Monday, November 12, 2012

Day 12 - BS

Ok, back on track...I don't like doing a bunch of topics at once because I fell behind a couple days...and if I ignore it I feel guilty about it. Shame on me.

So I have to call BS on something today and I have mixed emotions about doing so. I want to rant a little about ADD. I'm sure that it's a real thing and I'm sure a lot of people have trouble focusing, my husband is one of these people. But I also think it is the worst excuse and used far too much!! I feel like every kid gets diagnosed with this and it's sickening. Kids are kids, they run around, they're hyper and loud, they jump from toy to toy..that is normal! Just because you don't feel like giving your kid attention and understanding this doesn't mean you should shove pills at him and give him a diagnosis! It's disgusting. I think more care needs to be done for this and even as you grow into an adult you need to help yourself and not blame it on ADD. My husband is forgetful, can't focus, doesn't pay attention and it frustrates me more than anything. But he really tries to work on it and focus himself. Instead of giving him medication, he (and I TRY to) help to work through it. If I start talking and I know he's doing something that will distract him, I stop, take it away and make sure he's focusing on me and the situation. There's nothing I hate more than repeating myself...and I am a very impatient person so this takes a lot from me to do. I admit, I don't know a lot about ADD at all and I really don't want to. I just know that more people use it as an excuse instead of trying to help themselves or their children.

Day 11 - hmmm

Something that isn't health related but that improves my life. Laughter. I think laughter is the best medicine, smiling and having a good time. There's no reason to be miserable. Surround yourself with people that make you happy, life is too short not to. Don't change for anyone. The other thing that improves my life and my attitude is working out and going to the gym. It puts me in such a good mindset and makes me happy, plus I like how I look and feel after working out and having a nice sweat. I've taken a while off but I'm ready to get back into the swing of things and get on track again for the winter months.

Day 10 - facebook

Today's topic is whether or not people should post about their own or someone else's personal health issues on facebook. NO! This is the problem with Facebook. It has gone from a place to keep in touch with your friends to a diary and photo album of your life and I hate it. I don't want people knowing my business, if I want you to know, or you want to know just ask me. I don't want that person I never talked to before to be my friend just so they can stalk me..and at the same time, I don't think it's necessary to share your life to everyone and their mother. I think it's a sad cry for attention. Look at me, look at what I did, look at what I have. I don't want people posting MY wedding pictures on facebook, or one day pictures of MY child....so why would I share my health or want to know about yours. Don't get me wrong, I'm just as nosey as the next person! I just think people get carried away with thinking everyone wants to know everything about them and give them attention. Get over yourself and move ON!.

My mini rant on Facebook.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Day 8 and 9 - writing about others and a care package

I'm in Chicago for a wedding so I'm a day behind..today will cover yesterdays "how I choose to write about others" as well as a "care package to fellow patients".

Like I had said in a previous post, I just basically write what I think or feel. I don't typically hold back or filter myself, so talking about others is kind of whatever comes to mind. However, through my surgery and recovery it was mostly nothing but positive talk about other people because of how my family and friends helped me so so much! My family spending time in Boston throughout my hospital stay, my mom coming to stay with me after I got home to help do laundry and make sure I could manage on my own for the first week or so while my hubby went back to work. My friends that came to Boston to visit me, my in-laws for making meals and offering anything that needed to be done, but mostly my husband for (even though he wasn't fully prepared) still stood by my and helped as much as he could...after I had to kick his butt into gear a few times. It was not easy, it was not fun, but it all had to be done. I can only rant about people, strangers, that don't help hold doors or assist in any way when they see someone on crutches! It's frustrating and just rude. I have a new found spot for people (mainly ones on crutches) when I'm out shopping or something. I know how terribly difficult it is, especially if you're by yourself. But my main characters have been NOTHING but supportive throughout my ordeal and I can't begin to thank them enough and therefore I can give them kudos and not have to bash any of them. :-)

Carrying on...what to take to the hospital for a PAO.

I asked a lot of questions to other PAO "survivors" so I was pretty prepared with the goodies I would need for about 7 days in the hospital.
1) iPod - excellent for soothing music as you drift off to see so you don't have to hear the beeps and other crap all night long,
2) Eye mask! This was the best idea I had. Nurses came in every hour to check vitals and what not, I didn't have to barely wake up, kept things nice and dark.
3) Snuggie. I laughed at these things for a couple years until I was in the hospital in the Winter. It was my best friend.
4) Underwear a size or two bigger. The swelling and bandage make you a little bigger and who wants tight underwear?
5) Pillow. To sit on in the wheelchair/car/restaurant. Also another thing I traveled with for weeks after surgery.
6) Sweatpants, slipper socks and oversized clothing. Great for lounging in the hospital bed (sans catheter).
7) Small backpack or bag to attach to the crutch (mostly for once you get home) to carry the necessities.
8) Bluetooth. Also for when you get home...can't crutch and hold a phone at the same time.

ummm. Also, definitely a commode unless you have a real high toilet and a loofa/sponge on a long handle to help wash your leg and foot since bending is difficult at first, and a seat for the shower.

I can't think of any other necessity, those were the main things that really made a difference in getting through the first few days/weeks.

Me and my snuggie, probably just coming down from a fever:


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Day 7 - ugh

Took a day off yesterday, only allowed two in the month so I better bust my butt the rest of the days ahead! No offense, but these topics are getting kind of weird. Yesterday "news-style post or write about when you had to take the high road. No thanks... today redesign a doctors office or
be mindful. Write about what helps you stay centered in the present, guess we're talking about being mindful today!!!

It's even difficult to talk about this because I am pretty centered and focused on the now what I want so there's not much that goes into being actively thinking about it. My mind has been kind of all over the last few months but it's back of track and I know what I'm doing and where I'm/We are going. Unfortunately, it takes time, work and money to get there! But we're trekking along and hopefully keep on going. I guess that's all really...just trying to focus on the future and what needs to be done to get there. I'm a rational, pay attention kind of person so I don't lose focus of the big picture or side tracked. I don't get persuaded, I don't go along with others if it's the cool thing to do, I don't get jealous or needy. I'm my own person and I do things at my own speed and when I see it's appropriate. I don't have to fit in, I don't change who I am to fit in with someone else. If you don't like what I do or what I say then move on, I haven't changed in my life and I don't plan on it. 

On another note, it's SNOWING!!!! wtf Figures...a few hours away from flying to Chicago and it's friggin' snowing...at a pretty good clip I might add.  bah humbug!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Day 5 - Thankful, Excited and Inspired

Our topic of discussion today is what I am thankful for, excited about or inspired by...I would like to touch base on each of these; however, it is possible to really say EVERYTHING that fits within these categories.

Thankful. This is a big word. I'm thankful for life, my family and friends, the life my family has given me and tools needed for me to progress in my own life. I'm thankful that I have clothes on my back and a house to live in, I am terribly crushed by the poor families that have lost everything in the Hurricane that recently hit. No one should have to deal with something like this and I do everything I can to help those in need. But health wise, I am thankful for my doctors. The doctor I went to see in CT, for knowing about a specialist in Boston. I'm thankful for Millis and his team, for the nurses at the hospital that was SO AMAZING! I could go on but I don't think it's really necessary.

Excited. I'm excited to be able to walk without pain, to jog, to run...for any activities that I won't need pain medications for. I'm excited for our upcoming trip to northern NY with our friends for my birthday weekend and to do something different. I'm excited to see where things will start going, changes.

Inspired. This is a big one and one major word that got me through my surgery. I owe a large part of my inspiration to the one girl I connected with before surgery. She had just had her first surgery and was about 2 months post when I found her on a Yahoo Hip Women. I asked her so many questions and really figured out exactly what I was in for. No matter how terrible recovery was she always seemed to 'have it together'. She was such an inspiration that I can do this, I can get through it. No matter how bad it is, it WILL get better. Because of that, I wanted to be that same inspiration, which is half the reason why I do this blog also. I want to be inspiration to many people and I can only be that by doing things like this and support others. My roommate in the hospital for my second surgery (her first) was a day behind me, which is recovery time is a long time. I kept telling her it wasn't bad and she can do it, just push through it. I wanted to be her inspiration.

These are all major feelings/thoughts/emotions that I deal with and have been dealing with for quite some time now. There's not a day that goes by that something above does not go through my head!


Sunday, November 4, 2012

Day 4 - Disclosure

So...what do I decide what to post, what I do or don't share. There's not much thought that goes into that really. Anything having to do with my hips, my body, my surgery or recovery I talk about. I don't want other girls/guys having ANY question as to what they should expect during this process or even in the years following surgery. It's all new to me, each day was a new experience, a new obstacle to tackle so I'm still learning myself. But there's no reason to keep any secrets about because I'd only be hurting other people.

This topic didn't really need much explanation, but it's a Sunday so it's nice to have a relaxing post.

Here's a video of me "learning" to walk after the first surgery - day 3.



Saturday, November 3, 2012

Day 3 - Convo with my Doc

So today would be the best day to write about my post-op appointment since I haven't yet and today's topic is "post a conversation you had with your doctor".

I had my "one year" followup (which was really just shy of 2 years for the right and just over a year and a half for my left) recently and the appointment went pretty well.  I had gotten an MRI back in August so for this appointment he reviewed that and took new x-rays if course. While I was in the waiting room I began talking to another woman that was 12 years post from her PAO and is having pretty bad pain. She had very bad dysplasia before surgery and began running a lot after surgery. She doesn't suggest the running because she thinks that helped speed up the need for a possible hip replacement soon.

When I finally got to meet with Dr. Millis he asked how I was doing and started moving my legs all around to see my mobility and if anything bothered me. My right hip has been off and on with some uncomfortable pinching feelings in the front of the hip. After he checked out the flexibility and what not he looked a my MRI and X-ray and said things were looking fine. Although, the right one (first surgery) he did not "construct" as much as he had hoped and that could be why it is causing me some discomfort. He wants to keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't get any worse. He has only re-done 2 other PAO's from his own patients! I had mentioned about my "missing" inner thigh muscle and he looked at it...agreed it's a much weaker leg but kind of continued on and didn't seem to care too much about it...so I guess I'm just going to have to deal with that. Kevin and my Mom had to "tell on me" that I want to do a 5k. Naturally, he didn't necessarily suggest it as if my hips will wear away this will only increase the chances of that happening sooner, although he would never say "do not do it". I just have to be aware of the possible consequences...which I am. But at the same time I would like to accomplish a goal...so maybe one and then call it quits. :-)

So basically, he wants ANOTHER MRI in 6 months and to see me again to keep a close eye on my right hip and make sure it stays put and doesn't get much worse. I begged and pleaded to not have another MRI but it didn't work. :-(

So that was the appointment, maybe get back on track, do a 5k in the Spring then just stay healthy!

Friday, November 2, 2012

Day 2 - Write about the weirdest thing about your health

It's either this topic or "find a quote and use it as inspiration"....neither are great.

I wouldn't say there's anything "weird" about my health, namely, my hips. I guess the weird/annoying part is how some people perceive it when I tell them about my surgery and how they just don't get it sometimes. "You're 26 years old and you had a hip replacement already?" well..no, I did NOT have a hip replacement and I said that 5 times. I had hip reconstruction, I have no metal in me whatsoever. I don't know if they're ignorant, not listening when I explain it (which annoys me more than anything), or what. I don't think It's hard to understand "they broke my socket, screwed it back together, the bone re-grew and they took the screws out" plain and simple. Then I get the "wow you walk really well" or "does it hurt, do you feel it". What? NO! My bones are just like yours...they had to be fixed, but basically I work the same as you do, just needed to pay $200k to get there. I understand it's new, people haven't heard of a PAO...or young people having hip surgery, but pay attention when it's explained to you.

Moving on. The other weird part which was back during my surgery and recovery were the screws. I had rather large screws...4-5 inches long holding my hip socket together and I had 4-5 in each hip. Being as I'm not an overweight person, these screws could be seen and felt through my skin. It was my show and tell and people were so weirded out by it but I thought it was aweeesome. Here are some pictures of all my screws! During my final surgery, I was awake and the Doc let me sit up and look at the screws when they were halfway out and sticking out of my body. I'm sick.

Enjoy my weirdness!




Thursday, November 1, 2012

NHBPM - Day 1 - Why I write about my health

So, I am participating in National Health Blog Post Month. Every day in November you blog about your health in some way given the topics they provide. I figure since 2012 has lacked some posts on my part it would be a way to kick my butt back into posting!

I had my 1 year post-op evaluation last week so I will post that info when I see fit - even though I am well over 1 year post. :-)

November 1 - "Why I write about my Health"

This is a pretty easy topic to talk about because I do have(had) a fairly big issue with my health (if bones count) that was pretty traumatic/depressing and changed me a bit. I don't want to start this post as if no one knows my background but I may have to go back a bit for any newbies.

I was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia (is a congenital or acquired deformation or misalignment of the hip joint - basically) when I was a few months old and given a brace to wear which kept my legs/hips at a 90 degree angle to help form the sockets better/deeper. The harness came off about 6 months later and my doc thought that was all I needed and I was never checked out through my childhood. I played many sports and had a few aches and pains but didn't think anything of it. In college the pain seemed to worsen, went to a few doctors and they said I would need a Total Hip Replacement eventually. Ok, yeah, great but here I am 23 years old and in excruciating pain! It was very upsetting and kept me from doing a lot of things I wanted to do. Walking was so very painful and even carrying groceries added much more discomfort. I'll mention here, my mom also has hip problems and has had two hip replacements and both of them revised...we're no strangers to hip issues. After I got married and after the Honeymoon I figured it was time to go see doctors again and see if there was anything to help the pain I was in. I mean, I couldn't be the ONLY young person with hip problems. Low and behold...I'm not.

I saw an orthopedic in my area who took one look at my xrays and my hips history and immediately said "you have to go see this guy in Boston, he specializes in this, this is what you need done". I was beyond relieved!! I came right home and looked up the surgery online, Periacetabular Osteotomy - PAO. They have to do WHAT!?!?! Yeah, they break the hip socket in a few areas and screw it back together. I went back and forth from being freaked out to being extremely thrilled to have a diagnosis. Now I had to make an appointment with this doctor - but he had to look over all of my xrays and mri's to see if I was even a candidate to see him - naturally I was and my appointment was in 2 months.

Fast forward.....no surgeries are fun, you're never fully prepared. I read a lot of blogs from other people going through this and it did kind of freak me out, why wouldn't it? My pelvis is going to be broken into pieces and put together like a puzzle! I found forums and message boards and other girls in the same situation and developed a bond with them, a bond that no one else really understands unless they've been through it. Talking to other people and reading blogs of this whole experience before I went through it is what kept me sane, and prepared me. Of course I was nervous, but not as nervous as I would have been. Ultimately, I blog to hopefully help someone else out. Someone that's now in the shoes I was in and freaking out about this surgery. If I can help one person prepare and get them through then I feel like I have accomplished something. I still look back to the early posts and read what I was going through, I remember it plain as day and I have to stop reading because it is still too fresh. As great as the experience was, and as great as I feel right now...I don't wish it on anyone and I don't want to go through it again!

Check back tomorrow for: "the weirdest thing about my health"