This picture was taken when Stephen was so tired. I had just finished putting on his really, really cute pj's that glow in the dark. He fell asleep about 5 minutes after. I went to my long awaited appointment with my hip replacement orthopedist yesterday. He said that I really did need a hip replacement, but he wanted me to fail more conservative treatment first (as per logical medical protocol). What that means is that I got a steroid injection into my hip yesterday to give me at least temporary relief. They numb the area before they put the shot in me, but they had to do about four or five numbing shots before they found the right spot. It really really hurt. I don't even like people or the dog touching me on my hip, it is the most tender spot on my body, and to have those shots really hurt. I looked afterwards and they finally shot me right where I have my scar from my surgery in 1980, no wonder why it hurt. Dr. Peters also got me on the calendar to have the hip replacement on February 25th of 2009, his first available time! I will have the surgery, which takes only about an hour(!), at the Carrell Clinic in Dallas, which is just north on 75 from Sean's office, only about 10 minutes from our house. I will stay in the hospital about 3-4 days and then be house-bound for 3 weeks, which is less than I thought. I guess that so many people have hip replacements, that they really have everything down...I have a phsyical therapist that will come to my house for 3-4 times/week post-op, a traveling nurse that will also house visit to make sure I don't get blood clots. Everything that I was trying to plan for just seems to be in the natural routine for them, which is very comforting actually.I will say though that immediately after the shot yesterday, I did find some relief. For the first time in about a year, I didn't have to help my right leg into the car and I was able to sleep on my right side last night with no pain, which is excellent. I took a walk outside for the first time in about 2 months with Stephen and the dog this evening, and again, it felt really good. The shot is supposed to last about 6 weeks and will hopefully give me enough relief to return to some normal activity level: working out, taking care of Stephen, and just normal life.
3 comments:
I'm so glad you gotten some relief!
Argh Shel, sorry so painful, but sounds like it may have been worth it. I remember another painful time when you got those 2 little divets taken out of your forearm. I don't like you being in pain...at all. I can't believe you'll have to wait until the end of February - can you get on a waiting list or something?? Guess the one good thing about that is you'll have good incentive to get outside in March to do some walking when the weather turns nice and you're feeling better. Sounds like if the shot made you feel that much better, the hip replacement will REALLY help. Then you can get out and run marathons with your new bionic hip!
p.s. Glow in the dark skeleton pjs?!? How great! The picture isn't showing up though - do fix, can't wait to see the little guy!
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