The Hipster Story

Using the walker 1 week post surgery

My hip story begins in February 2010. I noticed some painful twinging and grabbing in my right hip joint when taking a step forward. No warning, just a sudden painful jolt that would take my breath away and

cause me to stop in my tracks until I found a way to ease out of the 'impingement'. This could happen at really awkward times, such as the time Dave and I were getting ready to lead worship at our old church building in West Linn. I had to grab the grand piano and find my way off the platform without drawing attention to myself. After several months of this happening I went to the family doctor. An X-ray revealed

bone cysts around the acertabulum. Advice was to keep living, but call back if it worsened. Sixth months later I'd had enough and took the next step, to see my orthopedic doctor (who had already diagnosed arthritis in my thumb joints, and the issue with the sacroiliac joint). He saw my X-ray and announced that I had FAI, femoral acertabular impingement. He gave me a stretch to do and said to 'keep on living'. So I did. I continued to do NIA classes with good success (feeling better after each class) and doing the stretch from time to time. The stretch never helped the problem of the impinging bone cysts to go away.

However, after 12 months had gone by, in late Sept 2012, I noticed a decline in my ability to walk.

It felt like something had changed in the hip joint, like there was less cushion in the joint. I went back to see the ortho doc. He did a new X-ray and I saw that the interior of the acertabulum was full of bone cysts. It looked like a chrysanthemum flower! He said that my underlying problem was that I have hip displasia, or shallow sockets. AH!!! This made sense. My younger sister and third daughter were diagnosed at birth with this, and were treated for it as infants. My mom doesn't remember if I was checked at birth. She knows that nothing was said to her about it. At any rate, I didn't walk until I was 17 months old (I was an excellent crawler). Perhaps this delay in walking was a benefit to me in the long run.

Slipped in some mud on Oct 17th, but didn't fall down.

The photo above is a sort of marker. I was walking to the crosswalk from the teacher parking lot to the street corner in the dark early morning (7am) and didn't see the muddy sludge in the corner of the asphalt parking lot. Both feet went sliding and I caught my fall with my right hand. Or I was 'helped' by unseen arms. I have no idea how I did not fall completely into the mud. Anyway by Nov 17 I wasn't able to walk the distance from my parking spot to my classroom and was now parking in the school nurse's spot next to my building. That is how fast I declined.

Using a cane prior to surgery

Back to early Oct 2012. I saw the doc, and he said 'keep living'. We discussed the possibility of a hip

replacement as the eventual next step. He also mentioned a cortisone shot that might bring some temporary relief. I asked for one and had it two days later, in the hospital. It provided an amazing sense of relief for about 4 days. I had no pain in the hip joint, but the problem of blockage in the joint was there. I felt like I had to climb over a hurdle with each step. As the pain came back, bit by bit, I realized the clock was ticking. Things were getting worse. I could barely walk, even with a cane. I lurched like a drunken sailor, with my right leg stiffly swinging in an arc out to my side. I was on pain meds every four hours. I went back to the doctor's office in early November and said "I'm done, let's do the surgery". Within the hour I had my surgery date (Dec 18th) and was booked for a 'Joint Class' at the hospital.

Here I am, on the morning of Dec 18th, ready to go into surgery.

Thumbs up 1 hour prior to surgery on 12.18.12

 Surgery lasted about 2 hours. The doc said that the sciatic nerve was 'right there' when he got
into the skin, in an unusual spot. It kind of freaked him out, like it was a close call not to accidently
sever it. So he had to dance around the nerve while doing surgery. The other issue was that I bled every where I was cut. So my blood was saved and 'spun' and the 400cc of platelets were given back to me in my IV the next day. Yikes. So glad for that. My blood pressure was low going into surgery (103 over something) and after surgery was even lower, at one point 77/41. I think that is the reason I felt so crummy. I just couldn't get the strength and energy to move. My appetite was poor too. I would order way too much food and then barely take a bite out of it.

A few hours after surgery...still have oxygen tube.

OH YUMMM...breakfast the next day

I awoke in a recovery room (which I barely remember) and then was moved to my regular room

on the med/surg floor of the hospital. I had a huge wedge of foam between my legs strapped around to keep my legs in proper alignment. I had a drain in my wound, an IV in my right hand, and oxygen around my face. Sitting/lying on the chux pads was uncomfortable. Everything was uncomfortable. I had to use the bed pan about 4 times before I was able to use the toilet. Ugh. That was ok the first time and  a trial the second time. Trying to 'let go' when all instincts are telling you 'no, you are wetting yourself'! I asked the nurses to turn on the water in the sink and let me try this by myself. Eventually success. Just getting the bedpan underneath me required the nurse and CNA to tilt me to my left side and then lower me back down onto the plastic shallow bowl. Who designs these things anyway? Anyway, after the first PT visit on Day One post surgery I was able to buzz the CNA for help getting out of bed and to the bathroom.

No rest for the weary...Day One: learning to walk using hip precautions

GO MAMA!!!

Melinda, a PT I know from treating my hip three years ago,  came to me each time it was possible for her. I call her my Jillian Michaels because she is tough and doesn't let anything incorrect slide. She also builds confidence and keeps the goals high. I also had the PT pictured above, and another whose name was Peg Gauthier! The hip precautions are to not let the leg cross the midline of the body (no crossed ankles or legs, or even bringing the legs together), not to bend the hip joint beyond 90 degrees in any dirction (never squatting). I can only sleep on my back (for now...later side sleep with pillow support between the legs is possible I hope). I slide my right leg out in front of me before standing up. This prevents a bend in the hip beyond 90 degrees. I grab the walker with my right hand and boost myself up with my left hand (from the arm of the chair or the side of the bed). Dave  raised our bedframe up onto bricks to aid me getting in and out of bed. I use a dense foam toilet seat (about 8-10" high) and scoot the walker up against the tank, then pivot my body around. This way I have arm supports. Again, the leg extends before standing up.

staying connected on the internet....good therapy

Friends and colleagues brought us meals during the surgery week! We were overflowing with delicious barley/beef soup, veggie chili, potato cheese soup, butternut squash soup, lentil soup, macaroni and cheese, veggie quiche, salads, breads, rolls and a pie! WOW!!! THANKYOU!!!!

I came home on Friday Dec 21st, in the afternoon. A bad wreck on 99e forced us to take a detour home, but we were so grateful that we knew about it before heading out. And so grateful that David was not involved, as he was heading up to the hospital just a few minutes after the accident happened. He saw the stalled traffic and turned around, finding another route.

Dave bought a recliner on his way to pick me up from the hospital! It has sturdy wooden arms and a comfy, yet supportive seat and lumbar support. The fabric is a wide-wale purple corduroy. It is great!!!! Merry Christmas to us!!!

The house was all decorated for Christmas, Christmas music was playing and Kenzie was baking cookies in the kitchen when I got home. What a welcome!!! I really missed my family and home during the three days in the hospital. I was ready to be home, surrounded by loved ones.

Everyone came over Christmas morning for aebleskiver, eggs, potatoes, bacon, juice. We opened presents after breakfast. Later in the afternoon Dave and Kenzie put together a fabulous turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, homemade cranberries, stuffing and gravy. The 9.5 lb turkey roasted to perfection (falling in moist chunks off the bone) in the Le Creuset Dutch Oven.

Christmas Day...Miss LAILA!!

Getting outside on 12.30.12

My first venture out of the house is pictured above. I walked up and down the sidewalk in front of the house in the welcome sunshine. The next venture was on Dec 31st, to the ortho office to have the staples removed, all 19 of them! It did hurt a bit but I kept breathing deeply and joined in the banter and laughter with Dave and the nurse, in an attempt to stay distracted. We drove the backroads home through the countryside, the rolling hills and woods, the beautiful estate like homes, to Wilsonville. A drive-thru Taco Bell stop (we forgot there was a Taco del Mar close by!) for lunch added to the sense of normalcy. I'd also been able to take three showers by now!!! I haven't shaved my legs for four weeks and wish the prickly sensation would subside. Washing my hair and scrubbing my back are wonderful. Dave stands by for anything I might need (like picking up the dropped soap, or moving the shampoo within reach).

Dave is the best caregiver and nurse. He knows how to chill out and just be present with me, as well as anticipate thirst, hunger, discomfort. He plays a soothing variety of music for me all day long, even during a nap. I am so grateful for his help, and that he was able to take time off work between Christmas and New Years Day to stay home. His company closes during that week, at no cost to the employees. His first day back at work is today, but I'm not alone. Kenzie and David are here to help me.

Joselyn Cowl, knitted the first week

Henslowe Shawl, knitted the second week