We spent a nice Mother’s Day with Linda’s Mom, Lois, and Matt & Suzanne, expecting parents. We meant at the Irvine Spectrum where there is a Cheesecake Factory. It was very crowded, but it moved fast and just gave us more time to talk. The food and service was very good, especially considering it was Mother’s Day.
After a four hour visit we all said goodbye, except that Lois came home with us. She was nice to volunteer as our dog sitter while I’m in the hospital. She has a golden retriever that Pearl really loves, so it was a perfect solution. About 7:00pm we left the village heading towards Santa Monica. Since the surgery is scheduled for 7:00am, we had to be at the hospital at 5:00am to check in and get the pre surgery prep work. Since it’s an hour and a half to Santa Monica, we decided to stay close by. Even then we still had to get up at 4:00am. I thought I was supposed to be retired!
We made it to the hospital on time. They’re doing some construction so the only parking option was valet. Darn. Even though we had been interviewed by the hospital, we still had more forms to fill out and sign. Then I was whisked back to pre-opt, where I had to put on the embarrassing hospital gown, give some blood for a test, and have an I-V installed. Everything went well except the I-V, where the nurse struggled to find a good vein. Then Linda came back to join me. I know I’m the one getting surgery, but I think it’s just as hard on the loved ones waiting for news.
The surgery went well. The ball was in worst condition that the x-rays showed. He told Linda that it had completely collapsed and there was just pieces floating in the socket. No wonder I’ve been limping hurting so much. The Doctor removed the old hardware and added the hardware. Then I guess I was rolled down to post-op. I don’t remember a thing. I woke up groggy in my room. It was a very nice room that I didn’t have to share with anyone, and it even had a flat screen TV. I really didn’t pay much attention to anything because I was sore, crabby, depressed and any other adjectives you want to add. I felt sorry for Linda, but I was pretty miserable.
She left for home about 8:00pm, a very long day for her. I drifted in and out of sleep while they checked on me every hour. When you have work done on your legs, they always worry about blood clots so I have to wear these white support stockings. I don’t know how you women put up with panty hose all those years! And I had to have a Cather inserted during the surgery. If you don’t know what a Catheter is, you’re better off not knowing. Let’s just say it’s very uncomfortable.
Tuesday I started feeling a lot better. I think getting rid of all of the leftover anesthesia helps clear the head. But then at 9:00am the physical therapist showed up. Didn’t he know that I had surgery the day before? So soon I was trying to lift my leg, and doing some minimal exercises. As he left, he said he was coming back in the afternoon to start me walking. Is this guy nuts! I floated back to sleep and then I was woken up by more tests, then lunch. Like I was really hungry. After lunch, here comes Dick, the physical therapist, is back and he does get me out of bed and walking with a walker. It was completely different than the last surgery on my hip. This time, instead of keeping weight off my leg, I was supposed to put weight on it. It surprised my that I did well, and he promised to come the next day for more training. Another fitful night of sleep, then more PT. I felt so much better and the PT went so well, I decided to come home a day early. Oh, and the catheter was removed. Painful but a relief at the same time. A last visit by Dick for PT to learn how to handle curbs, the I-V removed, and then the long drive home.
Of course this whole episode would have been much tougher if it wasn’t for the support of my wonderful wife, Linda. She had everything arranged at home from me, plus putting up with my crabbiness makes her a very special person. I’m really blessed by her and the rest of our family and friends.
2 comments:
Glad to hear your surgery was a success and went well, When Donna's Mom had a hip replaced she was back bowling in a month, for 76 years old, we thought that was remarkable.Hope you have a speedy and full a recovery, Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.
Glad to hear things are going good, we are continuing to pray for both of you. Your right Linda is very very special.
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