Wow, time is flying by, and I want it to since I am extremely sick of staying at home with no real schedule. I basically do nothing all day and attempt to study for a couple of hours each day (which may or may not actually happen). Otherwise, I am simply putting in time to heal before the next surgery. I dislike the fact that I am living surgery to surgery these days, but it is what needs to be done.
I am getting stronger on my left side and now feel confident that it will be able to hold me up after my right hip surgery. I am actually really looking forward to getting my right side fixed up so that I can move on with life. Having said this, I am worried too as I am physically and mentally exhausted and the thought of having another surgery makes my stomach flip. This upcoming one will make it 4 surgeries in 14 months. Something I wouldn't wish upon anybody. I now have the peace of mind to know that I have an extremely reputable surgeon and have all my trust in him to fix these stupid hips!!!
At the moment I am trying to figure out my PCP pre-op appointment. Apparently he is booked solid and they are having to 'slip me in' sometime next week. All I need is for him to fill out three papers and order some labs. Nothing much. In fact, before the last surgery we didn't even fill any of this out because it happened so quickly! All I had was blood work the day before surgery. Having looked back on the past surgery and that experience, I am still amazed at the whirlwind it was. One day I was attending medical school rotations and the next I was canceling everything have planning surgery for the next week. Craziness!
The left hip is feeling pretty good, the flexion and extension pinch is still there but my ROM is not decreasing. I am thankful for that. I still bike everyday and do exercises every day and PT twice a week. The left is still a bit finicky as far as the soft tissue goes, but, that is improving slowly. My right side as the distinct groin ache and then, intermittent lateral troch pain and butt pain. It sometimes catches when doing my exercises for my opposite hip and while rolling over/stretching in bed. I definitely know that it having this surgery is needed, although it is not nearly as bad as my left was prior to the last two surgeries on it. I hope that Dr. Philippon is pleased with the results of this surgery and the small little kinks can be worked out with time and, maybe, injections. We will see in about a month.
I had a big weekend! I went out of town with my family to visit my brother where we were outside for 6 hours sitting on picnic tables (which are very hard if you haven't ever thought about it) while we watched my mum skydive, then we walked around a Peach Fest and the next day we walked around Niagara Falls. It was so incredibly tiring. I mean, I am very glad I did it, but I am so exhausted I can barely do anything. I haven't slept very well these past two nights either. Which is due to me doing too much and then not being able to get comfortable in bed. Totally my fault since I probably shouldn't have been walking around like that, but sometimes I feel like you just have to live. Go out and do things regardless on how much it hurts. Because if you don't, you could be stuck in the house staring at walls all day living an extremely boring existence. Speaking of doing things, I have a fellow hip friend coming to visit me for a week. In fact, she is en route right now. Her flight gets in later on today. It will be fun to hang out with somebody who actually understands what life is like, especially having limited mobility. I look forward to great times with her!!!
As far as insurance goes, we are still waiting on pre-authorization. I pray that we get it or else that $10K down payment will have to be made, and I'd rather spare this if possible. I am still trying to raise money for my medical bills. As of now I have raised ~$600 (give or take a bit). I am still praying to get a bit more as these medical bills are gonna be HUGE coming up.
Email Me
Monday, August 27, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Here. We. Go. Again.
I totally missed my 8 week post op post. Whoops! It is basically the same as I feel now almost 9 weeks post op. I suppose I can give an update as to my current status. The left hip is feeling pretty darn smooth, and the flexion pinch is a little less. My extension when I walk still hurts, which is the most bothersome of the motions for me. My internal rotation bites a bit too, but I am hoping all of this is expected at this point. I do wish that I could see my surgeon now as it would definitely help ease my mind (or necessarily worry me), either way, I'd love to know if this is expected of me at this point. I've never had a successful surgery so I'm unsure of what 'normal' is!
I am sleeping terribly still. Not that I am pounding full of pain, but that I am unable to get into a position that is comfy enough to actually fall asleep. This, added to the fact that I do not do normal activities of a person living life (no, sleeping in and lounging all day with the one to two sets of hip exercises are not enough to make me tired). I still take the odd half to full Norco depending on my pain levels. I took one tonight because I had to go to the mall to get some flat shoes for the wedding in which I will be standing in October (yes, I am going to be the Maid of Honour on crutches...sweetah!)
I got my pre-op package in an email today. Eek! It is actually happening. I have to get my PCP to get some labs done and a urine analysis. All very expected, what wasn't expected is the fact that if my lovely insurance company does not want to provide pre-authorization for either my revision surgery or a labral reconstruction, I have to pay $10,000 down payment to the Steadman Clinic prior to my surgery. And what ever is NOT covered, they will take the money out of the down payment, and refund me the rest. Because yes, everybody has $10K lying around!!!!!! Not! I am going to pray and would appreciate it if you could pray as well that we get pre-authorization granted so that I do not have to worry about this for much longer. We submitted for pre-auth in the last couple of days, 6 weeks early, to try to deal with the unexpected hiccups should they arise. I know you can't put a price on health, but whoa! Money is extremely tight and I want my life back and want functional hips. So, let's pray that this works out the best possible way.
Oh, and my website has now raised 23% of my $2000 goal. That's pretty good. I'm excited because any amount helps. I wish that I new somebody who was filthy rich and they could simply donate enough money for me to have my surgery....like at least $7500. Ha. Wishful thinking! I really do hate how I get so stressed over finances. It literally makes me sick to my stomach thinking about all of the money I have been spending. Not to mention I am $100K in debt from school. I know one day I will be able to make some money, but until then, I do have to make my limited finances last. So no shopping sprees or buying extras for me for a very long time. Boy I will have to appreciate having pain free hips after all of this. I know God will provide.....mind you, I'd appreciate a break right about now.
I am sleeping terribly still. Not that I am pounding full of pain, but that I am unable to get into a position that is comfy enough to actually fall asleep. This, added to the fact that I do not do normal activities of a person living life (no, sleeping in and lounging all day with the one to two sets of hip exercises are not enough to make me tired). I still take the odd half to full Norco depending on my pain levels. I took one tonight because I had to go to the mall to get some flat shoes for the wedding in which I will be standing in October (yes, I am going to be the Maid of Honour on crutches...sweetah!)
I got my pre-op package in an email today. Eek! It is actually happening. I have to get my PCP to get some labs done and a urine analysis. All very expected, what wasn't expected is the fact that if my lovely insurance company does not want to provide pre-authorization for either my revision surgery or a labral reconstruction, I have to pay $10,000 down payment to the Steadman Clinic prior to my surgery. And what ever is NOT covered, they will take the money out of the down payment, and refund me the rest. Because yes, everybody has $10K lying around!!!!!! Not! I am going to pray and would appreciate it if you could pray as well that we get pre-authorization granted so that I do not have to worry about this for much longer. We submitted for pre-auth in the last couple of days, 6 weeks early, to try to deal with the unexpected hiccups should they arise. I know you can't put a price on health, but whoa! Money is extremely tight and I want my life back and want functional hips. So, let's pray that this works out the best possible way.
Oh, and my website has now raised 23% of my $2000 goal. That's pretty good. I'm excited because any amount helps. I wish that I new somebody who was filthy rich and they could simply donate enough money for me to have my surgery....like at least $7500. Ha. Wishful thinking! I really do hate how I get so stressed over finances. It literally makes me sick to my stomach thinking about all of the money I have been spending. Not to mention I am $100K in debt from school. I know one day I will be able to make some money, but until then, I do have to make my limited finances last. So no shopping sprees or buying extras for me for a very long time. Boy I will have to appreciate having pain free hips after all of this. I know God will provide.....mind you, I'd appreciate a break right about now.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Black Clouds
Honestly, if something can go wrong with the hip, I am pretty sure I can make it happen. I mean, maybe not everything has gone wrong but this sure has been a long haul. And it keeps going, and going, and going. My Grampa today said that it is as if I walk around with one heck of a dark cloud regarding these hips. Thanks Grampa, thanks.
My hamstring attachment hurts a lot. I mean, as if recovering from the fourth surgery on the left side isn't enough, I get to deal with this too. And leftie has to become the good and strong guy in less than 7 weeks. He, right now, is NOT strong enough or happy enough to do his upcoming job. I know 7 weeks is a long time and he'll settle down, just doesn't make this any better at the current time.
Yesterday in PT I cried when he palpated the hamstring and figures that it is partially torn. It take a lot for me to cry because of the pain. I think it is because it is so acute that it hurts so badly. I have been icing like crazy, we KT'd up my hammy and will retape tomorrow differently since it is still sore. Apart from adding on ultrasound, I suppose time is my buddy at this point.
Today I needed head to the mall to get something for my hair for the upcoming wedding in which I am standing. It was fun looking at all the sparkly hair pieces and earrings. And I got some super sparkly earrings and hair piece. I am thrilled to wear them (although not thrilled with their price $$). I could make it to the store but had to stop and sit on a bench in the middle of the mall because I couldn't make it to the car and then had to push the buggy out to the car. I thought I was stronger and better than this, but then I remembered that my Mum and I had just gone to the library to figure out their less-than-ideal-for-the-technologically-challenged system where we stood, err, hung on the counter, for 15-20 minutes. This was too much for me and my hips. The pain in both sides reminded exactly of how I felt every single day whilst on rotations in the clinics and hospitals. Something that is just not healthy to do an something that I never want to do if I don't have to.
To end on a more positive note, I FINALLY slept last night. I praise the Lord for this, as I really felt like I was going to go off the deep end if I didn't get a decent night's sleep. Now I am going to drink some relaxing tea before I drug up and then go to bed in a couple of hours. Oh the joys post op from hip surgery with a pending surgery on the horizon.
My hamstring attachment hurts a lot. I mean, as if recovering from the fourth surgery on the left side isn't enough, I get to deal with this too. And leftie has to become the good and strong guy in less than 7 weeks. He, right now, is NOT strong enough or happy enough to do his upcoming job. I know 7 weeks is a long time and he'll settle down, just doesn't make this any better at the current time.
Yesterday in PT I cried when he palpated the hamstring and figures that it is partially torn. It take a lot for me to cry because of the pain. I think it is because it is so acute that it hurts so badly. I have been icing like crazy, we KT'd up my hammy and will retape tomorrow differently since it is still sore. Apart from adding on ultrasound, I suppose time is my buddy at this point.
Today I needed head to the mall to get something for my hair for the upcoming wedding in which I am standing. It was fun looking at all the sparkly hair pieces and earrings. And I got some super sparkly earrings and hair piece. I am thrilled to wear them (although not thrilled with their price $$). I could make it to the store but had to stop and sit on a bench in the middle of the mall because I couldn't make it to the car and then had to push the buggy out to the car. I thought I was stronger and better than this, but then I remembered that my Mum and I had just gone to the library to figure out their less-than-ideal-for-the-technologically-challenged system where we stood, err, hung on the counter, for 15-20 minutes. This was too much for me and my hips. The pain in both sides reminded exactly of how I felt every single day whilst on rotations in the clinics and hospitals. Something that is just not healthy to do an something that I never want to do if I don't have to.
To end on a more positive note, I FINALLY slept last night. I praise the Lord for this, as I really felt like I was going to go off the deep end if I didn't get a decent night's sleep. Now I am going to drink some relaxing tea before I drug up and then go to bed in a couple of hours. Oh the joys post op from hip surgery with a pending surgery on the horizon.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Pre Op Day 52 & Pre Op Day 48
Sleeping is horrible. Literally horrible. I tend to lie there awake and then when I finally do fall asleep, I wake up every time I move. This is partially due to my left but mostly due to my right, it is probably a good idea to continue to take my pain meds despite not wanting to keep taking them. I am utterly exhausted. My hamstring attachment and psoas are no better than they were on Saturday and it's really aggravating. I am sure they will settle down, but it is so uncool as my right is so sore.
Walking has been pretty good. The latest muscle strains make the left hurt to weight bear, but nothing that I can't handle. And overall the joint feels good. I have some groin pinching upon full extension still, but otherwise the left is managing. My right is quite aggravated and feel that it won't get any better until Dr. P fixes the joint.
Today was the first time I didn't use a shower chair! I was thoroughly proud of myself. I even shaved my legs. Shaving the left leg is easier in that I can bend forward but...standing on the right leg for that long made the joint throbbing increase in intensity for an hour or so after the shower. I'll have to focus on the positive aspect that I don't have to contort myself to shave the left leg as before I had to do so in order to prevent myself from getting hairy manly legs because the joint wouldn't move very much at all (the left hip was so tight that Dr. P said it was the tightest hip he's ever felt...I remember thinking...no kidding! It HURTS!) I digress.
I am trucking along these days doing waaay more home PT exercises than I can handle. I am wondering if I am doing too much? I am going to speak with my PT today as we may be able to tailor the program to cut back on the number of things I do each day to reduce my pain levels. We will see later on today.
Walking has been pretty good. The latest muscle strains make the left hurt to weight bear, but nothing that I can't handle. And overall the joint feels good. I have some groin pinching upon full extension still, but otherwise the left is managing. My right is quite aggravated and feel that it won't get any better until Dr. P fixes the joint.
Today was the first time I didn't use a shower chair! I was thoroughly proud of myself. I even shaved my legs. Shaving the left leg is easier in that I can bend forward but...standing on the right leg for that long made the joint throbbing increase in intensity for an hour or so after the shower. I'll have to focus on the positive aspect that I don't have to contort myself to shave the left leg as before I had to do so in order to prevent myself from getting hairy manly legs because the joint wouldn't move very much at all (the left hip was so tight that Dr. P said it was the tightest hip he's ever felt...I remember thinking...no kidding! It HURTS!) I digress.
I am trucking along these days doing waaay more home PT exercises than I can handle. I am wondering if I am doing too much? I am going to speak with my PT today as we may be able to tailor the program to cut back on the number of things I do each day to reduce my pain levels. We will see later on today.
Monday, August 6, 2012
50/50
It's like my golden birthday (as a fellow hipster called it), but in the countdown, countup world of hip surgeries....well, I suppose "yesterday" was, since I am writing this post at nearly 1AM. But still, point stands, I am (or was) 50 days post op from my left hip surgery and 50 days pre op for my right hip surgery. I am super excited that the left hip is most likely fixed, knock on wood, and that my right one is completely coming up quickly.
I have had a bit of a set back yesterday and today as I was doing one of my exercises called the 'dead lift' (? I think ? ...my binder is downstairs and I am NOT getting out of bed to go and check the actual name), but I was doing it yesterday and I usually get a good snap out of, what I hope is the psoas, but it was way huge compared to normal. And it HURT...a lot. So much so that it made me jump backwards on my left hip. He didn't like that so much, and in the process managed to irritate the hammie in its attachment to the ischial tuberosity. So now I have a lovely pain in the groin and a pain in the butt every time I walk and even at rest. I am sure it will go away in a few days, but it doesn't make it feel any better now. Currently I am lying on ice and have ice on the anterior aspect of my hip hoping that it will alleviate the inflammation. I've put Voltaren cream on my hip/butt for the last couple of days too hoping to settle things down. Just a minor bump in the road towards good hips.
So, Happy 50/50 Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And don't mind my atrocious grammar on this post. ;)
I have had a bit of a set back yesterday and today as I was doing one of my exercises called the 'dead lift' (? I think ? ...my binder is downstairs and I am NOT getting out of bed to go and check the actual name), but I was doing it yesterday and I usually get a good snap out of, what I hope is the psoas, but it was way huge compared to normal. And it HURT...a lot. So much so that it made me jump backwards on my left hip. He didn't like that so much, and in the process managed to irritate the hammie in its attachment to the ischial tuberosity. So now I have a lovely pain in the groin and a pain in the butt every time I walk and even at rest. I am sure it will go away in a few days, but it doesn't make it feel any better now. Currently I am lying on ice and have ice on the anterior aspect of my hip hoping that it will alleviate the inflammation. I've put Voltaren cream on my hip/butt for the last couple of days too hoping to settle things down. Just a minor bump in the road towards good hips.
So, Happy 50/50 Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And don't mind my atrocious grammar on this post. ;)
Friday, August 3, 2012
48 Days Post-Op (L) & 52 Days Pre-Op (R)
I'm just about half way between surgeries. Woot woot! It can't come soon enough. I have to say that my left hip is feeling pretty good. I still have the painful flexion. This pain begins around 110 degrees but I can push it all the way to 130 degrees as I was instructed to push through the pain. That is precisely what I do. I would love an injection to calm the hip down, but I will have to wait and see because maybe it will settle down on its own.
I am continuously doing exercises and pool work to strengthen my hip. I love, love, love the pool and am going to email them in Vail to see if there can be a progression made for the pool. Otherwise I am good with all of the other exercises still.
As far as insurance goes, I have found a plan that is better than the one my school provided but still not wonderful. I am, therefore, trying to raise some money via a website donation program. I am unsure if this will generate any money, but, I've posted it on Facebook, emailed it out, and added a link here. It's just so hard financially to pay for all of the medical expenses. Especially since I've been through 5 other surgeries. The travel, accommodations, copays, deductibles, physical therapy, durable medical devices all really add up. Especially when I am a student in debt up to my eye balls, how the heck am I going to pay for it? I will find a way as I NEED my life back. I have had to take a year off from school and am unable to work. It's a huge deal, and I know I will get through it, but any financial input would be so, so, so appreciated. Sigh, we will see. I'm not getting my hopes up to raise much money, so anything really will be remarkable.
Here's the link: http://www.gofundme.com/tx554
If you read this and would like to share it, please feel free to do so!
I am continuously doing exercises and pool work to strengthen my hip. I love, love, love the pool and am going to email them in Vail to see if there can be a progression made for the pool. Otherwise I am good with all of the other exercises still.
As far as insurance goes, I have found a plan that is better than the one my school provided but still not wonderful. I am, therefore, trying to raise some money via a website donation program. I am unsure if this will generate any money, but, I've posted it on Facebook, emailed it out, and added a link here. It's just so hard financially to pay for all of the medical expenses. Especially since I've been through 5 other surgeries. The travel, accommodations, copays, deductibles, physical therapy, durable medical devices all really add up. Especially when I am a student in debt up to my eye balls, how the heck am I going to pay for it? I will find a way as I NEED my life back. I have had to take a year off from school and am unable to work. It's a huge deal, and I know I will get through it, but any financial input would be so, so, so appreciated. Sigh, we will see. I'm not getting my hopes up to raise much money, so anything really will be remarkable.
Here's the link: http://www.gofundme.com/tx554
If you read this and would like to share it, please feel free to do so!
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