Freaking Out

[Guest guest]

I am scheduled for HR with Dr. Gross in May. A friend described his

pre-surgery this way, " It felt a bit like walking to the edge of a

cliff and jumping "

I have rock climbed & rappelled > 160 ft. I mountain biked the

Kokopelli Trail (~150mi.). I skiied off the tram in Big Sky

Montana, and I have never been so afraid as I am now pending

surgery.

I feel like I entered the twilight zone, or a scary dream that I

can't wake up from. I know this sounds melodramatic, but I find

myself periodically weeping at any minute trigger.

I guess I am so scared, because this is something that is totally

out of my control. I have to completely rely on someone else to

help me, which is something I am not used to doing.

I know these fears are irrational, but I'm afraid to go under & not

wake up, or to wake up & not be able to do everything I love in life.

I keep hearing what seems to be contradictory information. Some

technical websites say 'You will never be able to bend your hip past

90 degrees', while others write about surfing, climbing, etc. post

surgery. Any & all success stories will be appreciated.

I have been warned that risks of HR are neck fractures & the

possibility of Avascular Necrosis. Does anyone know anything about

stats on how many people that stuff happens to? In a normal HR is

leg length something you have to worry about?

As with all other risks, at this point I'd rather just 'jump'than

think about it anymore.

I am overwhelmed at how much support I have received since this all

started. That is definitely the coolest thing I will remember about

this time. Looking forward to the day when my fears will be a

distant memory.

Thanks for being there.

[Guest guest]

hi-

you sound like a real adventurous person.

all of the activities that you describe sound

like more than just exercise, they sound like

great challenges.

it sounds like you are really worried about

not being able to return to do the same

activities as you have already done in life....

here is my angle, you are in the first half of

a great challenge. the way i calm myself is

to remember that my fear of the unknown

is always counteracted by my anticipation

of the impending opportunities that will

come of it.

i'm sure you jeddi-mind tricked yourself into

getting through some unique situations climbing.

consider all that experience as practice to get you

through this adventure.

we are all standing at the top of the climb as proof

that it can be done. and there are great experts

manning the ropes and stuff you climbers need to

work exactly as planned.

i felt a real dogged determination to recapture all

of the activities that lead me to needing a hip resurfacing.

well, now i'm 4 1/2 months post-op. and i can honestly

say that dealing with this and taking command of it has

made me a different person in some good ways.

this is change, and change brings opportunities.

letting go of expectations allowed me to let go of fear.

also, lots of " kung fu " re-runs at 4:20.

now i am reclaiming my past activities at an astonoshing

rate. each time i do something new (or once again) , i realize

how grateful i am to had the opportunity to get this done right.

it's a doorway to a new part of my life. the funny thing is,

i am taking up new activities in place of some of my old

activities and it's refreshing.

i'm 40, and i don't want to beat the crap out of my investment.

at the same time, i want to make endorphine rushes a part of

my daily routine. so, i'm trying to make measured choices

as i am recovering from surgery and getting fit again.

i am cycling, hiking, yoga, resistance-training, and i'm just

about to buy my first surf board (i.e. new activity).

i have decided not to snowboard, ski, run, play hockey, play

ultimate frisbee, play basketball or raquetball or climb a ladder

or go on the roof. i can live with that for 2 years and see if any

of the other lab rats have any problems....then re-evaluate.

i'm sorry to ramble, but you struck a cord with me here.

six months ago, i was where you are now. committed to

surgery in six weeks. now, that all seems like ancient history.

you wake up from surgery, and the pain is gone, period.

and this is not just because of the anesthetic cocktails.

it's a much better high than windsurfing 15 foot swell in

35 mile per hour winds feeling like a piece of lint in a

washing machine. wow, maybe i do want to do that again.

sorry.

good luck, keep us posted, there is alot of logistical stuff

one needs to be up to speed on, but maybe you already

know this stuff?

jeff

lbhr desmet 11-2003

p.s. with my resurfacing, i can almost touch my nose to

my knee (1 more inch) no worries of dislocation, look at

an x-ray of one and you will understand.

Freaking Out

I am scheduled for HR with Dr. Gross in May. A friend described his

pre-surgery this way, " It felt a bit like walking to the edge of a

cliff and jumping "

I have rock climbed & rappelled > 160 ft. I mountain biked the

Kokopelli Trail (~150mi.). I skiied off the tram in Big Sky

Montana, and I have never been so afraid as I am now pending

surgery.

I feel like I entered the twilight zone, or a scary dream that I

can't wake up from. I know this sounds melodramatic, but I find

myself periodically weeping at any minute trigger.

I guess I am so scared, because this is something that is totally

out of my control. I have to completely rely on someone else to

help me, which is something I am not used to doing.

I know these fears are irrational, but I'm afraid to go under & not

wake up, or to wake up & not be able to do everything I love in life.

I keep hearing what seems to be contradictory information. Some

technical websites say 'You will never be able to bend your hip past

90 degrees', while others write about surfing, climbing, etc. post

surgery. Any & all success stories will be appreciated.

I have been warned that risks of HR are neck fractures & the

possibility of Avascular Necrosis. Does anyone know anything about

stats on how many people that stuff happens to? In a normal HR is

leg length something you have to worry about?

As with all other risks, at this point I'd rather just 'jump'than

think about it anymore.

I am overwhelmed at how much support I have received since this all

started. That is definitely the coolest thing I will remember about

this time. Looking forward to the day when my fears will be a

distant memory.

Thanks for being there.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

hi-

you sound like a real adventurous person.

all of the activities that you describe sound

like more than just exercise, they sound like

great challenges.

it sounds like you are really worried about

not being able to return to do the same

activities as you have already done in life....

here is my angle, you are in the first half of

a great challenge. the way i calm myself is

to remember that my fear of the unknown

is always counteracted by my anticipation

of the impending opportunities that will

come of it.

i'm sure you jeddi-mind tricked yourself into

getting through some unique situations climbing.

consider all that experience as practice to get you

through this adventure.

we are all standing at the top of the climb as proof

that it can be done. and there are great experts

manning the ropes and stuff you climbers need to

work exactly as planned.

i felt a real dogged determination to recapture all

of the activities that lead me to needing a hip resurfacing.

well, now i'm 4 1/2 months post-op. and i can honestly

say that dealing with this and taking command of it has

made me a different person in some good ways.

this is change, and change brings opportunities.

letting go of expectations allowed me to let go of fear.

also, lots of " kung fu " re-runs at 4:20.

now i am reclaiming my past activities at an astonoshing

rate. each time i do something new (or once again) , i realize

how grateful i am to had the opportunity to get this done right.

it's a doorway to a new part of my life. the funny thing is,

i am taking up new activities in place of some of my old

activities and it's refreshing.

i'm 40, and i don't want to beat the crap out of my investment.

at the same time, i want to make endorphine rushes a part of

my daily routine. so, i'm trying to make measured choices

as i am recovering from surgery and getting fit again.

i am cycling, hiking, yoga, resistance-training, and i'm just

about to buy my first surf board (i.e. new activity).

i have decided not to snowboard, ski, run, play hockey, play

ultimate frisbee, play basketball or raquetball or climb a ladder

or go on the roof. i can live with that for 2 years and see if any

of the other lab rats have any problems....then re-evaluate.

i'm sorry to ramble, but you struck a cord with me here.

six months ago, i was where you are now. committed to

surgery in six weeks. now, that all seems like ancient history.

you wake up from surgery, and the pain is gone, period.

and this is not just because of the anesthetic cocktails.

it's a much better high than windsurfing 15 foot swell in

35 mile per hour winds feeling like a piece of lint in a

washing machine. wow, maybe i do want to do that again.

sorry.

good luck, keep us posted, there is alot of logistical stuff

one needs to be up to speed on, but maybe you already

know this stuff?

jeff

lbhr desmet 11-2003

p.s. with my resurfacing, i can almost touch my nose to

my knee (1 more inch) no worries of dislocation, look at

an x-ray of one and you will understand.

Freaking Out

I am scheduled for HR with Dr. Gross in May. A friend described his

pre-surgery this way, " It felt a bit like walking to the edge of a

cliff and jumping "

I have rock climbed & rappelled > 160 ft. I mountain biked the

Kokopelli Trail (~150mi.). I skiied off the tram in Big Sky

Montana, and I have never been so afraid as I am now pending

surgery.

I feel like I entered the twilight zone, or a scary dream that I

can't wake up from. I know this sounds melodramatic, but I find

myself periodically weeping at any minute trigger.

I guess I am so scared, because this is something that is totally

out of my control. I have to completely rely on someone else to

help me, which is something I am not used to doing.

I know these fears are irrational, but I'm afraid to go under & not

wake up, or to wake up & not be able to do everything I love in life.

I keep hearing what seems to be contradictory information. Some

technical websites say 'You will never be able to bend your hip past

90 degrees', while others write about surfing, climbing, etc. post

surgery. Any & all success stories will be appreciated.

I have been warned that risks of HR are neck fractures & the

possibility of Avascular Necrosis. Does anyone know anything about

stats on how many people that stuff happens to? In a normal HR is

leg length something you have to worry about?

As with all other risks, at this point I'd rather just 'jump'than

think about it anymore.

I am overwhelmed at how much support I have received since this all

started. That is definitely the coolest thing I will remember about

this time. Looking forward to the day when my fears will be a

distant memory.

Thanks for being there.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi, . I had resurfacing surgery with Dr Gross 9 weeks ago. I was

totally freaked when I didn't know there was a viable choice to total hip

replacement. For some reason (obvious reasons), the fact that my bone would not

be saw off and that the resurfacing implant so closely matches our natural

structure, once I committed to the resurfacing procedure, most of my fears

dissipated. It is a shock to the system to have this surgery. It's body

trauma, no doubt about that. But as others have written -- you do not have any

pain. The joint pain is gone immediately. And the post-op drugs take care of

any pain from the surgery (muscles, etc). I was up walking the next day. Even

walked outside the hospital. The humbling part of the whole thing is that I

felt more fragile than I was. AND I was, in fact, fragile in that my body had

just undergone an invasive trauma. I did have to have help. I got around just

fine on the crutches, but was unsure of myself right after the surgery.

Confidence came back daily -- I was really worried I'd do something to fracture

my femur. Talking with Lee Webb, whenever I needed to, was really helpful. The

90 degree rule is for 6 weeks. After that, you can bend, but not squat down.

For 6 months. And then as you re-incorporate movement and activities into your

life, you heal and tone up. I'm told that it takes about 1 year to really be

fully healed. And that's okay. I don't need to do impact sports or anything

like that for a year! And I, too, want this implant to last so I will listen to

my body and not put undue stress on this joint. Or the other joint, for that

matter! In short, the surgery has been a total blessing. I am pain free,

moving very well, building muscle tone and stamina each day. Dr Gross is very,

very good. He did the resurfacing for another orthopaedic surgeon -- from

Michigan, I think. My incision is on the " side " of my hip. Six inches long.

Healed totally on the outside, but still healing on the inside. It's just a

thin line, at this point. Besides being a gifted surgeon, he's a really nice

man. You're in good hands. I was also told about the risks: fracture of the

femur and AVN. But, buddy, I was heading down a slippery slope already!

Crunching bone-on-bone, arthritic cysts... Terrible pain. Using Vicodin. I

couldn't go on like that. And I do NOT like being in a place where I have to do

something and don't like my choices! But there I was. I made the choice. I'm

really glad I did. I'm feeling great. Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/04)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

In the hours, days and weeks leading up to my operation I used to say it was

like finding a cliff and jumping off and hoping that the parashute

worked.......... The quality of the parashute and how it was packed depends

on the surgeon you have at the table that day. I had one of the best in my

country and he was doing an operation he had only performed 2 times before

that and one that only he appears to have the skill to do...........but what

does one do, I wanted my life back and he was the only one who could give me

a chance at that.

Good surgeons, as it has been reported here several times Dr Gross is, do

not generally do messy operations that cause great trauma. They didn't get

to be reputed good surgeons by doing that. i.e. Word about the talents of

particular surgeons spreads pretty fast........and the best you can ever do

for yourself is make sure you have a good one and then trust them to do

their job well.

Fear is debiliating and saps strength......... It doesn't really pay to

have heaps of it around when you are going to ask your body to recover from

a major operation. i.e. you need your strength for that reality which will

happen after the op not wasting precious energy to fear before. I am not

sure just how one overcomes fear but you must have had some tricks to have

done the feats you speak of.......... and I tell you I would never have

attempted a rock climb even if I have done some life threatening things in

my time. And you will have trusted in others before, someone made the ropes

you used, bikes you rode etc.

As for bending, risks etc........... well you are having a Hemi which could

have different rules to a Resurface and you need to keep asking Dr. Gross

about that until you are satisfied........... The doctors have to tell you

all the gory risks simply to cover themselves............... but so much of

that has to do with personal luck with risk taking........... and as you

have survived all you have done I suspect you have quite a deal of

it............so why not trust in that about yourself.............???

Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

> I am scheduled for HR with Dr. Gross in May. A friend described his

> pre-surgery this way, " It felt a bit like walking to the edge of a

> cliff and jumping "

>

> I have rock climbed & rappelled > 160 ft. I mountain biked the

> Kokopelli Trail (~150mi.). I skiied off the tram in Big Sky

> Montana, and I have never been so afraid as I am now pending

> surgery.

>

> I feel like I entered the twilight zone, or a scary dream that I

> can't wake up from. I know this sounds melodramatic, but I find

> myself periodically weeping at any minute trigger.

>

> I guess I am so scared, because this is something that is totally

> out of my control. I have to completely rely on someone else to

> help me, which is something I am not used to doing.

>

> I know these fears are irrational, but I'm afraid to go under & not

> wake up, or to wake up & not be able to do everything I love in life.

>

> I keep hearing what seems to be contradictory information. Some

> technical websites say 'You will never be able to bend your hip past

> 90 degrees', while others write about surfing, climbing, etc. post

> surgery. Any & all success stories will be appreciated.

>

> I have been warned that risks of HR are neck fractures & the

> possibility of Avascular Necrosis. Does anyone know anything about

> stats on how many people that stuff happens to? In a normal HR is

> leg length something you have to worry about?

>

> As with all other risks, at this point I'd rather just 'jump'than

> think about it anymore.

>

> I am overwhelmed at how much support I have received since this all

> started. That is definitely the coolest thing I will remember about

> this time. Looking forward to the day when my fears will be a

> distant memory.

>

>

> Thanks for being there.

[Guest guest]

, I just happened upon this site and thought your posting

was amazing. I haven't even scheduled surgery yet and I share a lot

of your feelings. I had major back surgery when I was 17 and like

the other postings have said it doesn't help to fret. Of course

that's easier said than done but I know you will do great! I'm just

down the road from you in Summit County and I'm about to turn 38 ( I

was feeling sorry for myself before I started researching this on

the web and found out how many people are going through the same

thing). I'd love to hear from you and learn more about Dr. Gross, he

sounds like " The Man " . I also would love to hear about your

expierence if you keep posting or want to send an email to:

timscanlan@...

Keep ya head up Tim

> I am scheduled for HR with Dr. Gross in May. A friend described

his

> pre-surgery this way, " It felt a bit like walking to the edge of a

> cliff and jumping "

>

> I have rock climbed & rappelled > 160 ft. I mountain biked the

> Kokopelli Trail (~150mi.). I skiied off the tram in Big Sky

> Montana, and I have never been so afraid as I am now pending

> surgery.

>

> I feel like I entered the twilight zone, or a scary dream that I

> can't wake up from. I know this sounds melodramatic, but I find

> myself periodically weeping at any minute trigger.

>

> I guess I am so scared, because this is something that is totally

> out of my control. I have to completely rely on someone else to

> help me, which is something I am not used to doing.

>

> I know these fears are irrational, but I'm afraid to go under &

not

> wake up, or to wake up & not be able to do everything I love in

life.

>

> I keep hearing what seems to be contradictory information. Some

> technical websites say 'You will never be able to bend your hip

past

> 90 degrees', while others write about surfing, climbing, etc. post

> surgery. Any & all success stories will be appreciated.

>

> I have been warned that risks of HR are neck fractures & the

> possibility of Avascular Necrosis. Does anyone know anything

about

> stats on how many people that stuff happens to? In a normal HR is

> leg length something you have to worry about?

>

> As with all other risks, at this point I'd rather just 'jump'than

> think about it anymore.

>

> I am overwhelmed at how much support I have received since this

all

> started. That is definitely the coolest thing I will remember

about

> this time. Looking forward to the day when my fears will be a

> distant memory.

>

>

> Thanks for being there.