Surgery #3 and 2 Weeks Post-Op

Pre-Op w/ My bestie - Post-Op Right Scope

I am a little over 3 weeks post-op from my 3rd hip surgery. I had my right hip scoped, again, and the surgery was preformed on 10 Aug. 2010. Dr. Maiers preformed the surgery and the original plan was to do femoral head reshaping. During the surgery the plans changed because of the damage found. In addition to the femoral osteochondroplasty, I needed a labral repair and iliopsoas tendon release because the tendon was "snapping" over my hip joint, aggravating and worsening the labral tear. There was degeneration and arthritis. Dr. Maiers seemed very sombre when he gave me the news. The surgery lasted 2.5 hours, an hour longer than planned and my recovery is a lot different than anticipated. I am not allowed to bend past 90 degrees, bear more than 50% of my body weight and absolutely have no external rotation for a minimum of 4 weeks.

A week after surgery I participated in Hippie Union 2010! There was nearly half a dozen girls
involved all sharing stories, advice and new information we have found. It was a great weekend with some amazing women.

You Don't Get Use To It; You Just Get Through It...

Since my last entry and a lot of information has come my way. I am scheduled for a right hip arthroscopic procedure 10 August. It is for a femoral osteochondroplasty used to correct impingement. I developed the impingement after the RPAO because of bone overgrowth and new bone position. Hopefully, reshaping the femoral will provide some relief and restore some function. When we were discussing the level of function and pain relief I may get from the surgery will be at best 80%, but more realistically in the 70% range. I was afraid to ask, but I asked if it would never be realistic to run again. Dr. Maiers told me because of how my right hip healed after the PAO and the continued pain and problems it would only have a negative effect on the joint causing more problems in the future. It is unrealistic to think that I will be at the level of activity I was prior to the RPAO. It was heartbreaking because I was told all along that I would be able to run again and it would just be a long recovery process, but I would get back to it. After the latest appointment it just feels as if all hope has faded. I love running and its been a part of me for so long that I can't imagine my life without it. On the other end, I don't want to be crippled or have a THR when I am 30.

I have been stressed a lot lately with the upcoming surgery and the bills that don't seem to stop coming. I have been applying for jobs whenever I get a chance, even if it's a part time job, anything would be helpful right now. I also am pursuing a graduate degree or two! As of right now I will be doing a Masters of Public Health Certificate this next year and will be in law school the following fall. I am taking the LSAT this October and my top choices for law school are: Indiana University-Indianapolis and University of Arkansas-Fayetteville...Go Razorbacks! It would be nice to get my JD from the same place I grew up! I would also be able to watch Razorback football games on the weekend and enjoy the beautiful Ozark scenery. There is a different air to the south. Southern hospitality, cooking, football and southern accents...I miss it! Keeping my head up and trying to keeping searching for jobs! Keeping my fingers crossed!

What's Next...

Sorry for it being so long since the last post, but life has been a little crazy lately. I graduated with my Bachelors of Arts in Political Science in May. I have also applied to a graduate program at IU Medical school for a Masters of Public Health, which I found out was not accepted, but I will be in the certificate program and can reapply in 6 months. I will be doing a 15 credit hour certificate, which means I can transfer all the credits and will not have lost time. Basically, its almost like having a probationary period. That's what I get when competing for the same slots as doctors and lawyers! My older brother, Michael, is getting married in 3 weeks to his fiancée Danelle. I am so excited for them and wish them all the best.

I spent most of June at Camp Atterbury doing annual training with my National Guard Unit. It was a good time, I learned a lot, but the food sucked. It was so bad they even screwed up the fruit, which is sad because you don't do anything to fruit! I was able to train with the medics and keep up on my skills. It was really cool to put in IVs and draw blood. It pushed me outside my comfort zone and I learned a lot. I have been thinking about reclassing to medic for my Army job as well as patient administration. I am not sure what I am going to do, but I definitely have to take my hips into consideration and think about my physical limitations and long-term effects. I did get cortisone injections in both hips prior to my training and my left hip felt fantastic, but unfortunately my right hip did not get any relief. I will see my doc tomorrow and will find out if a scope will help clean it up and give me more function and relief.

I just spend Independence Day weekend in Wisconsin with family and friends and had a great time! I brought my pup Chloe with and she did great with all the new people, places, and things! She was a great travel buddy too! My parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary and they are going strong!

I have been training hard lately and have been getting stronger, but the hip pain is holding me back. I am proud of the fact that I was able to run 2 miles today coming in right under 22 minutes. It is about 6 minutes slower than my fastest time, but feels good to have the running shoes on!

Long Time, No Blog

Well, It has been awhile since the last post and so many things in my life has happened. I graduate in only a couple short weeks, 9 May 2010. I am excited to be officially done and move on to the next phase in my life. I plan on continuing my education with a Master's of Public Health starting next fall, but I still have a lot of decisions to make. I have moved to a new apartment within the same complex and I love it. It is a little smaller, but the layout is great and its on the first floor where I can have a grill and Chloe can play in her own grassy, little backyard. The major plus is that my ex, Andrew, has not been here and there are no memories of him in my new place. I even have noticed that Chloe is happier in the new environment.

I have also had some stress in relation to my hip healing from the scope. I fell at work a few weeks ago and fortunately did not break anything, but have more than likely broke up scar tissue, tore open the capsule and/or re-tore the labral cartilage. I was looking forward to running in a couple weeks, but yet again, it has been delayed farther. It also does not help that I have developed impingement from my RPAO surgery last summer that will need to be fixed. Dr. Maiers would like me to have a break for awhile and does not want to do the surgery because it will delay training time, but I am not allowed to train injured or not fully recovered per Army regulations. That means I am going to have to have my right hip scoped asap to fix the impingement and my left possibly may need to be scoped if I tore the labral cartilage again. If the pain does not get better in the next couple weeks then I will need an MRI to determine if I re-tore the labral cartilage in my left hip. Well, this isn't stressful at all! During my last visit with Maiers I broke down from stress and he is so amazing, gave me a big hug and gave me encouraging words. It makes me feel better to know that my doc genuinely cares and will do what he can to help.

On a happy note, my older brother, Michael, and his fiancée, Danelle, are getting married 28 July 2010. From dating, to engaged, to married in about 6 months! I am so happy for them. They are perfect for eachother and I am so glad they are both in a great place in their life. Michael will also be going active duty early this fall as an Army Chaplain and I know that he will be a great assest to the Armed Forces.

Chloe will be one year old next month and I can not believe that I have had her for this long and how much she has grown. She is not much of a pup, but such a pretty little girl. I found a pic from the breeder when she was just a baby fuzz!


I can not believe how big she has gotten and what a great companion she is to have around. I just can not wait to take her running, but unfortunately it will be longer than I want. I have to be able to heal though, but it is discouraging to keep having problems/issues/setbacks.

I am happy for my friend, Jessica, who is going to be able to have her surgery 20 July with Dr. Maiers to have her femoral anteversion fixed and I will be there for her every step of the way. Her and I want to get custom shirts made that have TEAM MAIERS on the back! He is a fab doctor and he loves my GOT SCREWS? shirt, so we thought we would be creative and funny and make our own. It has been great having her as a bff, we truly are two peas in a pod...thank God for great friends and an amazing family and of course, Chloe! :)

6 Weeks Post-Op and So Very Sore...

This week marks 6 weeks post-op and I am so sore. The weather is making my hips act crazy and I am hoping the warm weather stays to give me a break. Both my hips have been so sore and the more I work and the busier my schedule gets the more sore I am. I was given more exercises from my physical therapist and I wanted to scream yesterday after I got them all done. I think he might be trying to kill me, lol. I am getting anxious to run and feel normal again. I only walk with a slight limp and usually that is only when I am really sore. Dr. Maiers says I am doing great, but after asking him to run he replied "Don't even think about it!" I have about 2 more months before I can start. My hip is still raw and inflammed from the surgery and running is too much stress on it right now. I was prescribed a refill for voltaren which helps so much with the inflammation. I was called in a script for darvocet and flexeril from Dr. Scheid's office for increased right hip pain, but I hate taking narcotics so I have been managing with the voltaren, stretching and icy hot. I want to use as little medications as possible, but sometimes the pain wins the battle. My incisions sites still have not completely healed, but they are looking a lot better and each day are a little closer to being completely healed.

This surgery has been a lot easier than the RPAO and Dr. Maiers is convinced that I will NOT need a LPAO because it was borderline and the femoral osteochondroplasty brought me over the edge. I will probably pursue the right hip arthroscopy to clean up and release the iliopsoas tendon in the next few months, but both hips are so inflammed that I want that to heal a bit before adding more stress on the joints. I am very pleased with the results and am focused on recovering and looking forward to running this summer!

The World's Greatest OS!!!

These next few weeks are going to be crazy for me. There are a few birthdays to celebrate, moving to a different apartment in the same complex and graduating in May! After the dissolution of my relationship with Andrew, my dad and I have decided to move to a slightly smaller apartment within the same complex and it is also on the first floor which will be nice in case I need more surgeries, lol! I want a fresh start in a new place with no memories of Andrew and I. The apartment I currently have is about 1300 square feet and the new apartment is about 1100 square feet, which will save about $230 a month on rent and expenses. I have been purchasing new furniture for my new place and am excited for a good change and a place to call my own. We will also be able to have a grill because there is a patio, which I have cute furniture for and Chloe will be able to relax in her own little grassy backyard. Our move date is 17 April, so it is approaching quickly!

I am most excited about my commencement ceremony 9 May! I am so excited to get my first degree. I am currently in the application process for my master's and law program. I am also trying to find a full-time job in the political science arena and maybe pursue my graduate degree's part-time, so that I may gain some work experience and pay down some school loans. I have a lot of options and trying to do what is best for me and my future. Exciting times!!!

12 days Post-Op from Left Hip Scope

I will be two weeks post-op on Thursday. This most recent surgery was much easier than the RPAO. The pain was not as bad as I anticipated, but also I think my pain tolerance has risen after the PAO. I was on a toradol drip over night and had to stay over night at the Methodist Medical Plaza as a precaution as well as the fact my bp fell to 85/55. I really did not want to stay, but Dr. Maiers encouraged me that it would be better if I did, so I wasn't going to argue with my OS. It really wasn't that bad, but I did have PT first thing in the morning and was released the following day by about 9am and went home to sleep the rest of the day. With all the medication I only stayed up to watch a half of the opening ceremony to the Winter Olympics. I was bummed that I missed the parade of nations. It is my own personal tradition to watch both summer and winter Olympics and all the ceremonies associated with them.

8 months post-op RPAO, 1 week post-op Left Hip Scope

The left femoral head is now round, iliopsoas tendon released and labral cartilage debrided

My first post-op visit was last Friday and my x-rays looked great! The femoral head is now round and I was feeling pretty good. The stitches were taken out, but unfortunately one of the incision sites did not close all the way and was a "hole" still left in my leg. Although the assistant trying to help told me it was only a scab and would fall off later, Dr. Maiers confirmed it was a "hole." Geez lady, I think I know what a wound is when I see one. Steri-strips were put over it, but no more than 36 hours later it was infected, even though I kept it clean and dry. I am now on antiobiotics for the next week, yeah me! Dr. Maiers believes that my left looks good enough that a LPAO would not be necessary, but it still is no guarantee. Time will tell if the surgery was successful and I will not need the LPAO. He did say however I will probably need an iliopsoas release and some tweaking on my right hip, but will hold off till everything calms down a bit.

Pre-Op pic

Post-Op pic

Jessica came with me and stayed prior to surgery and visited after! She brought treats!

My dad was there for surgery and post-op, but Mom stayed with me for the first few days.

Overall, I am satisfied with the surgery. It was not as bad as I anticipated and the damage found was not as bad as Dr. Maiers expected. It was about 2 hours overall and it did not take me hours to come out of anesthesia this time, like it usually does. I have been doing pretty well since the surgery, sore as expected, but getting around well. I can bear as much weight as comfortable, but still have to use crutches for another few weeks. I am just ready to get back into the gym and get training again. I am ready to go and run and play with Chloe!

Post-Op Incisions and Swelling

Left Hip Sugery Tomorrow...AaHhAAhhh!!!

Tomorrow morning I am having my left hip scoped. My labral cartilage will be repaired, the iliopsoas tendon will be released and the femoral head reshaped. I am nervous, but trying to pass the time reading magazines and playing on the computer.

The last week and a half has been a living nightmare for me, which I would love to discuss more, but can not for the time being. I do thank all my family and friends for their love and support throughout one of the most difficult times in my life. Despite everything that has happened I know I have been truly blessed with the world's most amazing friends and family. I have needed their support now more than ever and I have a great support group.

Tomorrow begins the recovery for my left hip and I am getting nervous and I pray that my right hip does not flare up and cause any problems. I know I am in great hands because Dr. Maiers is amazing and I hope this surgery will allow me to avoid the LPAO and get me back to the lifestyle that I love.

Chloe is going to be a great rehab buddy and I am so grateful that I have her! My mom will also be staying for the weekend and I will have my "hip" girls to keep me company. I will also get to watch the 2010 Olympic Winter Games which begin Friday night! I am so excited...I love sports and the Olympics are a fav to watch!!! :) Unfortunately, it will also be the first year I am missing the ROTC military ball. I will be unable to make it because of my surgery/recovery. It sucks because it is my senior year, but I know there will be more. I hope all my fellow cadets have a great time!

I appreciate all the love, support and prayers. I have been having a difficult time lately and am grateful for my family, friends and hipchicks! I will post more after the surgery, keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well!!!

Less than 2 weeks and counting...

I have just past the two week mark till my surgery and I feel like time is flying faster than I can move to get things done! The weather lately has been a bummer and my hips have been very angry at me, like I can control the weather!! I totally understand why retirees move to Florida because your body hurts way less in warmer weather lol I have been trying to make up homework and exams prior to the surgery so I won't be behind following the surgery, but my work load was already hard enough and now I have even more work. I have also been cleaning and organizing the apartment so things will be easily accesible for me post-op. I did schedule a hair appointment and mani/pedi the day before my surgery for a little pampering.

I am boarding my pup, Chloe, for about 3 days during my surgery so she can play and get her attention while I get mine. I will miss her though, she sleeps in the bed everynight and it will be very weird to not have her to cuddle with while I recover. She has a luxury suite at Barkefellers and gets to play with other dogs during the day, what a life!!! She also gets to watch movies at night and pupcorn to snack on! Its too cute!



I wish I could sneak her into my pre-op room as a service dog! I wonder if they would notice? lol She has been a blessing to have around and motivates me to recover quickly so I can play with her!

I am just getting so anxious for my surgery. I love my surgeon, Dr. Maiers, and know he will do a great job, but the pain level freaks me out and I wake up very poorly which also scares me. I don't handle anesthesia very well and take an abnormally long amount of time to wake up from it and when I do I shake uncontrollably and can't hardly breathe, which just makes me panic even more! I am also unsure of the recovery. I know, weird, I went through the PAO and that is what I was prepping myself for, but had a curveball thrown my way instead. That and I am so hoping this will be enough so that I do not need a LPAO, but trying not to get my hopes up too high just in case I still need to have it done. I am trying to keep myself mentally prepared for whatever I need to do to get back to running, being active and army training. I have been having nightmares about the surgery almost every night and its not helping with the anxiety nor is the lack of sleep. I am just ready to get this done with so that I may recover!

Surgery in 3 WEEKS!!!

So, I had my appointment with Dr. Maiers this morning and I was there for almost 2 hours, but I have to say that I feel pretty good after talking with him. I had numerous x-rays and will need a ct scan in the couple weeks prior to the surgery. We discussed my options and have decided to pursue a hip arthroscopy in which Dr. Maiers will reshape my femoral head because I have "weird hip bones" and he will also do a cartilage repair and psoas tendon release. The dysplasia on my right hip has improved by ten degrees with the RPAO, but my left is borderline and doing the femoral head reshaping might be enough to avoid the LPAO, which is great! It is not a guarantee, but worth the surgery if it does provide relief. So I scheduled it and I will be having my left hip scoped 3 weeks from tomorrow morning. The surgery should take about 2.5 hours, if all goes well and I will have to use crutches for about a month, but will be allowed to bear weight as tolerated. The total recovery times is upwards of 6 months and I should be able to start running again in about 3 months if all goes accordingly to plan.

Although I am extremely nervous, I know I am in good hands with Maiers and I hope this will fix my problem. Since this is also less invasive than the PAO and might give me more options in regards to the Army. I am hoping that will give me the opportunites I have worked so hard for, but I do have to stay realistic. It is exciting to see some hope again. I was devastated when I got my MRI results Friday and Scheid shoved me off, but I feel much more re-leaved after speaking with Maiers. Hopefully I will be ready for surgery because in 3 weeks it is coming whether I like it or not!

Let it Begin...

We are only a few days into the new year and I can already feel the stress. I am officially 7 months post-op tomorrow and am excited for my progress however the whole process is starting over again, but for my left hip. I saw my OS yesterday, Dr. Scheid, and I am getting an MRI arthrogram and cortisone injection next Wednesday. The type and area of pain indicate a labral tear, something that I am all too familiar with, and he might want to have it arthroscopically evaluated first, see how it heals and then pursue a the LPAO if I continue to have problems. The part that worries me is that I tore cartilage in my right hip and both the scope and PAO were done the same day. I do not have the time to scope it, wait to heal, then more than likely do the PAO afterwards because I have school and training for the army and it makes it soo difficult to work around numerous operations expecially since I have spent the last year recovering from the right. The eerie thing about it all is that exactly one year ago next week I tore my labrum and ligaments in my right hip, which started this whole journey. I know this feeling all too well and would really like to have one surgery to fix it all and move on to recovery. I have to wait for the results to figure out when I will see the doc again, but I hope and pray that it can all be done at once. I hate playing the waiting game. I am just frustrated because I have moderate dysplasia in both hips and don't understand why he is approaching the left hip differently than the right.

Also, my boyfriend, Andrew, and I are taking some time apart because we have hit a really rough patch. I feel that when it rains it pours. Although I have postitive feelings for 2010, it is not starting out how I hoped. I love him very much, but I am not sure if we are going to be able to fix the damage at this point. I physcially can not take anymore stress and I just want to feel better again. All of this makes my depression worse and these are the moments when I doubt myself and I wonder if I will ever heal, or if anything could go right. Sometimes I wonder just how much more I can take.

Fortunately, I have some amazing hippie girls that are always there for support. I am so glad to see that Sabrina, Marcie and Courtney are doing well. Shelly goes in for her RPAO tomorrow and she is all our thoughts and prayers. Shelly also got engaged! Congrats girlie! At least she has something to look forward to and plan while she recovers.


Having the girls around and talking with Jen and Marcie via email and FB has made it easier. Its nice to bounce thoughts off others and get others support. I was just shocked about how my doc has decided to approach the left hip. I had prepared myself for just the LPAO at the end of the semester, not for a possible scope, MRI, etc.

Classes start next week and I have to get a lot finished before then. I have a lot on my mind and I hope that everything will work out...