Day 2 post-surgery dawns early

Things can frequently be harder when it's dark outside.  The surgery anesthesia has fully dissipated, leaving Mary Anne pretty uncomfortable overnight.  Hospitals are lousy places for rest anyway, and the return of some leg spasms didn't make it any easier.


She's sleeping comfortably now.   She's off of all IVs and other hospital-only assists, so we remain hopeful for discharge orders soon.  If not today, tomorrow.

Every new person that comes into the room comments that the flowers are beautiful and it smells great in here.  We've also been informed that there will be chocolates back at the apartment.  There is comfort in the small things.


I have to throw in a plug for Your Best Friend's Friend.  The folks watching Scout and Sparky have been great with our last minute dog sitting needs.  If you're in Denver and need dog help, call them.


I'll post again when I know when we get to go "home"

Post Surgery Day 1

Well, it's loud in a hospital.  MA's monitors, plus those for other patients on the hall, keep it from ever getting too quiet.  Despite that, we had a good night's sleep last night.


So far today, we have seen the PT, OT and Case Manager (discharge planner).  We're getting set up for some home care therapy visits at the hospital, hopefully as early as tomorrow (Friday).  I've requested to have Centura Health at Home (my current client - they are why we are in Denver) deliver the care.  If our overly complicated American insurance system will support it, we will be my client's patient.


Mary Anne is rating her pain a 2 on the 10 point scale, which is an order of magnitude better than the 9/10 she got to before surgery yesterday.  We've heard from LOTs of friends that have been through this (or known others that have) and know to expect today/tomorrow/Saturday to be a little painful, but getting better with time.


Two weeks with only toe-touch weight bearing on the left leg, and after that more ambitious therapy.  Hopefully, she'll be walking and we'll be able to come home to KY before too long.


I think we're both headed for a short pre-lunch nap.  More tomorrow.

She has a new hip!

The surgeon just came out to say that he's finished and everything went well.  The new ball and socket went in as he had hoped and he expects a very good recovery.  Given the weakness of the bone, Mary Anne will not be weight bearing immediately, but we will give it a couple of weeks to acclimate to the new setup.  Still, her being able to toe-touch and have little or no pain will be an immense improvement.


MA is in recovery and I should get to see her in an hour and a half or so.


It's been a long day, but the 90 minute surgery is a vast improvement over the 11 hours in the surgical waiting room for TGP's heart surgery a few years ago.  I did get out and get some lunch an hour ago.


We should get a good night's sleep tonight - the first in quite a while.


Thanks to all for the prayers and concern.

Surgery begins

We finally saw the anesthesiologist and got MA some pain meds.  I guess they didn't want to do it too soon before surgery.  She was feeling much better and able to lay back on the table as they took her back to the surgery suite.  Dr. Greenhow signed her left leg (that's standard protocol to be sure they do the correct hip in the OR).  He says she should be back out in two hours, so I expect to know more by 5pm Mountain time.

Thanks to all for the prayers.

At the Hospital

We arrived at the hospital about 11:40.   The car ride was very uncomfortable.|

Found surgical waiting room.   Went back to park car.  Got registered and paid copay- very thankful for insurance.
12:25 they took MA back to get her settled and on an IV.
More later

Pre-Surgery

The first in a a series of posts today and tomorrow.  We are blessed by so many friends and family that I am sure I will leave someone out if I try to send emails or texts.  Please set up an RSS reader, or if that sounds like Greek, just check back at this blog and I'll do what I can to keep everyone in the loop.


We had every bit as rough a night as we expected.  Somehow knowing the nature of the break intensified the pain some.  Plus, after 2am, MA wasn't allowed food or liquid, so no more pain pills.  We watched a couple of movies and finally the sun came up.


Sparky is up on the couch (against the rules) but he can't stand it when MA hurts and has to have his head in her lap to comfort her.


I've packed a small bag and we're headed to the hospital about 11am Mountain Time.  Medical Center of Aurora - South Campus.  We have faith in God and in our surgeon and look forward to a great outcome.  Surgery is scheduled at 4:30 by the hospital, but the doctor's scheduler said it would be closer to 1:30.  It would be wonderful for herself to feel better before the day is out.


Thank you all for the prayers and support.

Down by the old Millstream

It's been way too long since I've written; life hasn't been overly easy lately.  More on that in future (hopefully soon) posts.

In the 1960s in rural Kentucky, houses had names instead of street numbers.  My address growing up was:
Millstream, Newtown Pike
Georgetown, KY  40324

Today, the USPS uses street numbers.  And the road I grew up on has been rerouted since 1966 when I started living there.  But, I just signed the contract and bought the land!  So, even thought we are temporarily in the wilds of Colorado, you can write down 2065 Lemons Mill Rd in your address book as our long term permanent address.
You can see the old house in this shot from the creek from 1980:

We're going to take down that house and build Mary Anne's Barbie dream house on its foundation.

Here's a winter view from the old back deck:
I will enjoy my morning coffee on a new terrace with that view before 2011 is over.


Cousin Berkley was my real estate agent for the purchase.  Kim, my architect buddy, has already drawn up preliminary house plans.  Cousin Jay is ready for demolition and building once the contract is signed.


It's amazing how life can come full circle.