I saw the orthopedic surgeon at Duke and he outlined the first steps in the hip replacement plan. Step one is to consult with a Duke based hematologist who will be the " in charge doc" through my treatment. Then the anesthesiologist, and allergists to sort through my multiple drug allergies, then possible follow ups, then, somewhere in all this, the surgery. This is going to take a while. I am in the high risk of falls category so I exchanged my Mother's ugly, but functional, cane in the closet for my pride. And I continue to wait and cope.
Aging is not for the wimpy!
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GinaD
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Hi Gina: I'm afraid you're right. This is going to take a while due to your complicated body. But to be honest, I have never talked to a hip replacement patient who was sorry they had it done. Usually, they are sorry they didn't have it done sooner. But you are right to be concerned. You are a young woman and to date, I believe the average hip replacement lasts about 10 years. This life span will no doubt be extended during your decade. You certainly have the bravery and self motivation to do well with it. Your body should recover better than the average person as you are a trail blazer from way back and those muscles are good and strong to help with recovery. They (your medical team) seem to be sure-footed about your care and so do you. I'll be watching for your updates and keeping you in my prayers.
My muscles ONCE were good and strong. Now? Not so much. I try to strike a balance between too much and too little exercise as it is quite easy to trigger extra-inflammatory flares in the hip. But I try. One key is to begin an exercise session, either weights or a spin on my bike trainer, without any goals. I lift or pedal until my hip tells me it's time to stop. I may have a " this far and no farther" goal, but I do not stubbornly cling to it.
On the whole I'm glad I managed to go 11 years after I was first told I needed a new hip. I'm sorry that the local orthopedists did not take a more inclusive view. I suspect that if I had more timely medical advice about how to postpone the surgery I would have gotten more years out of that can.
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