14 DAYS OF RECOVERY

It's day 14 today. Starting to feel better. That's Good. The worst day was day 4. It wasn't the hip. It felt sore. That was expected.

It was the rest of me, reacting to various drugs and hospital therapy. Specifically, I was extremely nasuated. Sought help from my "GP", who made a home vist. That's pretty special stuff. The diagnosis was mild sinus infection, swollen glands. plus a digestive system reaction to medications.

The solution, part his, part mine. I took enzymes and acidophlius for the digestive system. Backed off the pain killers. Reduced the dosage in half. Drank a 'gallon' of fluids, daily, water, plus pop, and juice with sugar, in it. Don't usually drink much of the latter, however all of the above worked. It took a couple of days though.

Is is crtical to have your GP, availabe to you, post operation. Don't botther calling the Hip and Knee Clinic, on medical issues. Deal directly with your GP.

Do all that you can to feel well. For me the objective is to shortern the incapacity stage, as much as possible. Feeling well is best way I know to do that.

Rehab session 24 hours after surgery

RECOVERYING

Just about now 7 days ago I was 'in theatre' for hip replacement. So far, recovery is going well. Standing up typing this post, with a modicum of weight on the new hip. There's been some moments, and no doubt there'll be more, however , it's good to be home, recovering. Stay tuned for some patient perspective , "wisdom" from this crowd of one.

Guiding Hand from Therapist Sherry Rioux 24 hours after surgery

Three Tips to Recover from Hip Surgery

Click to Play

Jan Remier is a fomrer Mayor of Edmonton, Alberta, and proud user of a 'bionic' hip. She's had hip replacement surgery. 

Her advice.  Listen to your body. Rehab with professional supervision and do what the phyisotherapist says.

We'll be able to compare notes real soon !

 

Donating My Hip Bone

Remember the song hip bone?


Prety good

... not it!

This one. althought not a great rendition. I expected to find more. I did learn it's a Negro Spiritual. I just remember it as a fun tune.

Well my hip bone is causing me grief. When it comes out, I've decided to let some one else have a go with it. The Comprehehnsive Tissue Centre, at the University of Alberta, is the agency that goes around chasing for bones.

That's a little hyerpobyle. They ask you to donate. Ninety percent of the folks approached do. That's impressive. They use the 'old bone' for hip, and spinal cord surgeries. Here's a link to the Centre. It's a little dated , however, you'll understand what they do. Expect to hear from these folks, if you're getting a joint makeover.

I'll trust that mine old bone makes a little better connection.

Signed the Contract

There's quite a process involved in acquiring a new body part. It's not a decision to be taken lightly.

Eighteen months ago, here in Alberta, the provincial government created a pilot project for hip and knee replacement surgery. The goal was to create a platform of specialists to deliver joint replacements more efficiently.

It's now called the Bone and Joint Clinic. I signed my contract today. We've all got roles and responsibilities.

If anyone wants to share their experience, I'd love to hear your story, or any tips you might have on the recovery side. Anything to ease my pain is really appreciated!


Learn how the pilot project has morphed into a fully integrated program, here.

Not Taking It Anymore!

The Pain that is. In my Butt, left gluteus maximus to be exact. Maybe more info than you need. I've had it for some time, 8 years. Tried just about every thing I know to lose the pain.

Read Back Pain Books. Tried herbs, supplements, accupuncture, message, phisotherpay and yoga. Changed my diet. Rolled the dice on the Egoscue Method. There is merit in all the therapies I tried . They work to some extent, not enough, just can't shake the pain.Gave the alternatives a good shot.

I'm losing capacity to do things, like walk the dog, I don't sleep well. Don't work as well as I know I can. Not all that enthuisased about give up a body part, however, on December 13th, will get a new hip. Stay tuned intend to document the process. It's been around for a while.

Click here or on the picture to see a 'virtual rendition' of the process

Biogen Intersitial

Click to Play

This video was key element in an awareness program for Multiple Sclerosis therapy

Snooze To Win

There are no coincidences, right? Two New York Times' pieces caught my eye. One debunking the myth that lactic acid causes muscles fatique. Unfortunatley, it took a hundred years for the establishment to recognize the old 'science' was wrong. Begs the question, how many other old theories need to be scrapped?

The coincicdences, We can train the brain, to let it all go;   imagine learning to sleep! A  little
aerboic excerise,  6 hours before hitting the pillow, creates muscle
fatique, so we can let it all go!  Ah the simplicity of it all.You can . Just in case you, perhaps like me, might be having a problem  with quality shut eye time.

Dear Iris--Ease My Pain

Dear Erudite Editor, Sherwood Park News please pass this on to the Minister of Health.

Hello Iris:

I went to see your pal Curt Vos, the other day. He's fine, me not so much. I've this pain in my butt. It goes into my back, my legs and is messing up my kness. It really is annoying. So am I, when I have it. That's probably more detail than you need. Perspective is important though!

So Curt books me an MRI to get to the bottom, so to speak, of all of this. One problem, I can't get it till July 26th. It'll be six months before, I'm on the road to recovery. Time is scare. Function is pretty important, with a finite and declining number of days left, on the planet.

I know you're up to your butt, in Third Way dilberations, so I don't want to take up much of your time. However, as a representative "underwriter" of the current government supplied health care insurance system. I ('we') pay for it through taxes, premiums, and out of pocket for delisted services or alternative therapies not covered, at all.

Why does it take 4 months to get an MRI in the system?

Why can't I use my 'public system' insurance to pay for a MRI, at a private clinic? "They" tell me I can get an MRI there, in two days.

How much does an MRI cost, in the public system?

How will the third way shortern wait times? Reduce costs to me? Increase benefits to me (us)?

How will de listing services, declaring hip and knees as non essential, benefit those with hips knees, and other things that need to be fixed?

How does de listing benefit anyone? In 2005 Alberta Health dropped physiotherapy coverage from 6 to 4 visits. Iris, Why did you do that? Who benefited from that?

What's the benefit in third party Health Insurance? As I see it, subject to clarification of course, I'll pay a premium to a private insurance company, 'they'll' create a deductible, and "they'll" either de list me, or increase my premium when and if I use the insurance, just like the automobile insurance guys do.

Iris, I look forward to discussing this. I trust the Erudite Editor and August Publisher of this weekly journal will be happy to accommodate your response.

Regards Bruce Winter

PS
Friends of Medicare, and anyone who needs something fixed and can't get it, feel free to join in this discussion, here, or at wwww.selfheath.blogspot.com