It was a long day for me yesterday as ‘Jack-in-the-Box’ took me on the scenic route to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. It was a pleasant drive, but did little to calm my nerves about this appointment. As usual, I was there with plenty of time to spare.
A splash of fall colors on the refuge.
After an hour’s worth of paper work, I was still an hour early for my x-ray appointment. I twiddled my thumbs for a while before getting into excruciating positions for the x-ray tech.
An Eastern phoebe with its dragonfly dinner.
Then it was another two hour wait to meet with Dr. Mark Brodersen, orthopedic surgeon, to find out the verdict. This is pretty normal, in my experience, at a Mayo Clinic location. The Mayo campus here in Jacksonville is reminiscent of Mayo’s home in Rochester, MN. There aren’t any tunnels underground or above ground walkways here to my knowledge, but the art work and pleasant waiting areas are very similar. Instead of someone playing a grand piano in one of the waiting areas, a young woman was singing soothing music. Mayo aims to keep their patients calm and comfortable. I just wasn’t in any mood to take pictures on this visit.
To make a long story a little shorter, when I met with Dr. Brodersen I found him to be very personable, and I was quite comfortable with him. He has been an orthopedic surgeon for 30 years, and I know Mayo doesn’t employ quacks. He answered all my questions, showed me my x-rays, and explained his prognosis in great detail including all pros and cons. As I understand it, the good old disease of arthritis has attacked my right hip and eliminated the cartilage between my hip bone and leg bone. That means I have bone grinding on bone every time I move that leg and hip.
A red-shouldered hawk collage. This bird had just caught a snake for dinner.
It’s not life threatening, and he suggested that when I couldn’t stand the pain and changes to my lifestyle, that I should consider a full hip replacement surgery. Can you guess my response? I’m ready now! Enough of this pain and hobbling around without being able to walk more than a short distance. Dang, sign me up!
Another pileated woodpecker in the long leafed pines.
Of course, there are several complications involved that I endeavored to deal with today. One of them may be the fact that I might have to leave the refuge since I won’t be working during my recovery. I have to admit that I thought that maybe with close to 5000 volunteer hours with the Fish and Wildlife Service in the last six years that I might be able to remain here during my recuperation, and continue to serve once I was able. That’s up in the air. It may depend on how fast I think I can recuperate.
As it stands right now, the earliest that I could have the surgery will be some time in December. So I’ll be here for at least the rest of the month…hobbling along.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
I'm glad to hear you've got confirmation about what needs to be done... even though it sounds like getting it done is going to be complicated. I don't know about the NWR system as a whole, but think some of the bigger ones consider setting precedence and stuff like that. Just wishing you the best possible outcome.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're able to stay parked there while you recover. I'm not familiar with any RV parks in the Jacksonville area, but I did happen to get an email earlier this week from Sun RV Resorts (I've stayed at their Lake San Marino resort before). They're running specials for the months of Jan & Mar for 1st-time visitors as low as $189/mo for their Orange City or Citra resorts. Perhaps these would be lower priced options for you if needed? Here's a shorted URL to the promo:
ReplyDeletehttp://bit.ly/VJDnQ6
or email me (winnieviews at gmail dot com), and I'll forward you the email.
Hope you can get everything pre-arranged to be pain-free (and stress-free) by 2013!
You won't regret having the surgery. After a short recovery you will wonder why you waited this long.
ReplyDeleteI have heard such great success stories with hip replacement surgery. I hope you can stay put somewhere for your recuperation time, Judy, seems only fair.
ReplyDeleteA very good friend had this surgery 2 months ago. In hospital 3 days. At home with walker for about a week. Then began PT - was soon walking with a cane. In 4-5 weeks she was released by MD and back doing most everything - a bit slowly but very mobile. Of course everyone is different. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best of luck on this. I've heard many, many good outcomes. Hope you're as fortunate!
ReplyDeleteI am currently recovering from a fractured tibia and suggest finding the most supportive place you can with WIFI, TV even if you have to pay more than usual. Having the things you need handy will keep your spirits up during recovery. Take full advantage of your planning time to gather what you need. Take Good Care! You will be feeling better before you know it!
ReplyDeleteHalf the battle is liking and trusting your doctor. So happy for you that you feel so comfortable with him. I am with you. Lets get this surgery over and done so you can begin enjoying the good life... Pain free!
ReplyDeleteDo you have help arranged for you and Emma during surgery and recovery? Hope all goes well for you. It will be nice to get rid of that pain.
ReplyDeleteHope you get everything worked out and get on your way to feeling better.
ReplyDeleteAs others have noted, hip replacements are generally pretty straightforward and recovery is relatively quick. Be sure that you're in a place where you can do the physical therapy - that's critical!
ReplyDeleteFrom my knee replacement, I'd say one big thing is to have some help for the first week home from the hospital. The anasthetic will linger for about a week, you'll probably sleep a ton.
Good luck with getting all the logistics worked out - think of all the time you'll have for blogging! (oh, selfish me)
Wow, that was fast! Of course, I'm not the one hobbling around, it probably seems like forever to you. I'm glad things are in motion for you to feel better soon. I hope everything goes smoothly for you.
ReplyDeleteNice to hear you feel comfortable with the doctor. That's so important. December will be here before you know it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got a Doc you feel good with...The most important thing is your health...Don't try to speed the recovery, that can get you into trouble..Take some time off the refuge, and make sure you have a "caregiver" of some sorts,and no, I don't thing Emma will qualify...So, now the journey begins..
ReplyDeleteI would want to be at a park that had a pool, preferably a heated one so I could do water exercises as soon as the incision heals sufficiently. Maybe not right away, but sometime down the road. Water is wonderful. You can move easier because you weigh less.
ReplyDeleteOh, Judy, sorry it has come to this... i have taken care of a person that had 2 knee replacements & the people in the hospital that had hip replacements got along better than the knee people.. Does that make u feel better :)
ReplyDeleteWow what a decision, but don't worry my Mom had a hip replaced and it is even easier now.She was amazed they kept her awake, and they used a cordless drill just like Sam has. Keep us informed, hope you can arrange a place to stay. With Jacksonville being north. you may be able to find a place for 3 or 4 hundred a month. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..
ReplyDeleteoh man - hope you get a reprieve on the pain some how while you get scheduled to get it fixed. And hope the decision makers take into account some common sense for you stay there while you are recuperating. 5000 hours is significant and ought to be worth a little compassion. Its not like you are trying to game the system or take advantage…. We're pulling for you!
ReplyDeleteBeing comfortable with a doc is so important. Hopefully, you'll be able to remain in place during your recovery if that's your preference, but I wonder if it would actually be better to be closer to JAX during that time.
ReplyDeleteI have a chef friend who had a hip replacement at the beginning of October. He's already back to his catering gigs, full speed ahead. Of course, he is a bit of a beast.
ReplyDeleteThe Oke isn't going any where. Get yourself fixed and then go back when you are physically able to really enjoy it.
Glad to hear you got the facts and are enthusiastic about getting it taken care of. I've never been down that road yet so I have no advice just sending my best thoughts for the best circumstances to arise for you.
ReplyDeleteLike Anne said, do your therapy. If possible start therapy now, ankle pumps and leg lifts. The stronger you are prior to surgery, the shorter your recovery time. The hospital that did mine had a class about a month prior to my surgery and this is what they recommended. I was released by the home health care people 10 days after surgery. Enjoy your new hip, they are great.
ReplyDeleteBe careful on the road,
Rex
Excellent advice from everyone...Glad you liked your doctor..that's so critical...Won't be long before you can get the surgery...Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are on your way to walking pain free!!
ReplyDeleteAll good advice. Good luck with your decision. Don't rush your recovery, your obligation is to you. Take advantage of any and all the help offered from family and friends even though it will challenge your fierce sense of independence.
ReplyDeleteBev in NS, Canada
I'm with you in getting it done NOW. Enough pain is enough.
ReplyDeleteHow's your boondocking capability? Can you camp in Mayo's parking lot? Would certainly make rehab easier.
You might want to find care for Emma, though. It may be a bit before you feel up to even doing first outs let alone taking care of her other needs. Take care of you first; she'll forgive you.
So glad to hear you have found a doctor you like and have a diagnosis so you can now take action to be pain free. I'm sure you'll work out the details and will be running through the refuge with Emma before you know it!!
ReplyDeleteJust got caught up on your blog. I'm glad to hear that you are going to have that hip taken care of. Jacksonville is a good place to for rehab.
DeleteWaiting 'til December will give you time to work out all of the stuff about Emma, and getting help for groceries, appointments, etc. An attitude of determination for a fast healing will certainly help you with the recovery process.
ReplyDeleteGetting back to feeling no pain will be great. I hope you will be able to make acceptable arrangements for recovery after the surgery!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I would think that with all those volunteer hours, they would let you stay there to recuperate. Bummer!
ReplyDeleteI know you'll be glad when this is all behind you.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have made your decision. As with my knee replacements, you just know when enough is enough.
ReplyDelete