010 00:34:

> > > My local Dr. said that a new hip should last 25/30 yrs. What is

> the

> > > point of a stop gap resurface when you have to go for the THR

> > > anyway...only want surgery on each side!

> >

> > From everything that I have learned about the different types of hip

> > replacements, I think your 'dr.' is being a little optimistic. I'm

> > supposed to have been fitted with one of the most advanced types of

> > prosthesis - large head ceramic on ceramic, and my surgeon told me

> > that

> > the estimated life span of these is 15-20 years. From all I can

> > gather,

> > these new joints may 'wear' well enough for 25-30 years, but it's

> the

> > other issue that is the problem, that of joint loosening, and no

> > matter

> > how superior they make the new prosthesis in terms of wear factor,

> the

> > new technologies have little impact on the joint loosening problem.

> > (They need to develop a stronger glue!!! ;^) )

> >

> > Mick.

> >

February 23, 2010

Adding: Also my bone heads that go into my joint socket have been reshaped by

my bone spurs to be oblong VS. rounded. The Dr. said each hip is as bad as the

other.

Re: [Total_Joint_ Replacement] Re: What Surgery? Confused.

>

> Cfourhorses@ aol.com said the following on 19/02/2010 00:34:

> > My local Dr. said that a new hip should last 25/30 yrs. What is the

> > point of a stop gap resurface when you have to go for the THR

> > anyway...only want surgery on each side!

>

> From everything that I have learned about the different types of hip

> replacements, I think your 'dr.' is being a little optimistic. I'm

> supposed to have been fitted with one of the most advanced types of

> prosthesis - large head ceramic on ceramic, and my surgeon told me

> that

> the estimated life span of these is 15-20 years. From all I can

> gather,

> these new joints may 'wear' well enough for 25-30 years, but it's the

> other issue that is the problem, that of joint loosening, and no

> matter

> how superior they make the new prosthesis in terms of wear factor, the

> new technologies have little impact on the joint loosening problem.

> (They need to develop a stronger glue!!! ;^) )

>

> Mick.

>

February 23, 2010

Thank you Reen. My husband would like me to stay local and get it done, when my

daughter comes home from school. However, I learned I must testify in court in

June so that may thwart things. My husband went on chemo for his Hep C last

year, he is in 1st stage liver disease, and he had a rare side effect. He got

neuropathy and has lost most of the feeling and use of his his hands and his

right leg from the knee down. He can no longer drive and uses a cane, wears a

leg and finger brace. We should know in the fall if it cured his Hep C. He gets

a ride by me or a co-worker to work and back. I take him to his Dr.

appointments. Work tires him very much and he sleeps most of the weekend he used

to do now I have had to pick up. We also have him set up on the 1st floor w/ a

commode and a hospital bed. We were talking last night shaking our heads on how

we got to this place and he is 52 and I am 49.If he gets worse and must go on

permanent disability he will have Medicaid, but I will have no ins.

God bless you,

Celeste

Re: Re: What Surgery? Confused.