8 Months Post-Op

I am 8 months post-op from my FO with Dr. Millis @ Children's. I saw my local OS today, Dr. Maiers, for a follow-up and to get new x-rays. It does look like the fracture site is starting to ossify, but Millis will be the judge of whether or not it is healed enough to do the "trochanteric transfer" and align it with my left hip. During the healing process the bone shifted leaving the greater trochanter of my right hip 2+ cm higher than that of my left. It effects the strength and function of my right hip, not to mention throwing off the alignment. The femoral blade-plate and screws will come out, the greater trochanter adjusted and will probably be left with 2 screws and hopefully no more surgery on the right hip. My left hip has been hurting quite a bit, which can be from a variety of factors, but right now the chronic bursitis and feeling of impingement are aggravating. I am hoping in 6 months my left hip can be fixed and I can take a break from surgeries for a very long time. Millis does not believe that my left hip will need an osteotomy, but probably more like a residual impingement.

I am very apprehensive just thinking about another invasive hip surgery, especially on the right because it has been such a long struggle trying to fix a problem someone else created. But, this is the first time I finally feel like we are truly coming to the end of this road. I feel like I am getting stronger with PT and getting to a point physically I could not have imagined a year ago. My PT and I have even been talking about the possibility of getting strong enough to run! I am feeling positive about the steps and direction I am headed, but also nervous to go through the surgery-recovery process once again. I was actually hoping to avoid or decline the option of the trochanteric transfer, but when I saw the x-rays today I was shocked how "off" it really looked and it clicked in my head why they would push for that option. I ultimately want to what is best and what will give me the best outcome, but it is not always the easiest decision. I also know to expect that every time my right leg is cut into my CRPS goes into overdrive and it becomes a struggle to get under control. I am glad that my new pain doc is pushing for a ketamine infusion started during the operation and maintained for at least 3 days in-patient, which is my expected stay, ultimately hoping to put the CRPS into remission or at least keeping it from spreading. I emailed Millis this evening with x-ray pics and a cd of the images are being sent to Boston, so hopefully I will hear from him soon in regards to specifics!

Skillet - Awake and Alive

I saw SKILLET headline at WinterJam 2012 in Louisville, KY. They have been a favorite band of mine for over 10 years and the show was absolutely amazing! They are a Christian band and not only can they relate to so many, so many relate to them and their music, me included!

February Update

January has already flown by and February is half over! I am still looking for work, but am getting some leads and hopefully an interview and job soon!!! I have been spending my Monday afternoons for the last month at Sports Performance by Methodist Sports Medicine. I have been getting a weekly butt kicking by my PT, Noah. I am really seeing improvements and only have a slight limp at the moment. Each week gets harder, but I am enjoying being able to work this hard. I bought my first pair of running shoes for the first time in years! I have been able to eliminate the use of narcotic pain killers, weaned off crutches, increasing strength and now am going to kick up the cardio and drop some weight. I have been trying to work on things in stages and my next goal is to lose weight and improve my endurance.

I see Maiers next week and will be able to update Millis with new x-rays and we can then plan our next surgical steps. I have been thinking about it a lot lately and I am not sure if I want more done than just the plate removal and some bone overgrowth removed. Having a trochanteric transfer means breaking more bone, weeks non-weight bearing and starting over. Not to mention every time my right leg is operated on, my CRPS gets worse, especially through the healing process. I would rather just do the plate removal and then concentrate on my left hip. My left should hopefully only need a scope for residual impingement, but we will know more after some new images. I am really pushing for one final hip surgery and to be able to heal and move on. I will continue to think and discuss this and will make a decision when I know more information in a week or so. Fingers crossed all goes well!

Although my hips seem to be improving (the left is irritated), my nerves are not doing as well. My new pain doc has confirmed my "nerve issues" are CRPS-2 and the initial "trauma" that set it off was my RPAO in June 2009 when not even 24 hours post-op my thigh turned a bright and hot red. It was not an infection and no one could explain it, but it was actually the leg over-reacting to the surgery. I also found out that my low back pain that I assumed was from my years of hip surgeries and continuous gait changes is actually a disc degenerating and slightly bulged between L4-L5. It is not the cause of my CRPS, but is something I will need to watch and take care of in the future. It could have been from years of athletics, Army training and also from the hip surgeries and throwing off my spinal alignment. I am already doing all I can to help it with PT and strengthening core muscles, working on even gait, etc. My pain doc also wants to wait and have ketamine used during my next surgery to help with the CRPS and hopefully put it into remission. If necessary, we will do another sympathetic block if needed, but am trying to wait unless I have a flare prior to surgery that is out of control. We are also increasing my Lyrica to three times a day to help with the increase in nerve pain hoping that it will be enough and to use the "big guns" around the time of surgery. I really like Dr. Ratzman. He is very thorough and we seem to be on the same page in regards to treatment.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! I have not had the greatest history with this "holiday" and even though this year I do not have a significant other to share it with, I will be sharing the day with the ones I love. My family gives cards to eachother and will watch "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown."



Enjoy everyday with the your loved ones!