Singing the blues - hip surgery

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rsn48

Well, the moment I knew would come, as long ago as 1985, comes this Thursday morning on the 18th of May. I'm going in for a new hip procedure call "resurfacing" at the University of British Columbia hospital. The good news is that I'll only be down for the count for 6 weeks or so (faster recovery than the traditional hip surgery) and then I will be back to new. The bad news is I will be down for the count for 6 weeks of wonderful sailing time, I think this is the time to say the well worn bumper sticker - "I'd rather be sailing!" So my boat - the "Leaky Cauldron" - will be pining away for me, sitting alone by itself in the slip, no one to work her lines. Sob.... but I'm a man and can take it... sort of... maybe... well. I look forward to a good sailing season after the middle of June. And if you need a hip replacement, consider "resurfacing" (goggle it) you will be much happier with it than the standard fare.
 

Jon W.

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May 18, 2004
401
Catalina 310 C310 Seattle Wa
You should feel lucky

I just found out that my 300 lb. brother in law is going to have a knee replaced in June. After a few weeks of rehab, he'll have a hip replaced, then several weeks later the other knee. He doesn't sail, but I'm sure he'll miss his golf. I feel for both of you.
 

rsn48

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Jun 7, 2005
257
- - Sewell Marina - West Vancouver
Reminds me of the old joke

The little girl said to her dad- "so Grandpa had his hips replaced?" "Yes Mary" replied Dad. "And he had both knees replaced?" She asked. "Yes Mary, he had both knees replaced," Dad said. "Well (after much thought), at what point does Grandpa stop being Grandpa?" She enquired?
 
Jun 16, 2004
130
Catalina 30 Mk1 Horseshoe Bay, BC
Good luck!

My Mom is going into UBC hospital for the long hip operation tomorrow - 3 mo. recovery time. You might see each other in the recovery area! Good Luck! PS I'm in Sewell's as well. Where's your boat - I'll check the lines for you if you want. Cheers -Rob
 

rsn48

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Jun 7, 2005
257
- - Sewell Marina - West Vancouver
Might have met her

I'm probably on the same pier - "5" - that you are on. My slip is closest to the fuel dock, beside a power boat. I have to go down tomorrow and change out the line to the bow, it has chaffed badly. I've just blanked out on the number, however it is the only slip number in which the numbers aren't black on the plague. My boat is the only boat (sail) that doesn't have a name on it. I had the stern rebuilt last year to accept a new Merc 9.9 and got rid of the open transoms like the other Cat 27's have; the results were that the name was removed during the work. If your mother was in "pre-surgery" today at VGH then I already met her as a group of us "hippies" had a meeting at one o'clock to go over rehab. Is she having "resurfacing?" I don't go into surgery until Thursday, but we'll probably pass each other in the hall with "walkers," as the evil villains the physio's torture us. I might try and get a tarp up on the boat (the old one tore off in the wind) to keep the birds from dropping their shells all over it so they can eat the insides. I would appreciate you checking it out. I have a buddy who works on the Bowen Island ferry as one of its Captains, and he does a visual from the bridge to make sure it is okay after high winds. My name is Rick Nicholson and you can relay a message through the Sewell's management if there is a boat problem.
 
Jun 16, 2004
130
Catalina 30 Mk1 Horseshoe Bay, BC
No problem

I'll keep an eye on the boat for you - I should be able to check it out this weekend and subsequent weekends. My mom was in surgery at 12 and out at 1 today. All went well. She wasn't a candidate for the resurfacing - she needed the whole thing done. I think they do enough of those surgeries that they really know their stuff. There's a good chance you may meet her out there - her name is Diane Johnson. She was in the presurgery orientation on Monday. Best wishes to you - hope everything goes well. -Rob
 
Jan 22, 2008
117
Oday 23 Winnisquam lake
More bad news...

I shattered my heel 7 years. There was 14 screws and a 3 inch plate of steel in there that has been causing me so much pain. They wanted to take it out, replace it with one screw and fuse bone from my hip into my heel. I did not want it to interfer with my sailing, so we did it on Feb 17th of this year. Yesterday was the 3 month mark and supposed to lose all cast and crutches. They did x-rays to make sure all was good, turns out the one screw they put in has broke and now we have to start from day one again. Looks like my sailing my be limited this year to say the least...This SUCKS!!
 

Ferg

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Mar 6, 2006
115
Catalina 27 C27 @Thunder Bay ON Ca.
rsn48 .....

…. I’ve been caught up in a subcontract and just found your post today. Hope all went well my friend, us vintage 27 owners gotta stick together! Next time out, the first mate and I will drink to your health and speedy return to “Leaky Cauldron” Later,eh! Ferg, Cathy, & Sea-Renity
 
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