I urge you to go for the surgery, based on your admission that your hip issue affects your life, and your mental health. You are only 59 years old, and I urge you to take control, and get your life back!
It has been 2 1/2 years since I took back control of my own life after knee replacement. I had suffered with osteoarthritis for 13 years, and was absolutely miserable from the pain. I felt myself slipping farther and farther back from my life, because of the pain and discomfort in trying to be mobile and continue doing things. I finally realized that if I didn't "man up" and have the surgery, I was probably not going to be able to walk in another 2 years. I was only 56 years old, and in good health except for a degenerated knee, and I was not ready to spend the rest of my life sitting in a scooter chair or a wheelchair! They are both wonderful devices in giving mobility to people with severe conditions who really need it, but I decided I was not going to give up and sit down for the rest of my life. I had legs and I was going to use them! So I embraced the idea of surgery; found out everything I needed to know about the procedure, and what the surgeon was going to do. Since I was an employee of the hospital where I was going to have the surgery, I talked to OR staff, orthopedic staff, Physical Therapy staff, so that I was fully aware of what I had to do to heal myself. I made up my mind that NOTHING was going to stand in my way of making my surgery successful! Many hospital employees who worked with me before, and after the surgery complimented me on my determined attitude, and said they knew I would do well with my recovery, because my overall attitude was so different from what they usually see in their patients. Fifteen days after surgery, I walked into my follow-up appointment on a cane---not a walker. My bend and flex movements were over 90% within a few weeks, and I just kept trucking. Recovery was indeed tough and very painful at times, but I kept telling myself that I'd made it through 13 years of pain and agony, and as soon as I pushed myself through the healing pain, I would be fine----so I pushed, and 2 1/2 years later I feel I am more than fine.
I am doing my best to promote knee replacement positively, and to encourage those who have fears in how to wrap their mind around what they have to do to get their life back. The surgeon can only do so much, hospital staff can only do so much, and as the patient, you have to understand that making a successful recovery is up to you. I wasn't ready to give up at 57, and I really don't think you are ready to give up at 59. Even though we are talking two different surgeries, the right attitude is essential for both, and I urge you to push forward instead of letting your fears hold you back.
Just FYI, the 93 year old mother of one of my best friends fell and broke her hip in June. She had surgery, went to rehab for 3 weeks, and is now back at home. This woman is tiny at 115 lbs, and had her lower leg amputated years ago from diabetes (same side as the broken hip). Due to swelling, she was unable to get her prosthesis on until the last 3 days of rehab therapy, but she showed the staff she was able to walk on her own with the walker, and since she lives with her daughter, she was discharged home---not to a nursing home.
My very best wishes to you donor with whatever you decide to do.
Blogs & Forums
