Do You Have Hip Pain?

Since 1995 I have been battling a constant pain deep in my left hip.  It's like a really bad toothache, and is present 24/7.  It doesn't cause me problems when I walk or do anything else active, but hurts the worst when I sit.  And wouldn't you know, I have a desk job....

Since 2000 I have been to 6 specialists, had 4 MRI's, a bone scan, injection directly into my hip joint, numerous x-rays and scores of other things.  I've been told the problem was in my back, and offered back surgery.  I've been told the problem is in my hip and there is nothing that can be done about it.  I have been offered injections into my back, I've been sent to a chiropractor. 

Two years ago I visited yet another specialist.  After two more MRI's I was sent home once again, with the assurance by my doctor that yes, there is something wrong, but he simply can't diagnose it.

The only good things about this all these years is that the pain is cut by nsaids - things like Tylenol, aspirin and Advil.  I generally take two per day, which, of couse, has now led to an ulcer. I'm very lucky, however, that I have never had to take anything stronger than an aspirin to help me get through the day.  There are so many addictions these days to prescription pain-killers that I vowed to never take even one.  And to their credit, none of the physicians that I visited offered prescriptions when I told them that nsaids did the trick.

A couple of months ago I decided to try the most well-respected sports injury/orthaepedic clinic in Oklahoma - thankfully it is only 15 minutes from my house.  This clinic has several locations in Oklahoma City and a very nice hospital in Edmond, and I don't know what took me so long to try it.  I did the usual x-ray and sat in the examining room to await the doctor.  He arrived, and after some pulling and prodding announced "I know what's wrong with you!"  I kind of thought it was a joke after 16 years, but - no!  He believes that I have a labral tear inside my hip joint.  This is a cuff of sorts inside the joint that, when it tears, will not heal. When a relatively young person has a hip problem, there is a good possibility that a labral tear could be involved.  It can tear by an injury or having an oddly-formed hip joint, and will cause major pain.  A few years ago doctors finally came up with a solution.  Even though this cuff can't heal, it can be put back together with pins, and if the problem was caused by an odd hip bone, the bone can be put right by a little shaving and texturing.  The surgery may be arthroscopic or not, depending on what needs to be done.  This is a relatively new surgery,  and I feel fortunate that I live very close to one of the few doctors that specialize in it.

I recently took the first step to do a final diagnosis - this was a steroid injection directly into the joint to see if there was any pain relief.  If so, the problem was definitely in the joint - if not, then a labral tear is not a possibility.  So far, so good - I received three days of 100% pain relief.  Now there will be an MRI, then the doctor and I will talk about what is needed. I'll keep you advised.

Here's what to remember - if you have chronic pain, please don't give up.  I can't guarantee that I will be pain free at some point, but at least now I have hope.  Sometimes it's just a matter of waiting and staying positive until the experts find a solution to your problem.

The Monday Recipe Blog

How's your Monday going so far?  Here's a recipe to help it along!

This blog features Lois Elaine Mueller's recipes every Monday. Lois' heyday was in the 1950's and 1960's, and her children swear she was the best cook that ever lived. Many baby boomers will remember these mouth-watering recipes, and these dishes are just as tasty today as they were in the sixties.

This peppered steak recipe features sweet green peppers, which are readily available in the summertime, especially if you have a garden in your backyard. These green beauties are packed with healthy nutrients - we should all be eating more, and this recipe serves up a tasty way to get them on your table.

Lois Elaine's Peppered Steak:

1 1/2 lb. stew meat - cut in strips
garlic salt
black pepper
dash of soy sauce
1/2 of a large green pepper, cut in strips
1 c. celery, chopped
1 can beef consomme'
1 medium can mushrooms
1 onion

Brown meat and onion with garlic salt and a little black pepper.  When almost done, add mushrooms and brown a little more. Add consomme' and one can of water. Add a dash or two of soy sauce, to taste. Let simmer until tender, about 45 minutes. Before serving, add the green pepper strips and celery.  Thicken a little. Don't overcook the greens.

This is great served over egg noodles, rice or mashed potatoes.

The Friday Dog Blog

Hello and what a great Friday we're having!  Here is a dog for your enjoyment....

Well, actually, not a dog today.  To show that we don't discriminate, we are featuring Jim and Mary's pretty gray and white kitty on the Dog Blog.  The Dog Blog loves ALL animals!!

Time To Visit Your Farmers' Market!

Yep, it's that time of the year again - Cities all over the country are featuring their Farmers' Markets.  In Oklahoma our Farmers' Markets are typically open every Wednesday and Saturday, from April to October.  Various farmer's sell their produce, normally picked that morning, from tables or the backs of pick-ups, generally in a big parking lot provided by the city.

You get only produce that is in season and won't find food imported from other states or countries.  That's a good thing.  You can buy a lot of in-season fruit, go home and can jelly or jam, or just can the fresh fruit to use in the middle of the winter. 

I find the prices to be very comparable to grocery store prices, and the quality is much, much better.   You might find a worm or two in the fresh corn, but you won't normally find pesticides.  I consider the worm to be a trade-off that's well worth it.

Become a locavore - buy your vegetables locally from farmers that are invested in your community.  You will taste the difference!

The Monday Recipe Blog

What a great Monday it's going to be!  Here's a recipe to start it off....

This blog features Lois Elaine Mueller's recipes every Monday. Lois' heyday was in the 1950's and 1960's, and her children swear she was the best cook that ever lived. Many baby boomers will remember these mouth-watering recipes, and these dishes are just as tasty today as they were in the sixties.

If you're going to eat cookies, they may as well be loaded with healthy oatmeal, right?  For those of us who can't stand the taste and texture of a bowl of breakfast oatmeal, it may be the only way to ingest this essential grain.  Oatmeal cookies are timeless - just as popular now as they were back in Lois Elaine's day.  This recipe card notes that it came from Wava, who was a favorite friend of Lois Elaine's, in 1980.

Lois Elaine's Oatmeal Drop Cookies:


2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
2 c. "quick" oatmeal
1 c. shortening or butter, softened (Note: for soft cookies, use only 3/4 c.)
1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1/2 t. vanilla
1/3 c. milk
1 c. raisins
3/4 c. chopped nuts

Combine butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl. Cream for 2 minutes. Add milk.  Mix together flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon, then add that mixture to the butter mixture. Add oatmeal and blend well. Add raisins and nuts. Drop by teaspoonful onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for about 12 minutes, or until brown.
Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

The Friday Dog Blog

Hello and happy Friday again!  Here's a pooch for you!

Sofi the Talking Schnauzer is still fighting that pink balloon. Despite having teeth like a shark, she just can't get that darn thing popped!

Time to Apply The Sunscreen

It's starting to get hot out there!  Don't forget your sunscreen - your health may depend on it.  In Oklahoma we can have pretty hot days in the summer, although nothing like some other states.  It doesn't really matter, though, you can get skin cancer from the sun anywhere in the world.  We all need the sun, but not too much of it.  Since we get outside during the summer, we have sunscreen to protect our vunerable skin.

I like waterproof sunscreen.  It seems to last forever, and I don't have to worry about reapplying if my kayak tips over and I take an unexpected dip.  But if I take a nice, long swim I have to reapply. 

You should choose at least an SPF-15 sunscreen.  The higher the SPF number, the more protection you have against UV-B cancer-causing rays.  I have blue eyes and light hair, so I use an SPF-30.  There are also sunscreens available for people with sensitive skin or oily skin.

Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UV-A and UV-B rays.  UV-A rays cause wrinkles and UV-B rays cause cancer.  You want to steer close of both of those!

And please be smart and never use artificial tanning beds....

So lather on the sunscreen, get out there and have some fun in the sun!