MY TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT

I'm AMAZED. And GRATEFUL.

THURSDAY, APRIL 20th (2 weeks ago today)

5:45AM - Arrived at the Surgical Center (thanks to my sister JANE!!)

6:30AM - Hip replacement surgery (35 minutes!!)

11:30AM - I walked across the room with a walker. 

What I was most afraid of was getting sick from the anesthesia (big-time personal and family history of this), but the anesthesiologist "hooked me up" with plenty of precautions and it worked! My doctor and his surgical team visited me before noon to say that the operation was a huge success. There was no cartilage left - YIKES! - all arthritis was removed, loose ligaments tightened and a new hip in place. 

The nursing staff (and JANE) cared for me so kindly and skillfully. I couldn't have been more thankful. The Surgical Center has only 12 rooms - all private, large and beautifully, soothingly decorated.

THE NEXT DAY - FRIDAY, APRIL 21st

Discharged. Are you kidding me?!!

In the 1960's when my father had his hip replaced, the surgery was 8 HOURS long and he was in the hospital for days and then transferred to a rehab center for WEEKS of physical therapy.

No physical therapy for me. This is a new concept for sure. My doctor (GOD BLESS HIM) wants the new hip to heal slowly and gently. I LOVE this approach. I was told to go home and pretend that I'm snowed in, resuming normal household activities as I feel prepared to. Bend no more than 90 degrees at the hip and walk, walk, walk around the house. Followup in 18 days.

My sister ELLEN brought me home and stayed for several days to wait on me hand and foot (and HIP). What a Godsend!

NOW for more of the humbling part of this experience........

After reading this book recommended by 2 friends, I began VISUALIZING my recovery and NOT the surgery itself.

My VISUALIZATION included not only comfortable walking, but I MENTALLY SURROUNDED MYSELF with LOVE from FAMILY and FRIENDS. Boy oh boy, did I ever do an UNBELIEVABLE job of CREATING MY OWN REALITY. Family and friends appeared DAILY with food, gifts, flowers, emails, cards, phone calls, visits........ To say that I have been OVERWHELMED, would be an understatement.

THANK YOU TO GOD AND UNIVERSE, THE POWERS OF POSITIVE THINKING, TO LOVE and FAMILY and FRIENDS!!

Starting off with a TEA PARTY and TEA SANDWICHES FOR TWO........

HEALTHY LUNCHES and GIRLFRIEND time. The perfect medicine to speed my HEALING.

POPCORN, FLOWERS and ALEXIA picked up my new prescription glasses. (CLOVER!!!!)

My BIRTHDAY was back in February, but since we didn't have an opportunity to celebrate it then, these Girls INSISTED!!  One week out from surgery and we are PARTYING.

And we added one more FRIEND to the party that day..........

And then one more........!!!

A delicious visit from a local ITALIAN CHEF and his wife - friends of mine. Nice friends to have, eh??

And more FLOWERS!!!!

And CHOCOLATE!!!  Don't you love the message in the box "SHARING IS OPTIONAL".

CLOVER!!!, stayed with my friend DIANE and her husband Michael and their 10 YEAR OLD GOLDEN, HUNTER. They celebrated CLOVER!!!'s 2nd BIRTHDAY while she was there.  Diane said, "Only ONE dog showed up for the party, but CLOVER!!! had a good time anyway."

Naturally I'm anxious to get back to my passion of TRAVEL. But the furthest I've traveled in the past 2 weeks is my MAILBOX........  BABY STEPS, right?

JOAN