UPDATE: Tim Van Horn Surgery Successful, Long Road To Recovery Begins

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So many folks have reached out and asked how I am doing following Friday’s total hip replacement surgery.  THANK YOU!  It may have taken just a minute to check on me, but it has meant so much to my family and me.

How’s it going?  So far, so good.  I’ve been asked by others considering the procedure to document my story.

I FIGURED IT WAS PROBABLY COMING

Being physically active, I’ve trusted Dr. John Lochemes at Titan Orthopedics for years to help me “keep on keeping on.”  Thanks to his watchful care, I knew about two years ago the surgery would likely be needed.  He tracked the deterioration and gave me the latest short and long-term solutions.  There was never a rush to get me under the knife. Each decision has been my own.

Earlier this year the hip pain was becoming too much to bear.  I began experiencing difficulties with posture, driving, walking, and other daily activities.  The x-rays now showed bone-on-bone at the hip.  The loss of mobility and increase in pain were inevitable.  Dr. Lochemes referred me to Campbell Clinic for consultation on hip replacement options.

I was assigned Dr. Marcus Ford.  His additional x-rays and testing confirmed everything I had learned at Titan Orthopedics.  We discussed procedure types, costs, recovery time, and post-op life.  Here’s a not-so-graphic explanation of the process.  Following consultation with my wife and him, I picked a surgery date in August so I could spend the Summer having fun with my family.

COUNTDOWN MORE THAN A FORMALITY

This past week was a bit of a stressful blur.  On top of preparing the house and myself for surgery, there was work to be done.  We had some serious local issues (special session, schools) that required full attention and energy on air. Consequently, the week of work may have been a good distraction from worrying about the surgery.

The day before surgery, I did allow fear to get a bit of a grip on me.  Things can go tragically wrong, even with a “routine” procedure.  I looked at my wife and kid a little differently, taking stock of how much they mean to me. The “What ifs” are an emotionally rough place to go. Reminding my wife of the whereabouts of my medical directive documents was awful but necessary. I recommend having these kind of legal papers prepared. For loved ones, it removes a massive burden.

The night before surgery, I found peace in acknowledging God’s sovereignty.  Whatever He had planned for me would come to fruition. He is. I am not.  I slept great and awoke ready for the big day.

PUT ON THIS GOWN AND TAKE A NAP

I checked in at Campbell Clinic for this outpatient procedure at 5:00am.  I was whisked back to my pre-op room, where my nurse installed my IV and marked my legs.  Yes, they literally marked “right” and “wrong” on the appropriate leg.  Although I don’t need a “hot coffee” warning on my fast food cup, these markings were much appreciated.

Beyond this, I remember a chat with Dr. Ford and my anesthesiologist and not much else.  Yeah, I zonked out pretty quickly! The operation took a little more than 90 minutes, and I awoke in my recovery room.  About an hour later, I was up with a walker and striding up and down the hallway.  I am still amazed at the technology that made it all possible.  They “kicked me out” shortly thereafter, and I was in my own bed by 1:30 that afternoon.

ONE ROAD COMPLETED, RECOVERY JUST BEGINNING

Dr. Ford and his staff helped me stay ahead of the pain with appropriate medication.  With my wife’s help, I got up and used the walker a few more times the same day.  I spent much of the weekend alternating between watching soccer and walking around the house.

I am very fortunate to have great friends who helped me pass the time by reaching out or coming by.

I will have another update following my first physical therapy appointment today.  I will be sure to provide evidence of the leg markings mentioned earlier.  Hopefully I will be back with you guys very, very soon.  This week’s rehab results should give me an accurate idea of when that will be.

Naps are still hitting me at frequent and unpredictable intervals.  It’s a long road back, but I am ready and willing to do the work. Thank you all for your support.

I received no compensation/consideration from any medical provider for writing this article.

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