How am I doing!

Well:

That's a simple question but I am not so sure its a simple answer. Yes my right hip is getting better. It aches like the Doctor said but overall it seems to be improving.

What I did not expect was back pain and left hip and left leg pain. I am assuming my left leg pain is related to my lower back pain. That I am assuming is from limping, and using crutches and the cane.

But my left hip has been off an on since my surgery. Last night in particular it felt like someone took a two by four and slammed into my hip. I was in tears and took 4 vicodin to sleep!

Today it feels fine but my right hip is aching, again Thats to be expected!

So the question is, should I be worried?? I guess only time will tell. I need to start swimming in order to re-hab this thing. I need to start soon.

Take it easy and that's it for today!

Followup of Doctor visit

So I think it is about time I tell you all what my doctor said on Monday!

Surprisingly it was very straightforward and not very complicated.

First of all he said everything went as planned. He showed us pictures of the procedure. He explained that my labrum had a lot of "stretch marks" and very "stringy" which indicates it has been rubbing against something. He showed me where the tear was. It was not as bad of a tear as I thought. He did not even need to anchor it down. Because of my shallow hip sockets my labrum is stretched fairly tight, tighter than he would like and based on the lack of severity of the tear he left it alone. The tissue below the labrum was very very red again indicating a great deal of rubbing which was causing all the pain.

He also showed me how my hip joint has begun to degenerate as a result of my dysplasia. Its not bad but it is not consistent with a 43 year old man. So hopefully we can slow it down or stop it and avoid a hip replacement!

He spent most of the time reshaping my Femur. He said he is about 80% sure this procedure will eliminate all my pain. We seem to be heading in the right direction. My pain has become more manageable. I am off all of the heavy pain meds. I am slowing getting myself off of Vicodin. I have been only taken it at night if I need it. Which to date has been every night! Usually 2. This is way down from what I have been taking over the last 4 months. Some where between 4-8 a day.

He also removed the stitches! The incisions are mostly healed by now and look great. He told me I don't need to use the crutches anymore!!! YEAH!! They were driving me nuts and I suck using them!!! They get in the way and spent most of my time picking them up off the floor! He suggested I use my cane only to steady myself and keep myself from falling.

He explained that the bone will be weak as a result of the re-shaping so I can not fall! If I do I might break it!! Dr Downer said no one has ever broken his/her femur after this procedure and he did not want me to be the first!

So, looks like we wait! I will have some pain and it could last for up to 4 months. If after 6 months I continue with hip pain we may need to re-think our strategy and focus on my dysplasia. I go back in about a month.

Its all good and I am telling you I truly feel things are finally going in the right direction after 1 year of stress, tears (well not mine cause I am a real MAN) and uncertainly.... By the way, everyone says I look GOOD!! I have been getting compliments over the last two days!!

Either I am a Hottie or I looked like absolute DOG CRAP for a year!!!!

After I see my this Doc in Feb I will be seeing my Hemo Doc for a routine CBC. After that smooth sailing and no surprises!!

Take it easy!!!

New Elements at the bottom of page

I have added some additional elements at the bottom of the page:

1. Pictures I have taken that I think are cool
2. A sports ticker

Just playing with the google gadgets. What do you think?

All is going well!

I seem to be progressing OK. I went back to work 1/2 days Thursday and Friday. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday trying to get off all of the pain meds I have been taking.

I am now getting myself off of the vicodin slowly. I still have a lot of leg pain which is more like an ache with a feeling of pressure.

I am using my crutches as much as possible, I should be using them 100% of the time. It is very much a pain in the butt!!

Monday the 12th I go back to see my doctor for my first follow up. I am looking forward to talking with him to find out exactly what it he did and get his take on whether this is it!!

Went out last night for Theresa's office party. It was nice to get out of the house and socialize. I did fairly well. I have trouble sitting for long periods of time and kept having to get up every 1/2 hour and take a walk. I did take pain pills before we went out and it helped.

I am still waking up with leg pain in the morning but now I am trying to control it with Tylenol and use Vicodin at night or as last resort. I hope in week or so I am total off all heavy pain meds for good!

I cant say this enough: NEVER GO COLD TURKEY!!! IT DOES NOT WORK!!

Have a great weekend and I will post results of my doctors appointment hopefully Monday night or Tuesday.

A few pictures from my New Years

The following are a few pictures I took before and after my surgery. Sorry no pictures during the surgery. That would be awesome!!!

The first one, is in the waiting room the morning of the surgery!

Next is me on trip home. Since the doctor did spinal anesthesia I was very much awake most of the way back.. I would definitely do it again instead of general anesthesia.

Finally, I have a shot of my incisions. Just a couple of hole closed up with two stitches. It is amazing what they can do. I am very anxious to get feedback from Dr. Downer on the 12th as to what he did and my prognosis.

NO in the middle is not a tattoo!! They make you put your initials next to the area the doctor will be doing surgery on. That way they wont cut into the wrong side!!! Because there is only two holes I am guessing he did not suture down my labrum. Just a guess, as he would need a third hole to get another instrument and the sutures into my hip.

Very cool huh!!!. Anyway, I will post again after my appointment on Monday the 12th. On a side note, my left hip is still bugging me but I still think it is the effect of my limping and using the cane for so long.

Wish me luck getting back to work tomorrow. I am actually a tad bit scared. I am worried about pain during my drive. What if I trip in the parking lot, trip during work or bump it??

Oh well, I guess I do what I gotta do!!! Also, cross your fingers its not a "crazy day" either. I am not sure I could handle screaming customers, screaming co-workers or anything where I need to THINK!! I just want to "slide through the week".... Is that possible? Who knows but hear is hoping..

Day after surgery

Hello to all:

I am feeling OK since surgery. Hip is very very sore and I am taking a number of medications to combat pain and swelling.

Theresa is helping me keep it straight. I appreciate the help because after I take this stuff I am totally zoned out!! But it keeps the pain down and the one thing I don't want to do is get behind the pain and start playing catchup. That would be miserable!

I am taking pictures and will post them soon. I am meeting with my Doc on the 12th, I think, I hope to have more on info at that time on what it saw when he was in there. I am very curious about my long term prognosis.

Anyway, as always, medication kitting in so time to go!!! ALL IS WELL SO FAR!!!

THE TIME HAS COME!!!!!!!!!!

Well, its about that time... Tomorrow at 7am I will be under the knife. I got to Seattle about 5pm today. My Dad and Mom were nice enough to drive and come with me. It makes it a lot easier to deal with.

As I have said before I am very eager to get this done and finally be pain free! However, I am getting more and more nervous as it get closer to surgery time. This is the most complicated surgery I have had done and it makes me nervous. Not sure how I will feel afterwards and I am worried how long it will take before I am walking around on my own.

I am also worried that this wont take away all my hip issues. I really don't want this dragging out over the year and end up doing the PAO surgery later this year when I could have done it now. But second guessing decisions is crazy. That would also be a huge set back and really SUCK!! But being healthy and having good mobility is more important so I will do what ever I have to in order to feel better!!!

I guess I can only take it one step at a time......I will post pictures and my thoughts once I am able to0. This is a very interesting procedure and I am curious to see how it all comes out. If you recall I am having the following done: A Labral Tear Repair and a Femoral Osteoplasty. Both procedures are being done Arthoscopically.

Well its getting close to bed time so I am signing off. I hope to post something on Saturday if not sooner.

WISH ME LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!