Caregivers

This blog would not be complete without a word or two about my caregivers. Let me just say that I really hate to be dependent on anyone else but myself in any situation. I have always had pride in the fact that I could fend for myself when push came to shove, that way I am responsible for any action or inaction on my part. However in this situation, I was always at the mercy of my caregivers- the nurses, my physician, physical therapist and most of all my wife, Judy, my personal nurse. What dedication they all had! They guided me, advised me, and treated me so well that I am going to be forever grateful. I know that I can never repay them for the wonderful service they gave me so gently and confidently. What a great group of people. My wife, Judy, has been so good to me in this helpless condition in which I was, meeting my every need with smiles and great insight into what I need, she has gone the extra mile and then some. I think that I am ahead of my expected healing because of her and my diligent program of exercise that was given to me by my therapist. Thank you Judy and every one of my caregivers. Mike

Getting stronger.

Had I known this hip surgery would be so easy, shucks, I wouldn't have been so skeered. Fear of the unknown, that is just what is is. Solved by complete trust and faith in my surgeon and my God. Gosh I should have known, but then I'm only a poor dumb human. It will be three weeks since my surgery on this Tuesday, and I still have had little or no pain from my hip, or the incision since I left the hospital. The only complaint that I can think of is that the muscles in my other leg, lower back and arm and shoulders, hurt more than they usually do. They are compensating for the loss of weight bearing on my repaired hip. I am still using a walker which makes me feel like I'm 90 years older than I really am, but I could walk across the room without it I am sure. I hesitate to do anything that my doctor told me not to do, so I continue to be just an old dog. Judy has taken me out for a ride in the car, which was a treat, but I miss working in the yard and flower garden more than ever. I am going to follow the doctor's regimen to the letter and remain steadfast in my exercise and do the drugs as he has prescribed. I know in my heart that is best, I will continue to improve. Please return next week after my follow up with my surgeon, I may have more encouraging news. You all know that this is for the benefit of anyone who is contemplating hip surgery, and to put you at ease. Thanks for reading. Mike

Continuation of the Hip Hop

Well, here I am two weeks to the day after my surgery. I have a nurse come to see me once a week to check my vital signs and to check my blood to see how the various drugs are affecting me. They ask me to evaluate my pain on a scale of 0-10. I'm pleased to say that it is a 0 most of the time, with and occasional 2-3. Most of that pain is not from my hip, but from my other muscles which are taking over the task of supporting my weight that I cannot put on my hip. There are 3 things that I must keep in mind, according to the doctor. 1) only 50% weight on my left leg, no more. 2) the angle of my body bending at the waist cannot excede 90 degrees and 3) my foot and leg cannot cross a line equidistant between my feet. So crossing my legs is a no-no. Also I must walk like a duck with my left foot pointed to the outside of my body. It must not be forced to turn to the inside.These things are getting hard to remember as it is difficult, with no pain, to resist just getting out and running or jumping or climbing trees, as I feel that I can readily do all that. I sleep at night very well, but it must be on my back. I have adjusted to that as I am a side sleeper. Judy said that I snore mightily on my back. So to insure a sound night for her, I must sleep where all my growling bear noises cannot be heard by anyone. (She suggested the car in the garage, but I nixed that) I am still a little uncomfortable siting and typing on the computer as it is close to the 90 degree rule. As time allows, and time does march on here, I will keep anyone interested apprised of my progress in future blogs. thanks for reading. Mike

Midsection Pain or the St. Johns Hospital Hip Hop

About three years ago now, when we were in Texas avoiding the Michigan winter, I noticed something of a pain coming from my leg near my hip joint. It was rather painful to walk so I took some aspirins and it went away. It went away until about 6hours later. Then one day I was riding my bike and took a rather unintentional, awkward, and embarassing spill landing on my side. Watching me do this inglorious act was a group of about 10 picnickers about 10 feet away! I dusted my self off, smiled as if it was a regular occurrance, righted my bike and said that I was fine, and not to call EMR. The next day I had to cancel my golf game with the fellas I usually joined once a week. A few days of rest and a few ibuprofen tabs later it felt all right again, except for a few elbow scabs that were healing. Nothing severe enough to keep me from playing 18 holes for sure, and at that time I was coming in 1st or 2nd in our group of 6. Never had to buy a round of beer as the bottom player.
Well winter came and went and we returned to MI and I continued to play my usual golf once or twice a week limping around at all the local courses there. I kept the OTC drug companys in business. I was switching between Motrin, naproxin sodium, acetaminiphin and aspirin on consecutive days, never taking more than the recommended dosage. My liver meant too much to me.
Meanwhile we moved to MO. I limped my way through that.
Advancing to 4 months ago, I had my physical where they took an xray and informed me that I had an arthritic hip and warned me that I had a hip procedure coming soon.
Not me! Said I. Can't be true as I am too tough and indestructible for this, besides it scared me as I had never been in a hospital before..since I was 9 yrs old, that's almost never and I really don't remember much except that then there was no TV and my entertainment was a nurse who came in once in a while to play checkers.

About August 10th I went to Washington MO to the Patients First Clinic to talk to an Orthopedist about getting a new hip to replace the old worn out one. I engaged Dr. Dean Lusardi to do the surgery and he scheduled me for 195 minutes in the Operating room on Sept 7. I counted the hours, days, and minutes until the big day arrived. I got up at 5:30 AM, showered with the antiseptic soap that they gave me and Judy drove me to St. Johns Hospital where they prepped me for surgery at 9 AM. I don't remember anything after that until I woke up in the recovery room at about 12:45PM. Where did the time go? Birds were singing, music was playing and I was floating in the air. Wheee, what fun that was! They took me for a ride up in the elevator to my private room. (don't remember the elevator ride either)

I felt like a special king of kings as the nurses were looking after my every wish.

My doctor came in and asked me how I was doing, and I remember telling him that I was still alive. I still was feeling no pain and all I wanted was to drink water and sleep. That night I must have awakened 10 times to go potty. Had to call the nurse to help me get out of bed. Then every two hours the nurse came comes in to take my temp, blood pressure, and a blood sample. It was a very long night.

The next day I had my wife and my pastor visit me. I enjoyed seeing someone whom I recognized. The hospital food was horrible that day, but got much better as the days wore on.

I think the explanation for that is that my taste buds were screwy, and I got hungrier as time passed.

Hospital nurses are so kind and gentle, and that is just what I needed, as being moved from position to position for eating, pottying, and sleeping was a little trying.

My hospital stay was 3 days, I was really ready to leave. Driving home from the hospital was an hour except there was an accident that blocked the road for another 45 minutes.

Now in retrospect, the experience was not that unpleasant. I am glad that I had the procedure done. I'm exercising every day for my new hip, eating well, and sleeping like a dead man. In another 3 weeks, my doctor says that I won't know I've been through anything like this. I have a new perspective on life and looking forward to more golf. Thanks for reading.