Short Status update & Christmas Wishes

[JonMarsh]

Hey guys!

My hip joint replacement surgery Monday came off pretty smoothly- pos t op recovery in the hospital went well, and at home it's continuing in that trend. Having helped Beverly through two of these, I had some anxiety about the first week but it's been easier than expected, and the home health care nurse and Physical therapist who came respectively this last Thursday and Friday agree they feel like they only need to see me once more, and more as a pro forma sort of thing, as the incision site is doing very well, I'm quite mobile relative to the time after surgery, not using pain killers, and in general pretty pleased with how well this has gone down.

I've got two more weeks of medical leave, then I'll start working from my home office before the holiday shutdown.

And, Beverly just got home and we scored tickets to the NYE dinner at Esin, our favorite local restaurant- and picked up discounted gift cards only sold today to pay for it. She believes she will feel up to this, we have a schedule plan all worked out and a firm reservation for the desired time. This was quite a bit earlier for making this reservation than we normally do; they've been growing in popularity, and they already had 130 reservations taken at this point...

http://www.esinrestaurant.com/home.html

I'm eating lunch now, appetite is good since I left the hospital and not being force fed pain killers, (I always have a slight nausea reaction to conventional opioids), and next up will be my PT exercises and a walk on our block with my indispensable (for now) walker.

I've gotta admit though, that this is a weird way to start the holidays...

[Wayman]

Hi Jon,

Really good to hear it went well!

Cheers, Wayne

[tcpip]

Really good to know you're on the way back to action.

[Jonasz]

Hope you have a speedy recovery! :T

[ergo]

Wishing you strength for speedy recovery. I can imagine that limited mobility and getting a clear head back will result in some nice HiFi related thought trains. I just hope work will give you some slack so that the DIY world would see those put in motion as well

[JoeAngelicchio]

You'll be running marathons in no time, speedy recovery.

[csmielke]

Jon,
Great news on the surgery. Take it easy and enjoy the holidays.
Chris

[TEK]

Good to hear that it is going in the right direction Jon.
You will be back on the trails before you know!

[5th element]

Nice to hear from you Jon and to hear that things are moving forwards. Following her chemo, my mother has now had surgery and you seem to be recovering just as well as she is! Glad to hear that Beverly is managing to still enjoy life as it can be hard.

[DearSX]

Been reading your posts for years and learning about the hobby, Glad to hear your surgery went well.

[JonMarsh]

It’s surprising to me how well I feel after a week and a half; maybe partly because of expectations set by my GF, who has had this surgery. But I have the impression my doctor accomplished this in a different way, because the incision is in a very different location, and she needed additional blood, whereas I did not. Maybe better procedures?

Checking some more on the internet references available, the posterior is minimally invasive; my incision is about 2/3 the length of hers, and reportedly no walking muscles are cut into.

Now, oddly, the more medical sites I read, the more conflicting information turns up. Some advocate the anterior from a rehab viewpoint, and site results and outcomes that are very different from my experience to date- I shouldn’t have been out of the hospital so quickly, and I should have gone into a rehab facility right after the hospital, and I couldn’t possibly be doing as well as I am in a week and a half.

I don’t think the liposomal Vitamin C would give me that much of an edge. Maybe I just have a good surgeon, and am in better health than I appreciate!

[Carl V]

probably a combination of all the above...and good fortune.
Never over look Good Luck & Luck is when Preparation meets Opportunity.
That was beaten into me when I did a residency many moons ago
No sense in looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Speedy recovery. Play some Tunes...organ & six string

[Horio]

Great to hear the surgery went well and you are on the mend. My dad had his hip replacement a few years back after limping around for several years. Now he looks looks back and always says "why didn't I do it sooner?"

[JonMarsh]

Great to hear the surgery went well and you are on the mend. My dad had his hip replacement a few years back after limping around for several years. Now he looks looks back and always says "why didn't I do it sooner?"

I would have liked to do it sooner, but it always seemed like there was something else that was an issue; it just got to where I realized those things weren't going to go away, work or GF's cancer, and I'd just better bite the bullet and get it done.

Thanks for all the positive wishes, guys!


It will be two weeks next Monday, and I can say I'm pretty surprised at how well this has gone- after doing my exercises religiously and getting what I believe is the needed downtime, I realize this morning that if something came up today and I had to drive GF to the ER or something, (has happened before) I could do it. Right leg is strong enough, mobile enough, and pain free enough.

I don't think I'd try hauling 4x8 sheets of ply around yet, but all in all, things have been going well.

Good thing, have a busy schedule today; in home care nurse that didn't show up yesterday will be here in less than an hour; I have a work conference call with East Coast and Europe at noon (urgent topic; I'm on medical leave and they shouldn't. be bothering me, but I'm typically in touch with colleagues 1-2 hours every day this week...) (I just remind myself of the annual bonus that will payout next Friday...) Physical therapy in the afternoon (which by agreement last week is probably the last session, because I was doing as well last week as she expected this week), and several personal things to follow up on.

And my BP is still 20 points lower for both numbers than before the surgery. Curious, but definitely good.


Thanks everyone...


Jon

[olu78]

I wish you a speedy recovery. I had my hip replacement surgery at Duke, two years ago this April. I am dealing with complications, and almost regret having gone through with it. I am still relatively young, so hopefully these issues will be resolved. Like many others here, I am looking forward to seeing you return to building, in the near future. Get well soon!

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

[BobEllis]

Jon, I’m glad to hear that your recovery is going well and you’re getting a little down time. I hope it continues to go well. An 85 year old friend kept losing her cane 3 weeks out. She was getting along just fine without it except on uneven ground.

[oneplustwo]

Good to hear! In a former life as a pharma rep selling osteoporosis medication, I was privileged with the opportunity to see a couple hip replacement surgeries. I was surprised with how very physical a procedure it was along with being quite invasive. So good to hear you're recovery is going well!

[JonMarsh]

Thanks!

I have my first post op follow up visit with surgeon early tomorrow morning.

I hear you about the procedure; let me tell you the incision is pretty dang gnarly looking- definitely has a Frankenstein kind of vibe.... :W

[cochinada]

... I don’t think the liposomal Vitamin C would give me that much of an edge. Maybe I just have a good surgeon, and am in better health than I appreciate!

Don't be so hasty. As I commented already that stuff is pretty awesome. Anyway, and most important I'm glad it went well and you are recovering so fast. :T

[JonMarsh]

Me, too! I agree the stuff is awesome, if relatively unsung in most quarters.

I had my 3rd and last visit from home care nurse- was mentioning the liposomal C- didn't have much of an idea what I was talking about, so I explained. When I related the dosage I'm using, she couldn't believe it was so high- so, I pointed out that there are only three mammalian families that don't make vitamin C in their liver, due to a defective enzymatic process in those three= (she couldn't name the three), so I also queried her how much C is produced per day in a typical mammal that does have this normal functioning, assuming a body mass of 150 lb (typical human) she had no idea about that either, you can see where this conversation went...

Anyway, so far, very good. I still have to respect the healing process and the value of time, but things are going very well compared with my hopes.

[JonMarsh]

I did strain some muscles in lower back on Wednesday, had to take it a bit easier yesterday, but things seem to be pretty good this AM. And my hot rod walker now has wheels front and rear (it's a Frankenwalker, ordered another one from Amazon and took parts from the old and new one and combined them...) (Geez, this is what seniors do? DIY upgrades to their walkers? Sheesh! I've become a caricature!- don't tell anyone! ). :W

~Jon

[dar47]

It's just the beginning if you live long enough you be hot rodding wheel chairs and having custom ramps built and your shoes are all running shoes with Velcro straps! After walking my mom and ex mother in-law down that path I think I need to just run my VFR off a mountain lol.

[meb46]

Jon, great to hear things went well with the Op... hope you have a speedy recovery and a good Christmas. Speak soon!

[JonMarsh]

I'm driving this weekend, and have no issues putting full weight on the operated joint, so things are going quite well- hope you're going to have a great Christmas. I hope to catch up on some things here, audio wise, though the break is only half of what we usually get. But that way I use less vacation time, too. :W

[JonMarsh]

1 week later- I'v been out hiking this weekend, I was going up and down stairs all day at work on Thursday, haven' literally gliding up and down stairs like I haven't been able to for five years, and I'm downright flabbergasted at how well this has gone in such a relatively brief period of time.

The funny thing is I have a referral from my surgeon that's now a week and a half old for outpatient Physical Therapy, and if it every gets approved so I can use it, I will try it out, but the rate of progress seems to be outstripping the need. Very odd. But welcome.

[csmielke]

Jon,
Great news on the rapid recovery rate, Merry Christmas to you and the family. I also would like to extend a Merry Christmas to the group who regularly participate in discussions on HT Guide that I learn so much from.
Chris

[Juhazi]

Greeetings to Jon and his family, and all other readers of this forum

Happy and Peaceful Holidays and a Wonderful New Year!

Juha and Willa the Dipole Dog!

[JonMarsh]

Merry Christmas From Masha the Squirrel Hunter!




Merry Christmas to all!!

[JonMarsh]

And a more conventional Christmas Holiday greeting...

Best wishes to all of you for the Holiday Season

[5th element]

Merry Christmas y'all!

[cochinada]

Merry Christmas everybody and a Happy New Year!

[TEK]

Marry Christmas to you all!




And from Zita - the sleeping dog :-)

[wolf_teeth]

Merry Christmas to you all as well!

Jon- I do have a question about your surgery though...
Was this full-shaft installation, a resurface/replacement of the ball and cup, or a complete shaft/ball/cup replacement? The new minimally invasive types don't require the full shaft installation like they used to. My dad has had several replacements since it was crushed in a car accident back in 1970. I think he's on his 4th or 5th ball/cup replacement, but the shaft is supposed to be the same I believe.

He has had staples seal it for the majority of the surgeries, and muscles are cut to install it. He's 65 currently, and hopes to not need another one. He always comments on how terrible the removal of the drainage tube is ("feels like pulling meat off of a bone").

Needless to say, I've been well-informed of these kind of surgeries. Depending on the doctor, the patient, the needs of the procedure, and the method taken, out times can vary by quite a large amount.

Later,
Wolf

[CraigJ]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Is it too late to join the ugly sweater contest?

[JonMarsh]

IT's never too late! You're in!

[JonMarsh]

Merry Christmas to you all as well!

Jon- I do have a question about your surgery though...
Was this full-shaft installation, a resurface/replacement of the ball and cup, or a complete shaft/ball/cup replacement? The new minimally invasive types don't require the full shaft installation like they used to. My dad has had several replacements since it was crushed in a car accident back in 1970. I think he's on his 4th or 5th ball/cup replacement, but the shaft is supposed to be the same I believe.

He has had staples seal it for the majority of the surgeries, and muscles are cut to install it. He's 65 currently, and hopes to not need another one. He always comments on how terrible the removal of the drainage tube is ("feels like pulling meat off of a bone").

Needless to say, I've been well-informed of these kind of surgeries. Depending on the doctor, the patient, the needs of the procedure, and the method taken, out times can vary by quite a large amount.

Later,
Wolf

Hi Wolf,

This was a full replacement using a posterior incision.

A friend of mine was advocating for the resurface treatment of ball and cup, because in her belief it it is much less susceptible to disjoining (joint coming apart, which is a potential issue in the early stages of healing a full replacement) but after doing a lot of online research, what I read seems to indicate that that is a more short term solution (5 years typical) whereas a good full shat/ball and socket job is usually good for 20 years these days.

I figure getting to 85 should be just fine... it would be benchmark for anyone in my FOO, actually well beyond it. But then I'm in far better shape than my younger sister, my father at the same age (dead) or my mother at the same age (dead); or my fathers siblings at the same age (dead). My maternal grandmother made it to 88, but my maternal grandfather died at 72 from heart attack which may have been related to him having Rheumatic heart fever when he was a kid. And I have what seems to be a successful protocol for the cardiac stuff; my recent echo cardiograms (both stress and structural) came through with flying colors.

Your dad is just a year younger than I. That is pretty tough go through all those surgeries since 1970; but think of the alternative or what his life would be like 25 or 50 years earlier without those treatment options. I wish the best for him and hope he doesn't need more surgeries either. Pulling that drainage tube is probably a bit like pulling the catheter after you've had treatment for kidney stones (happened to me in 2016- not exactly a bowl of cherries and French vanilla ice cream).

I didn't have any kind of drainage tube, and overall much less trauma than my GF, who I helped get through surgery on both sides; her's were anterior incision approaches. I think upper body strength is a big issue, because it makes getting up and out of bed the first week much easier- she referred to the first week each time as hell week. Sort of set an anxiety level for me of what to expect that didn't turn out as bad as feared.

If you read on line there is a lot of stuff pro and con for each approach (anterior and posterior). She had anterior. My GF was a former amateur runner (has the medals to show for it), and so she healed pretty quickly from her surgeries, but not as fast as I have- which surprised her. Maybe it's the posterior approach; maybe it's the skill of the surgeon. Maybe it's the Liposomal vitamin C. Who knows, as long as you get the results you want...

Unfortunately she's been battling neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer for two years, and they've run out of treatment programs and options, so this last week we've been getting setup for the home hospice program. The people are very nice and the program looks like it will really help... she's got about 5-6 months, they estimate.

It runs in her family, from her father's side; of her two older half brothers, one died of it too, and a son of the other died of it.

Scheisse, as we say Auf Deutsche.

Happy New Year, everyone!

[TEK]

Jon, I cannot even begin to understand what you are going through right now.
May the love of those around you help to you get through the days ahead.

Happy new year :cry:

[csmielke]

Well said TEK. Jon you and your girlfriend and your family are in our prayers.
All the best,
Chris

[csmielke]

Well said TEK. Jon you and your girlfriend and your family are in our prayers.
All the best,
Chris

[Alaric]

"feels like pulling meat off of a bone")

Apt description. I had two in my pelvis and the removal was the second worst part.

[wolf_teeth]

Alaric-
The nurses always say, "This shouldn't hurt a bit." They don't know what they are talking about.

I hope I never need one in my lifetime. I'll be 40 in Feb, so I have a ways to go. My maternal grandmother just died at 95 last week, her mother at 92(1993), and her father at 85 (1980); I knew them both. My maternal grandfather died at 82, his mother at 95(1987). My paternal grandfather was 76, and grandmother is still kicking at 85. I did not know great-grandparents on that side at all. Longevity is in my genes, or is that stubbornness?

Anyways- I digress. Yes, Jon- the resurface aren't good long term. The full replacement can be done in about 5-10 years, depending on the use of the joint. Take care not to fall, as that can really screw it up. The plastic does not hold up like cartilage does.
Be well, and spend the time you have together with your gal. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Later,
Wolf

[Alaric]

The nurses always say, "This shouldn't hurt a bit."

Yeah, when unscrewing the steel rods from my tibia they mentioned the possibility of "discomfort". Discomfort was a bit of a misnomer. LOL

[JonMarsh]

Alaric-
The nurses always say, "This shouldn't hurt a bit." They don't know what they are talking about.

I hope I never need one in my lifetime. I'll be 40 in Feb, so I have a ways to go. My maternal grandmother just died at 95 last week, her mother at 92(1993), and her father at 85 (1980); I knew them both. My maternal grandfather died at 82, his mother at 95(1987). My paternal grandfather was 76, and grandmother is still kicking at 85. I did not know great-grandparents on that side at all. Longevity is in my genes, or is that stubbornness?

Anyways- I digress. Yes, Jon- the resurface aren't good long term. The full replacement can be done in about 5-10 years, depending on the use of the joint. Take care not to fall, as that can really screw it up. The plastic does not hold up like cartilage does.
Be well, and spend the time you have together with your gal. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Later,
Wolf

Longevity or stubbornness? What's the difference? Certainly either one can lead to the other...

Appreciate your kind thoughts.

Only advice would be to stick to relatively low impact forms of exercise... sounds like you do have longevity in your genes. I'm just hoping for longevity due to daily practices. we'll see how that goes. I'm doing great compared with my younger sister... sad for her, but good for me.

Yes, I have a friend who's step mom was not careful enough (I guess) and dislocated her full hip joint replacement two or three times. Literally, you're on the floor and can't move on your own. OTOH, GF has been very active after hers, a lot of hiking, gardening, and other activities, and good range of motion once past the 6 month point; and unfortunately a couple of small falls (more like tip overs) which I guess she has been lucky in, given both hips are bionic, and no fall out. But muscles in good condition, and low body weight relative to height (5'8", 125 lb prior to the cancer). I'm still the same build as 30 years ago, 6'2" and ~ 200lb, same pant and clothing sizes; but figure I need to take more care because of the higher moving mass in a fall.

And then there's motorcycling and the four bikes I have, and the one I'd like to buy next year or the year after... that's a big question mark. OTOH, GF did fine on her bicycles and Vespa.

[Dave Bullet]

And then there's motorcycling and the four bikes I have, and the one I'd like to buy next year or the year after... that's a big question mark. OTOH, GF did fine on her bicycles and Vespa.

Ohhhh... So what bikes do you have Mister? I haven't had any Steve Austin work done, but I have had crashes. As long as you low side, your hip should take it lol. I do run though, which isn't really low impact.

[JonMarsh]

Yeah, running is a romper room No-No for anyone with hip joint replacement.

And it's often the reason people need hip joint replacement - likely the case with my GF, who ran a lot for the exercise and also participated in local amateur competitions- has about a dozen placing medals for her age class to prove it.


My bikes include a 2013 VFR1200, a '98 VFR800, an ST1300, and a Yamaha GTS1000 (sort of a collectors item purchased from a dealer up in Seattle area a couple of years ago- no front fork, no conventional frame, very nice handling as sport tourers go, regular bike feel kind of weird after you've ridden one of these for a while).

That whole anti-dive front end thing and the difference in cornering behavior while braking is why I'm curious about the 2018 Goldwing, which should handle decently and be a better long distance mount getting from Idaho (someday) to the Banff area. I gave a paper at a conference hosted at Lake Louise and fell in love with the area some years back.

I took this picture through a window at the hotel conference center during a short break between sessions...

Grossly downsampled by our forum image upload tool here, and BTW, not photoshopped at all - that's the real color of the water in the sunlight.

I would have posted via Flickr but it's having conniptions this afternoon- maybe I can repost later with better quality. Just a ~2006 Sony fixed lens digital model that had a fairly decent Zeiss lens for the money; DSC-R1; big enough it looks like an oddly designed DSLR; I still have it around in storage in my personal "camera museum". It was probably the 3rd digital camera I ever got.