Becoming bionic!
Yesterday, October 11, 2021, I had my right hip replaced at HOAG Orthopedic Institute in nearby Irvine, CA. Using the newer “anterior” (from the front) approach, it required only a relatively small ~3” incision with no muscles cut. The surgery took a bit over an hour. Three hours later I was walking and climbing a few stairs with my new titanium & ceramic joint, and three hours after that I was home.
Walking at HOAG Orthopedic Institute, 3 hours after getting my new right hip - amazing!
First stairs, no problem at all!
Arriving home 6 hours after my full hip replacement, the garage steps were a breeze!
I slept reasonably well my first night at home, and while I am experiencing a bit of surgical site pain, it’s nothing major - and they gave me some good drugs anyway. 😜
As to the why of this - it’s surely osteoarthritis related, and likely more due to the 8 marathons and long distance training I did back in the 80’s, where I averaged ~60 miles per week for many consecutive years. (BTW, I have zero regrets about all those miles, as training for & running my marathons - mostly in Chicago - created some of my closest friendships (especially you Rick Baker), and they were also simply the most amazing physical and psychological experiences of my life!)
On the way to setting my personal best record of 3 hours, 21 minutes at the Chicago Marathon in 1981.
On the emotional side of this, I am happy to report that by continuing my meditation practice leading up to my surgery, I was able to remain calm and avoid most all of the “catastrophic thinking” that often comes with these sorts of things. On the day of surgery, I also kept the following quote from Eckhart Tolle in mind:
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.”
By maintaining my meditation practice and keeping the truth of Eckhart’s simple, but profound statement at the forefront of my thought, I can honestly say that I went into the surgery and emerged from it calmly & without fear.
So grateful we live in a time where things like this are possible. Also grateful for the advice & input of those of you who have already been down this road, as well as the many thoughts, prayers & well wishes that have been coming my way. (Thanks especially to Scot & Keely Sellers who delivered some of their super powerful Mojo with their prayers, and of course the constant support of my amazing wife and best friend, Megan!)
But my greatest appreciation goes to my amazing surgeon, Dr. Abraham Kim, and his teams at South County Orthopedics & HOAG Orthopedic Institute. You are all truly world class professionals and I am grateful beyond words. 🙏
Dr. Abraham Kim, Orthopedic Surgeon Extraordinaire. I’ve worked with him for nearly 3 years now leading up to my surgery yesterday, and I can say definitively he is also one of the nicest humans I have ever met. I highly recommend him on all fronts!
More on Dr. Abraham Kim: at:https://www.scosortho.com/our-doctors-south-county-orthopedic-specialists/abraham-d-kim-md-south-county-orthopedic-
More on HOAG Orthopedic at: https://www.hoagorthopedicinstitute.com