Mending

I'm glad to have good news to continue to report:

All of my steri strips have fallen off the wounds, ankle pumps have been off for a week now, and I am starting to move onto my crutches, finding more stability and strength in my left hip and leg. Showers are happening with more ease and altogether I am being put back together.

I continue to use my CPM machine for 6-12 hours/day, helping break up scar tissue and prepare my hip for increasing range of motion. I am feeling new (but familiar) pains return, blessedly, now knowing these are worthwhile, necessary pains as bones and nerves start reforming and refiring again.

I am almost fully weaned off of my heavy medication, only taking it as needed. I am sleeping more comfortably. Beautiful, beautiful!

I've had a few small concerns related to heavy nosebleeds, slight wound openings, and digestive issues.

My right hip (surgery on May 2011) is holding up mostly well as the sole weight-bearer. The groin pain and bursitis pain still exists, which is discouraging but understandable. Not until both feet are on the ground and both hips are sharing the weight will both hips finally have a chance at functioning with ease.

I will begin doing some work from home this week; I am ready to participate in the world again, even if remotely.

We return to Dr. Clohisy's office on the 24th, eager to see the repair and regeneration.

Day 8

A week ago right now I was mid-surgery at Barnes-Jewish hospital, pelvis broken and many hands and minds working diligently to reconstruct my left hip.

Now I'm thankfully laying at home, legs engulfed in ankle pumps and a CPM machine, glad to be one week on the other side of my LPAO revision. Family and friends are taking distinctly good care of me, providing love-filled meals, words of courage and expectation, and specific prayers of healing. Mom is home with me today, helping me to and from the restroom, monitoring my medication, and providing her one-and-only motherly care. Nate will be home soon for the night shift; he is such a lovely care-taker.

Our trip home on Saturday was pleasantly uneventful. I was drugged well for a 5 hour trip home and have little memory of pain. Since then, I've been adjusting to medication, sleep discomfort, and new forms of pain as I heal.

For those who are interested, here's a brief summary of Wednesday's surgery:

Total surgery time was 4.5 hours. Dr. Clohisy first did a hardware removal (9 screws, which were offered back to us per Nate's request!) on the right hip. Only a small portion of my right scar was opened and screws were removed to avoid any future pain that could occur from the screws. Dr. Clohisy then began the main event, my LPAO revision. He shaved the head and neck of my left hip, repaired a labral tear (which was a new occurrence, re-torn in a different spot since my August 2010 labral tear--this was a surprise to us), and corrected the impingement that was not addressed during my first LPAO. He also tipped my hip back to a more "normal" position. My doc believes my ongoing pain was caused by the impingement, the labral tear, or a combination of both.

This surgery was more involved due to scar tissues from my previous surgeries and the bone being more dense after previous surgeries. Dr. Clohisy believed it was an extremely positive outcome which will provide good range of motion and positioning.

Regarding healing times: Some are back to full activity in 4 months, some it takes up to 2 years for a pain-free experience, and some learn to live with some discomfort for their lifetime. In my case, not having a correctly positioned left hip and a right hip still healing has not provided a solid base for either to heal properly. The right is covering for the left and most likely delaying healing. All in all it will take time for pain and muscle development to even out for both sides; we're in the best case scenario to progress and heal fully.

Thank you, Great Healer. We pour out our hearts to you, O Lord, for you are our refuge.