Yep, that’s my wonky hip up there on the right (but it’s my
left hip). I don’t know if you can tell the difference between the two (click
the picture to enlarge it), but as soon as I saw it I knew that I was in
trouble. The arrow pointing to the good hip (circled in green) shows the joint space
that should be there. The arrow pointing to the red circled hip shows that
there’s practically no space left. Also, just to the right of the arrow (kind
of hard to see) are subchondral cysts.
Whatever the heck those are. All I
know is that it hurts!
 |
| From Wikipedia |
I had a follow-up appointment with my surgeon today. The
good news is that I don’t have osteoporosis (yay!). We discussed the two surgical
options available to me: hip
resurfacing or total hip replacement. You may click the link to read about
hip resurfacing, but the picture above shows the difference between the too. Basically it’s a way to preserve bone & uses less
hardware. It is used on younger more active people because you are able to be
more active after that type of hip surgery rather than with total replacement.
I’m not particularly active; however, the idea of losing less bone sounds like
a good idea. And who knows – after this surgery I might become more active. I
sure hope so!
Although I got a number of recommendations, I will probably
use the surgeon I saw today. However, I can’t have surgery until August, so I have
time to change my mind. He’s just so convenient to my office. I know – that should
be the least of my considerations, but there you go.
Between now & August I plan to work very hard to lose
some weight. I can hardly speak to myself I’m so annoyed that I gained all this
weight after my arthritis diagnosis.
Do I not even like myself? What the heck? If I had followed the Arthritis Creed
(Exercise & Lose Weight) I could probably have delayed this surgery for
years. Let the Bug’s Battle of the Bulge begin!
By coincidence, I am watching Greatest Tank Battles tonight (as you well know). I love you more than I love myself...that I think you know...and if it means that *gulp* I have to fight the Battle of the Bulge with you, then by gum, that's what we'll do!
ReplyDeleteI suppose the good news is that you have options for your hip, and since you knew this was coming the dread of what awaits isn't quite so bad. And just think, you'll be pain-free!
ReplyDeleteAs a word of encouragement re: the battle of the bulge. I am following a Mediterranean styled diet, and it is working for me. I don't lose weight easily, so I'm thrilled that I am seeing results with this. It's easy to be on it. There are lots of options among foods that I like, I don't get hungry when I follow the plan (afternoon snack!), and there are even surprising treats! Shrimp, tilapia, cod, etc., are very in, as are turkey and chicken. Whole grains: brown rice, quinoa, bulgar, lots of fruit, greek yogurt, veggies, feta (which I happen to love)... I can even have peanut butter with my apple! Anyway, just want you to know that it is possible to be excited about a diet and enjoy being on it.
I just gulped a big gulp for you. Hang in there, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteOuch! Good luck with your upcoming battle(s)!
ReplyDeleteVodka works good!
ReplyDeleteI have lost a lot of weight this year and it is the hardest thing I have ever done. don't be too hard on yourself. You have to have a lot of self control I have found the bars from Slimfast, south beach, special k and fiber one work really well. You use those in place of a meal. If you use the 100 calorie bars, you can have five a day (about 2.5 hours apart) and then a dinner of about 6 ounces of lean meat and three cups of veges. No carbs. Weight watchers is great and you take it off slow, but you keep it off. You can check into that. The most important thing is to just keep going. You will get there.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck, Bug!
ReplyDeleteMay I recommend 'Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions' by Kate Lorig, if no one else has.
Here on UK Amazon, but it's an American book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Healthy-Life-Chronic-Conditions/dp/1933503017
Lots of Arthritis Creed and more!
Oh, Bug, do try to lose a few pounds if you can. I know how hard it is, but you will feel so much better. My knees (in particular) were a pain before I lost weight. I was surprised by the improvement.
ReplyDeleteI bet your recuperation will be much easier if you can lose even a little before surgery. I suggest reading a bit about the Mediterranean Diet which is not a diet at all, but more of a lifestyle. It's moderate and healthy on so many levels, and Weight Watchers is always great.
Sheesh, look how bossy I am, considering I just came home from a vacation and still haven't quite gotten back on track with my eating habits. Good luck to you.
Oh, I just read Alter Ego's comment. I wholeheartedly agree.
Here's a site for you.
http://mediterrasian.com/
Thinking of ya.
ReplyDeleteDana, it sounds like the least invasive surgery is the best. The blessing is you are not pressed to make a decision! Happy Easter to you and the hubby.
ReplyDeleteThat's kind of a long time to wait, but aren't we lucky to live now, wow. In the meantime, let's fight the battle together. I do one good week, then one week off, and I need to just be more regular with exercise. Bleh. Maybe you'll inspire me!
ReplyDeleteHello Dana.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of your pain and hip problem. My wife has had both hips totally replaced and the pain, especially in the groin area, has gone for good. She, being much older than the young and lovely Bug, had no choice as to which road to take. You are lucky in that respect and taking the resurfacing option seems a good idea to moi.
Whatever you choose we wish you every happiness in your battle with the incessant pain that bone on bone creates.
Shedding a few pounds twixt now and August has to be a priority target and again we send you our best wishes in that respect.
Love and fondest regards, Phil and Pat. xxx
To visualize your goals, imagine yourself pain free. Now that's a good reward to look forward to at the end of this road.
ReplyDeleteDear Bug...I'm so sorry that it has really come to this, and I'm hoping and praying that this lovely surgeon will know exactly what is needed in your case and...that "all will be well and all will be well and all manner of things well be well." (St. Julian of Norwich)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've a good supporter there with Carolina Bug - best of luck with all the yucky medical decisions and then the Summer of Bulge battling - will most likely be trying to get fit myself after months of sitting on me backside...
ReplyDeletewow... just keep a focus on the end result... all those walks you can do with no pain & feeling GREAT!!!!
ReplyDeletethis may sound random at first but when i went to buy a house we went around to lots of people about mortgages, and they all pretty much gave us the same answers - so in the end we went with the guy we liked the most personality wise
ReplyDeleteI guess that's as good a reason as your choice of doctor
Nice picture:)
ReplyDeleteFor the time being, forget about resurfacing or whatever it's called. You better concentrate on loosing weight; it will solve you a lot of problems and save you much trouble. Good Luck!
Wow, all my best, Bug.
ReplyDeleteDon't be so hard on yourself Bug!....Life is so busy...it is easy to not do what we know we should. I am glad that you have some time to prepare for the surgery...I recently had knee surgery to repair a torn ligament...once it is all over you will be glad you did it. Hang in there. :-)
ReplyDeleteGo Bug! WIN that battle! Wanna be battle-buddies?
ReplyDeleteAny kind of surgery doesn't sound like much fun, but I'm with you -- go for the least invasive one. Does it also have a faster recuperation prognosis? Will be praying as you prepare (both physically and psychologically) for the surgery in August.
ReplyDelete@Kim: don't know if Bug replied, but yes, resurfacing does have a shorter recovery period. It requires longer incisions, apparently, but far less bone removal. The resurfaced joint maintains her natural bone structure, only now with a metal cap and cup replacing the area the arthritis has damaged. Thus it is more correct in proportion, therefore less prone to dislocation, than the older models of artificial hip joint. It is still a very invasive procedure, just somewhat less so than full replacement.
ReplyDelete