OSC Physician: Dr. Haynes
Alaska was the Motivation!
On our 40th anniversary in 2001, we took out entire family, including grandchildren, on a two-week cruise to Alaska, a lifetime dream. During the trip, our adult children said “ Dad, you’re limping” and my usual reply was “yeah, but it doesn’t hurt very much”. Clearly, I walked less and enjoyed it less.
After returning home, I made an appointment to see Dr. Boyd Haynes, who I had met socially a few years earlier, to discuss my limp. He explained that it was caused by arthritis in my right hip and that I would eventually be a candidate for a new hip. He asked if it affected my lifestyle and I replied honestly that it really didn’t. He suggested over-the- counter pain medications would relieve most of the symptoms and until it affected my lifestyle, no further action was necessary. He was right.
Several years later, in 2006, we began planning a two-month trip to Alaska in our motorhome, along with a group of retired military families. Thinking ahead, I did not want to miss out on any side trips or hikes during this adventure. Returning to Dr. Boyd Haynes, we scheduled a hip replacement in January 2007 as it was now “affecting my lifestyle”.
I left my hip pain in the operating room. My recovery was fast and even enjoyable. What a pleasure to walk without pain. Used a cane for less than a week and was driving a month later. By March, we were traveling again and in June, we made the most enjoyable trip to Alaska.
In the seven years since, we have visited every state (except Hawaii) and every Canadian Province in our RV. I’ve hiked the canyons and arches in Utah and walked on the seafloor of the Bay of Fundy and I have not taken any pain medicine for my hip in years. The only time I am reminded of my new hip is when I put my socks on in the morning. I can’t put my right ankle on my left knee to put my socks on.
Now 75 years old, my wife of 52 years and I are very grateful for Dr. Boyd Haynes and the wonderful folks at Orthopaedic & Spine Center that allow us to continue enjoying life and the lifestyle we enjoy.