How tough am I?

-
I've read as much as I can about this surgery. I think I have a high tolerance for pain, but some of these blogs scare me to death.

I wish the best for Sam, who is currently trying to deal with the pain of her surgery. I know a lot of women have come before her, and even though I think I'm strong, I think a PAO is going to try to prove me wrong.

I hope I can make it through.

My accolades go to all the women who have been able to do this. I hope I'm as tough as you are.

Comments

LH said…
I hear you - I'm pretty scared as well. We ARE strong, we CAN do this - we just have to believe in ourselves and stay positive. :)

best,
Laura - a.k.a Hip Chick NYC
February 09, 2008
arianna said…
There is no doubt in my mind that you will be able to. We women are so much stronger than we realize we are! Especially the hipwomen. :) I know it sounds strange, but I do recall my PAO recovery time fondly...now. Granted, it did happen in early 2004, so I've had time to get over it! But I truly believe you are ready to face it - just try not to think too much about it beforehand!! That is what got ME through! :)

I know we've never really been in contact (although I'm pretty sure I've seen your name on the Yahoo group?) but I wanted to thank you for linking to my blog! I don't post much about my PAO because I started my blog later in that same year, and by then, there really wasn't much to say. I do think if I have further surgery, I probably will start a special hip section or another blog entirely to document it, this time. I do wish many times that I had created one last time, not only as a resource for others, but as a way to go back & remember everything more specifically. I think it's wonderful that you are getting all this down. I hope it is helpful and cathartic to you, first & foremost...but I know it also must be an invaluable reference to others, too!

Best wishes, and I do plan to keep up with your blog...and I'm sure you'll be in my thoughts come April!! xo
February 12, 2008
Anonymous said…
Hi Cassie,

I think you will surprise yourself with you own strength.

I worried myself constantly about the op for some 6 months before it and now it's all ben and gone I don't now what I was so worried about.

I did all my research and read a few blogs, which I know you've done too, which helped me to get organised beforehand. Being organised before the op is the best thing because it allows you to just relax and get through it.

Keep your chin up! You will be fine!

Sarah - TurtleGirl26
February 14, 2008
LH said…
Hi Cass,

I'm on the other side now and can speak from experince. You are going to be just fine - you can do it! Arianna hit the nail on the head in that we women are a whole lot stronger than we even know.

Stay positive!

LH
February 16, 2008
Sam said…
Hey Cass! Just wanted to personally write and tell you that my surgery went amazingly!! Although I had issues with the pain meds (since I've never used them before or ever been in the hospital) my hip is doing great. I'm up and walking on crutches and it's been 9 days. I try to stay horizontal like they say...but it feels so damn good to get around and do small things for myself. I'll keep my blog up to date but thank you so much for your thoughts and encouragement!
February 16, 2008
Ericka said…
Ladies I need your help! I am brand new at this and thought I posted a blog somewhere but not to sure. I enjoy reading your blogs. They have been helpful to me too. I am 25 years old and was told I need this surgery, but I'm scared and my mom is totally against it. I got referred to a dr at Boston Children's hospital but haven't been scheduled to see him yet. I just want to be prepared when I go. Any suggestions?
February 10, 2010
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dreams

-
I still have bad dreams about having hip surgeries. It's been nine years since I went under the knife. The surgeries seem far from mind – I don't have daily pain, I don't talk about hip dysplasia, and when I get undressed, I rarely notice the thin white scars on either side of my hips. When I do think about it all, gratitude and pride overwhelm me. I think of my recovery and wonderful life that has followed. It's strange then, that my brain sums up this life-changing event with disturbing scenes from an operating room, flooding me with anxiety and reminding me of the unpleasant parts of PAOs. But maybe the nightmares have some value, after all. Being reminded of the stress and pain and work that went into fixing my hips also reminds me of how strong I was to get through it. Never forget.
Read more

Out of surgery

-
This is Cassie's Mom, after trying to connect to the internet unsuccessfully several times in her room, we have decided that Cassie will dictate to me and I'll try to keep you updated by taking the computer elsewhere in the building where there is a strong enough signal. Cassie's surgery took 5 1/2 hours this time, and Dr. Mayo said it went very well. He did find a cyst in the joint, in the same place as the left one...a matching set! He said that was kind of strange. She woke up in a lot of pain and Dr. Mayo said it took some time to get it under control, fortunately she did not remember much of that! She was out of recovery just 1 1/2 hours later and after a breathing treatment; into a room by 9:30, a little nauseas, and with a very dry throat. She kicked me out a little after midnight, and I took a cab to the hotel, since my carriage had turned back into a pumpkin. During the night they did a Doppler test because they were not detecting a pulse in her right leg, but th...
Read more

4 years post-op LPAO

-
Image
It's been four years since my left hip surgery, the day-long event that became a years-long cornucopia for which I am eternally thankful. My thanks does not wane, even though the periods of pain-free living have started to. Between anniversaries three and four, I have to admit that life has been a little tougher. My hips hurt more often and are less willing to take the beatings an active lifestyle evokes. My mind returns to dark places of my past, when pain ruled and I couldn't count on my body. The most challenging aspect is not letting fears and negative thoughts squash the positive feelings and abilities my new hips gave me. Post-surgery pains are completely different than pre-surgery's. Sporadic, unpredictable and in places I didn't think even counted as "hip pain." Post-surgery pains also have been easier to control, just harder to understand. I am considering a visit to a hip doc in my town, rather than a flight to Tacoma to see Dr. Mayo. I need to...
Read more