Start Here!
Edited 12/17/2023 because tomorrow will be surgery number 13. Spoiler but too bad – surgeries 11 and 12 both failed so now we go back in for the most complex surgery of all.
Welcome to my blog! This is the story of my journey through 11 12, soon to be 12 13, hip and pelvis surgeries for hip joint damage, bilateral hip dysplasia, and osteitis pubis. This breaks down to 5 hip scopes to address damage and adhesive capsulitis, 2 periacetabular osteotomies (PAO) for hip dysplasia, 2 hardware removals, and 4 surgeries for osteitis pubis (debridement and then finally fusion). This is an epic journey to hip dysplasia success followed by osteitis pubis success!
This story begins in the 11th hour, just after the 11th surgery, but I trace back to the beginning to piece it all together chronologically. The complexity and intensity you will see in the real-time posts and posts starting in April are what was true for everything that came before I began writing, the time spanning surgeries 1-10. The posts about this earlier time are shorter and more factual because I did not feel it was valid to go back and write as if I were in those moments. The hip dysplasia surgeries and recoveries were the most protracted and intense, but I did not put fingers to keys to document as I am now. Just as we cannot remember the sensation of physical pain, I cannot give accurate words to historic feelings. So, I begin where I am…
(It is important that you read this blog in chronological order so please click the Read On button to open this post and learn how to best navigate the story.)
This blog is about…
…courage, grit, fortitude, and saying YES. It is about digging deep and owning my story, overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges, and finding the opportunity in everything. It is about being a thermostat rather than a thermometer, creating my own paths, and relentless forward motion. It is about love, family, and friendship. It is about looking at my whole self, integration, and personal development – all as it relates to my parade of surgeries and recoveries. Ultimately, hip dysplasia and osteitis pubis have been the catalysts for becoming my best self.
This blog is for…
…EVERYONE! I am sharing my process of surgeries and recoveries and everything I learn along the way – my tools, my experiences, and my lessons – but this can all be applied to everyone and any situation. So, while this blog is mostly about me, hip dysplasia, osteitis pubis, and my incredible journey to whole-self healing, it is also about you, too. What do you see of yourself in what I share? What can you take and apply to your own life?
Who are my doctors?
Dr. Omer Mei-Dan in Boulder, CO, at the CU Hip Clinic. I only have outstanding thoughts and words for him and his team, gratitude for his patience and persistence to persevere, and recommend him 100%. He has the most cutting edge procedure. Check it out here.
and
Dr. Jason Stoneback in Denver at CU Anschutz. He specializes in limb salvage, restoration, and bone non-unions. He is where people go when nothing else has worked. Surgery number 13 will be my first with him.
What are Hip Dysplasia and Osteitis Pubis?
Within my writing I do not share much about what hip dysplasia and osteitis pubis actually are, so please take time to do some homework. There is a lot of information out there for hip dysplasia and not so much for osteitis pubis. I recommend starting at my doctor’s website for sound information because there are a lot of rabbit holes on the internet. Read with care, buyer beware. Here is my Ultimate PAO Supplies List for other hip patients.
Blog Structure
Please start from the beginning and read in order. Many topics stand on their own, but it is meant to be read like a book, start to finish – not just for the chronology but also for the nuance of experiencing things as I have.
I hope you find value in what I am sharing. Please connect with me to ask me questions and share your own story – hips in general, hip dysplasia, osteitis pubis, or anything else!
Begin reading here! Then navigate through the posts by clicking the “Next” button at the end of each post.
Carey
Jerry Potts
So far, so good…
Carey Martin
Thank you for reading my story! I’m so happy you’re here!
Samuel A. Litt
Dear Ms. Martin,
You inspired me with Beachbody accomplishments back in the day. You are even more inspirational now. You are the epitome of the irresistible force paradox.
Thank you for leading the way!
Sincerely,
Samuel A. Litt
Carey Martin
Sam, that is the an incredible compliment, thank you so much!