248 replies to this topic

[cwdtmmrs]

Jim, You only want a surgeon that does the "anterior hip replacement". Rehab is nowhere near 3 months. My sister has had both hips done and you couldn't tell in a week by the way she was walking. Surgery was less than an hour. Had it done at Hoag in Irvine. Of course, total healing is probably 3 months or better.

[RC Pilot Jim]

Camper Battery Field Report

 

Sept 2015

Replaced our camper battery - warranty 36 months. Died at 40 months. Our battery was a 79 amp hour

AGM model Intimidator by East Penn Mfg. Replaced it with the same model and manufacture 5 years, 8 months still working like new.

May 2021

Sitting in the carport for weeks these days the battery stays at 100% charged. We get enough light bounce from our neighbors white roof to maintain it at 99-100% per the Trimetric. I have asked my mechanic how long it will last. He said in that environment (Low humidity and out of the sun),  the camper and battery will last a very long time.

 

By comparison I have to put the truck battery on trickle charger to maintain the voltage at 12.7. Its 8 years, 4 months old. It seems batteries have really improved.

 

Before the desert season begins I always have the truck checked for offroad usage, batteries checked and I always replace the radiator at 10 years because its not METAL its composite PLASTIC. Better to be safe than broken down 40 miles from the nearest repair shop.

Edited by RC Pilot Jim, 21 May 2021 - 12:01 AM.

[kramme]

Beer, heck yes and camping with other 4WC and Jim is a plus! We are ready whenever Jim gets his 100,000 hits and a new hip!

Edited by kramme, 05 June 2021 - 03:59 PM.

[RC Pilot Jim]

In 2021 I Turned  77 

Field Report

No easy way to say this. In June (6/9/21)  we sold the rig (truck and camper) as a package losing 8% of the total investment over 9 years. Unbelievable return on investment. 4 Wheel campers ROCK!!! I feel relieved. My body can't do it anymore. I don't have the physical strength. Another dedicated old guy put out to pasture.  Going forward we will be embracing motel camping. 

 

The new owners, age 30 will be using it a lot. Glad a young family will get lots of years of use out of it

 

I/m going to leave this post up. If anyone has any questions about it send me a PM. Have a happy summer.

Edited by RC Pilot Jim, 27 September 2021 - 07:38 PM.

[RC Pilot Jim]

Hip Replacement Field Report

 

An update for those who were following my health challenges. If your having any body pain read the rest of this post. - Page 25 -  Reply # 245

 

In mid-September we returned from a 14 day 3600 mile road trip. Surgery was scheduled for October 8th. This was my last trip for awhile.

 

On September 16th the doctor was advised by Scripps that Robotic (anterior hip replacement) was denied and replaced with Traditional Hip surgery. I appealed and am waiting their decision. Surgery scheduled for October 8th was cancelled.

 

In the meantime I decided to try Class IV laser therapy to deal with the pain and reduced movement.

 

What laser is and does

Physically it resembles an ultrasound puck that slides over the injured part of the body. Last March I tried it on my upper arm injury that only healed maybe 60% . The recommended 12 sessions healed arm almost completely. I have full range of motion and only occasional pain. I can easily pick up a 20 pound item with one hand...a miracle.

 

What it does

Delivers specific red and near infrared wavelengths of laser light to induce a therapeutic effect within the body. Effects include increased circulation, decreased swelling, reduction of pain and enhanced tissue repair. Laser therapy has been used in Europe since the 1970's and cleared by the FDA in 2002 

 

My results

Zero pain after 3 sessions. Taking no pain pills not even Tylenol, Stopped taking CBD oil. Still have partial limp, Can do all my activities(bike, swim, short distance walking). Can walk upstairs 2-legs at a time. Moving easily around the house and yard. Can't walk a mile though as I'm still bone on bone.  Went to my regular doctor. he recommended I postpone the surgery indefinitely....

 

If interested check it out. Not paid by Medicare. Based on my results not that expensive. 

 

If you want more information send me a PM

Edited by RC Pilot Jim, 29 October 2021 - 02:37 PM.

[RC Pilot Jim]

Update 10/27/21

I was advised that the appeal was successful and Robotic surgery was approved.

 

If your wondering how that happened. SCAN insurance had their orthopedic doctor review the case. Their doctor approved it NOT the Scripps Doctor. Since SCAN is paying for the surgery  (Medicare Advantage) Scripps is out of the loop. My new surgery date is January 18th

 

What about the laser?

 

Final Laser Treatment was November 9th. One week later the pain and restricted movement returned. Each week more pain and restriction. Plus attending the SoCal Rally doing Registration with lots of standing and sleeping in a SUV made back and hip worse. Doc says stay off my feet as much as possible for  a week or so (Now in the "or so" part). Feeling better after back being decompressed and restricting movement. 

 

My conclusion: There isn't enough cartilage left to build on. Time for surgery. 

Edited by RC Pilot Jim, 11 December 2021 - 08:07 PM.

[RC Pilot Jim]

Hip Surgery Update

 

January 18th surgery date postponed to February or March due to Covid. Hospitals are still full 

from the December holidays. My hospital is  full of non-vaccinated folks.

Those vaccinated folks that have it (that we know) are home with lighter symptoms.

It may depend on one's immune system. Everyone stay safe.

[RC Pilot Jim]

Hip joint surgery Update

 

Surgery performed March 1, 2022. 8 days out No pain. No pain meds. Not even Tylenol. Discomfort level 3

Docs said femur was difficult. 90 minute surgery. Lots of swelling and black and Blue. Yes I have a picture.

Not going to show it. Walked 2 hours after completion. Now its me doing the work to get back to age 78 normal.

Thanks for all your prayers and healing thoughts.

[RC Pilot Jim]

Hip Joint After surgery Progress Report

 

What an experience that was. Surgery went great...except had major swelling which lasted 3 weeks requiring elevating 6 hours per day, 7 days a week then I got an infection at the incision site. 

 

April 4th was  back in the hospital for 5.5 days where they cleaned out the infection after opening me up again and replacing the ball.

then lots of tests to find out what bacterial infection I had. Docs put me on a Picc line where every day at the same time of day for the next 40 days I got an IV  antibiotic pushed from a huge syringe. Finally on May 20th everything was  done and I could go about my life.

 

Still for the first time in years I can walk a mile with no pain = wonderful

 

Camping and Bike riding...For now riding the stationary bikes in our fitness center... until November or December and maybe not till March-April 2023  as a capsule of tissue and muscle has to grow over the joint or it can pop out.

 

A friend also had that surgery and over did the bending,  got dizzy, fell and her femur popped out =  LOTS OF PAIN - Had to be anesthetized then Docs just popped it back in, sent her home with some pain pills and said don't do that again.!!!

 

So no riding for me for awhile either (or travelling).  Happy to be able to swim for now.

 

Everyone have a wonderful summer. 

Edited by RC Pilot Jim, 24 June 2022 - 06:07 PM.