I signed up for this forum back in December 2018. I never heard anything back until I suppose I was moved to this forum. I have had six THR and twice severe sepsis. I've been through PICC lines, ruptured PICC lines, wound debridements, wound vacs, wound vac removal, swollen leg, lymphedema, wound surgical closure, closed wound infection, aspirations, no hip, Vancomycin spacer, Vancomycin IV for twelve weeks, Daptomycin IV for twelve weeks while hospitalized for the entire time, and more.

When I wrote in this forum I was at rock bottom with the whole process. Well life was quite limited but I kept pushing myself. I found a surgeon that thought outside the box regarding what could be done. He designed a femur, ball, socket and replaced the diseased femur and pelvic bone. I'm now eight months out from this surgery. My surgeon feels confident that with regular physical therapy and reduced weight I will be able to walk without a walker or cane. I'm challenged by the pain. It's relentless. I go to physical therapy and I find the pain unbearable but I keep trying to get the end result expected. I do home exercise daily just to move. I'm exhausted all the time.

I hate complaining to the surgeon because I know he's done his best. I was told what I have is all that can be done. So I suppose you're wondering why I'm writing... well I'm tired. I'm tired of doctors whom think all my problems will work out just by losing weight and continued physical therapy. I lost weight. No change. I'm physically unable to stand for long or sit for long. I've built up a smiling face mask for times I have to sit or stand beyond my tolerable limits. I actually prefer being alone so I don't have to hide my pain.

I'm not a candidate for more surgery. I have CHF and kidney failure now. I'm in stage three. I do get regular aspirations of the hip. I find that I lose feeling in my arms while using the Walker but I've found it happens even when I recline in bed. I have bone-on-bone in both knees. Also a torn meniscus in my left leg which is my "good" leg. When I workout or walk distance, I lose my breath due to my heart/kidney issues. It's tiring. Well actually exhausting.

I guess I have just learned to accept this situation because I find it difficult to hop on one leg and my surgeon thinks I should have this THR removed and not replace it. Hey I even started up a club with my walking friends. We call ourselves the "Mingos" short for flamingos. Yes flamingos stand on one leg but at times they do hop to relocate even though they have two legs. I try to keep humor in all of this. I am researching what my life would be if I do lose this "Hail Mary" hip replacement. I spent a year without a hip and it was difficult. I managed but it meant a total commitment to survive.

If anyone has specific recommendations on living without a hip, I would appreciate it. I live alone. As it is now, I have people assisting me with daily activities. I've found it financially rough and I am now retired. I do not want to live in a personal care home, nursing home, or room somewhere because I do have my independence. I shop on-line, I get groceries delivered, I have some assistance for things I cannot do. I do get lonely at times. I'd love to talk with someone who understands living with health issues.

I'm really scared about permanently living without a hip.

Thanks for listening... If you have questions, I'll do my best to answer.