Bye Bye Work!!

Today was my last day at the office. I'm going to miss my coworkers and friends at work. They're such a great group of people. I couldn't imagine a more supportive or accomodating working environment. It's such a relief to know that I don't have to explain or worry about people not taking me seriously. People under the age of 90 with hip problems usually don't get taken seriously. Lot's of people think we're faking it, or that we're just looking to get some narcotics or whatever. I try to avoid taking meds when I don't have to. I think that's the difference between pain management and drug addiction. Mind you I did invite some coworkers to party in my hospital room "BYOP", "bring your own percocet".

I'm fairly certain people at work think I'm a work-a-holic. I'm not. I'm seriously passionate about what I do. I also think that things like a few pelvic reconstruction surgeries here and there shouldn't be a reason to keep you from enjoying all parts of your life to the fullest extent possible. Work and play.

I got asked today by a colleague if I am nervous for tomorrow's surgical dislocation on my right hip.

Not in the slightest.

I have been a hip patient for almost 4 years. It took almost 3 years to figure out what was wrong, and this is surgery #2 (the first one was in September). Coincidentally I turned 25 on Monday. That means that I've spent the better part of my 20's living with hip pain. I'm ready to just be a regular guy again.

Although the recovery is 6 weeks of not being able to sit up, I don't see that as a big deal. It has taken since October 18, 2005, two counselors, almost a dozen physiotherapists, 2 occupational therapists, four GP's, a sports med specialist, massage therapist, three orthapaedic surgeons, and countless nurses and support staff to get me this far. I know they'd tell you they're just the enablers, and that I'm the one doing all the work, and to some extent that's true. I know that I'm grateful to all of them because I simply wouldn't be in a position where I can talk about life after hip dysplasia without them.

I view this surgery as one of the last milestones on the road to complete recovery. I think of what I have already been through, and the sacrifices I've had to make in order to get this far. This surgery is not a time to be sad. To me, this surgery is a reason for celebration.