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Chuck
Chuck's Story
J2699@aol.com
My name is Chuck Jones and at the
tender age of thirty something I found out
that I had rheumatoid arthritis. I found out the hard way. I used to
teach
squash, tennis and racquetball at an athletic club. After I was passed
over
for the head position. I decided to move to where I knew there were many
new jobs because of legalized gaming. I came to New Jersey and after I
had my first job as a change person my hands started to hurt. After
three months,
my wrists both swelled up, and I could hardly walk. I ended up having to
leave the job because I did not know what was wrong. Not knowing any
doctors in the area I just browsed through the yellow pages and found a
doctor. The man was an endocrinologist. He proceeded to refer me to a
rheumatologist. The rheumatologist took some blood tests and confirmed
that I had rheumatoid arthritis. It was at this point that I found out
that both of my hips were completely destroyed. It was bone rubbing
against bone, as a matter of fact I used to crack when I walked. The
pain was unbearable. He referred me to an orthopedic surgeon. After I
went to see this man I was convinced that indeed there was hope for me
to walk again. I went into the hospital and had both of my hips
replaced. I had one done one week and the other one done the next week.
The first operation was quite painful even after the anesthetic wore
off. Once I got over the pain the second operation went smooth as silk.
As a matter of fact after the doctor finished the second operation and I
came out of the anesthetic I questioned him about whether or not he had
taken everything out that he needed. He looked at me in a puzzled kind
of way. It was then that I told him that I just was not used to being
this free of pain. It is now fifteen years later and now I have found
that I must go back into the hospital because the prosthetic has become
loose. Fortunately this is just on my left side and at this time the
right side is still in good working order. People were surprised to know
that I have two hip replacements, but as we all know with this type of
disease surgery is an option that we all might have to consider. Once I
recovered the only things that the doctor did not want me to do were
naturally the things enjoyed the most. No more running, no more tennis,
no more racquetball. The fact that I could now walk without pain made
this just a matter of putting my best foot forward and going on with
life. I consider myself fortunate to still be able to do the things I
do. Do I get frustrated, YES, do I get angry, YES, but the final
question is do I believe in myself and to that the answer is a
resounding
YES! This is my story and although it is still ongoing it is current and
it
is definitely REAL.
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