Hi there....so my countdown begins! Jan 8th will be my one year anniversary of my FVFG! Unbelievable now I look back and see how far I have come...it was a LONG way! I have a flight out on the 23rd to go to Duke in NC to see Dr Urbaniak on that Monday the 24th for my annual check up. I am so excited to hear his outcome...I haven't had an xray in 6 months but would imagine all is well. I cant

I have to say that I am thankful for people like me. People with the same issues, people with the same problems, if you will. For example a person I work with, lets call him Brendon, has been a great support group for me. Not only do we have common hobby interests but he has bone/joint issues himself. He has some knee problems but I have noticed some of the same feelings, limitations he has that I

So for whatever reason I did a little jog the other day...not a jog but skipped or ran if you will about 10 feet...not far...just was hurrying with some stuff in hand and didn't want someone to see me so I did a small jog. Like I said, not far, about 10 feet. Well it proved that #1 I am still healing and #2 I need to start doing more exercises with my leg. I think I pulled the muscle (where the

A friend of mine and I went to dinner last week and we were talking about "good days" and " bad days" and what the difference between the two were...in general. She asked me, "What is a good day for you?" I answered, "A good day for me is if I do not hurt and can walk at the same time." She gave a perplexed look for just a moment and stated, "I guess a good day is all about perspective and what is

There was a post to me about how to test for this disease so I thought I would make an entry out of it for all. I copied and pasted a few things in here to answer that question: MRI is quickly becoming a common method for diagnosing avascular necrosis. Unlike x rays, bone scans, and CT (computed/computerized tomography) scans, MRI detects chemical changes in the bone marrow and can show

I didn't say end of the tunnel though! :)Thought I would share another "feel good experience" with you. This week two events took place for me...hunting season for big game and a trip from my mother. Now I understand that there are plenty of people against hunting so please bare with me here...its not the act...its all that went with it. I'll explain: Again, another event that I couldn't do

That is a really GOOD question! Actually someone just emailed me that same question and let me see if I can get it for ya...here was my response... "You really need to listen to your body on whether you should go back to work or not. I am a person of all traits at work...I actually get products and services and train them to Credit Union staff. This entails alot of sitting for preparation and

Thank goodness I was not on these drugs for too long , maybe 3 weeks but when I stopped them (under Eunices guidelines) I had withdrawal symptoms. My muscles hurt and I would sweat and sweat. I couldn't sleep right , always woke up. It was unpleasant and this lasted about two weeks! Yea! Tell me about it! But keep in mind, all people are difefrent and react to things differently. Just ask your

Don't expect to get much energy after your operation. Your body needs to come back from a major trama to it. You WILL be tired and need naps, especially if you are not a nap person! Take this time to rest...you need it. There is no need to hurry, you arent going anywhere. If you accept it before hand, it will be easier for you. Dont think you will "hurry" anywhere...rest your head and body. Your

There were plenty of days I did not want to do my Physical Therapy but I did. It is soooo important to do those exercises. Some times I felt they were not doing anything. Some of the time, I thought I would not be able to do that particular exercise in my life again. Some of them I thought were a waste of time. I can remember all these feelings. It is sooo important to do all of them! They are

A person, lets call him Joe, asked me how long it would be before one felt like getting back on the pc to chat after this operation. I thought about it and for me it was 3 weeks (I think). Could be 2 weeks. But at first you dont feel like doing much of anything and you shouldn't...you should rest. Your body, whole body is trying to get through what you just went through...major surgery. No

There aren't many appts required after the initial operation. At six weeks you go to your local Ortho and they take xrays-regular and frog legs ones. Make sure the graft is straight and nothing looks strange. At 3 months post op you go to your local Ortho and take the same xrays. At this time you may see some incorporation of the graft but may not. These films are sent to Duke to Dr Urbaniak where

Rest your body when it tells you to. You will win in the long run! Rest if it doesn't tell you to...you will also win in the long run! Star

So I was in the situation where I was on crutches, heck, in a wheelchair...for a bit. I am not now but I WAS! Before and after my operation. It is a different world and you don't know about that world unless you are in it...plain and simple. So I am in a hotel now in Atlanta, looking at Turner field to go to the first DS game tomorrow. But there's so much more to that...really. Apparently

So here I am in Atlanta Georgia waiting for the DS game 1 on Wednesday. I been walking around ALL day...literally! I went and did the tour at CNN and "Monday Rally" that they had for the team then lots of walking back and forth to the hotel and then I switched hotels to be closer to the stadium. Then I did a dry run (walk actually) to the stadium...walked around it, got familiar... then walked

Both were drugs that I was administered after the operation for pain. I did not get any pain! I didnt take them for long, maybe 3 weeks? I really cant remember exactly but it wasnt long at all. I was off them before the bottle was done and ONLY under the recomeendation of Eunice the PA of Dr Urbaniak. Why? These drugs are sooooo addicting! My body went through withdrawal that consisted of sweats,

Today is a perfect example of that statement...I was going to go to Nathan's wedding reception but did not because I had to care for myself first. I chipped my front tooth and spent the day waiting for the emergency dentist and going to the dentist for a temporary fix. I really wanted to go to the reception but I had to care for my unplanned accident with my mouth. Same goes for this

I am honored to say that tomorrow I will be attending a reception to a young man (21), his name is Nathan...him and Trichelle got married and I am honored to attend their reception at their home. Nathan had the F\/FG at the end of April at Duke, like myself. His mother, Beth and I started chatting online sometime after I had mine done (Jan 04). Then Nathan and I started a bit. Long story short, it

Joe- Hugs to you , I did not forget about you yesterday...you are at Duke too. You are in my thoughts. Wendy- Hugs to you today...it's the 30th and you are at Duke. You are in my thoughts. Laura-Oct 4th...hugs to you today also, you are in my thoughts. All of which are people I try to help with information that are going through the same operation. It is sooooo important to get the support

I stayed at the Brookwood Inn, which is an ok hotel. You arent staying there too long:the day before which is all day at Duke for prescreening and then thats it. It has a resturant , small but cute and it is walking distance from Duke where you have to be. It is across the street but its a LONG street so dont be fooled. It would take 3 miuntes to walk there and its through a walkway underneath the

Brrrr, cold weather is chilly and makes one not want to get out of the blankets! Collapsing hip- since all people interpret pain differently it is gard to tell if your hip collapses. All people are different, there is no set way to know. Be aware of sysmptoms and get xrays and MRIs. Then you will know. Star

When I had pain in my hip, I would use the heating pad religiously. I find myself using it now, but I get no pain. Maybe its habit? Maybe I am just cold. I do remember I would alternate from ice to heat. My hip felt better then. Heating blanket also...I got that for Xmas, right before my surgery. It felt so good on my hip before surgery. Tidbits help. Star I miss baseball...g'nite.

This was an email I sent out for my 3 month post op appt for an update to some friends. May help in seeing where my mindframe was at for this time. I am now almost 9 months post op. Star Hello all. I went to the Drs on Tuesday and expected a cake and got a cookie. Everything is fine, on the right track...I just expected somuch more...for some reason. The doctor took out some stragglerstitches

So today my friend rented a truck to reside at a new apt and had to help load truck and etc to get her in the new apt. I carried light boxes. Did NOT lift any furniture that was too much for me. I knew my limitations. I did do alot of walking, which was good for me for sure. But I watched myself. At the new apt , it was on the 2nd floor and stairs. I did that for some trips back and forth and

Angel Flights is a non-profit charitable air medical transportation organization serving needy people and their families. They provide access to specialized medical evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. I used Angels flights (thank goodness for them) to go from WPB Florida (mom's house) to Duke in NC. I had to transfer once. This was helpful for me for sure! \Here is thier

Okay, so I did a bold thing today and wrote the Colorado Rockies and Todd Helton and Matt Holliday a letter. Things like this make me wish sometimes to change some things but like I say, all things happen for a reason. I wanted to share with them how I care about thier team, them specifically and how baseball helped me heal and notice the milestones of reco\/ering. I want as many people as I can

I do not get any pain/cramping at the donor site at my calf, but I hear some do. Also about this operation turning into a THR...This is from Eunice when asked about it: "According to our records 3 out of the 4 FVFG's performed in 1980 have not converted to THR. I say according to our records because one patient has not been contacted since 1995. Know for sure 2 are 24 yrs out and doing well.

What to bring, what to bring...if you are debating...don't bring it! :) Certainly bring your crutches. I left mine at home and had to purchase a walker there...I waited and waited the morning I was being released...don't be hassled, just bring your own walker or crutches. No need to bring PJs, the hospital will dress you, literally, with thier finest hospital gowns...you won't care at this

To forewarn you, if you are in the sun with your scars, always always put sunscreen on them both. Scars can be sensiti\/e to sun rays and may hurt or make the scar darker. Again, keep your scars (new/old) moist.And always reapply sunscreen. Short and sweet, Star

If you are just finding out about a disease or situation of yourself, I cannot stress enough to do your homework! RESEARCH as much as you can. learn all parts of your disease. Read on the internet, go to the library, speak with people in the same situation, join a group with those in the same situations. Take in as much as you can. At the same time know that all things that you read may not be

Before you get any surgery you probably see many doctors, deal with insurance companies, work and all kinds of things. I would suggest making a copy of ALL papers that come through your hands and All papers that doctors write etc. Too many times the doctor or insurance company or etc misplaces your paper work. Get copies of it ALL! Get copies of your xrays, MRIs, prescriptions, medical records,

My mom would go to work during the day when I was recoxering at her house and she had a cooler near the bed and put all kinds of things in there for me for breakfast and lunch and snack. She would make me tea in the am but I would still be sleeping when she left so she put the tea in those cups that are co\/ered, that you bring to work...so when I woke, it would still be warm. She also had a

Family support is so important, especially for this type of surgery. After I gathered all my information together, I flew out to Florida to spend a weekend there for the purpose to inform my immediate family first: my brother and mother. This was pretty important step. I needed to ask for thier total support, in whatexer way they could get to me. I had planned on going to FL before the operation

I can feel the baseball withdrawal hitting already. Trying to get in as many game to attend as I can. Long wait until April when season starts again. Like waiting for the official reports from Duke of my operation...the waiting game. So at my 3 mo post op official report, I was still on my crutches and wheelchair and my report said that my femoral head was smoothening off, straight and aligned

There is nothing quick about this recovery. If you need to do something fast...dont bother. You NEED to have ALOT of patience for a long time. I cannot stress that enough. There were/are days that I feel fine and think I can do particular things but I had to consciously remind myself all the time and acknowledge that I am STILL healing. This is a long recovery and the more that you dedicate to

In the early stages of avascular necrosis, patients may not have any symptoms. As the disease progresses, however, most patients experience joint pain--at first, only when putting weight on the affected joint, and then even when resting. Pain usually develops gradually and may be mild or severe. If avascular necrosis progresses and the bone and surrounding joint surface collapse, pain may develop

Hello all. I would like to say that I recognized a major change at the baseball game today (I go often). I noticed how well I do going up the stairs in the stadium. Not long ago, I was taking the elexator and then the escalator...then I would go up and down the stairs slowly and always started on the right foot to go up each stair. Today I noticed that I was flying up and down the stairs, at a

In addition to using Silicone sheets, I been massaging the scar regualrly. This will keep the scar flexible. Also on the weekends when I take the sheets off, I use oil and massage it. Also I use E oil on it. Rub rub rub a dub dub. Keep it moist AFTER the scar is completely healed and closed of course. Sun screen always on the scars and trust me I am a sun worshipper! Helpful hints for you...and

I am still using the Silicone sheets for my scars. I think I actually SEE a difference. I think, if at all possible, that the scars shrank in size. I used to cut the sheets into three parts for the leg scar and two for the hip scar and BOTH are smaller than what I would normally cut. I think its great! I think I been using them for about 2-3 months now, daily. I would call them Fame. Especially

Through this one learns not to dwell on the past. Make what you can for the future. You cannot change the past but you can effect the future. One moment at a time. Enjoy the happy moments and know that there are bad ones too. Accept them. It is easier said than done but the more you do it, the easier it is. Also you need to remind yourself all the time. Keep your head up. You will make it through.

Been doing alot lately (this week), more than I usually do. I often think if I am doing TOO much. My muscles don't hurt but I can feel them work. Always on the run, lots of work and lots of play and not enough rest, or I should say that I should rest more. I do not hurt, I missed being this mobile, thats all. I pay attention to my body's needs...I sometimes think things are too much for my body to

Pain is in the eye of the beholder. No two people experience the same pain. Star

Another day at my "at peace" place, sitting in the sun next to the pool. The water feels so good on my bones. It makes me exercise more since it is so refreshing. I think it's the last day my outside pool is open...we will see. Sad day to me, if it is. AVN=Avascular Necrosis is a condition that results from a loss of blood supply to the bone. There are many causes for this, all of which lead to

Just like when operations are over, there is a calmness, just like now that Frances is gone from my family in FL. My mom's home, we don't know about...there is no electric there so we are not sure if its still there...we will assume so. My mom and brother and family are fine...still early to know what damage there is. Just like waiting for the signal if the graft took in my hip...takes up to a

Another short post, I apologize, preoccupied with this hurricane and making sure my family and friends are ok. No one realizes there is another on coming, Ivan. Prayers are needed...for all people there. Feeling kinda tired, my body, I rest. Star

Long week. More this weekend. My body is tired and I need to listen to it so I need to lay down. All is well, just alot going on this week. I'm exhausted. The storm is here, Star

I normally dont allow much stress to effect me since my operations in my life but today was an exception. My mom was evacuated from her area , she left...good job mom! Her home is still there and so is my brother, niece and two nephews that I worry about. I am sure all will be fine but I grew up there in FL and spent many years with going through the hurricanes...after Hurricane Andruw, that was

Worked at home today...did my pool therapy and sat in the sun while I constructed a training plan for a Score Card project for work. The swimming and exercises I do in the water is so good for my muscles and bones. The sun rays shine on me as I consume the vitamin D...my calcium will process better with this...from what I have read. Such a nice day when I can care for my hip and leg with quality

Hello there to all. This is my first post and I am sure it is more formal than the rest will be in the future. I thought I would start by saying a small blurb about me and my situation. I see that in the future of posting on my diary, there will be alot of referring to "pasttimes" to explain what I experienced and what brings me to be the person I am today. Thanks to all that took the time to read