We so often hear of doctor’s giving out pain medication, sometimes too much pain medication. Fortunately, these days this is not as common as it used to be, and most doctors were not like this, but this story is of one who did give me a joint.
OK, so the title is a little misleading, but this is my story of my doctor giving me a joint hip replacement. See, it was not as bad as you were thinking.
For several years, I have experienced pain in my right hip. I figured it was just general arthritis pain, so did not think much of it.
I can remember my last year or so working on the fire department and trying to hide my pain and limp after climbing down out of the engine or medic. Afterall, I was the oldest guy in my station and I did not want to let the younger guys see me hurting.
Over the next few years, the pain seemed to get worse, but I still figured it was general joint pain due to age. I found myself being unable to lift my right foot up enough to tie my shoe, I hurt whenever I would bend down, and getting in and out of my car was more and more difficult.
While in North Myrtle Beach this past January, 2024, my wife made me promise I would call the doctor when we got back and see what she had to say. My hope was that maybe an injection or some rehab would do the trick.
Once back home, I called our family doctor, who by the way had told me last year I needed to think about hip replacement. She gave me the name of a surgeon that she usually refers her patients, but when I called, they could not get me in until early May. So, the search began. We had several suggestions by friends and family, my wife did a lot of research, and then I went through the options and found one I liked.
After putting it off a few more days, I finally called to make an appointment, and to my surprise they were able to get me in for the initial consultation three days later. I did some more reading about this particular orthopedic group and read a lot of good things and felt pretty good about the doctor I decided to meet for consultation.
Once the appointment day arrived, we got to the office and was met by a gentleman going in for a follow-up visit. He immediately asked what I was having done and told me about his doctor, who he said was great. Of course, it was not the one I was seeing, but I felt good that so many people had so many good things to say about the entire organization.
After meeting with the associate and having x-rays done, I was told that the doctor I had picked out and wanted to see no longer accepted Medicare. My wife asked him who he would recommend and he immediately suggested the doctor I ended up with, and I am very glad that worked out.
Remember, this is my first appointment and I figured I would be in and out in fifteen minutes. Well, the x-rays showed my right hip was bone on bone. The associate told us the doctor he suggested was in office and could talk to us right then. The doctor came in and we liked him right off. He went over my x-rays and told us that there was no treatment or rehab that would help, that I needed a hip joint replacement. I agreed and next thing they set me up for three pre-surgery appointments that day, right at their location. I saw a medical equipment person, a physical therapist and had a pre-surgery medical exam. The fifteen minutes turned into two hours, but it sure beat having to schedule different appointments at different places. When I left that day, I was scheduled for surgery the following Wednesday, less than a week!
I did all the prep work and got myself psyched up for my surgery and was actually looking forward to getting this all done and taken care of. Unfortunately, things did not go completely as planned. The night before surgery, I woke up feeling bad. I tried to tell myself it was just nerves and I would be fine by morning. Well, I was not. I felt worse. My wife told me to do a COVID test, which I did and it came back positive. I thought, oh no, not today. I waited fifteen minutes and did another test and it immediately came back positive. I called the doctor’s assistant and was told right away the surgery would be postponed. My first thought was now I will have to wait months and do all the testing again. Fortunately, I was wrong about that also. They scheduled me for two weeks later and all the pre-testing would still be good.
This time we decided we were going to quarantine for the next two weeks and not take a chance being around anyone. It was a long two weeks, but it paid off. The morning of surgery finally arrived and I woke up feeling good.
One of our daughters picked us up in her van, which would make it easier for me to get home after surgery. We arrived at the surgery center a little early and I was impressed that they called me up to registration as soon as we arrived. It was only another twenty minutes when the nurse came to take me back for prep. The staff was very good and friendly and helped keep my mind occupied and me feeling calm.
My wife and daughter stayed with me prior to surgery and we all enjoyed talking with the nurses and assistants. They were all very helpful and actually, entertaining. My wife joked that she felt bad being in a surgery center and having fun, talking and laughing. The thing is, it was all a comfort for me and kept my mind off the surgery that was soon to take place.
(not sure why I was looking so happy before surgery)
Next, they started with the spinal shot, which took away all feeling from my belly button down. I am glad they explained to me what would happen or I would have probably freaked out. I remember being wheeled back to the surgery room and several people moving me over to the operating table. I saw an oxygen mask being held by my noise and mouth and the next thing I remember I was back in the recovery room. I was shaking and cold and the nurse said it was due to the anesthesia. She put a warmer on me and the shaking soon stopped. After that a little pain med and I was fine.
After about an hour, they had me get up, get dressed and get ready for my ride home. I could not believe I had surgery at 3:30 pm and was on my way home a little after 5 pm. Amazing.
(I was happy here because I was going back home)
The ride home went great and with all the pain meds, I was actually feeling pretty good. I stayed on the pain meds for the first three days and then dropped back to a lesser pain med for a couple days then to Tylenol every eight hours. That lasted for three or four days and then I was able to stop that also. I started rehab on the Friday after surgery and the therapist said I was doing great.
I am still going to rehab twice a week, but I am off all my pain meds, done with my walker and cane and getting around on my own. My wife has been a great nurse at home and a great chauffeur since I cannot drive yet. I can certainly say my first ever surgery went great and was a good memory. I am glad it is done and over and the pain I felt for so long in my hip is completely gone. In fact, I may consider a marathon sometime in the future. OK, maybe not, but at least I feel like maybe I could.
Good story, Mike ! Well told!
Congrats on the successful surgery...If I need a joint...uh replacement, I'll give your doctor a call.