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New here, Scheduled for left THR.

Posted , 8 users are following.

EdwardMH
EdwardMH

Started having left hip pain in September 2014, by January Hip would give out with out warning. X-rays and MRI showed Avascular Necrosis in BOTH hips this past week I went in for the MRI results expecting more pain pills and hopefully a Physical Therapy appointment. Well to my shock they have me scheduled for THR of the left hip on May 6th and informed me the right hip already has lesions and will need replacing in the near future. I have not had any type of surgery since I was 8 years old and truth be told I am scared. I am a 100% disabled Veteran and due to PTSD and Major Depression disorder I have spent most my years alone at home rarely getting out, I am better now and discovered the joys of Astronomy, Astrophotography and Pickleball. I am terrified I will lose the ability to do these activities after surgery and that I will fall back into the pit of PTSD.

2 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK EdwardMH

    Posted

    Hi, Ed! Joining a forum like this one is a great first step to gaining information and peer support, both of which should go a long way to helping you on this journey. I am sure many will chime in and give you helping words and share resources and experiences. Keep on posting, and know that you are not alone!
  • lizard615
    lizard615 EdwardMH

    Posted

    Hi Ed! This is a great forum with a lot of knowledge about hips....that's for sure! I'm having a left hip replacement on 4/5 and can't wait! Hopefully this will have the opposite effect on you and you will feel so good you will want to get out and roam around....best of luck to you!
  • EdwardMH
    EdwardMH

    Posted

    Thanks, It is unnerving and I am sure my fears are groundless. Far as I know so far it will be 2-3 in hospital after surgery with 6 weeks - 2 months basic revelry to get about on my own but getting mixed info on how long till I can do things like pickleball and Astronomy again at 3-6 months. I fear I will go insane from boredom if that's true.
  • renee01952
    renee01952 EdwardMH

    Posted

    Hi Edward , 

    Warm welcome to this forum  - absolutely true that you are not alone here - personal stories and experiences are shared, great understanding like nobody else can, support, and love ... 

    Of course you are scared - we all were and the ones who are pre-op are - 

    It is great that you found some things that give you joy and there is no  reason why you can't resume that after THR surgery - 

    You see Edward, you will lose doing these things as time goes on - your hips will deteriorate and become very painful - 

    Where are you in the process ?  

    Big warm hug

    renee

  • EdwardMH
    EdwardMH

    Posted

    I am waiting for VA to approve the surgery but as of now it is scheduled for May 6th.
    • renee01952
      renee01952 EdwardMH

      Posted

      Edward, please do not hesitate to come back here if you have any questions or concerns or just want to gripe - You have so much going for you and doing so great - and there is absolutely no reason to give up all that you gained ... maybe Pickle Ball for a couple of months as this is a very physically demanding sport -

      You can go off topic of hips too if you need to - 

      You are not alone

      big warm hug

      renee

  • helen56309
    helen56309 EdwardMH

    Posted

    Hi Edward sorry to hear you are needing your hips replaced but everyone

    on this site has got through the operation in different ways please do not be

    afraid

    I had not had an operation since I was 15 years old and I was nervous but

    I managed and it was a lot better than I had expected and now I am pain

    free and that is a great thing to cling onto as you will be pain free

    I also understand about your PTSD and depression as my daughter is suffering

    from these at the moment and your team of doctors and nurse who is treating

    you for your illness will see you through this only someone who is suffering

    your illness or has a family member or friend going through it will begin to

    understand how you feel and how difficult coming to terms with things can be

    .You will feel better after your pain is gone and you will get out and about

    with encouragement from your team you can do this and a speedy recovery

    is wished for you keep your chin up and good luck let us know how things go

    for you everyone will be rooting for you

    Take care

  • Kate53CornUK
    Kate53CornUK EdwardMH

    Posted

    Edward, your fears are not groundless, they are sensible. When you know what the operation entails is it any wonder that we are nervous?

    What I will say to you is that after two THR's I am feeling good. Like you I have activities and hobbies that I want to get back to and at 6 weeks I am already doing some of them. I am already walking well and next week I am going swimming. Pickleball may have to wait a while but you could be back to astronomy very quickly.

    A life without pain and good mobility means we can have the life we want. You have struggled this far to get well so you will do this bit easily! 

  • EdwardMH
    EdwardMH

    Posted

    Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement. I am trying to research things I will need for the bathroom during recovery like handrails and stool in shower toilet riser and rails, I rent so I have to make sure they are not permanent. I worry about the suction cup hand rails in shower does anyone have opinions. Also trying to find a way to use the laptop in bed while flat on my back, no computer will be the end of my sanity lol.not sure how long I will be bed ridden. Should I only have  liquids till I can move by my self? Sorry rambling I have hundreds of thought popping in and out of my head.
  • EdwardMH
    EdwardMH

    Posted

    Things I will miss during recovery.
    • renee01952
      renee01952 EdwardMH

      Posted

      Dear Edward, 

      They are so gorgeous ! You don't have to miss them ... seriously - 

      are they your dogs? they will be great company while you are recovering and there are many things you can do to take care of them - do you have people around you who can help ? 

      Sunction cups I wouldn't  use in the shower either - you want something trustworthy and strong to hold you when you use your full weight - 

      You can rent everyhting - do you have home health care ? 

      If you live in the USA, it is available to you as well as physical therapy .. 

      you are not bedridden ... after your surgery, usually on day 2 and sometimes already on day of surgery, a physical therapist will get you out of bed - first to make you familiar with your new hip - then to walk and do some exercises and sit in a chair - it is important to move - so no flat on back except for resting and perhaps sleeping ...

      big warm hug - 

      renee

    • EdwardMH
      EdwardMH renee01952

      Posted

      Yes they are my fur kids, the small one is my Service Dog. and the other two pictures are examples of my other hobby Astrophotography.
  • AnnieK
    AnnieK EdwardMH

    Posted

    Edward, I wouldn't trust the suction cup handrails in the shower. I used a tub transfer bench (you can google to see) and sat down for a number of weeks while showering. There are also shower chairs (smaller than the transfer bench). You could use a walker while in the shower, if it will fit, since they are waterproof. 

    I didn't lie down flat ever during my recovery. I sat up for all sleeping, since I can't sleep on my back. So, of course, I also sat up for all computer use. I'm with you, if I didn't have my computer, I would literally go insane. By the time you get home, you will be able to move around using a walker or crutches, so you can move from place to place and do your computer stuff sitting up. The thing is that you must rest a lot, so you will be sitting down a lot! 

    Rocketman, one of wonderful people on this forum, has a great website with information about how to prepare. The link is on his info page: https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025 You might want to check it out.

     

  • EdwardMH
    EdwardMH

    Posted

    I recently found out the the Veterans Choice has yet to authorize the THR surgery, it is Scheduled for May 9th now but the Hospital told me Veterans Choice has in the past waited till 1-2 days prior to the surgery to autorize it or even deny it 1-3 times before authorizing. I wonder how many illegal aliens can get a THR before a Veteran.. Sorry frustrated!
    • AnnieK
      AnnieK EdwardMH

      Posted

      Oh, Edward, that is bad news. How can the VC treat people that way? So wrong. Hope you can get the approval sooner so that you aren't in limbo. I have surgery on May 9 and would be so upset if mine got cancelled a couple of days beforehand. We all go to such great lengths to make plans and preparations, and delaying would make things so much more difficult, not to mention the emotional distress. 
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