March 23, 2009

• Don't Have a Leg To Stand On Department

  

  I was reading a blog entry of mine from Summer of last year which mentioned my upcoming hip replacement replacement operation. It's difficult for me sometimes to grasp the fact that I've been hobbling about on crutches for almost half of a year. At least the light is shining at the end of this particular tunnel. I've got a date for the surgery!

   What takes so much time is the referrals from my HMO, because all the surgery is being done at USC University Hospital. My HMO doesn't have an orthopedics department anymore. My first hip replacement, back in 1993, was performed through my HMO, and the process didn't take long at all, compared to what I've been going through this time.

  The surgery has been scheduled. It's going to be June 3rd, 2009. Last time I actually saw my orthopedist, which was about three months ago, he told me a good orthopedic surgeon could conceivably perform six hip replacement operations in one day. In my case, the O.R. has to be reserved all day just for me. A normal hip replacement is performed pretty quickly these days, but in my case, there might be decisions which have to be made while I'm opened up laying on the operating table concerning how much of the "old" prosthesis is kept inside me, and what "new" parts are to be installed.

  I was able to take a virtual "trip" inside my left hip with the doctor last time out, looking at the computer monitor as he maneuvered inside my body using the CAT scan technology. I could easily see the damage to the prosthesis, the way the ball joint was "out of joint" with the socket, and could plainly see the loose screw which is in my hip bone, but not attached to the leg anymore. Dr, Longjohn (yes this is his real name) is pretty confident that there won't be any problems.

  As I've written during my recent move into a new home, I had to postpone scheduling the operation until I knew for a fact where I was going to be living, and that postponement almost took one of the referrals out of date. I am still awaiting the scheduling of the pre operation appointment with the USC University internist. If my own HMO had an orthopedics department, like back in 93, this would be my own doctor, but since this is not being done locally, another doctor from the hospital will act as internist. I also have more tests to take, and possibly a full physical, with the doctors from USC University. I was told by their scheduler that I was going to receive a packet in the mail, but this hasn't happened yet.

  What hurts sometimes more than the pain in my leg and hip is the waiting. At least I know I have a particular date for the surgery, and I pretty much know what to expect after the surgery is performed.

  I will assume my tests and the internist appointment will be sometime in April. I'll have further tests taken in May, and will see the orthopedist at least one more time during pre op appointments prior to the acutal surgery. One thing I remember clearly from the first time I had a hip replacement is the measuring of my inseams on both legs, to make sure both legs "match up" post surgery. When I sit down and look at my thighs right now, it's easy to see where the dislocation appears. My left hip is really off kilter when compared to the right.

  In fact, I'm surprised I'm not in more pain than I am suffering.

  I'm taking Tylenol Codeine #3. I take one pill before driving to work. One of two pills when I get home, and another when I go to sleep. I doubt how much the pain medication is really working, because I never seem to be out of pain any more. Sometimes it's less intense, and the pain pills do help me to sleep, but I'm glad I began pushing for answers to the pain last year, or else I might still be suffering and not really know that the hip is broken. I've thought about asking someone for a stronger pain medication, but with the surgery so close, I'm hoping I don't need anything stronger than I'm on right now.

  During my move, I didn't even use my crutches. I took two pain pills at a time, every four hours, during the two days I moved. (The weekend of February 21-22) I can hardly believe that was a month ago! The next weekend I was twisting and wiggling my body underneath the mobile home helping the DirecTV installer route the cable from the dish to my DVR box. Any pain I experienced I put on my "back burner" and didn't pay attention, cause I wanted to get myself moved, set up, and ready in my new place. Friends asked me where the crutches were during the move, and I said I was okay without them for the time being.

  Only reason I'm on crutches in the first place is so that I don't further dislocate the leg from the hip socket. If the thing came completely out, then I'd really be in trouble. So I can walk without the crutches, it just hurts more, and as time passes, I do seem to "need" the crutches, because any weight put on my left leg when I'm standing or walking, sends unbelievable pain through my leg and knee. The pain is not just in my hip, but spreads all the way down my leg, and also hovers around my midsection. I sometimes have to "position" myself when I'm sitting, to find a spot where I'm not hurting. 

  After the move, I've been working normally (except for one Thursday two weeks ago when I was in so much pain I took two pills in the morning and didn't risk driving the 15 miles to work.) I notice I spend more time in my office, and don't walk around the facility too much. I find I'm using the crutches more often, and even use them when I'm at home "around the house". For a long while, I didn't feel the need to use them at home, but I find it difficult to move around without their help.

  My ex girlfriend Liz, who used to live pretty near the hospital where I will have the surgery, will be dropping me off at the hospital in June, and picking me up three days later to take me home after I rehabilitate enough to leave. I will be taking a mixture of vacation time and full disability after the operation. I figure I'll probalby be off work for about two- three weeks. 've checked out how I will enter and exit my car when I am able to drive to work, and it's a chore trying to get in the car with my leg straightened. I drive a small convertible sports car. Last time I had the surgery, I was living with Pat, so she drove me into work, but I will be driving myself this time, so I will have to be pretty well "put together" before I can do that. There will be a physical therapist coming to visit me at my home for at least a week or two following the surgery.

  So that's where I am at this point in the process. I know whent the surgery is going to be, and where. I still have some pre op appointments to make for tests. I don't know whether to take my vacation time before or after the full disability payments. (probably a better plan, because I will be getting full pay for vacation, and can probably schedule up to 5 weeks vacation. Disability doesn't pay my full paycheck, and I need every penny I can muster these days.) I haven't really even budgeted my finances yet, cause I still have a little "extra" from the escrow account, and I'm still trying to whittle down some of my credit card debt.

  • 10:10 am
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