Here’s to a Healthy New Year

The “58 Curse” has been retired by my brothers and sister; I’m the only remaining sibling yet to reach this milestone. I’m 57 (and a half) and while I’m not too superstitious, I’m painfully aware of this threshold in our family history.
So I’m pretty optimistic I’ll be the one to finally put a stake through the heart of that curse, even though I won’t get there in one piece: Col. Steve Austin may have been the $6 Million Man, but I’m having so many parts surgically replaced, I’m starting to feel bionic myself.
After a serious health-improvement year in 2012—riding my bike more than 2,200 miles, shedding 56 pounds and sharing Most Improved Team honors in the Fittest Execs and Fittest Companies Challenge—the wellness wheels started to fall off.
It began with a pain in my left hip that evolved from mere nuisance to excruciating. I met with a couple of surgeons in 2013, including one whose specialty was the minimally invasive complete hip replacement. I was intrigued with the procedure and agreed to have my hip replaced two business days later, in November, when a cancellation opened up on his schedule. 
The procedure was a miserable failure. The bone did not heal around the small titanium stem implanted into my left femur, and damage to the femur itself was extensive.
With the guidance of a good friend and a few doctors, I found a terrific orthopedic surgeon in Kansas City. By this time, my right hip was bone-on-bone and entirely inflamed with arthritis. The dilemma I faced was to determine which hip to address first. I pursued a second opinion for both of my hips with a world-renowned surgeon at the Mayo Clinic, one specializing in hip-joint revisions. Apparently, unsuccessful outcomes are common. In setting up the appointment, the nurse asked if I would be prepared for reconstructive surgery at the clinic the morning after my consultation. This naturally caught me a bit off guard, but I cautiously agreed, if that was the suggested plan.
The Mayo Clinic is a fascinating institution of 37,000 healthcare professionals, and because so many patients travel there from around the world, it’s not uncommon for many to be treated immediately. I opted for reconstructive left hip surgery performed by this surgeon and his team a few months later, in mid-June. This month, I’ll have my right hip replaced here in Kansas City.
The fractures in my left femur and other damage put me on crutches for eight weeks leading up to the surgery at Mayo. We know now that taking pressure off my left leg accelerated the erosion of my right hip. As I think back, I’ve been on crutches or on a walker or cane since late March. 
I didn’t want to bring it up, especially to Michelle—or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, for that matter—but my right shoulder had been killing me all throughout this process, and I feared the need for another joint replacement.
After meeting with a specialist, several X-rays and an MRI, I’m now scheduled for surgery on a torn rotator cuff in early November. Accordingly, I asked if a fourth joint replacement—and third in 4½ months—was free. One of the surgeons simply mentioned that I was an orthopedic surgeon’s dream. I got the sense that he wasn’t kidding.
It’s been an interesting couple of years, but I can’t wait to rehab and get back on to my bike(s)—my Trek and my Harley. 
I greatly admire and appreciate the extraordinary team of docs and nurses at Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Consultants, Saint Luke’s, University of Kansas Hospital and Shawnee Mission Medical Center, who’ve helped me with the work on my hips and shoulder. 
I’d be remiss, however, if I didn’t publicly thank the team at BlueKC. It’s been a painful process, but I can say without hesitation that they’ve been the greatest health partners I could ever dream of having. Thank you Blue!
My joint issues pale compared to more serious health concerns that others have, but in bouncing around the medical market, I’ve had the pleasure to work with the most extraordinary health professionals and I can say first-hand that this region is blessed with some of the finest medical talent in the country. 
Here’s to 59 and many more!