2 weeks post-op, again!

I have plenty of physical restrictions, but they're temporary.

I saw my Dr. yesterday for my first follow-up visit, and am disappointed at longer restrictions than I expected, but he's the boss of me in this case! I can't drive, I have to continue to use the walker, and to wear the daggone leg thingie at night. It looks like this:

what I wear at night

It keeps me from rolling over or crossing my legs, which could dislocate my new hip joint.

I also reread my first several posts here when I was post-op my first THR 4 years ago, and saw that I hurt myself by doing too much.
So I'll play it super safe this time.
I did get rides to classes this week, and it was awkward and tiring, but I enjoyed being '"in belly dance class" again, so very much!
Some students will be over tonight to prepare for the Hafla that's happening next week as well. This is my medical expenses fundraiser. I already owe way more than I've raised through donations... but I'll continue to be optimistic and hope for the best.

Can YOU share my fundraising site with your network? Maybe there's an Angel out there for me: Anthea's Hip
If you're near Fredericksburg, VA you're more than welcome to come enjoy the evening with us and experience a real belly dance party with drumming, dancing, games and a raffle. If you can't come yourself, please tell your friends:

Anthea's Hip Hafla - fundraising event:
Saturday June 28, 4 - 7pm.Kabab City Restaurant
10681 Spotsylvania Ave, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Any donation for a ticket: Hip Hafla ticketshttp://www.eventbrite.com/e/antheas-hip-hafla-tickets-11949989741
Facebook event: Hip Haflahttps://www.facebook.com/events/649860251769039/

Anthea Kawakib
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one week to go!

Surgery is next week.

I'm starting to feel a little rushed but am trying to keep it together and get things done.
My medical expenses fundraiser is creeping up bit by bit, but there's still far to go. Please share it with your friends, it's sure to help!
There are trades and incentives for donations - from books to videos to online coaching!

I am SO looking forward to having two working hips again!

Anthea Kawakib
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HERE WE GO AGAIN!

I've started on the road to a hip replacement, again.

But, under slightly different circumstances than before...

Four years ago at this time, I was a month out from surgery and enjoying life again! Hospital, doctor, physical therapy and other medical bills were coming in and we were paying them, no problem. 

How different things are now: unless we get crowdfunding to pay for this surgery, I'll be limping around forever. That's harsh. 

This hip, my left one, is going bad faster than the other one did; and I know I don't want to suffer like that again. I've started the process to get surgery in just a few weeks (in early June), so I can be fully recuperated before winter. I'm so looking forward to dancing again!!! 

So all I can focus on now is this crowdfunding project: Anthea's Hip
Please share this with your network and friends - you never know who can help!

In the last few years I've seen other artists crowdfund their artistic projects, like DVDs, books, even tours, and thought, "wow - I could've done that for my booklets, videos, and audio cds - why didn't I think of that!?" 
I would've never thought of that - but it DID inspire to start a project like that to help me pay for this operation; since our insurance is about as useful as my hip is now! If you want the gory details our crappy insurance, it's on that site above, and I'm posting updates there too.

If you have any suggestions, comments, or ideas, please let me know!

Project THR fundraiser

Anthea Kawakib
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I'm still dancing, but...

What Will the Summer Bring?

Maybe, a new body part.

We've had a busy Spring in Fredericksburg with lots of dancing: our Food Drive Hafla, a couple of local workshops, and shows.

Ready for the Hafla

Dancing always makes me happy, it's my passion and my life.
But, it's becoming physically harder for me to continue as my "other hip" (the left one) wears out.
My titanium hip is great though!
Four years ago I had no choice but to get the right hip replaced; this time I can see the writing on the wall and know that by this time next year, my left hip would be too bad to use; it actually seems to be wearing out faster than the other one did. So that means a Big Decision.
I vote YES, let's do it!
The problem is that our insurance has changed, and not for the better. It appears that I may have to look at crowd-funding to make up the difference in lost income and out of pocket medical expenses. This is a shocker to me, but I'll get over it.
If you'd like to see what dancing with a worn out hip looks like, it's probably evident on my latest videos (does that stop me? No.). Perhaps it's not noticeable unless you're a dancer, I'm not sure; but my balance is off because my hip isn't stable - that is, it's sliding around in the hip socket. Eww!
Take a look at this video I filmed yesterday and see what I mean:

Of course I'll keep dancing and teaching, that's what I do. And coaching is another love of mine, as is writing.

My dancers understand and support my decision about surgery; they're even behind me in planning to use our annual Recital as a fundraising event for "Project THR".
My next steps are to find out which crowd funding options are the best for my situation, as I know next to nothing about them, outside of having seen quite a few Kickstarters on my Facebook timeline in the past year or so!
I welcome any input or suggestions if you have experience with raising money; please comment or email me your tips.

Aside from all this, life goes on - dancing, teaching, and yes, horseback riding!

Make A Connection?

Let's be social - I love connecting on Facebook and Google+ !

Anthea Kawakib
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