Hip Hip Hurray! (couldn't help myself w/ that one)

On April 22nd I went in to get my munched up hip replaced. They gave me some Versed prior to putting in some spinal morphine, so I don't remember squat from the pre-op area until I woke up in my room. Not sure I like the memory gap part, but I did like the no pain part. Typically spinal morphine lasts for 14-16 hours. I think mine lasted almost 48 because that is when my itching finally stoped and the pain finally put in an appearance. I have to mention the itching again because it was so incredibly irresistable. I've never itched like that before and hope to never again. And what else are you going to do while lying in bed, but scratch?

I managed to pass my physical therapy and occupational therapy with flying colors and got discharged on the 24th. I was pretty happy about that because it meant I could go home and celebrate my birthday at home. Since Brian has gotten really good at home nursing, he has been working from home, keeping an eye on me. And luckily we still had all the "accessible" modifications to the home still in place, making it pretty easy to make the transition home.

So now it's just a matter of following my hip precautions and doing my excercises. I've already had my staples removed, advanced to using a cane instead of a walker, downgraded my pain meds, and am cleared to drive short distances. All in less than 2 weeks! I think I'll have a better idea of how much of a success it is once I'm entirely off the pain meds, but so far things are going great!

The Dr. didn't need to take any more of the old hardware out. You can see the 2 new screws holding the cup in pointing upwards. This is my femoral head. I know, yuck. It should look like the ends of a chicken bone, smooth and white, NOT like it's been half chewed off w/ a big divot in the top. (the top is on the bottom next to the pen) I love it that my Dr. took this picture for me!

I plan on this being the last post regarding the accident and my hip. It has been a long 15 months dealing with all the injuries and other consequences of the accident. I'm hoping that within a couple of months, I won't notice my hip anymore and I won't have to revist it for a long long time! ...now I just have to find myself some work!