Today is the 6-month anniversary of my right hip revision surgery at your hands at HSS in Manhattan. Ten years after my original hip replacement, I was diagnosed with aseptic loosening of my femoral stem. I could walk only with the help of two crutches and was desperate. You replaced the stem and gave me a new lining for the acetabular cup. As on many other days, today I was reminded of just how successful this surgery was. From standing and pulling on my jeans in the morning, to walking up and down the stairs without grabbing the railing for support, to crawling around the steep bank behind our house, to pulling stubborn weeds and vines, I realize just how much I needed that revision and needed it done right. It has been YEARS since I have felt this comfortable and stable walking on my favorite hiking trails, taking our two exuberant hounds for a walk (one at a time), or just sleeping on either side with no discomfort whatsoever.
As if this was not enough, I can report that the recovery time was no longer than with my original hip replacement, possibly even shorter. At six weeks to the day after my revision, my husband landed in the ER with a nearly complete intestinal blockage. Three weeks later he underwent life-saving abdominal surgery. I was his main advocate at the hospital, all the while keeping the homestead running smoothly. This included taking our dogs out for walks three times a day up and down grassy hills and making the daily one- hour commute to Albany. My newly installed hip performed beautifully. I was able to do what had to be done without compromising my own health.
On top of this, I completed the design, production, and installation of a modest art exhibit at our local history museum in time for Opening Day on May 5th, just four months after the revision. I had committed to this over a year ago. It is nothing short of a miracle that I was able to pull it off after losing the first three months of 2019 due to my husband's and my medical issues.
I am grateful to my surgeon for selecting orthopedic surgery as a career and approaching it in such a professional, creative way. I have to admit I was a little anxious about his young age compared to other surgeons I had researched. I didn’t have to worry. He knew what to do and did it well. He met the goals of HSS by getting me Back in the Game. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Gratefully yours,
Gail
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