Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Eleven Hours of Tennis

Every part of my body hurts -- except for my hips! This past weekend I went to tennis camp in the Catskills. Ideally, you play 11 hours of tennis over the course of the two-day program, but going into it I wasn't sure how much I would be able to do.

Prior to my screw removal, I was up to playing tennis three times per week, and I'd played two consecutive days in a row, but every time I'd played it had only been for an hour or two total. Tennis camp was a whole new level of intensity.

And it was fantastic. I played every minute of the eleven hours, not holding myself back in any way, and my hips did not hurt for one second. Not the bones, not the small muscles inside, not the incision. My hips felt like there had never been anything wrong with them.

The rest of my body is another story. I am pretty sore! But it is a good feeling of having worked hard and pushed myself, and my tennis definitely got a big boost from all the instruction and practice, so it is all worth it.

New York City tennis season has officially started now that Central Park is open, and I am ready for a great summer of tennis with my new, sensational hips. Thank you Dr. Millis!

13 comments:

  1. That is such good news- no hip pain whatso ever. I met with Dr. Millis in March. And we scheduled surgery for April 27th but I had to cancel because I went and got myself pregnant. Ok not on purpose I must have ovulated really early. We were both shocked. But it happened for a reason. This will make baby number 6. our oldest is 10, 8,5,3,1. We do plan on surgery for late Feb. early March. I was really disappointed. I had met some wonderful ladies that I was going to be recovering with now I have to wait. Frustrating but I will live.
    My hips have been behaving which is good. Because I have awful morning sickness. I don't think I could do the hips and being sick together. Oh that would be awful.
    I am just happy that you had no hip pain. I can't wait for that day myself. It might be a little while longer but it will be worth it. you have been so strong during this whole process. It amazes me how it only took you a year and 5 months. That is awesome. And really fast in my mind for the type of surgery-major hip surgery. You have definitely been such an inspiration to me. Now enjoy playing all the tennis you can!

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  2. I just wanted to thank you again for sharing your story. I am going in for my first PAO tomorrow with Dr. Millis. I am lucky to be only 3 train stops away from him so that makes planning a little easier. I am extremely nervous but know I am doing the right thing. Your blog has taught me so much about this process, and I think that I am better prepared because of it. So with all sincerity, thank you!

    -Gerri

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  3. Thanks Kate and Gerri! Glad I can help :)

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  4. I, too, am hardware free, but still have pain. I don't know your age and the age of diagnosis, but that seems to be a very important point.

    I first had surgery when I was 9 by shitty Dr. Mardam Bey in NYC...

    Then Prof. Ganz in CH and then Dr. Millis in Boston.


    Regardless, I am happy to find this site....

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  5. EN, I am currently 30 and I was diagnosed a month after my 29th birthday.

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  6. Hi! I am 3 weeks post op for RPAO today! I am already allowed to move from 1/6th to 1/3rd weight bearing! Things are going very well, despite a few down days. But that is just my body telling itself to take it easy and not push too hard. I know you mentioned that you see a personal trainer. I know its too early for me but I have been considering it. I have never gone to a personal trainer and I was wondering if you found someone who specializes in working with people who are post op from such a major surgery?

    Funny too, I was diagnosed exactly a month after my 29th birthday....and I will be 30 in a month, and I am considering the left hip for the winter. We are so lucky to have Dr. Millis! I hope you are still doing very well!

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  7. Gerri,

    So glad to hear you are doing so well and your recovery is moving along so quickly! As you well know from this blog, I know how to be frustrated that it isnt moving even faster.

    My personal trainer doesn't specialize in post-op cases but I knew what I could and couldn't do and we took it really easy in the beginning. I didn't start seeing him until two months post-op though. Prior to that I was only doing the stationary bike and arm weights on my own at the gym.

    Keep up the good work healing! :)

    AKM

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  8. Thanks for the advice and encouragement!

    When it comes down to it, when I exercise I'd rather spend my time on cardio or pilates than weights. But I know weights are so important and thats why I think I might need someone professional to help me. I did get a little barbell kit from Target and I have been doing arm exercises with those! LOL!!! I just can't stand not being active. It is the most frustrating part of this process!

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  9. hi there, i've seen dr su@hss and dr millis@chb and will probably get my left side done this fall in boston. (they mentioned you have a blog). thanks for your blog for tips on how to prepare/what to expect. i was wondering about your blood donation in nyc. the surgical coordinator said i could get it done at american red cross but there is a $470 "delivery" fee to get it up to boston which my insurance doesn't cover. did you come across this fee? i would prefer not to go up to boston just to donate blood but the bolt bus is cheaper than $470. great to hear that both your hips are working well.

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  10. Anonymous --

    Yes, I did come across the astronomical blood-delivery-fee from New York. For both surgeries I got two blood draws done down in NYC at the NY Blood Center at One New York Plaza and one blood draw done up in Boston during my pre-op.

    The fee was around $470 for the NYC draws as I recall. Pricey, I know, but i just couldn't get the time off work to go all the way to Boston for all the draws. If you do end up going to One New York Plaza for the draws, ask for Skip, he is ridiculously good at getting the blood painlessly out of difficult veins (like mine).

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  11. thanks for the reply. they only asked me to do 2 units of blood total for my one side so hopefully i won't run out of blood.

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  12. Anonymous --

    Great then! I had to give three units per surgery, which felt like a lot since I'd never even given blood before! So you are lucky that you just have to do two. I'm sure they told you to take the iron supplements prior to your autodonations -- beware that the iron supplements have a constipating effect -- eat lots of fiber as well!

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  13. *fantastic*! thanks for the heads up. i hear pain killers have the same effect.

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