New Surgery Date

I went to the surgeons last Thursday for my pre-op appointment. You know pre-op for the June 26th Surgery, right? Wrong! It turns out that my surgeon has to have hip surgery (ironic I know). His surgery is on June 20th. There is no way he would be able to perform my surgery just six days after his own! A lot of his surgeries are very time consuming, so they are all pushed back until July - September. My surgery is only three hours long and the doctor wants to get this hardware out because of the post-op infection I had so they wanted to squeeze me in before his surgery. My new surgery date is Friday, June 5th!!! AHHHH - that's right, this week!! I am freaking out a little. I had so many things planned between now and June 26th that I have had to cancel.

For this 3rd and hopefully final surgery on my right hip they are going to be removing the hardware, doing a scope to fix a possible labrum tear, and removing a heterotopic ossification.

Heterotopic ossification — Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a process by which the soft tissues around the hip harden into bone. This complication is more common in males than in females, and more often affects patients with other muscle or bone conditions. Patients with HO may experience hip stiffness, or may feel no discomfort at all. Patients who are known to be at high risk for HO may be given medications or radiation therapy after surgery to prevent HO from occurring. Borrowed from: http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~l/K..Sw6LW_v63G

If you have read my previous posts, you know that the doctors thought that I had a snapping Psoas tendon. However, the ultrasound and x-rays reviled that the muscle and tendons are getting "caught" on this extra piece of bone. Boy, I'll tell you if it was going to go wrong - I think it has with this RPAO. I really hope that my LPAO won't have so many complications!!!

So these next four days are going to be pretty busy trying to to prepare for this surgery!!! Wish me luck!!!

This & That

It has been a while since I have posted, but really until the next surgery on June 26th there really has not been much to report.

I am keeping myself busy by going to the gym, running (or trying to at least) and getting back to playing tennis. I have missed tennis so much as I have been recouping. I have been out at least two times this week to play. I played with my friend for the first time since my surgery. That was a lot of fun. I was up 3 games to 1 until he started coming back. We played until we couldn't see anymore and he ended up beating me by one game. After playing, I said "Now that I have this new hip, I'm giving you a run for your money, aren't I" to which he replied "You are playing really well". See there, my game was bad because of the hip...haha take that!! I am not competitive at all...or sarcastic.

My right hip has been sore, but I admit I have been putting the beat down on it with tennis and running. I am still hyper sensitive in my thigh area with the nerves and feeling coming back. I am quite anxious to have June 26th get here and be done with. After this next surgery I will be able to truly move on!!

So really, no news or little news is good. It means I am holding on. Hope everyone enjoys this wonderful Memorial Day weekend. We are putting a new roof on the house this weekend. Don't worry, I am on the ground crew. There is NO WAY I would do that type of incline with still recovering. Roof, tennis, and picnics = a busy weekend!!

7 Month Post PAO

It has been 7 months and 4 days since my RPAO. All and all I am feeling pretty good. I have had my fair share of complications with this surgery, but all and all I do not regret it. I have some pain and weakness yet, but I can walk again with out falling.

Since my last post I went to see my surgeon on 4/9/09. I was not scheduled to see him, but when I got to PT and Paul saw that I was still in pain, he wanted to make sure that I did not hurt anything when I fell down the steps. I had x-rays taken and met with Dr. Goodspeed. The good news is that I did not do anything to the newly constructed hip. The bad news is, there is another "complication". Since surgery I have had a hard time bending then extending my leg whether it is laying, sitting, or standing. Think about putting your pants on and how you move your leg for that; or laying flat on your back and bringing your knees to chest and extending them out, like in Pilate's. When I say "hard time", I mean extreme pain and a pinching sensation. I had thought that this was because I was still too weak. Turns out I have a Snapping Psoas Tendon. Yeah, I know, if was going to happen...

The doctor said that from the reconstruction of the hip it seems as if the tendon is getting caught on a piece of bone and then releasing (think rubber band), hence the pain and popping sound. He could hear and feel it as he made me do the motions like 20 times - yes fun, fun. The good news to come out of this is that they will be able to "release" the tendon arthroscopic, which means a quicker recoup time. My surgery is scheduled for June 26th. I think this is the only year that I have ever wanted to wish away. I am eager to get this surgery and get on the recovery road again. I have stopped PT for now. My PT, Paul and me decided that it would be better to continue after the surgery. Then I will be able to do the movements with my leg that will help me get stronger.

On Sunday, April 19th I completed the MS walk of 4 miles. I was very hesitant in doing the walk this year but felt that I needed to do it. A very dear and close friend of mine was diagnosed with MS about 4 years ago. She is not even 30 years old yet!! Since her diagnosis I have walked in her name. My thought process was if someone can fight everyday of their lives with MS then I can surely suck up any pain I might feel and walk for them. The surgeon told me that the bones are healing nicely and that I can try anything I want, I just might have a little pain. By 3.5 miles, I was really feeling it and was starting to wobble (can I just tell you how much I hate wobbling - I am sure all my fellow "hipsters" can attest to this). But, I made it - 4 miles at a great paced walk. I felt like I really accomplished something!!

That same day I had my first Special Olympics tennis practice. This is my first year ever coaching and volunteering for the SO's. I have six athletes signed up. Three were not able to make it to practice due to prior obligations, one did not show, and two athletes were there. I really think I am going to enjoy coaching. One of my athletes is going to defiantly keep me on my toes this season. Since it was just two athletes, my friend (who is my assistant coach) and me participated with the athletes. So I ended up getting two very nice workouts in this Sunday. Now I am not going to lie, I was not feeling all that great that night. I ended up having to take some pain medication, which I don't like to do. But all and all I was happy to have survived the day.

Now we count down for June 26th, and pray that this will be the last surgery for my right hip!!

Btw...if any are interested I found a video of one of the things Iam getting done in June. Warning...not for the weak stomach. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWXLFnO-BMU

Just when you think your out...they pull you back in!

I have been attending physical therapy twice a week since November. I had been making great strides and was getting very excited at the prospect of leaving that part of the recovery behind. But apparently my body has decided other wise.

Last Thursday, 3/26/09 I completely broke down at PT. I felt so discouraged. Here I am six months out from surgery and I have hit a wall! I read of my fellow PAO's being finished with their PT and here I am...still. My physical therapist, Paul saw the look on my face, that look of "I'm in pain, but dammit I am going to win this battle" and that is when the talk came. Paul called over another PT who is well versed in Strain / Counterstrain. I am still having problems with my muscles communicating properly with my brain. And with more probing, they are pretty positive that it is a labral tear in my hip. I am under strict orders not to do any more lower body work outs until advised. And Paul has limited my PT to one time a week to try and get me to rest more. I have a call into my surgeon to see if I can go in for surgery in May instead of June. June was the targeted month for my screw removal, but I am really hoping for May since a) don't want to be in pain anymore and b) don't want to be sedentary anymore. I am a very active person and this "resting" thing is killing me. I physically feel ill when I can't work out!

To add insult to injury on Friday I went to go down to the basement and get something when I fell down the steps!! I tried to throw my weight and managed to land much harder on my left side, but still hurt the op (right) side pretty good. I called the surgeon and he feels that I did not do any damage. I have had a clicking sensation when I walk ever since the fall. If that and the pain do not go away within the next week, I am to call them and get in to see them. UGH!!!

My main goal is to stay strong until the next surgery. I was so very close to having this all behind me and then WHAM!! I just want to be able to enjoy the things I did before. Positive thoughts!!!

6 Months Post RPAO

Technically it is 6 months and one week from my original surgery on September 16th, 2008. I am allowed to start jogging/running now. This makes me very happy - my hips however - not liking the running just yet.

I am still in physical therapy, but I am hoping that will end soon. As I said in my last post I have a possible labrum tear. I am almost convinced of this now because the pain in that area will not go away. I told Paul (my PT) that I feel like I am in a holding pattern until June. June is when the doctor is going to take the screws out and do a hip scope (if I am still in pain). I have gotten a little better in the last month - but nothing huge. My theory is to try not to think about how slow things have been going and only think about how far I have come.

From the technical aspect of things:

• I am able to run - as tolerated
• In P.T. I have been working on agility drills to help get me back into tennis
• My scar looks pretty good and I am surprised at how quickly it has healed
• I still have to lift my leg onto the gas and brake when I first get into the car - but I am working on this in therapy
• I still have some pain during and after a work out
• On rainy days I feel like I am 90 years old - as I now "feel" the weather. The doctor told me that this is not an old wives tale, but that people who have anything done with their bones are more adapt to "feel" the weather

On a much happier and brighter note - I am anxiously awaiting April 19th. That will be my first practice as the Tennis Coach for Special Olympics Area M. I am very excited and nervous all at the same time. I hope that I can do as good of job as everyone has faith in me to do.

Also on April 19th - I will walk 3 miles for the MS walk-a-thon. I have done this every year since I found out that one of my closest friends was diagnosed with MS. I walk for her and all of the many others who have MS. I truly hope that in our lifetime there will be a cure.

So it seems that I will do my best to continue to heal and regain my strength until June. Life should keep me pretty busy until then...

Pitty party over

I am done with my pity party! Quite frankly pity parties aren't my bag! I have always believed that everything happens for a reason and that God only give you what you can handle (damn, he has a lot of faith in me). With that said...everyone deserves one day to be "off" and feel down - the next day is a new day and time to move on.

I had another post-op appointment with Goodspeed yesterday. I am not exactly sure what I was hoping to get out of that appointment - I guess I was hoping to go in, tell him about the muscle pain and weakness, and for him to say "Ah, I see. Here is what is wrong, and here is how we can fix it". That did not happen. He told be that the bones look great and from a surgical aspect I am right where I should be. My range of motion has increased since December (last appointment) and the strength tests that they do improved. Heck, my range of motion is better in my PAO hip then it is in my left (but that hip is next for surgery). Goodspeed said the only thing he could think is that I have a labrum tear. He did not see one during the PAO surgery, but said it could have happened since. The only way to know is to do a scope which he will not do until I get my screws removed at the 9 month mark. My 9 month mark is June.

I also had PT that day. I had my pity moment with Paul and voiced my frustration. But then the old Renee came through. I told him that if Goodspeed says I shouldn't be having pain and everything looks good - then it is time to kick it into high gear and fight through the pain. Goodspeed let Paul know that we could start doing more aggressive exercises. He also said I could start jogging at 6 months (March 16th...but who's counting). We did some new exercises - some hurt like a bitch, but I did them.

As you will find I have a lot of beliefs or philosophies. I truly believe overcoming things is part ability and part mind over matter. If you have it in your head that you're going to fail, well, then you most likely will. But if you have it in your head that you can overcome the obstacle - you will!! Positive thinking can be hard sometimes - but it is a key element in the healing and recouping process.

5 month (and 2 days) Post-op

Warning: this is somewhat of a pity party...I have been feeling down about my progress and needed to get it all out. Sorry for the lack of happiness. I hope to be back to our regularly scheduled programming soon!

Well it has been 5 months and 2 days since my original POA surgery. Today and the past couple of weeks have not been the best for my recovery. I have been in a lot of pain and discomfort. I feel as though I took a giant leap backwards.

Last week we had a breakthrough in physical therapy. I have not been progressing forward and this concerned my physical therapist, Paul, and myself. Paul asked another PT her thoughts on my situation. She came over to my PT table, put her hand on my hip as I was laying down. She had me relax and she moved my leg into a position, all while still having her hand on my hip. She looked over at Paul and said this was the reason that I was not getting better. My muscle is in one giant ball and can't relax. She said that this can happen with people who have hip surgery where cutting the muscle is involved and since I had it done twice - my muscle is not happy. Apparently, my brain and muscle are not working well together. So to help this, my PT is now doing what they call "Strain / Counterstrain" movements with me. Paul has be relax (which is not easy) and then he moves my leg and hip into positions that help the muscle relax. It has only been a week of this, so I am not sure how well it is working.

I have been feeling pretty down lately because of all of this. My biggest problem is that my heart and head are in it, but my body is not. I want soooo badly to be jogging and doing everything that I use to be able to do. I am really scared that I will not be ready to play tennis and that is something I look forward to doing all winter. I am also very, very concerned with gaining weight. I have come so far in my weight loss that I fear gaining even a pound. I was down 100 pounds, but when I started PT and the gym again, I gained 10, so now I am only down 90 pounds.

Anyway, I have a doctors appointment tomorrow with the surgeon and the infectious disease doctor, so I plan to talk to them about all of this. The pain and the fatigue is really wearing me down. Not to mention the fact that my boss is starting to think I am using my hip surgery as a crutch. I could not even imagine doing that...I want to be better in the worst way!!! I just wish I would not have had so many complications.