"this is my hip"

My hip has been super ticked off with me the past few days. I'm pretty sure I've just done more than I should. It is hard for me to realize that not even 90 days has passed since the surgery. I need to listen to my body more! I've come to realize that those of us who are in pain on a fairly constant basis---seem to learn to ignore our pain. This is good when you're trying to fall asleep at night without pain medications, but not so good when you're ignoring the pain so you can clean up around the house or make dinner or do laundry or pick up your baby when they won't listen!
Anyway, I'm working on the happy medium. In my hip-group on Yahoo.com one of the other members posted something great today. I've pasted it below. She really sums it up well. Couldn't have said it better myself.

This Is My Hip

Fri Nov 14, 2008 3:44 am (PST)

This is my hip. There are many
like it, but this one is mine. My hip is not my best friend, but it is my
life. I must master it as I must master my life.

My hip, without hope, is useless. Without my hip, I am useless. I must
stride my hip true. I must walk straighter than my neighbors and all who
are trying to walk, too. I must walk among them, despite snapping and
grinding. I WILL…

My hip and myself know that what counts in this life are not the miles
we walk, the pain of our hips, nor the sounds we make. We know that it
is the hope that counts. WE WILL HOPE…

My hip is strong, even as I, and it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as
a science. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its
accessories…all about it as a whole and each of its individual
parts. I will ever guard it against the ravages of inaccurate diagnoses
and uncaring medical personnel, as I will ever guard my legs, my arms,
my eyes and my heart against damage as well. I will keep my hip limber
and strong. We will rely on each other. WE WILL…

Before God, I swear this creed. My hip and myself are the defenders of
my mobility. We are the masters of triumph and hope. WE ARE THE SAVIORS
OF MY LIFE.

So be it, until victory is ours and there is no pain, but LIFE!

Listen to my hip under this post on my blog or directly through you tube
also.

6 surgeries, yet still on the quest for freedom...

SHC
http://congenitallychallenged.wordpress.com/
<http://congenitallychallenged.wordpress.com/>

Down to one crutch!

Can't believe I haven't posted in so long. It's been hectic around here with all the help we had after the surgery and the rehab. It's taken most of my energy just getting some of my "usual stuff" done. I'm feeling a lot better lately. The right hip pain is down by at least half and I'm walking with just one crutch! Very exciting to have a hand free now. I've even been up cooking meals again. The most exciting news is that I started driving again last week! It's amazing how much I missed that part of my independence. The physical therapy is going well. It's time intensive. I'm there for an hour and a half twice a week. I'm getting stronger and can walk further than I could before the surgery without pain. I still have a hard time with any standing for longer than a few minutes. We have our nanny still helping with my son and the usual stay at home mom "duties". She's a God-send. We are so grateful to have her.

Anyway, off to be...I'll work on increasing my updates...

Continuous passive motion with my baby boy

Hip Braces, Walkers and Ted Hose, "Oh-My"

I'm still alive

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to let you all know I made it through the surgery. I'll post all the details from the doctor soon. It's still hard for me to sit for too long. So I'll keep this short. I'm using the continuous passive motion machine 4 hours a day everyday, I'm wearing my hip brace (I'll post a pic, it's ugly and cumbersome but supposed to help), I also have to wear these ridiculous boots to keep my legs straight while I sleep. Thank God for Vicodin! I have weaned myself off of pain meds during the day and just take them at night since I'm still sleeping in the recliner. Anyway, things are good so far. thanks for all the cards and flowers and well wishes ;o)

Insurance is a GO!

Finally got a call from the insurance utilization review nurse last week. Based on all of the info I faxed over to them their doctor has certified my surgery!!! Thank God! I'm so relieved and in such a better place mentally now preparing for the surgery. My doctor's office also told me I was the first patient they ever had go through the appeal process and win ;o) Usually the doctor's office staff has to deal with the insurance companies. Classic me, to controlling to let them handle things. ha
I'll write more soon, I feel like I'm nesting for another baby trying to get the house ready for me post surgery. I just want everything in its place and nothing left to do so I can come home and heal and relax!

Insurance craziness

I have probably wined and complained to most of my friends and family about this already. And I have to say my husband is a saint for listening to me stress out and try not to totally freak out over our insurance issues.
So for those of you who haven't had to listen to me complain, our insurance company sent me a letter on Friday the 19th of July (two days before my birthday, excellent timing) saying that they couldn't certify my hip surgery based on the medical documentation they had!!!

Thank God I was blessed with good phone skills and an assertive manner, because that's basically what I did all afternoon last monday and all day tuesday. I talked to multiple people, left messages, wrote letters and faxed documents until I finally got process for an appeal started. Thankfully (and sadly), the medical assistant at my orthopedists office is very used to having to appeal the insurance companies decisions. She is having Dr. Clark write a letter explaining why I need the surgery and what he plans to do.

Apparently, people sign up for hip surgery all the time just for fun... ha ha.

Oh well, I've done all I can do now. Just have to wait and see what they decide. I'm trying to stay calm trust that everything will work out. I know I've done everything I could and as much as I may want to, freaking out isn't going to help any. UGH.

I'll keep you updated.