Re: scheduled for 7/06 with Dr. Amstutz at JRI

[Guest guest]

, you da man!!!

Best wishes for even more fun.

Des Tuck

In a message dated 6/28/2004 9:15:54 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

aleksblaise1@... writes:

I have not taken a pain pill since

day two. I flew home alone, drove myself to work at one week,

remained on crutches for three weeks, and I have never looked back.

I am now eight weeks and I have had zero problems. I am riding a

bicycle for more than an hour a day, fast walking up to ten miles,

and working out with weights.

[Guest guest]

At 03:37 AM 6/29/2004 +0000, you wrote:

>Anyone else out there who has had last minute second thoughts?? And

>how did you do??

Of course, but since my mom had flown from CA to care for me, and I had

taken time off of work, they would not have let me back down. I had my

first hip done May 25th 2001. The whole pre-op thing was nothing like I

expected, and was a good experience considering what it was. Certainly a

party would have been more fun, but....;-). I was off work for two weeks,

went back for two, then had the second one done! No second thoughts that

time, in fact hopped up an down on my crutches when they called me for the

second surgery date. Today is my third anniversary of hip #2. I was

planning to hike up to the top of Multnomah Falls (approx. 2 miles up), but

instead am nursing blisters on my toes from too much walking and standing

at a handbell conference in Tacoma this weekend. I took two Ibuprofen to

get me through the entire weekend. Hips felt great, but my poor toes are

just ground to hamburger. This is a huge improvement from when I had to

use a cane to get to my next door neighbors house! Relax, enjoy your La

Cucaracha serenade, and think happy hippy thoughts.

Cindy

C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01

[Guest guest]

At 03:37 AM 6/29/2004 +0000, you wrote:

>Anyone else out there who has had last minute second thoughts?? And

>how did you do??

Of course, but since my mom had flown from CA to care for me, and I had

taken time off of work, they would not have let me back down. I had my

first hip done May 25th 2001. The whole pre-op thing was nothing like I

expected, and was a good experience considering what it was. Certainly a

party would have been more fun, but....;-). I was off work for two weeks,

went back for two, then had the second one done! No second thoughts that

time, in fact hopped up an down on my crutches when they called me for the

second surgery date. Today is my third anniversary of hip #2. I was

planning to hike up to the top of Multnomah Falls (approx. 2 miles up), but

instead am nursing blisters on my toes from too much walking and standing

at a handbell conference in Tacoma this weekend. I took two Ibuprofen to

get me through the entire weekend. Hips felt great, but my poor toes are

just ground to hamburger. This is a huge improvement from when I had to

use a cane to get to my next door neighbors house! Relax, enjoy your La

Cucaracha serenade, and think happy hippy thoughts.

Cindy

C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01

[Guest guest]

At 03:37 AM 6/29/2004 +0000, you wrote:

>Anyone else out there who has had last minute second thoughts?? And

>how did you do??

Of course, but since my mom had flown from CA to care for me, and I had

taken time off of work, they would not have let me back down. I had my

first hip done May 25th 2001. The whole pre-op thing was nothing like I

expected, and was a good experience considering what it was. Certainly a

party would have been more fun, but....;-). I was off work for two weeks,

went back for two, then had the second one done! No second thoughts that

time, in fact hopped up an down on my crutches when they called me for the

second surgery date. Today is my third anniversary of hip #2. I was

planning to hike up to the top of Multnomah Falls (approx. 2 miles up), but

instead am nursing blisters on my toes from too much walking and standing

at a handbell conference in Tacoma this weekend. I took two Ibuprofen to

get me through the entire weekend. Hips felt great, but my poor toes are

just ground to hamburger. This is a huge improvement from when I had to

use a cane to get to my next door neighbors house! Relax, enjoy your La

Cucaracha serenade, and think happy hippy thoughts.

Cindy

C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01

[Guest guest]

I have posted a few times in the past and I went through a very

similar thought process. This was a very difficult decision for

me. I am sorry to bore the broader audience, and trust me I know my

place in the athletic world these days, i.e., long washed up, but I

think it is important for you to know where I came from. I was an

athlete my entire life and that was my life. I was the youngest

American ever on the World Cup. Long time member of the US Ski

Team, National Champion, NCAA Champion, etc., blah, blah, blah, then

retired to run 2:30-2:40 marathons, race bicycles, whatever to

remain competitive and active. I had pain in my hip training one

year for Boston and I thought I had a pulled muscle until I got and

xray. At 37 years old I was told that I needed THR on both hips

soon. I remained very active. At OH they looked at my xrays and

asked if I was on crutches preop. I ran eight miles in LA the night

before surgery.

I thought my life was over at 40. I had my right hip done by Dr.

Amstutz last month. I was not worried because I had several major

knee operations. You have nothing to fear. The process is a walk

in the park (without a limp). I have not taken a pain pill since

day two. I flew home alone, drove myself to work at one week,

remained on crutches for three weeks, and I have never looked back.

I am now eight weeks and I have had zero problems. I am riding a

bicycle for more than an hour a day, fast walking up to ten miles,

and working out with weights. Everyone progresses at different

rates. This is not a race. Get it done and listen to your doctor

and your body (ok, do as I say, not as I do). Dr. Amstutz is the

best. I met him on Boston on Saturday to review my xrays. I am so

pleased with the entire process and the outcome I can't even tell

you what it is like to have your life back. I need to have my left

hip done some time in the next year. I am going to fly back out

there, jump up on the table, have Dr. A do his thing and get on with

life.

Hang in there. The period leading up to surgery is very difficult

for many of us and this is normal. Think about your post op quality

of life that many of us are enjoying. I often forget that I had

surgery and I was going to move on and stop posting and reading this

group. I believed I owed it to Dave G., Dr. A and many of my other

newly found hip brothers and sisters to continue to share

experiences. I am also so enthusiastic about this that it is

difficult to not offer assistance to those who may benefit.

I share some of the athletic history only because when I was making

my decision I was looking for people who I could relate to who had

athletic backgrounds and similar objectives in life and a THR was

simply not an option.

You will do great and we are here for you and thinking about your

positive outcome. This will all be behind you soon. There are a

bunch of us from JRI and Dr. A all doing great. Best of luck....

...C+ Dr. Amstutz 5/04/04

> I am going into the panic mode. Scheduled for righ hip resurface

on

> July 6th with Dr. Amstutz. Right hip only is bone on bone - so I

> walk a little funny and I have strange pains...but I am very

healthy

> and still quite active so I am second guessing as to whether I've

> made the right decision. I have great confidence in Dr. Amstutz;

> hate LA Ortho from what I've seen; am terrified of being cut open

> and the whole anesthetic and hospital and recovery modes. I've

read

> everything I can...was on the web site about what to

expect...great

> help there!! Lately there seem to be a lot of people who are

worse

> after!! And, of course, I expect to be just fine, but questioning

> whether I should just put up with what I have for the time being.

> Anyone else out there who has had last minute second thoughts??

And

> how did you do?? Thanks...

[Guest guest]

As one who has been 'worse after', I am writing to say please not to let

it put you off the operation. I am definitely in a minority. So many

many more have had wonderful recoveries. If you wait too long, you can

go past the point where having a BHR is possible. My OS told me to have

mine sooner, rather than later, because of this. He also said that if

you wait too long you end up with other problems-back, knee,etc.-from

walking badly for too long because of your hip.

If I had to do it again, in spite of my difficult times, I would. I may

still be all right-time will tell.

Having second thoughts and fears, pre-op, is perfectly normal and it is

good to acknowledge and talk about them. I, of course, was sure I was

going to die on the operating table, but so far, this has not happened

to anyone yet that I know of. At least, they have not come back to post

about it!

Courage and good luck.

Eleanor

scheduled for 7/06 with Dr. Amstutz at JRI

I am going into the panic mode. Scheduled for righ hip resurface on

July 6th with Dr. Amstutz. Right hip only is bone on bone - so I

walk a little funny and I have strange pains...but I am very healthy

and still quite active so I am second guessing as to whether I've

made the right decision. I have great confidence in Dr. Amstutz;

hate LA Ortho from what I've seen; am terrified of being cut open

and the whole anesthetic and hospital and recovery modes. I've read

everything I can...was on the web site about what to expect...great

help there!! Lately there seem to be a lot of people who are worse

after!! And, of course, I expect to be just fine, but questioning

whether I should just put up with what I have for the time being.

Anyone else out there who has had last minute second thoughts?? And

how did you do?? Thanks...

[Guest guest]

As one who has been 'worse after', I am writing to say please not to let

it put you off the operation. I am definitely in a minority. So many

many more have had wonderful recoveries. If you wait too long, you can

go past the point where having a BHR is possible. My OS told me to have

mine sooner, rather than later, because of this. He also said that if

you wait too long you end up with other problems-back, knee,etc.-from

walking badly for too long because of your hip.

If I had to do it again, in spite of my difficult times, I would. I may

still be all right-time will tell.

Having second thoughts and fears, pre-op, is perfectly normal and it is

good to acknowledge and talk about them. I, of course, was sure I was

going to die on the operating table, but so far, this has not happened

to anyone yet that I know of. At least, they have not come back to post

about it!

Courage and good luck.

Eleanor

scheduled for 7/06 with Dr. Amstutz at JRI

I am going into the panic mode. Scheduled for righ hip resurface on

July 6th with Dr. Amstutz. Right hip only is bone on bone - so I

walk a little funny and I have strange pains...but I am very healthy

and still quite active so I am second guessing as to whether I've

made the right decision. I have great confidence in Dr. Amstutz;

hate LA Ortho from what I've seen; am terrified of being cut open

and the whole anesthetic and hospital and recovery modes. I've read

everything I can...was on the web site about what to expect...great

help there!! Lately there seem to be a lot of people who are worse

after!! And, of course, I expect to be just fine, but questioning

whether I should just put up with what I have for the time being.

Anyone else out there who has had last minute second thoughts?? And

how did you do?? Thanks...

[Guest guest]

I think we've all had last minute second thoughts.

I had never had any kind of surgery before - never been in a hospital

for anything. Closest I ever got was some stitches in the emergency

room when I was a kid. In addition to being afraid of being cut open,

I was almost equally afraid of the concept of a catheter. I was only

slightly less afraid of the concept of anesthesia because I knew I was

not going to have a " general " - I was going to have an epidural.

I don't know how I got over it. I think I got so busy getting

everything ready that I lost track of time and the next thing I knew I

was sitting in the waiting room waiting to go in to be prepped for the

operation. At that moment I was most afraid of getting sick in the OR.

All I can say is it all went well. Everyone I dealt with was

professional and compassionate. Also, I had a lot of people praying

for me - that was a big comfort.

In hindsight it was a great move. I have my life back. I am now a

little over 3 months after surgery and I can do almost everything I

could do a few years ago - before the hip got bad. Most of all, the

pain is gone.

This weekend I talked to a guy from Maine who had his hip replaced (a

THR) in December. He was also scared. He said it was the best thing

he ever did.

It's not fun but for most people the progress comes fairly quickly and

before you know it, you are mobile again.

Hang in there!!

(47)

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> I am going into the panic mode. Scheduled for righ hip resurface on

> July 6th with Dr. Amstutz. Right hip only is bone on bone - so I

> walk a little funny and I have strange pains...but I am very healthy

> and still quite active so I am second guessing as to whether I've

> made the right decision. I have great confidence in Dr. Amstutz;

> hate LA Ortho from what I've seen; am terrified of being cut open

> and the whole anesthetic and hospital and recovery modes. I've read

> everything I can...was on the web site about what to expect...great

> help there!! Lately there seem to be a lot of people who are worse

> after!! And, of course, I expect to be just fine, but questioning

> whether I should just put up with what I have for the time being.

> Anyone else out there who has had last minute second thoughts?? And

> how did you do?? Thanks...

[Guest guest]

I think we've all had last minute second thoughts.

I had never had any kind of surgery before - never been in a hospital

for anything. Closest I ever got was some stitches in the emergency

room when I was a kid. In addition to being afraid of being cut open,

I was almost equally afraid of the concept of a catheter. I was only

slightly less afraid of the concept of anesthesia because I knew I was

not going to have a " general " - I was going to have an epidural.

I don't know how I got over it. I think I got so busy getting

everything ready that I lost track of time and the next thing I knew I

was sitting in the waiting room waiting to go in to be prepped for the

operation. At that moment I was most afraid of getting sick in the OR.

All I can say is it all went well. Everyone I dealt with was

professional and compassionate. Also, I had a lot of people praying

for me - that was a big comfort.

In hindsight it was a great move. I have my life back. I am now a

little over 3 months after surgery and I can do almost everything I

could do a few years ago - before the hip got bad. Most of all, the

pain is gone.

This weekend I talked to a guy from Maine who had his hip replaced (a

THR) in December. He was also scared. He said it was the best thing

he ever did.

It's not fun but for most people the progress comes fairly quickly and

before you know it, you are mobile again.

Hang in there!!

(47)

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> I am going into the panic mode. Scheduled for righ hip resurface on

> July 6th with Dr. Amstutz. Right hip only is bone on bone - so I

> walk a little funny and I have strange pains...but I am very healthy

> and still quite active so I am second guessing as to whether I've

> made the right decision. I have great confidence in Dr. Amstutz;

> hate LA Ortho from what I've seen; am terrified of being cut open

> and the whole anesthetic and hospital and recovery modes. I've read

> everything I can...was on the web site about what to expect...great

> help there!! Lately there seem to be a lot of people who are worse

> after!! And, of course, I expect to be just fine, but questioning

> whether I should just put up with what I have for the time being.

> Anyone else out there who has had last minute second thoughts?? And

> how did you do?? Thanks...

[Guest guest]

You wouldn't be normal if you didn't have fear and

trepidation. Pre-op is the most challenging time for many of us. Our

little nagging doubts grow into monsters that can take over out

lives. Resurfacing can be a roller coaster emotionally and pre-op

fear is the slow ride up the first big hill. I didn't sleep much

the night before my surgeries. I doubt many of us do. So much is out

of our control. I'd never been a hospital patient before my first

resurfacing and there was no surfacehippies for me to talk with back

in late 1997, early 1998. No track record for the implant, no

guarantees, a total leap of faith. Knowing that many have gone before

you and now enjoy unlimited activities is more reassurance than us

early birds enjoyed.

A close doctor friend told me that a patient's mental state often

influences the healing and success of surgery. So I took surgery as a

challenge to do the best I could physically and mentally. There's

a lot to recommend this approach. There are times in our lives where

we can do all the research and prepare ourselves as best we can, then

regardless of how scary, we just have to go for it and let the

universe sort it out. In this case you have a very skilled surgeon

and hospital support group caring for you. In my opinion, they're

worth your trust.

Believe in your decision, expect excellent results, and be mentally

strong. That's your job right now. Your courage will be

rewarded.

Wishing you the best,

Dave

C+, Amstutz, 3.24.98, 2.12.04

> I am going into the panic mode. Scheduled for righ hip resurface on

> July 6th with Dr. Amstutz. Right hip only is bone on bone - so I

> walk a little funny and I have strange pains...but I am very

healthy

> and still quite active so I am second guessing as to whether I've

> made the right decision. I have great confidence in Dr. Amstutz;

> hate LA Ortho from what I've seen; am terrified of being cut open

> and the whole anesthetic and hospital and recovery modes. I've

read

> everything I can...was on the web site about what to expect...great

> help there!! Lately there seem to be a lot of people who are worse

> after!! And, of course, I expect to be just fine, but questioning

> whether I should just put up with what I have for the time being.

> Anyone else out there who has had last minute second thoughts??

And

> how did you do?? Thanks...

[Guest guest]

Hi there

I know exactly how you feel! When I'm warm I can walk (limp) for 4

hours +. I can still teach certain fitness classes. I can still do

weights. And sometimes I wonder....well, do I really need this

operation? (Scheduled for 26 July Rt BHR Dr , Canberra).

But then I think about 2 things....

(1) Yes, I could soldier on for another year, maybe, with the help of

anti-inflammatories and painkillers, but I'd be jeopardising my

chances of having a resurf rather than a THR and I'd be in pain and

God knows what all the limping and adjustments I've made to my

movements is doing for the rest of my body;

(2) My surgeon said that driving to the hospital is riskier than

undergoing the operation, such are the precautions the medical staff

take. Also, I've read a fair bit about Dr Amstutz on this site and he

seems to know what he's doing; and

(3) I know that if I decided to postpone, I'd be regretting my

decision the very next day as I was struggling to put a sock on or

bracing myself for the pain of rolling over in bed or getting up from

the lounge.

Good luck and let us know what you think after the op!

Tony

> I am going into the panic mode. Scheduled for righ hip resurface on

> July 6th with Dr. Amstutz. Right hip only is bone on bone - so I

> walk a little funny and I have strange pains...but I am very

healthy

> and still quite active so I am second guessing as to whether I've

> made the right decision. I have great confidence in Dr. Amstutz;

> hate LA Ortho from what I've seen; am terrified of being cut open

> and the whole anesthetic and hospital and recovery modes. I've

read

> everything I can...was on the web site about what to expect...great

> help there!! Lately there seem to be a lot of people who are worse

> after!! And, of course, I expect to be just fine, but questioning

> whether I should just put up with what I have for the time being.

> Anyone else out there who has had last minute second thoughts??

And

> how did you do?? Thanks...

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend,

I am that person who you are asking to relate to. I was

functioning, able to work, but losing the ability to stay fit by

exercising. I was eating 800-2400 mg of Ibuprofen daily just to keep

going, but still able to pretty much funtion ok. I quit any kind of

running years before, and mainly rode a stationary bike and surfed

(reduced to kneeboarding the last few years). But the day I walked

into JRI my hip felt fine!!!! My pain was cyclical, with the cycles

growing in frequency in the last few years. Bottom line, I was only

15% bone on bone, but losing the ablility to stay healthy at the gym

or in the ocean. You have been seen by one of the worlds best

resurfacing surgeons, and he has agreed to operate on you. I doubt

he would do so without good reason. You have seen your x-rays, do

you think you will feel better some day without surgery? They always

tell us to let pain dictate when we finally get our surgeries. Are

you able to be the person you want to be? I was TERRIFIED of

surgery, truthfully I still am. I wanted to run away the day of my

resurface. Surgery sucks. LA ortho sucked (for me, anyway, but I am

big baby). I think that I put myself in a position to struggle by

second guessing my decision, and by letting my fears dominate my

thinking. I'm now almost 11 weeks post op,and I haven't had a single

Ibuprofen since pre-op. And it no longer hurts. And I can do things

on my hip that I was not able to do the last few years. It's a hard

decision for those of us who aren't completely shot. It's a whole

lifestyle question. I could have waited, but I would have had to

live like an old fart, always declining in my ability to work and

play. So I said " screw it " and rolled the dice. If I get 15-20 years

of active normal hip, I'm a genius. If I get a THR next week, than

I'm a dunce. I could have gone on with what I had, but at what price?

We can talk by phone if it would help you. I really relate to where

you are, and I empathize with your fear. is my home

phone, I'm usually home around 7 or 8 on week nights, pacific time.

Hang tough.

C+ Amstutz 4-15-04

> I am going into the panic mode. Scheduled for righ hip resurface

on

> July 6th with Dr. Amstutz. Right hip only is bone on bone - so I

> walk a little funny and I have strange pains...but I am very

healthy

> and still quite active so I am second guessing as to whether I've

> made the right decision. I have great confidence in Dr. Amstutz;

> hate LA Ortho from what I've seen; am terrified of being cut open

> and the whole anesthetic and hospital and recovery modes. I've

read

> everything I can...was on the web site about what to

expect...great

> help there!! Lately there seem to be a lot of people who are

worse

> after!! And, of course, I expect to be just fine, but questioning

> whether I should just put up with what I have for the time being.

> Anyone else out there who has had last minute second thoughts??

And

> how did you do?? Thanks...