Walkers & Crutches & Canes, Oh my! Two weeks pre-op...

Today was the "pre-op" class for my upcoming total hip replacement.  I was the only hip replacement
patient there, the other 3 people were there to have knee replacements done.  Only twice did I hear,
"You're too young for this!"  Yeah, no kidding! :-)
The class involved 3 different nurses telling us all about what will happen to us during and the day of our
surgery, what to expect the few days after surgery prior to going home, and about all of the different
"attachments" we will need (or, some that we may find useful).
Walkers, crutches and canes are all varying option for mobility assistance, depending upon what your surgeon
recommends.  These are a few examples of "attachments".   But, the nurse also talked about things like TED stockings, raised toilet seats, shower seats (all three necessary), a pincher-like grabber device, and a really cool thing called a "sock-it".  The Sock-It is a funny looking half-tube that has what looks like jump-ropes attached to the end/sides of it.  You put your sock over one end, hold the rope-handles, and slide your foot down the tube and into the sock.  Pretty cool, since you cannot bend over for at least 8 weeks!
I also found out that once I am released, I'll be giving myself Arixtra (a blood thinner) injections for a week, yippee (insert sarcasm here).   I KNOW it's necessary, but it's surely not going to be fun!
Blood was drawn from both arms, then more will be drawn next week for cross-matching.  I should have asked WHY they cannot do the cross-matching with the blood drawn today, since that was initially my big roadblock for attending
the Eukanuba National Championships.  The scheduler insisted that I have bloodwork done the day prior to my surgery, and that in no way could it be done sooner.   The herding group shows on Sunday morning, I felt pretty confident about being able to get back in time from Long Beach, California for my surgery the following Tuesday.  But, given the weather right now (light snow on the Willamette Valley floor), I don't want to chance not making it back in time.  *sigh*  Oh well...hopefully Dharma & I will have another opportunity in the years to come...best of luck to my friends that will be down there having a great time without me! 
I'm still swimming 2 or 3 times a week, but it's getting COLD outside, and so I suppose the break from it will be nice until the weather eases up a bit!  Right now, I'm beginning to compile a list of questions for my surgeon when we meet next week.  Things like how long before I can return to work, how long before I can take up swimming again, and what my scar will look like.
Thankfully, I have a good support system of friends and family to help me through this, and the knowledge that after it's all said and done, I'll feel like myself again!

First post--The History & 30 days out!

I'm 40.  Yes, an active 40, healthy but currently "broken".   Two years ago, I had 3 pins put into the femoral neck on my left leg in hopes to repair a severe fracture to a nearly 20 year old injury.  Needless to say, it didn't work.  

I've battled pain in it for over 10 years, pain that affected my walking for about 7 or 8 years, pain that affected my quality of life for about the past 4 years, and occasionally debilitating pain for the past year.   Truth be told, it sucks ass.  I despise not being able to do what I want to do.  I have active dogs that I've done dog-sports and shown them for nearly the past 7 years and right now I'm barely able to do that.   I work, but the past 2 years, even some of what I can do there is compromised.  I've always taken a lot of pride in how well I do my job, but even that has dwindled some.   Like I said, it sucks.

The purpose of this blog?  I know I am not the only one going through stuff like this, even at my age a co-worker my same age just had a total hip replacement about a month ago.  However, he's had some pretty severe spine issues for a few years, and other health issues.   Other than my leg, my other health issues are strictly compensation problems.   My spine is a bit twisted, my left knee hurts now & then, and my right heel is oftentimes quite painful from bearing the majority of my weight.   I've somehow managed to keep my weight down, and actually have lost weight the past year or so.  Despite the rampant heart issues and high blood pressure that runs on both sides of my family, I'm good in that department too.   So, I have the highest of hopes that my surgery and post-surgery recovery will be successful.   I have the utmost trust in my orthopedic surgeon (Dr. Thorsett, Silverton Specialists ) and fully understand the importance of rehabilitation physical therapy.   Even now, with the pain of arthritis in the joint, I am swimming or attending water aerobics three times a week to strengthen my leg muscles that have been ignored for far too long.

Please, share your stories, I'd love to hear how your surgery & recovery went.  Today is November 7th.  My surgery date is December 7th.  Which, by coincidence, is also my 41st birthday.  I suppose this could be one of the most important birthday gifts I could give myself. :-)