Re: Help , My day has arrived!

[Guest guest]

I started reading these messages about three years ago when I was told I

would need a thr. I was a triathlete and competitive runner in my 40's and

the news was devastaing, With much interest and awe, I watched your bravery

and courage, as you one by one stepped up to the plate. But I was not ready.

Still being able to cycle and swim I could stay in good shape and put off

the inevitable. Last week, the realization of how not being able to walk,

without suffering afterwards, was def. compromising the quality of my life,

and I am far too young to give that up, I decided to make the phone call.

The decision was always out there in the distance and suddenly it was right

before me. I definitly credit the positive responses and the enthusiasum of

this group that helped me get to this place. So having already submitted my

info to jri 2 yrs ago , they contaced the insur co, I was approved, and am

having my Hip resurfaced with Schmalzreid on March 28, I tremble to type

these words, as the reality sinks in. Thanks all of you for contributing to

get me to this place, all who've gone before and shared their hopes, fears

and testimonies that tell me that you've done it and therefore I can to. I am

so scared. Its an irrational fear, that I can't even name. I think its the

scarriest thing I've ever done. Now....so many ques. for all of you. All

the things you've printed , suddenly have new meaning!! First, how far away

is JRI from the airport? Can I take a taxi? I have to be there 3 days ahead

for an appt with an internist. I'm flying from fla. Can I make it in time if

I leave that day? What do you wear in the hosp. that will fit over the

swollen hip, would running shorts wk? Why do I have to stop eatting greens

and soy? thats what I live on. What should I bring? They say if I fly home

too soon after the surgery my hip is more prone to swelling, is this true?

how soon can I safely fly? Do I need someone to fly home with, can one do it

comfortablely alone? thank you for all your help over the years, many of us

sit and read quietly , taking it all in but we are present and appreciative

and grateful. Nadine

[Guest guest]

Hi Nadine!

Scared? *Good* This means you're normal! > This is major surgery and

athletes don't like having anyone do anything to them, so trepidation is

expected. You do need a little faith though. Meaning that Dr. S. is really

great and JRI is one of the top places on Earth to do this. They do this a

lot and know exactly what you'll need and when you'll need it. I suggest

you mark on you calendar the day 1 week post-op to wonder how you feel.

It's a nice trick, because for the first few days you are feeling sorry for

yourself and having an appointment to fret about it later means you'll be

over the hump by the time you let yourself worry. Works for me. Until then,

take comfort in the fact you've made a great choice that can't be bested.

The ball is in JRI's court now and they've never been known to drop it.

FWIW my fears vanished right after surgery. I hurt, but OA pain was . . .

gone! Groggy though I was, I knew it was a very good decision.

I've never been to JRI, but as for clothes, loose fitting is the best.

Shorts with draw strings (and built in undies) are good and definitely

avoid elastic waistbands since when pulling them on they push your knees

together, which will be uncomfortable. My wife has a caftan, which is a big

billowy dress you pull on over your head. This might be the easiest thing

since it doesn't require you bend over (even with one of those grabber

thingies it's uncomfortable for the first couple of days). If you have TEDs

(compressive stockings) you won't need any socks.

Soy and greens they will probably tell you to discontinue while you are on

anti-coagulants. Not to worry, a couple of weeks won't have any long-term

effect at all. If you are a vegetarian (vegan) this could pose a problem

for protein, which you will need a lot of for healing. Most protein powders

are actually made from soy, so these are possibly off limits too. Few

vegetable sources come even close to soy for having complete protein with

little fat. Brazil nuts will have to be a part of your diet then, since

they are high in lysine, unlike most vegetable protein sources. If this is

a burning issue, I could dig through my

books and find out some purely vegetarian combinations. If you are

lacto-ovo, I'd go to http://www.eggstore.com and buy a bag of dried egg

whites ( a small bag has over 100 egg whites in it). You can slip this into

just about anything and it is the only really perfect match of protein for

your body. No fat, no carbs just 100% pure protein.

I'd avoid travel for the first week, but if it can't be avoided, be *sure*

you tell the people on the plane that you have just had surgery and have to

be walking every half hour or so. I've been told that some planes have

actively discouraged people from moving around the cabin in these trying

times, but that should not apply to you. Especially the last 45 minutes of

a flight on some carriers require everyone to remain seated. A note from

Dr. S. might be good (and could help to explain to airport security why you

set off the detectors!)

If you have a friend who can help you for the first couple of weeks, great.

I don't know if or how long Dr. S. uses TEDs. If he requires them, you

will have to have a friend help you put them on or get your local osteopath

to help. This means either they send a nurse out daily ($$) or you go to

them.

Good Luck and keep up posted.

Jeff

>I started reading these messages about three years ago when I was told I

>would need a thr. I was a triathlete and competitive runner in my 40's

and

>the news was devastaing, With much interest and awe, I watched your

bravery

>and courage, as you one by one stepped up to the plate. But I was not

ready.

> Still being able to cycle and swim I could stay in good shape and put off

>the inevitable. Last week, the realization of how not being able to walk,

>without suffering afterwards, was def. compromising the quality of my

life,

>and I am far too young to give that up, I decided to make the phone call.

>The decision was always out there in the distance and suddenly it was

right

>before me. I definitly credit the positive responses and the enthusiasum

of

>this group that helped me get to this place. So having already submitted

my

>info to jri 2 yrs ago , they contaced the insur co, I was approved, and am

>having my Hip resurfaced with Schmalzreid on March 28, I tremble to type

>these words, as the reality sinks in. Thanks all of you for contributing

to

>get me to this place, all who've gone before and shared their hopes, fears

>and testimonies that tell me that you've done it and therefore I can to. I

am

>so scared. Its an irrational fear, that I can't even name. I think its

the

>scarriest thing I've ever done. Now....so many ques. for all of you. All

>the things you've printed , suddenly have new meaning!! First, how far

away

>is JRI from the airport? Can I take a taxi? I have to be there 3 days

ahead

>for an appt with an internist. I'm flying from fla. Can I make it in time

if

>I leave that day? What do you wear in the hosp. that will fit over the

>swollen hip, would running shorts wk? Why do I have to stop eatting

greens

>and soy? thats what I live on. What should I bring? They say if I fly

home

>too soon after the surgery my hip is more prone to swelling, is this true?

>how soon can I safely fly? Do I need someone to fly home with, can one do

it

>comfortablely alone? thank you for all your help over the years, many of

us

>sit and read quietly , taking it all in but we are present and

appreciative

>and grateful. Nadine

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Nadine,

I know how you feel? Scared and relieved to have finally made a

decision. Thank goodness you have the option of resurfacing. I am sure

the last couple of years have been a very isolating feeling for you. I

know it was for me. The rest of the world saw an active, very fit

looking 42 year old woman. I started giving up the activities that

were important to me a little at a time. Friends were confused because

I would do things I shouldn't and suffer alone later. The only one who

new how bad I felt was my husband who knew I couldn't sleep and would

hear me moaning everytime I changed sleeping positions. We all need to

reach the point of desperation before giving in. You are there now and

you be fine. You will feel alone and sorry for yourself at times but

once it is done you will only concentrate on going forward. Now for

some woman to woman advice on what to wear.

Night shirts were the best for me. They went down to the thighs and

button at the front so you are covered but nothing tangles around the

legs, and if for some reason you are in a position that it is pulling

on you ...undo some buttons. I wore/wear thong undies, they completely

clear the incision and cover the very basics.....and they're cute....

I wore draw string pants home from the hospital but now am in stretch

pants and stretch jeans...my pre op size.

I know some of these jocks like to talk about having good

consversation lines about sharks biting them while surfing, when

referring to their incisions. I informed my doctor that I like wearing

short, shorts and paddock boots around my horse stable. My incision is

a lovely skinny little line 12 " long... sewn with disolving stitches

from the inside out.

The only dillema I haven't resolved yet is the hairy leg syndrome. I

am building a new razor with a long handle....I'll let you know how I

work that one out. Good luck.

Dannielle

Feb 12/02

> I started reading these messages about three years ago when I was

told I

> would need a thr. I was a triathlete and competitive runner in my

40's and

> the news was devastaing, With much interest and awe, I watched your

bravery

> and courage, as you one by one stepped up to the plate. But I was

not ready.

> Still being able to cycle and swim I could stay in good shape and

put off

> the inevitable. Last week, the realization of how not being able to

walk,

> without suffering afterwards, was def. compromising the quality of

my life,

> and I am far too young to give that up, I decided to make the phone

call.

> The decision was always out there in the distance and suddenly it

was right

> before me. I definitly credit the positive responses and the

enthusiasum of

> this group that helped me get to this place. So having already

submitted my

> info to jri 2 yrs ago , they contaced the insur co, I was approved,

and am

> having my Hip resurfaced with Schmalzreid on March 28, I tremble to

type

> these words, as the reality sinks in. Thanks all of you for

contributing to

> get me to this place, all who've gone before and shared their hopes,

fears

> and testimonies that tell me that you've done it and therefore I can

to. I am

> so scared. Its an irrational fear, that I can't even name. I think

its the

> scarriest thing I've ever done. Now....so many ques. for all of

you. All

> the things you've printed , suddenly have new meaning!! First, how

far away

> is JRI from the airport? Can I take a taxi? I have to be there 3

days ahead

> for an appt with an internist. I'm flying from fla. Can I make it

in time if

> I leave that day? What do you wear in the hosp. that will fit over the

> swollen hip, would running shorts wk? Why do I have to stop eatting

greens

> and soy? thats what I live on. What should I bring? They say if I

fly home

> too soon after the surgery my hip is more prone to swelling, is this

true?

> how soon can I safely fly? Do I need someone to fly home with, can

one do it

> comfortablely alone? thank you for all your help over the years,

many of us

> sit and read quietly , taking it all in but we are present and

appreciative

> and grateful. Nadine

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Nadine:

Congrats on your decision and choice of surgeon. You are in good

hands. Dr. S seems to love his work and loves to do it right.

I just wore 2 hospital gowns (I am huge) one forward and one

backward. No need for clothes until you leave the hospital. I used

baggy shorts, t-shirt and a good pair of NEW sneakers. (Remember to

throw out all of your old walking/hiking/running shoes as they are

worn in a pattern dictated by bad hips)

My wife drove me 7-hours home at 4-days post op... no problem. If I

was by myself and was flying, I would have spent a week at a rehab

place to get in shape for the trip back home.

I am glad you have decided to get on with your new life. We have all

been blessed by this miracle of modern carpentry.

[Guest guest]

> Hi Nadine!

The only thing I might change in Jeff's account of needs is the pants

with undies. When I was getting in and out of bed the first few days

the last thing I wanted was any kind of undies or pants on my body.

(Of course I was bilat so it might be different with you.) Reason

being that as you try to slide down the bed on your butt all that

material starts to bind you=know-where!!! If you are sliding up,

you lose the darn things. I actually found it much easier to use the

gowns, (two, one across the back) when I walked. That way when

you're back in the bed you can lose the back one and slide on your

own skin which you don't bind or lose!

Also I found I was extremely hot especially when I walked. When the

sweat started I knew it was time to turn around and head back to my

room. I got as many new gowns as I needed so I could be as clean as

I wished!

I did use short pants when I went to rehab. You get up and get

dressed for the day and go to another area completely to do your

exercises 2x/day. If you won't be doing rehab but go home instead,

you won't need the extra clothes.

I brought all that stuff to the hospital and it stayed packed. I

didn't even use the very pretty new robe I bought especially for the

occasion of walking the halls. It was just too hot!

Trudy

[Guest guest]

Hi Nadine. Congraduation on the date and with your choice of Dr.S. You

have made a great decision. It will change your life. You will do fine. Being

scared is natural and good.

As far as the logistics of getting to LA from Florida and to JRI. I

traveled from Tampa. JRI is near downtown LA and a good distance from the

airport. I left for LA in the early morning and rented a car from the

airport. I arranged an afternoon appointment with my pre-op physical and had

plenty of time to get from Tampa to my pre-op. The next morning I had an

appointment with Dr. S and a few more other things to do. Since my surgery

was on Monday I had a weekend and traveled to San Deigo to see some freinds.

I also was able to drop the car downtown the morning of my surgery. Cabs are

available but it is expensive from the airport. There is a hotel near USC

which is only a few miles from JRI and is comfortable. Make your arrangements

as early as possible because the Holiday Inn was not as nice.The 28th is on a

Thursday so you will not have as much time as I had. Also I was released from

the hospital on Thursday, a day early, but had to go back to JRI for a blood

sample the next morning. I returned to Tampa that afternoon and had no

problem on the plane. They will let you on early and I sat in row one aisle.

Walked at LAX with my crutches and did great. Southwest Airline was direct

with one stop on the return.

I am now eleven month and am doing great. I am working out and biking

five times a week and have found a stretching routine that has greatly

improved my rehab. You will be on weight bearing restrictions for six weeks

and I suggest you observe these pre-cautions. After this healing time it is

all about muscle strenghtening and more important stretching your muscles to

get them repaired. Your conditioning experience will greatly help your rehab.

For those surfer I found the following book to be very helpfull in my

rehab particularly in easing muscle tightness. The stretching section for the

hip, knee and back was very helpful. I suggest caution if you are a new surf

and for those just starting the routine. I am also not a PT but this book has

helped me a lot.

The American Phsyical Therapy Association Book of Body Maintenance and Repair.

Keep in touch Nadine

Bob

[Guest guest]

Bob, someone told me it was only a $20 taxi cab from airport to jri, I get

lost so easily I'm leary about driving, Plan 2? Are you sure its that far?

What do you do about the 3;00pm discharge time?

[Guest guest]

nfitwomyn@... wrote:

>

>Thanks all of you for contributing to

> get me to this place, all who've gone before and shared their hopes, fears

> and testimonies that tell me that you've done it and therefore I can to. I am

> so scared. Its an irrational fear, that I can't even name. I think its the

> scarriest thing I've ever done.

I can certainly identify. It was for me, too -- the fear seemed so

irrational at the time, I just couldn't believe it. I think it's

possibly an issue of control, namely having to give it up for the time

being while you're in surgery. But the good news is that that fear

totally vanished by the time I woke up in recovery. Everything after

that was just fine. I relied a lot on my faith and on affirmations -- I

even asked the anesthesiologist to recite one for me (he said he would;

the hospital's chief of anesth. said they do that, when I called her,

but whether the anesth. I had really did or not I have no way of

knowing) -- and it all helped.

>Now....so many ques. for all of you. All

> the things you've printed , suddenly have new meaning!! First, how far away

> is JRI from the airport? Can I take a taxi? I have to be there 3 days ahead

> for an appt with an internist. I'm flying from fla. Can I make it in time if

> I leave that day?

As Bob explained in his post, it's pretty far for a taxi. If you're

having someone with you, you'd be better off renting a car. Now that is

something I haven't seen mentioned lately so I will: if at all possible,

have a close friend or significant other travel and stay with you. It's

a great comfort and a great help in so many big and little ways. My

husband stayed with me a couple nights in my room at the Ortho. Hospital

-- they have rooms equipped for that with a fold-out sofabed (I know a

couple other patients had their wives stay with them); we also had a

room at the Radisson for a couple nights -- very nice place -- which

isn't too far away from the hospital/JRI. I stayed at the Radisson the

night before my surgery, as that day was all tied up with preop stuff.

Back to having someone stay with (or near) you: They can help when the

nurses are running a bit late with their rounds; my husband was able to

go after meds one time, and then when I was supposed to have my x-rays

on the Sunday afternoon before being discharged the next day, nobody

ever came for me. Turned out it was a change-of-shift situation that

meant my x-ray appt. just fell through the cracks (these things will

happen). So my husband finally went off to see what was what and sure

enough, pretty soon I was being wheeled down into Radiology. This is the

sort of thing you don't expect to happen but could, and getting things

to happen on schedule is important if you've got a flight out the next

day, as you realize I'm sure!

>What do you wear in the hosp. that will fit over the

> swollen hip, would running shorts wk?

Just the hospital gown -- I'd brought really loose PJs and a robe but

never wore them, except for the robe. The gowns were much better because

they accommodated all the stuff hanging off me -- like the catheter bag

and the IV and things. Very comfortable, even when I was trundling down

the hall to do my exercise. Everybody else is in the same boat, because

the JRI's patients are all on the same floor, so you pretty much all

look the same in the halls!

>Why do I have to stop eatting greens

> and soy? thats what I live on.

I'm assuming you mean after surgery? The reason is that you (well, I had

to anyway) have to take the blood thinner coumadin after surgery for 21

days, IIRC. So I was told not to eat any salads -- like you, they're a

staple for me -- and other things containing vitamin K. They give you a

list of foods to avoid; if not, be sure to ask.

>What should I bring?

I brought really minimal makeup and a (cheap -- just in case...) watch,

plus some light reading, which I never did read because I wasn't up to

concentrating. I think National Enquirer was about the extent of my

concentration during those 3 days :-)! I also brought a set of undies 2

sizes larger than normal to accommodate the swelling and a lightweight

jog-type suit to wear home that was also a size larger than normal;

these worked fine.

>They say if I fly home

> too soon after the surgery my hip is more prone to swelling, is this true?

> how soon can I safely fly? Do I need someone to fly home with, can one do it

> comfortablely alone?

" Too soon " for one person might be different for another ... sitting

around at the airport just waiting for the flight makes you more prone

to swelling, never mind the flight. I suppose you _can_ travel alone but

whyever would you want to if there were an alternative! If it's

absolutely necessary, I would see what Dr. S.'s office -- and the

Nursing Office -- would recommend, however.

But I would strongly encourage you to have someone with you. For as

smooth as this surgery can be for some people, it is *still* MAJOR

surgery for _all_ of us. Having someone with you will just make life so

much simpler, not to mention more pleasant, in dealing with postop

things, plus you never know when you might actually _need_ a helper,

especially with a cross-country flight involved. At the least, that

person can check the car while you're getting situated with a wheelchair

at the airport; they can deal with the check-in process; they can later

push you around in the wheelchair -- and don't underestimate their being

able to get you things; carry things, like a carry-on bag and the

portable toilet seat the JRI sends you home with, along with the

crutches -- all that sort of thing. It's just good insurance, I think --

you need to save _your_ strength for recuperating.

Hope this helps; and yes, you're going to be glad your " day has

arrived " !

best wishes,

--Louise