Sending some calming thoughts ~ thinking of you ~ hoping you have some take out menus; reading material; catalogs and legos and puzzles and everything to make this ‘event’ easier ~
I’ll check back in early next week for the 
…go get’em post ~
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FWIW I was non weight bearing for 11 weeks after I broke my ankle. I went up and down the stairs on my butt.
Oooh, I did that for a long time after knee surgery. At the time, I was living in a two story townhouse with the garage beneath it. That was a heck of a lot of stairs. I never could get the hang of doing stairs with crutches.
We had a fire drill at work during that time. I worked on the fifth floor of a midrise. Luckily, the security folks took pity on me and warned me ahead of time so I could go to lunch during that time. I never would have made it down five flights of concrete stairs.
Rebecca
Thinking of you, Dr. D. I just know you will knock this out of the park and we will hear from you soon after. I know it’s a couple of days away, but just think of the pain relief!! ((Dr.D))
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A short luck post. Will be thinking of you & Jingling for an easier than you’ve imagined “Event”. BTDT and while it’s not simple nor fun - it is so very worth it !!!
“Nerves of steel” & a new steel hip too ! Go get ‘em “Tamie” !!!
((hugs) laced with courage & humor ~ The entire “Z” gang !
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Update.
First of all, thanks to those weighing in with support and well-wishes - SO very much appreciated! 
Surgery is now less than two days away now, but I have been really suffering for the past week or so; MUCH worse the past 5 or 6 days. I am in an incredible amount of pain, and the hip isn’t even the source of most of it; with all of the compensation from limping around with a cane (I have “progressed” to a walker, but still use the cane for stairs), my tibialis - shin muscle - has been going into spasm on and off for the past two or three weeks, and my low and mid back have now started to seize up, along with my neck and shoulder - and now my right hamstring. It doesn’t help that I have pretty bad arthritis in both knees, and my altered gait has strained and inflamed my right knee - which already clicks and is unstable, and has a ganglion cyst under the kneecap. It bothers me sporadically (I have had both knees injected, but not recently), so I use ice and occasionally use a knee brace which helps a little. As soon as I’m cleared after surgery, I will get them injected again - I AM worried about the traction that will be put on that “bad” right knee during surgery, UGH. SIGH
As I’m sure I’ve mentioned, I live with chronic pain. I’ve been stable on Tramadol and Robaxin for the past 7 or 8 years prescribed by my Osteopath (who also does trigger point injections into my tight low back muscles and my head, face and jaw - I clench my teeth while sleeping because I have dozens of painful trigger points), so I have built up a tolerance, unfortunately. What I do? (rather than complain and let it stop me from doing all the things I do): exercise every day - until recently 40 minutes on the elliptical - do core strengthening work daily, basic strengthening work 4 or 5 times a week (I have a machine that I use to do squats that is easy on the knees and back but strengthens hamstrings, glutes, and quads), do pushups a few times a week, stretch at LEAST 90 minutes a day (along with 20 minutes in the AM where I do mobilization exercises I learned in P/T years ago every morning for 15 minutes before I get out of bed) and stretch my hammies again at night. Tight hamstrings contribute to lower back pain, so I’m religious about my stretches! I also use my inversion table twice a day for spinal decompression (though now it HURTS THE DAMN HIP so I’ve had to give it up 
), I roll on and do core strengthening on a physioball, and use a foam roller. I have a “super TENS unit” which penetrates into the tissue better (recommended by my DO), and a vibrating ball with heat called the MyoStorm (HIGHLY recommend this wonderful invention!!) I also do Feldenkrais exercises regularly and Yoga online occasionally - or did until lately. I do all of this because I want to remain strong, flexible, and active - but now I can do very little of any of it because it’s just too painful - I am miserable. I had a pre-surgery P/T appointment where they just “went over stuff” and did ROM, a little balance testing, etc. - and told me that I was “using my cane correctly.” They didn’t have me do any exercises, but sent me home with a list of exercises and stretches to do that I have been trying to work through (they are ridiculously easy compared to my daily routine!, just not easy ATM…)
I also get deep tissue bodywork once or twice a month, and go to a good chiro every other week - all of the above ^^ keeps me functional.
I had to go off NSAIDS last Monday, and I didn’t realize how much a couple ibuprofen or one Meloxicam were helping with the inflammation; I have arthritis pretty much everywhere. My diet is pretty close to impeccable; very much an “anti-inflammatory” diet and I am extremely dutiful - though now I have lost my appetite so am eating less (though still nutritious and healthy), so I’ve lost a few pounds - normally a good thing! but I’m down to 114, 115 and that’s light for me because I have broad shoulders and muscles (horse girl!) I have to force it down, but I know I NEED nutrition so I am making myself eat to stay strong. I drink a TON of water, no other beverages except coffee in the morning. I would drink Ensure (low sugar) but it’s SO unhealthy!
We went to our pre-surgery consult last week where they had us watch a video - and we talked to a nurse and the anesthesiologist - very thorough instructions!, and we discussed pain meds, etc.I tried to explain my pain issues but (like most people) they kind of brushed it off, saying “MOST people don’t have a lot of pain after the first few days to a week” (I am not “most people” - I have grooves worn in my pain pathways), but did say that I needed to “stay ahead of the pain” and take my meds before I was in “real pain.” I told the anesthesiologist that I have NO joint space left in my mid-back (per x-ray), so he said that he “may not be able to do the epidural and might have to go with a general” - DAMMIT! 
but that they would “try.” I DID say: “NO VERSED.”
My osteopath’s office prescribed me Percocet a few weeks ago when I told them I needed something stronger, and I have using that VERY judiciously (along with the Tramadol), but I find that it doesn’t real do much beyond taking the edge off. (When I had my breast reduction I was in such intractable pain that I had to take a LOT of Oxy - which caused me to be constipated for almost TEN DAYS. That was beyond unpleasant as you can imagine. The surgeon’s office was sympathetic (and kept refilling the prescription - even gave me Dilaudid - which for some reason barely worked for me???), but they were surprised and puzzled by the fact that my pain was so bad, and that it didn’t resolve like “most people’s.” I am supremely disciplined and would NEVER abuse pain medication!, was able to taper after a week/10 days with no issue, but the whole experience was a nightmare of suffering.
In general the more I don’t MOVE the stiffer and more painful I get, but I haven’t been able to use the elliptical for 4-5 weeks (even though I was using it pretty much daily up until then, and it bothered my hip less than walking) because within 5 minutes of getting on it, my tibialis would go into painful spasm. I had to get up (cursing), crutch my way up the stairs, and put a heat pack on it to get the “firing muscles” to calm the EFF down. It also “fires” at night when I sleep, and I wake my husband up with my screaming so he gets a hot pack for me which I put on it until the pain subsides. When I have these spasms it feels like I’m being stabbed repeatedly. This happened to me about 11 years ago (TMI but I had an anal abscess due to taking too much magnesium - which caused the runs - and it became a fistula, which had to be surgically repaired.) After coming home, I got horrible spasms in the WORST possible place - STAB, STAB, STAB! - I just lay there screaming in agony!, so my DH called 911 and they took me to the hospital where they gave me Valium and morphine. I told my surgeon about this and he gave me a script for 10 Valium - along with baby aspirin, Celebrex, and of course Percocet for “post surgery.”
I taught my final dog classes on Saturday and Monday (and last horse lesson last Friday), but it was a bit of an ordeal; had to use my walker last night and get help with “training props” from my students and a ride there and back - my DH has been ferrying me back and forth everywhere, bless him. (He is a wonderful caretaker, and I am very lucky!) Poor dogs have been getting no exercise, but my daughter walked them when she was here last Wednesday - and she will be there the night before the surgery and for the 3 days afterward so can exercise them for me.
Right now I am in too much pain to walk, go to the bathroom, shower, bend down, do much of my stretching exercises, etc. though I am gently going through at least SOME of my stretching stuff so I don’t become the Tin Man. DH is basically waiting on me, cooking my meals -if I stand for too long my tibialis goes into painful spasm, he put a chair in the kitchen so I could sit while I take my meds and supplements - and brings me my hot and cold packs throughout the day. (I take a bunch of mostly anti-inflammatory supplements: fish oil, went off it a bit ago; Cosamin, turmeric, devil’s claw, collagen, calcium, magnesium, a probiotic, and L-Arginine.) No issues per the surgeon.
I also started on the Juven last week - which I will take after surgery as well.
At the consult with the anesthesiologist I explained how much pain I was in and he said “you can take ONE Tramadol the morning of surgery” - the surgery is at ARGH! 7:30, so I have to be there at 6:00 AM. I can drag myself through dressing, etc. (though right now it’s hard to put pants on and my husband has to help me put my right sock and shoe on), BUT in addition to showering the night before and scrubbing down with Clorhexadrine (including toenails - I got an extended handle shower brush because I just can’t bend over my right leg), I have to shower again the morning of surgery! This will mean waking up at around 4:30 AM - getting my one med on board and drinking clear liquids up to two hours before surgery - but I will be in considerable pain at that point. I can barely move in the morning, can barely get on the toilet or brush my teeth and my DH has had to help me down the stairs the past two mornings - even though I use my cane. I can’t even imagine showering and scrubbing in that state, but I know it’s all to avoid infection so they have to be strict. I have a friend who will lend me a shower stool at least, but there WILL be screaming and crying while I “git er done”, and it’s going to take forever - like dressing myself. There is already a LOT of screaming during the day because much of what I do temporarily brings the pain level to an 8 or 9 (I “live” at a 3/4.)
We got a raised potty seat with handles and a electric recliner that raises you up - I feel like a 90 year old!, along with “Always Discrete” (basically adult diapers), because I drink a lot of water and it’s already VERY tough to get to the bathroom “in time.” After surgery, I will need this backup just in case. Also already have a “grabber”, and got a long-handled shoehorn.
I’m living on heat and ice, rotated throughout the day.
I must admit I’m A) not handling the frustration of being helpless and immobilized, and B) a LOT worried about the fact that I already am in so much pain that the surgery will just be “piling on” - and that the pain meds won’t cut it. They were clear about taking the meds BEFORE the pain gets bad, but Oy. Freaking. Vey. I NEED to be able to move and do the rehab! I know they will do some PT with me before I leave the surgery center, but I’ll still be “under the influence” so it probably won’t hurt. Much.
I am concerned that I will have to go to the ER if and when the pain gets to be too much - the LAST place you want to go to avoid infection!
And my mare has a swollen leg, which has gone down a little (with Banamine): no heat, no tenderness, she has a normal temp, the filling is mostly on the outside of the leg and well above the fetlock - but of course I can’t DO anything so have to trust the asst. BM to take care of her and keep an eye on it. She got shod today, and it’s the first time I haven’t been there to hold her in going on 11 years (she’s my homebred, so I’ve been there for everything, and don’t ask for any help because I feel BAD about asking for help - plus I am an independent “do it yourself-er” like I’m thinking the majority of COTHers are.) Fingers crossed that it’s not cellulitis, but if I have to call the vet, I will - it was almost normal this AM, but that was after being out all night.
I struggle with feelings of guilt because I am so helpless right now, and feel like a burden to DH; he has been VERY supportive (as always) though does crab about me “doing too much.” Also as always. 
One silver lining: I found Friends episodes on TBS that run from noon until 4:00 on weekdays - sweet!
So there ya have it. Sorry for the novel - but it was helpful to vent; I’m pretty demoralized and frustrated with my damn body (WHY when I do all the right things, do you do this to me??), but it is what it is.
SIGH. Wish me luck!
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I’m sorry things are feeling so bad right now 
Did you loop in the pain service at the hospital where you’re having surgery? There should have been a pre op with them, they should be managing your pain better now, and they should have a plan for post op. If that’s not been done, I’d really get them on board ASAP. It’s such an important aspect of your care and recovery
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All I can say is that you are one super-tough woman. I hope for you that the surgery is a total success, that you get the pain relief you so desperately need, and that your recovery is complete.
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Thanks, you guys.
I am a “suck it up and push ahead” kind of person, and I can’t count the number of people who have said I’m “tough” - but I don’t feel tough right now, I feel like I’m 100 years old and circling the drain. I KNOW it will all be okay eventually - but I didn’t expect this much additional pain to add insult to injury; I feel trapped and overwhelmed by it.
@Simkie - there is a “pain service”?? I did the pre-op last week with a nurse and the anesthesiologist (mentioned in the post), and they DID say they would evaluate me after the surgery and make sure my pain was managed - but I just don’t think they realize the extent of it in my case - even though I DID explain. Worth giving them a call tomorrow? ETA it’s not a hospital, it’s a surgery center.
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Yes. You need to be seen by the pain team. I assume the surgery center is associated with a hospital–patients who need to be transferred to a hospital have to go somewhere–and that hospital will have a pain service. I’d push HARD on this one. Your surgeon has no idea how to manage a complex pain patient. He should’ve been looping in the pain people from the outset.
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OK, thanks – good to know! I’ll call over there tomorrow, they’re going to confirm the time anyway, but I guess I need to get out ahead of this.
NO ONE tends to believe women when they say they are in pain, IME. I actually went to a supposed “pain doc” about 15 or 20 years ago, he was about 30 years old and very condescending and rude. I described my pain, mostly in my lower back at the time – and he said “we all have a little bit of pain from time to time!”
Prescribed nothing, did nothing, didn’t recommend Physical Therapy or any sort of treatment, and just showed me the door. WTF?!? I left in tears. My husband was so angry that he called and complained to the service – of course nothing was done!
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Yeah, I’ve had my share of total shit pain medicine people too It’s a lot of kissing frogs to find one who listens!
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I am so very sorry that you are heading into surgery with so much going on. I can empathize, because I live with chronic pain too. Don’t you hate that “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” that trying to free up the tin man brings you?
I can certainly relate to issues with getting to the bathroom fast enough. Pee pads have been my friends for years. I had it pretty much down to a system, then one of my doctors insisted I had to start Lasix. Let the flooding commence!
Wishing you the very best of luck for the surgery and aftermath, and hope you can get some relief in at least one body part.
Rebecca
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Thank you, Rebecca - I can truly relate.
I really appreciate the kind words of encouragement, and 
!
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I’m sorry you’re hurting so bad right now. I hope your surgery goes as well as my dad’s hip replacements went.
As soon as he woke up he had a reduction in pain from before surgery and it stayed that way throughout. Don’t get me wrong, the pain was pretty bad when putting weight on it for a couple weeks but he said before surgery he hurt all the time, after occasionally.
He was back to gardening and doing his normal activities in four weeks.
Jingles that yours is just as successful and that you have a good team at the hospital.
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Oh, Dr.D! I will never complain again. I, too, have arthritis everywhere, literally. Last summer, it all flared and I was miserable. Had knees, feet, back, hand and hip injected. Like you said, the stress on another body part, when one part is inflamed…omg. It all culminated with the hip replacement last October. Then I have had my right knee injected again last month.
I am not nearly as religious about my diet and exercise as you are. I am in awe. But I do Pilates several times per week and ride my horse. Having a desk job doesn’t help.
They did change me from Meloxicam to Celebrex and that has been a big help. Like you, I had been on Meloxicam for years. I quit taking all the supplements for joints out of discouragement. Figured they didn’t work.
Anyway, you are my idol. I hope this will go well and am so glad you have help. Again, gentle hugs and healing thoughts. I can sort of relate. 
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You guys are making me cry 
Thank you all so much for all of the kindness, encouragement and support; I am verklempt!
Just talked to the nurse at the surgery center - she called me to confirm the appointment. I have to be at the damn surgery center at six in the morning. Ordinarily, not that big a deal, but I also have to shower – again – and my low back was so bad last night that when I was lying in bed I just kept screaming and screaming (muscle spasms in my low back), my husband came and brought me ice packs and heat packs, and I was eventually able to get back to sleep, but I can’t pee without his help. He has to literally pick me up, support me and half carry me to the bathroom - pull my pants down and then back up for me because I can’t support myself. I can’t walk, and stairs are incredibly difficult - DH has to support me with his arm on one side while I support myself with the cane on the other.
Bless that man. I feel guilty for needing this much help - but he is there for me every time in every way and says “ don’t feel guilty for needing my help, you’re my sweetie!”
I’m also lucky that he’s so big! He’s 13 inches taller than I am and weighs about 280 pounds so carting little me around is not as much of a burden on him physically as it would be on a smaller guy. We are indeed “the odd couple” but we’ve been making it work for 34 years, so…
I told the nurse about my pain issues, and asked if there was a “pain team” – and no – they’re a surgery center not a hospital, so have/do the minimum. What I really need is trigger point injections into my spasming muscle to calm it down - the nurse said I should call my pain doc (who does these for me) but I can’t get injections today even if she had an opening - it’s too close to the surgery.
I asked her about pain medication, thinking that I wouldn’t be allowed to take it tomorrow morning – the anesthesiologist told me I could take one! Tramadol, are you kidding me? Apparently, the reason is that I have to sign a release form, and they won’t let you do that if you are “under the influence” of opiods and therefore “loopy.”
I did sign some forms and mail them in which were about end of life decisions, etc. – and who would be making them - naming my husband (and he signed them), but we don’t have a legal, notarized power of attorney for him - otherwise he could sign for me. sigh
Nurse said she would speak to the anesthesiologist and call me back – which she did – and he said that based on my medical chart/history and the fact that I am a chronic pain sufferer who takes pain medication just to function makes it unlikely that I will be “Loopy” - and that I could take my Percocet in the morning, thank GIH.
I took two Percocet (first time I’ve taken more than one, I try very hard to just push through without taking too much because I know how much I will need it after the fact) and two Tramadol a bit ago (they haven’t kicked in yet), and am sitting on heat and ice, and with DH’s help was able to get into my recliner, yay! We’re going to put together the electric lift chair today and the raised potty seat with handles – both of which will help immensely.
It’s funny – I was trying to explain to the nurse that my pain was recently a 10 out of 10, and she said “well most people feel much better after the hip is replaced”, so I said “right now that hip is the least of my worries in terms of pain!” How ironic
They will at least have a wheelchair waiting for me outside the surgery center, so I can just be carried out of the car and plopped into it.
My daughter will also be there to help, she is very concerned about her mommy – and so is my younger Whippet who has become a Velcro dog and wants to be on my lap all the time lately. Sweet girl
I know that this too shall pass. I just have to get through it somehow, but the pain is excruciating right now and I can’t even imagine how bad it’s going to be after the surgery. They did say they would refer me to the hospital if they couldn’t manage my pain (I guess they have morphine they are, along with other stronger things? When I had an attack of diverticulitis, I went to the ER and they put me on morphine – but it really didn’t work as well as one would think, maybe the same issue my body has with Dilaudid in that it doesn’t really bring me much relief?
If and when I’m able to, I will update this thread at some point after the surgery - so wish me luck! I am touched and overwhelmed by the kindness of COTHers.
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I know you’re on the eve of this but do give some thought to waving off and rescheduling this at the hospital where your pain can be appropriately managed. There are SO many red flags here.
At the very least, can you get your pain med guy on the phone today to discuss post op pain management and come up with a plan?
This is a huge ball that’s being dropped by the surgeon, and I’m worried for you
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Thinking of you ~ sending Jingles and AO ~ Always Optimistic ~
* The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse Quotes ~
“What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said? Asked the boy. ‘Help,’ said the horse. ‘Asking for help isn’t giving up,’ said the horse. ‘It’s refusing to give up.”
“sometimes, said the horse. “ sometimes what?” asked the boy. “ Sometimes just getting up and carrying on is brave and magnificent.”
Ask for help Dr.D - please whenever you need it.
“When the the big things feel out of control … focus on what you love right under your nose.”
Thinking of you ~ see you in a few days ~ ((hugs)) laced with good meds & peace ~
The entire Z gang !
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I’m not going to postpone - who knows when I can get back on his schedule?
I NEED to get this done so I can start rehabbing and getting my life back - obviously realize that the next few days to a week are going to be very, very difficult. There’s a Hospital literally across the street from the surgery center – but in this area these surgeries are usually done at surgery centers, not hospitals.
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