Hip-hop anonymous - a PAO journal

Surgery doesn't scare me. Well, at least not as much as the limitations I will face afterward. I'm sitting here thinking of the activities I've been able to do this year -- snowboarding (or snowfalling, which more accurately describes what I was doing) bowling, dancing my heart out in Body Jam, playing volleyball with my team, shooting around in the gym, and weightlifting. Not that the aforementioned didn't involve some degree of pain, fear or frustration, but I was able to do them. And when you're passionate about something, that's all that matters, baby. Speaking of babies ... Not that I'm a parent, but I compare this surgery to getting said child. Meaning that everything you do afterward changes. Even the simplest of things must be planned, and nothing is just a "quick trip" or an "easy chore."

In my efforts to make time go by quicker so that I can get started on the recovery process (as well as quit annoying myself and everyone around me by worrying about the surgery) I've tried to make some progress on the things I need to do beforehand. So far, I have accomplished the following: Bought some things I'll be needing in the hospital, i.e, a fun, black, satin nightshirt and some really cute slippers, non-slip socks and boxer shorts. Who knew surgery shopping could be so fun? Talked with a physical therapist who is familiar with PAO (one of eight I talked to). I still need to set up a time to meet with her and check out the facilities before I decide she's the one for me. Found a back-up doctor in Montana who is familiar with PAO and is willing to help with my follow-up care. Made more definite arrangements with my mom and dad about my recovery with them. (On a side note, I just want to thank both my sister and my parents, who almost seemed to be fighting over who wa...

For a while, I was able to NOT think about my surgery. That was for a few weeks back in November/December. Now, I tend to think about it. A lot. I'm hoping that if I put some lists together, I'll be able to focus on something else. Like my job, which is incredibly busy right now and would benefit greatly if I would stop thinking about my hips for a second! Having the surgery away from my home and away from the place I will be recovering makes for an extra long list, I found. Below is the main list of things I need to take care of in the next three months, in no particular order. To do list Forward mail Arrange plant-waterers and apartment check on-ers and make keys Haircut, pedicure, teeth cleaning Change Blockbuster online address Give blood (two units) Meet with HR Find backup doctors in MT and CO Arrange PT in CO Order Millennial crutches Arrange wheelchair/walker Arrange handicapped placards Get meds in MT Make hotel reservations for me/family Make car rental reservations P...

Things I struggle with when I've overdone it and my hip hurts: Tying/putting on/taking off shoes Going up stairs Captain's chair ab exercises Curling up on the couch Getting into vehicles Left-handed layups Walking (this is the big one!)

I'm waffling. Few days go by that I don't wonder if I'm making the right decision to have this surgery. I'm not scared so much by the operation and recovery, but I am terrified that I'm somehow going to be worse off. Dr. Mayo told me that it's "not likely" that I'll be 100 percent pain free after the PAO. So what does that mean? Will the pain afterward be worse than what I'm feeling now? The sucky part is that the only way to know is to have the surgery. I do know that the pain I feel now is only going to get worse as I age. I also know in my head that this is the best time for me to go through with it: I have family to help me during recovery; I don't have any kids to take care of; I can take lots of time off my job (paid). Still, I spend lots of time wondering if my quality of life is going to be better afterward. My goal is to go into surgery free of doubt and with the most optimistic outlook possible. Doing so will make recovery...