From the medical files of Shelby K. Smith Eidson

My mother and father, bless their hearts, saved EVERY piece of medical information when I was a child. I have moved this information twice, intending to throw it away, but Sean saying that I really couldn't. I reread some of this information today and had some interesting revelations, making me think that my needing a hip replacement is not out of the blue:

-March 1988: Dr. that did inital hip surgery in 1980 said, "[a proposed hip surgery] was the last trick in his bag short of hip replacement" I never did that surgery because we got a second opinion.

-May 1992: Another doctor saying that I had increased internal rotation on the right and the range of motion in the right hip was limited, but the left hip was fine. (same as today)

Well, I got another 20 years after 1988 out of these fair hips of mine; I think that's pretty good. When putting Stephen to sleep last night, I thought to myself that I am so thankful that he's healthy, with no apparent hip problems. My mother did an EXCELLENT job of documenting everything, even her opinions of the doctors and how long we waited (and upon reflection, 3 or 4 hours in a waiting room with a small child can be very long, no wonder she was watching the clock). I am so thankful that I have a wonderful husband who just says, "alright, well we know what's wrong, let's fix it."

Bren's Stephen

We commissioned Bren Bataclan, an artist and friend of my family's, to do a painting of Stephen for his upcoming first birthday. He was so nice to do TWO. Stephen likes them very much. This was a very welcome gift in the mail today. Bren does projects all over the world, like the one he started in Boston called, Smile Boston, where he plants his paintings all over the city, and anyone can have one for free if they promise to smile more at people. He has done paintings of both my mother and sister.

Funny, you don't look sick

I don't usually go posting really personal stuff on this blog, but today I feel like I need an outlet for my thoughts, as well as keeping everyone who reads this blog up to date on what is happening with me/us. I went to the orthopedist upon recommendation of my friend Brent. I've had hip pain/complication all my life and have been feeling more after giving birth and taking care of a now 9 1/2 month baby. I thought I would go in for a referral for a physical therapist to get some kinks worked out of my muscles and do some stretching, now that I can't even get into yoga poses that used to help me out with my hip pain. Upon seeing the x-rays, the dr. immediately told me that I needed a hip replacement. I started crying and I really haven't stopped very much since. He said that it wasn't an immediate need, but that I want to think about when might be the best time in the near future to have one. He stressed the difference of what he could have said, "You will need a hip replacement in the future", with what he did say, "you need a hip replacement." I basically have no space in the joint. I've been walking with the bone of the hip socket rubbing against the femur and my pain will not subside until I get a replacement. It was pretty plain, even for me, to see in the x-rays, looking at the difference between the two sides (I only need a replacement in the right side)

Of course, I am not new to dr's, surgeries, hospitals, second opinions and the like, so we are just starting to figure out who the best doctor is, what the time frame will actually be, and when the best time to do this will be. The cool thing is that I can get x-rays on CD's now to send to Brent to check out. :)

I am on an emotional rollercoaster. I mean, I "just" had a baby (ok, well 9.5 months ago) and now I need a hip replacement. I just want to be able to take care of my child. This is what really really gets me crying. I know that in the long term, it will be easier to run after him, but it will be hard in the short term. It will be a longish recovery period, but no one can really tell me how long because all of the data is for 60-80 year olds. Boy do I feel like an old woman. :) I'll be on crutches for 6 weeks and probably won't be able to pick up Stephen very well or play with him on the floor during that time.

The good parts of this are: It will make me feel better; I think in the end it is a quality of life enhancer. I will be able to run around with Stephen when he's able to run, and I will be able to walk the dogs more than a mile or two; I will be able to go up and down and up and down the stairs in my house. I know that I have wonderful family and friends to help out during this time, which I am thankful for.

San Diego Weekend

Sean and I spent a long weekend, sans Stephen in San Diego. We stayed at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, where they played the US Open this year. It was absolutely gorgeous and we had such a good time together. It was beautiful weather, being in the 70's and 80's instead of the 100 plus degree weather we are having in Dallas. We went to the San Diego Zoo, where I saw pandas (we did not see them in China, but I have seen them in the DC Zoo), Sean played golf, we both had massages, and just generally relaxed and had wonderful meals. Nancy, Sean's mom, stayed with Stephen. She was a trouper and we really appreciate her staying with him. I think Stephen tired her out, but she was very good natured about it.

Look Mommy, I'm standing up

Pulling Up

These days, Stephen pulls up on everything he can

I'm Listening To...

1. Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis: Two Men with the Blues
2. Coldplay: Vida La Vida

Great albums

Reading

So, its been a while since I've finished a book, which I miss, since I used to read a lot before having a kid. So, I've vowed to read more in my evenings...and I'm thinking short stories. I read a novella, Remembering Laughter, by one of my favorite writers Wallace Stegner today and this evening and enjoyed having a pretty short story that was very involving. I've never really been into short stories, so if anyone has suggestions, I'm open to them.

More from Corsicana, TX

We had a wonderful visit to a farm on the Fourth of July. We wanted to go to a by the road stand to get fresh produce, but this place was better...pick your own peaches, blackberries, and tomatoes. We had a lot of fun and Stephen got some fresh peaches and blackberries on him. We really enjoyed our visit and the produce that we brought back made a wonderful peach pie.

Stephen Talking to Himself

This is another video from last week

Bye Bauer's

Our friends Brent and Catherine Bauer are leaving for his fellowship in orthopedic trauma at University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for a year. We hope they return to Dallas with their twins after, but they may end up in Houston. We had a fun time hosting them last night with their twins and 2 dogs as they had movers pack up their stuff for the last 2 days. We will of course see them in Baltimore at their sounds like fabulous apartment in Federal Hill, but they will be missed.

sleep

Sometimes I take pictures of him sleeping to remind myself that he can be a good sleeper. We've been letting him cry for a little bit before sleep if he doesn't want to be cuddled and it is working, thank goodness.

9 months

Today we went to the doctor for Stephen's nine month appointment. He's a healthy 18 pounds now (15th percentile) but in the 50th percentile in height and head circumference. He's just more mobile and active than others his age and that's why he's lean and long. He had fun in the water last week in his crab float.

Aqua Baby

Sean, Stephen, and I spent the last week with Sean's family at Richland Chambers lake near Corsicana, TX. Stephen earned the name, Aqua Baby for his love of the water. There will be more video posts soon of this past week.