Femurs with Dr. Shahab Mahboubian - July 2020

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Quote from: L8GrowthSpurt on April 02, 2021, 05:53:47 AMSNC - congrats! Add this to the book of CLLer Guinness book of records, which along with all your other feats has to put you at the top all-time! If I can do the journey in twice as much time as it took you with the same amount of success, I would consider that outstanding. Congrats again 👍

Thanks L8GrowthSpurt for the kind words.

Please feel free to let me know during your CLL journey if you think I can help. I would be happy to help. I have already mentioned everything in my diary, but I know it's a long diary now, and one may miss some stuff.

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Quote from: BelowTheMean on April 02, 2021, 04:11:16 AMWow SNC, your nails are already out? I bet that's a record as well! Great to hear that the surgery wasn't too rough on you. It seems like the people who have the toughest time with nail removal are those who got four nails (in two segments) taken out all at once.

By the way, isn't what you said (four nails in two segments) the case for every stryder?   I am checking my x-rays (also posted here) and also any other x-rays I recall looked like what you described.


Two days ago during my pre-op visit, I thought I'd ask Dr. M. whether I could have the nails. I was not sure if he would agree, cause I had read on this forum that some doctors would not return the nails. However Dr. M. did not even hesitate for a second to say sure!!  

They gave me the nails and screws (two stryde nails and 8 screws) in a plastic bag after I woke up from the surgery. I will post some pictures of them as soon as I get a chance, but man! the nails are heavy. and seem very strong. It would take a lot of weight and force to be able to bend them  

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hi StrydeNailChallege,

I really enjoyed reading your diary. You are older in age but definitely look like the 25 year old man.

Dr Shahab is very popular option in los angeles for this operation and he gets the good result always. Did you discuss the risk of deep bone infection after initial surgery with the doctor? I want to know how many months or days after surgery you can develop the deep bone infection and can stop worrying about it.

I will probably do this operation with Dr Javier or Dr Shahab or Dr Kevin

cheers,
sergio

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Quote from: StrydeNailChallenge on April 02, 2021, 06:57:55 AMThanks BelowTheMean,


I think you are right. I don't think anyone would dare to remove the nails in month 8. I think my quick consolidation phase was the main reason.

I however would not be surprised if we saw more stryder CLL'ers opting for an early removal around one year post-op (instead of 1.5 yrs or longer), due to the recall.

Did you already consult with your doctor about nail removal?

I'm only three weeks into consolidation, so I haven't even had my first X-ray yet. I think I will try to get them out before the end of the year if possible though. BTW, how are your scars post removal, did you get any new ones? (Though I suppose you might not know yet since they are probably still covered with bandages.)

Quote from: StrydeNailChallenge on April 02, 2021, 08:27:31 AMBy the way, isn't what you said (four nails in two segments) the case for every stryder?   I am checking my x-rays (also posted here) and also any other x-rays I recall looked like what you described.

Ah, what I meant to say was quadrilaterals, which should be four nails in four segments (both femurs and both tibias.) I think most of the people who complained about pain, not being able to walk, or needing assistive devices to walk after removal had four IM nails removed at once instead of two.

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Quote from: StrydeNailChallenge on April 02, 2021, 12:11:27 AMDay 252  (8 months and 9 days) Post-op - Hardware Removal Surgery


I removed the nails today (April 1st, 2021). All went perfectly The surgery started at 10:30am and by 2pm I was walking unassisted. So far, sitting and standing have been smooth, but I use my arms as support. I can use the restroom with no issues. I had an early release from hospital and was at home by 4pm Getting in and out the car was easy.

I feel a bit sore (hip area), but my plan is to avoid painkillers; and use ice packs instead.  Overall this surgery been a lot easier to manage than I had imagined. I'll write more details soon  and continue to update until full recovery.

Update @ 8pm pacific time: It's been over 4 hours since I got back home. I have continued to walk unassisted (short [<2minutes], and slow walks).

I have no pain, but my side hips are a bit sore. I had expected a lot more discomfort. Perhaps it's cause I was on anesthesia during the removal surgery, but I hope that's not the case, and it's because the removal causes little to no pain generally. I guess I'll find out soon!

I got sore throat which also propagates to my left ear.  I have taken the two dozes of Pfizer, therefore I am not much concerned about covid-19, but it could be cold or flu.

Updates:

Pre-Surgery Appointments:

Similarly to the CLL surgery I was given three appointments, one with a general doctor for pre-surgery tests  (included blood/urine tests a chest x-ray), a pre-surgery screening at the hospital that included a covid test, and also a pre-surgery meeting with Dr. M.

There were some last minute mix up (the lab office lost my urine sample, lol, and also the chest x-ray report was delayed), but finally all were set for the removal surgery on April 1st.

The hospital screening took longer than the last time (for the CLL surgery itself). I think they had more checks and questions this time. They also have this new thing that you'd shower twice once the night before the surgery and another time in the morning before surgery; each time using a special soap package that they mail to you. You would use that soap neck down and avoid the genitals. Apparently it's supposed to lower the infection rate during the surgery.

My meeting with Dr. M. was short. He believed the surgery would go well. but he knows my crazy mind, so he asked me to hold on anything aggressive for 3 months after the surgery (no crazy biking, running, etc.). I told him that I would only walk and nothing more! 

Nail Removal Surgery Day also Day 252  (8 months and 9 days) Post-CLL Surgery    My surgery had been scheduled for April 1st starting at 7:30am, however it was later postponed to 10:30am. I was there at the hospital at 7:30am for preparation. The steps were similar to those of the CLL surgery. I only had a cellphone and a form of ID with me. Cellphone kept me busy in between steps. Dr. M. came by around 10am to let me know all is good to go. The anesthesiologist's talk was also similar to last time. I was in the surgery room around 10:20am. I felt very good the whole time. Especially knowing I was doing something amazing by removing the nails 8 months post-op, something no one has ever done before! Breaking records are my thing and I would do anything to break a record, kidding! haha!

Tried to memorize faces and everything, cause I always wanna remember the last minute before I am put to sleep! it's like a challenge for me and I always fail that! once again I cannot remember the last minute before going to sleep    I remember the first moment they gave me anesthesia my hand (where the IV is) burnt and then I was gone

When I woke up, I asked a nurse and she said everything went well. They also called my family and let them know that all went well. It was around 1:30pm when I got my stuff back. I asked the nurse to walk, but she said I had to wait for the PT to give me the green light. There was no lunch, but some jelly, pudding and cold water. I felt thirsty and hungry since I woke up, so I had them all quickly. I felt like throwing up, but finally did not!

The PT came by around 2pm with crutches. I asked him whether I could try walking unassisted first; and walked to restroom and peed   He said I made his job a lot easier and informed the nurse that I was set to leave the hospital. He just told me to be careful to not move my hips while my feet are firm on the ground, cause that may put too much pressure on the bones (the screws' areas where there are holes) and break them.

By the time my ride arrived it was around 3:15 and I was at home shortly before 4pm. I walked for 0.8 miles only, on the surgery day.

My walks are unassisted, but penguin like and very slow. I kept reminding myself what Dr. M. and the PT said about being careful to not put too much pressure on the screws' spots and avoid any fractures. Also given that I removed my nails 8 months post-op, it's wise to take it easy!

First night after surgery:

I felt no pain in legs since I woke up from the removal surgery. I had a great night sleep. Had to go to restroom twice, cause I drank a lot of water and tea (I had a bit of sore throat that migrated towards my left ear, so I tried to keep myself hydrated).

Hope this helps. 

 

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Congrats SNC! I recommend to couch potato for 10 days, don't bother walking too much. I do not want to scare you, but a person called programdude removed his nails somewhat early like you, and decided to return to normalcy too soon and snapped his femur! Just be a couch potato for 10 days! Then slowly pick it up and walk a little! This is a success- but please take it easy SNC! It's okay to be a potato for 10 days !

You are already world record haha! Back then 8 months is when Precice patients STARTED walking unassisted. You REMOVED the nails at 8 months. You are f**king insane (in a good way!)

Actually probably worried that you will go too hard this week on recovery- you have that grind mentality and will work 200% hard and you will probably hate to slack off- but please forgive yourself and be a potato for 10 days 10 days of slacking and eating and then months of easy, no stress exercise.

congrats SNC! Best diary ever!

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Quote from: StrydeNailChallenge on April 02, 2021, 08:27:31 AMBy the way, isn't what you said (four nails in two segments) the case for every stryder?   I am checking my x-rays (also posted here) and also any other x-rays I recall looked like what you described.


Two days ago during my pre-op visit, I thought I'd ask Dr. M. whether I could have the nails. I was not sure if he would agree, cause I had read on this forum that some doctors would not return the nails. However Dr. M. did not even hesitate for a second to say sure!!  

They gave me the nails and screws (two stryde nails and 8 screws) in a plastic bag after I woke up from the surgery. I will post some pictures of them as soon as I get a chance, but man! the nails are heavy. and seem very strong. It would take a lot of weight and force to be able to bend them

Let’s see those corroded strydes....lol.  Just kidding!! But seriously, I really want to see what’s up because I’m really wondering if mine are corroding in my legs right now. I’m about to start drinking WD-40 every night!! Hahaha

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Quote from: redwedding on April 02, 2021, 01:08:04 PMhi StrydeNailChallege,

I really enjoyed reading your diary. You are older in age but definitely look like the 25 year old man.

Dr Shahab is very popular option in los angeles for this operation and he gets the good result always. Did you discuss the risk of deep bone infection after initial surgery with the doctor? I want to know how many months or days after surgery you can develop the deep bone infection and can stop worrying about it.

I will probably do this operation with Dr Javier or Dr Shahab or Dr Kevin

cheers,
sergio

Hi Sergio,
Thanks.  I remember back in December 2020 when I met Dr. M. for the first time he told me that one of the possible complications would be infection, but he did not particularly talk about bone infection and how long after the surgery that would still be a possibility.  However I would say since bone infection can be seen in x rays, I hope bone infections can be identified by the doctor soon enough.

CLL is a tough challenge but very joyful. I highly recommend stryde. I hope the recall ends soon with some noticeable quality improvement in strydes so you and others would have the chance to go for it.

SNC

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Quote from: BelowTheMean on April 02, 2021, 03:07:23 PM BTW, how are your scars post removal, did you get any new ones? (Though I suppose you might not know yet since they are probably still covered with bandages.)

Hi BTM, I did have multiple scars on the screw sides close to knees and up in the hips and also in the middle where they cut the bone. They all improved, but did not disappear. One reason is that I don't care to try any lotions or anything for removal or minimization. Leg hair covers them mostly. In any case, I kinda like to have some scars, as a reminder of the things I have done    I would say for girls it would be an issue. They don't want to have the scars I have   Please remind me and in a few months I'll post the pictures, after bandages are gone and scars improved so you see for yourself.

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Fastest removal ever, your healing is blessed