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Nancy's Hip Replacement Journal

nancyb@excel.net

April 18, 2002

Here I am age 41yrs. old and hearing my doctor telling me in Feb. 14, 2002, that I need a Total Hip Replacement, after seeing my X-rays showing I was bone on bone, without having cartilage, explaining why I am in so much pain and the medicine's that was not working for me.

This all started two years ago, while on vacation, in July 2000, all of a sudden, I couldn't walk, I was in such pain and thinking what I did to my right hip.  I remember not sleeping good, tossing and turning, and had to sleep with my right leg out, and having this pain. And the nights become worst, after this all, and times I couldn't even sleep on my right side (hip area), it was sore and I was wondering why it was so sore. This went on for 1.5years, on and off, some nights I slept good and others I didn't sleep good. I went from doctor to doctor and nobody couldn't give me a good answer. Then after that, I was in such pain, when I even tried to walk. My job consist of factory work, working as a training supervisor for the disabled adults, and times I couldn't even walk. I would limp and my right side was in terrible pain, I hide my pain each day at work, besides at home. I couldn't even walk upstairs, besides walking downstairs, or getting into a car, or getting out of a car, couldn't take my daughter clothes shopping because I had to stop every few steps because I was in this terrible bad pain, still wondering what was wrong with me. I had problems getting out of bed, so cramped and stiff, and at times, when alone that is when I broke down and cry, I was unbearable sharp, stabbing, pain. I couldn't even enjoy making love with my boyfriend because I was 10X in more pain then anything, and afterwards, I couldn't even pull up my pants, or tie my shoes, or even sit up. While I was seeing this one doctor, he did put me on Vioxx, and that didn't help, and then I saw it was very swollen on my right hip area, and he said, that I had Hip Bursitis, so he gave me a shot, it helped for about two days, and after that I was back in pain again, then he put me on Ultracet and that didn't help me, so here I was taking on my own, Tylenol Arthritis Pain which has 650 mg. taking it 2X in the morning and 2X at night, it helped a bit, times alot better then the medicine my doctor had me on. The doctor even took X-rays on my hip and it showed really nothing wrong with it, in June 2001, but he told me, that he will referred me over to the specialist (only way to go to see him, is being referred by another doctor), so on Feb. 14th, I saw him, and he took X-rays again, and here the bad news came, telling me that I have NO cartilage left, and I am on bone on bone, and he said everything that he thought was wrong with me, and it was so unreal to hear him telling me about my pain, because it was so true. Everyone of my friends/family told me that I had the best doctor, to do the work, or even to see him. Anyway, the doctor explained everything to me, showing me my X-rays, watching me walk, trying to bend and twist my leg, finding out where the pain is, and telling me that, nowadays, not only Older People get Total Hip Replacement, its becoming the younger people, but that it was up to me, to decide. He told me, we can take X-rays again in 6-months, but leading up to waiting IF I really wanted the surgery, I might not be able to get out of bed anymore, or I might fall and be in such pain that I might needed Emergency Surgery, and he went on with all the options, IF I waited another 6-mos...So, he told me, to think about it, and handed me some information, etc, and when I find out If I wanted to go ahead with the surgery, is to contact him. I waited one week, getting some advice from coworkers at my job, family, and my friends, but also, I thought about this very deeply and decided, I am in such pain the way it is, and keeps me from doing almost everything in life, I decided on my own, that Yes, I would want this surgery. I am still young, very active person who is not overweight and feel, this would be right for me.

Anyway, I contacted him a week later or so, and he told me, when I would want the surgery, its Scheduled for May 6, 2002. I will be donation my own blood. I go in today, April 18th, to the Blood Bank, and again on April 23rd. I started these Iron Tablets, according to the doctor, 2x a day, I will take them, up until my surgery day.

 
Right now, I am trying to find the things that I need before my surgery, like a cane, Bedside Support Rail, High rise Toilet Seat, bathtub rails, or even toilet rails that attached to the high rise toilet seat, also, need to get a shower hose, and a bathtub/shower chair, to sit on.

I am getting scared here, each day I worry about something, and my friends and family calls me up and tries to get my mind off of things.

I will keep everyone informed, even up to the date as to what is going on and afterwards. It is just nice to find a web site, to share feelings and to have friends with other people that are in my situation and knowing how I am feeling each day with this pain.

 
I would like to know from others, exactly how a person is, right after surgery and while at home, what to prepare myself with, or what goes on. I understand, its different with others, but just having someone let a person know what to maybe expect.

Thanks so much for everything;

Nancy

June 13, 2002 After the Hip Replacement

Well, the day finally came, on May 6th, when I entered the Hospital to have a Total Hip Replacement (on the right). Up to this point, I didn't wanna talk with others about it, cause I wanted to have my spirits think positive then negative, and keep my head above the water. I was taken to my room, and got undressed, and they put a TED stocking on my left leg and marked a "X" on the right hip. Was given IV's, and they needed more blood from me. I talked with the nurses, and told them that I decided to have a regional spiral injection, instead of being put asleep. Was told that I would not remember anything, nor smell anything, or hear anything in the operating room when it was time for them to cut me open. I was given morphine as an injection, reason why that I would have a "dry mouth" and for anything to do with pain, when it was time for my spiral injection.
 
I was wheeled up to the surgery room and the next thing when I woke up, I was in recovery. I couldn't feel anything, down below waist. I was being monitored by nurses, for body temp. and they had a drain package attached to me, my hip for any drainage. I was very drowsy and really couldn't remember much, but I know it took only 1.5hrs. surgery time. I was told mine surgery was way "overdue", due to the point, that they figured out it all started when I was in my mom's womb and the way I was laying in there, more like a birth defect, but not knowing about this, until after my surgery.  Also, my doctor was surprised when they open me up, (X-rays only showed part of it), that there was more wrong with me then watch the x-rays showed. My hip ball joint was not in the socket, but it shifted over to my pelvis and started to form ((sist)) and they needed to repair that, but my doctor said my bones were strong enough to hold it all. They had no other complications and everything went really good.
 
After being wheeled down to my room, well thats when everything started to happen. I could finally feel all the pain since the numbness worn off, and was given Morphine thru out the day. I had a wedged between my legs and the TED stockings on both feet up to the thigh, making sure I didn't develop any blood clots. I could not eat or drink anything, and they used a bed pan when I needed to go, and boy, did it hurt just getting it under me, cause they needed to raise up my right leg and was more in pain then anything. I stayed in bed that whole day on my back. The next day they got me slowly out of bed and into a wheelchair. Was on so many pain medications, I guess to say I was not there half the time, not realizing what was going on around me.
 
I was wheeled down the the Physical Therapy Room and they told me this is the way to get out of a wheelchair and standing up next to my walker. I was also taught how to go up and down the steps, into a car, getting in and out of a bed, and the exercise's that I have to do while I am at home, 2X a day.
 
I was released from the Hospital On June 10th and I went home. Must also be put on Blood Thinners, while in hospital and up until 10-days afterwards, one pill a day, and also pain medication. Must sleep with a pillow between legs. I used a walker while in the house and used crutches outside the house. Cannot drive for 3-4 weeks. Must use a high rise toilet seat. Also, its best to get a prescription for crutches, that way, your insurance will pay for some of it. Can only do a sponge bath while having staples in, but on May 16th, I did have my staples removed, and then I could take a shower only. Also, what I got on my own prior to my surgery is: a shower hose hooked up. Also, I was given a sock aid, a long handled shoe horn and a dog leash (as i called it, it was made of material and heavy wire inside of it), could use it to lift my leg up, when doing my exercise's. Could not bend from waist down until seeing the doctor on the 16th of May. Had to get in and out of car a certain way, besides getting in and out of bed. Also, make sure you talk with the insurance dept. and let them know of your decision. Another thing I was told, that a person could get a Temporary card for a car, if a person is a passenger or a driver, for a disabled parking spot, that you can park in, up to 6-mos. that we have here, which is a very handy thing to have.
 
As of May 26th, I started to walk with one crutch, in and out of the house, and started some new exercise's too, plus I was told to do "Baby steps" around the house w/o my crutch. I am still alittle swollen in the right hip area, but my scar is healing very good, plus I can do alot more. Also, after I ended my blood thinners, back on May 19th, I started taking 325 mg. of asprin for 30-days, helps with blood clots, especially coming off of blood thinners. I can finally take my bubble bath's, slowly getting down into the tub, and also driving too. Another thing, I was so worried about others seeing my scar, but its covered even with wearing shorts, so nobody see's it. Also, I will be given a special card from the doctor's office, for any airport/metal detector's, that is possible that might set off a alarm, when walking thru them with the new hip. I do know I already set off one alarm, when going into a discount store, and even when going out of the same store(right away they look at you, like you are shoplifting, hahaha), but I told them I had a hip replacement.
 
On May 30th, I saw the doctor again and he took X-rays, and boy, from seeing my X-rays, (Before and After), that is just a experience alone, and he said everything is just fine and it all worked out, and he explained everything on those x-rays.

Also, the next 2-years, when I go see the dentist for any cleaning/or work on my teeth, I must take some medication, called: Cephalexin 500mg, taking 4-tablet's, 2-hrs prior so that nothing in my mouth for infections drains down into my new hip, and cause infections and problems with my new hip.

Anyway, its now June 13th, and I am doing alot more "bigger baby steps" around the house, and only needing my one crutch when I go to stores, doing abit more walking, was told by the doctor to use it. I am not stiff anymore when I wake up in the morning and my exercise's are doing really good. I am so happy that I can do alot of things where before I couldn't before the surgery. I only take my pain medication only once a day now, and still taking my 325 mg's. aspirin's until June 19th is my last day. Also, I just started doing my gardening work, and having no problems.

I am happy that I went thru this major Hip Replacement Surgery and now I can start being more happy. Will be seeing the doctor on June 27th, and he does want to see me walking alot better without the crutch, so hopefully I will make it, but not going to "Rush" anything here on my part. Take it one day at a time.