January 29, 2005

1yr Post Op FVFG @Duke with Dr Urbaniak

To all,
First I REALLY would like to thank everyone here on your kind wishes
and good thoughts for me and my trip to Dr Urbaniak. I could NOT have
done this without the AVN group and am VERY thankful you are all here for me
and each other. I could FEEL the energy while I was there...I may
have been alone on the trip physically...but I was not alone for a
moment! ;)

I also would like to thank those that have been inquiring about my
results...to tell you the truth...this trip set me back a bit on
emails and such so I apologize for not posting sooner.

My trip was extremely excellent! Dr U and Eunice were plenty pleased
with my progress. They took xrays of my hip only (never again will
and should I have an MRI on my hips...with the pin in there still-
per one of my questions). They were excited and yes, excited is the
word...to see how well my range of motion is. No limp, no pain, no
pain meds...just doing very well.

My appointment was Monday Jan 24th and my bday was Friday Jan 21st.
After I had taken my xrays and when they came into the room, they
said...looks like you will be getting a good birthday present, you
are doing great! (How did they know that is what I wanted for my
birthday?) :)

They told me (and answered some of my concerns) about what I should
not do ever again- anything with impact. I already covered this with
them before the surgery so it was not a surprise for me. No running,
no basketball, no volleyball, no parachuting, no aerobics, etc. I was
to keep up the walking, swimming and bike riding...those were fine.
Oh yes, I had to "retire the rollerblades"...a small price to pay for
no pain and being able to walk. That may have been the one thing I
actually did do that I cannot any longer... but I am TOTALLY ok with
the trade. I asked if I was done healing now and they said I probably
have a few more months to heal inside.

They said there is no sign of collapse at all and the circulation
seems to cover the whole area...therefore there is extreme rounding
of the femoral head. (There was not collapse before but it was
showing signs of collapsing at any time).

They asked what am I not doing now that I would like to do...I told
them that I am doing everything I like to do so the answer
was...nothing.

They were aware of my support on this group and were extremely happy
about that. We chatted about a variety of things...one of course was
how this group helps out in so many ways. I actually made Eunice and
Dr Urbaniak two AVN ribbons (I will post the pics of the ribbons
shortly). I wrote down and told them what the colors meant and they
were, again, extremely happy about that.

All in all, I am happy with my choice and like the idea that it has
been working for me. Obviously it does not work with everyone, since
we are all so different, but I will stand behind my choice for my
situation.I still tuck in the back of my mind that this may not be
permanent and that I may need a THR (my next step if this fails) in
the future. I will keep focusing on the day by day scenerio...seems
to be working for me.

I had alot of time to reflect while I was there and actually
constructed a LONG poem during each of the moments I was going
through while I was in North Carolina...some had asked for stories
about themself and the group and how its effected us and etc...that
is what my poem is about. Like I said...it is LONG...I had alot of
time to reflect. ( I will post it and soon as I get a bit
more settled back home-and type it in).

Again, thank you for the kind words and wishes and I am thankful for being a part of the AVN group and everyone for making it what it
is. It is heaven for some.

I did get what I wanted for my birthday... A great report from Dr
Urbaniak and I am thankful for that.
Hugs and tears,
Star

Posted by Star on January 29, 2005 04:37 PM

Posted by: xjaipetq at October 5, 2007 08:17 PM

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