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...

2009 Comes to a Close...Thank God!!!

2009 has been both a long and interesting year. For me, it started with one of my last few semesters of school, as well as ROTC. Unknown to me, it also was going to be the start of a long recovery process. Last January I was diagnosed with moderate, bilateral hip dysplasia and was scheduled for a RPAO. It was the result of tearing ligaments and cartilage during an ROTC basketball tournament. Little did I know how involved and intense the surgery and recovery would be. As a result of that I was diagnosed with depression. My path in life has also changed. A year ago I was on the path to commission as a U.S. Army Officer in May 2010, but now will be postponed indefinitely due to the hip condition. Through my hip injury and recovery I have a new-found passion in health law and reform and am now pursuing a law degree with a Master's in Public Health. I will also be re-classing as a medic in the Indiana National Guard and will currently be staying on the enlisted side of the house.

I have also moved into a new apartment on the southside of Indianapolis, which has been a beautiful place to live. The complex is full of military personnel, so I feel right at home! I was also able to get a puppy, thanks to my boyfriend Andrew, and she has been a true blessing. She makes me smile everytime I think about her and she pushes me to heal, so that I may play more with her! She gives me kisses and loves on me and can make any day that much brighter. She has been a great part of the healing process, as well as a great companion.


My boyfriend, Andrew, has been very supportive through the healing process. Although lately we have hit a rough patch, I hope that things will be resolved and we will be better because of it. I am not sure what I will do if things do not work out, but I do not know if I can handle more sadness. I love him very much. I just don't want 2010 to start like 2009 did. I want a fresh and happy start to a new year. I am pushing for a positive outlook.

My family has been amazing. I can always count on them for advice, guidance, support and love. This year has not only been hard on me, but them as well. We have endured job loss, as well as the blessing of a new, great job for my dad. My dad is currently my roommate because of it! lol Rolls Royce is a great place for my dad to work and I greatly enjoy seeing him a lot more. My mom has been a great supporter and cheerleader for all of us. My older brother, Michael, is still pursuing Chaplaincy and is currently working in a hospital. He graduated with his Master's of Divinity; what a smart cookie! My little brother, Aaron, graduted from high school and started pursuing his career in computer technology; he is a smart cookie too! My Auntie Dena has been great support through the hip diagnosis and I can always call her just to chat!! All around, my family is very close and supportive and couldn't be more grateful. I am very blessed.

Through researching my hip condition I came in contact with other women with the same condition. This too has been a blessing. Being able to share the experience with others has been a critical part in healing. It has been wonderful to get to know some amazing women and be able to lean on and cheer on eachother. We truly understand eachother and it makes it easier to get through all that is involved with hip dysplasia. I love all the hippie girls (Marcie, Shelly, Annick, Jen, Jessica, Courtney, Sabrina & Stephanie)!!!

Jessica, Me & Shelly

This year has been full of ups and downs and lately I feel as if it has been more downs. I feel like I have been kicked over and over this year, with little room to breathe. I can not even imagine if I didn't have my family and friends where I would be. God has been looking out for me, even though this past year, I pushed him away in anger, he just hugged tighter and made sure I was taken care of. He is an amazing God. I realize how much I need him in my life and that nothing is possible without him! I am renewing my relationship with Christ and have learned through my trials and tribulations that he is always there for you, even when you push him away.

This year has been nothing short of challenging and has tested me in every aspect of my life. I feel as if I have failed at times, but then I realize that I am still standing and still pushing. I look forward to a new year, new resolutions, new experiences and new relationships/friendships, as well as completing my undergraduate degree and pursuing graduate school!!! I am ready 2010!!!

Only if our doc could see us now...he would probably cringe!!! LOL