Preop

Tired! Oh wait I guess I should explain the day.
5:00 am- Time to wake up and get ready for the day. We wanted to be on the road by 545am which we were.
We did get to Children's Hospital a bit early but that was ok because we were able to get a bite to eat for breakfast. No food=Cranky! So I fueled up with a simple bagel and cream cheese and washed it down with an OJ.
ADMITTING
Our first stop was in Admitting. But when we got there we told our appt. time wasn't until 1100. Oh no! Our sheet that was sent to us said 7am. But the receptionist said that was fine they would work with us. And they did.
We first started the process of getting admitted and going over insurance info and sign some papers. Then we waited a little bit more.
NURSING
I was then called back to go over a health history. That was pretty easy. The nurse explained about what to expect the day of surgery. She also said the hospital will be able to provide a hospital grade pump. That will be nice. Hmmmm now if only I could manage to care for Edgar or bring him. Anyway the nurse took my Blood pressure, temp., pulse, O2 saturation, and listened to my heart and lungs. She really stressed that even though I may not hurt that I do need to keep taking my pain meds. for however often I can so I can stay on top of the pain. I told Dusty that is his job to watch the clock and tell me it is time.
ANESTHESIA
This went quickly. He went over all possible side effects from the most common(nausea/vomitting) to the least likely(death). He said that I can do an epidural for pain control, which would stay in place for 3 days and then be removed. He did say that the day of surgery I will be given some medication to help relax.
LAB
I did have a couple of tubes drawn and had to pee in a cup. Probably to make sure I wasn't pregnant since as we all know is why I had to cancel surgery last year. But definitely all worth it.
XRAY
I had to get 4 xrays total. I did get to look at them. Strange at how when I do look at them I wish that they would look "normal" but they aren't and it makes me feel a bit disappointed. But it is neat to look at.
ORTHO DEPARTMENT
This is when we met with Erin, Dr. Millis physician assistant. She is really very nice. She sat down with us to go over any questions we had. She explained what I should expect. She did say that the first 2-3 weeks are the worst and then it gets easier. She said they will work with me to get the right pain medications that will help control the pain. I do have to meet the 3 P's---Poop, Pass PT, and Pain Control.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
I met with Jamie. She was also really great. She went over to what I should expect from surgery. She explained how will get around. Then came the fun part practicing with the cruches. Ok I was nervous. And when I get nervous I laugh it off. But I do remember bad stays in front ALWAYS! When stair climbing GOOD GOES TO HEAVEN AND BAD GOES DOWN. So in other words Good steps/hops first when going up and Bad first when going down.
LUNCH
Yes we did manage to grab a bite to eat on our way to Waltham.
MRI in WALTHAM
I had the contrast injected. She first tried my left arm but was unsuccessful but then was successful with my right. The left vein had rolled away. Poor right has had it rough with two blood donations in two weeks and then two needlesticks today. So it was a bit sore from it and a little bruised. I also must have been dehydrated too. I did have to walk for about 10 to get the contrast flowing through. With the last MRI I did fine besides having a backache. Not this time! I freaked out when I was all the way in the tunnel. She asked if I was ok and I shoke my head "no". I didn't like being in the such a tight little place. It scared me. So she pulled me back out and told me to close my eyes and she would check in on me. She also said she would turn the music up to help drowned out the sounds. I closed my eyes before I went back in. That really did help. But since they have to tape your feet together and you have to hold really still, my left hip began to hurt so very bad. That by the end I was in tears with pain. I felt like such a baby. This must have been my breaking point. I was embarrassed.
DR. MILLIS
We then drove back to Children's Hospital to talk with Dr. Millis since we missed him the first time. We did have to wait while he finished up with other appts. He went over the MRI results. He said that I do have holes in the head of my femur bone and that some arthritis has set in my left. He couldn't guarantee that I wouldn't need a THR in the future but that at this time a PAO is still my best option. He went over the procedure. He did some ROM with my legs and took measurents. He also told me to get my oldest daughters xrays and bring them and he would take a look at them. He wasn't very happy that her ortho here said that we need to wait and that there wasn't anything we could do now.
We left Children's at around 745-8 pm. We went back to the hotel and ordered food from there and then went right to sleep. Well Dusty went right to sleep. I was tired but had to unwind first. But finally went to sleep.
At first I felt out of place being in a Children's Hospital but honestly everyone was so very nice and helpful.

Second Blood Donation

Second blood donation is done. All went well. My iron level was 13.4 but Farrah told me that was to be expected. But she said I still have really good iron levels for my size and being a female. Farrah also gave me some FYI. She told me to avoid tea the day before surgery because it has tannin which lowers our red blood cell/iron count. Good to know because I love sweet tea!
This time I peaked at the needle size. I knew it was big last time but I didn't look I just felt it. And was I right. It wasn't so long just wide.
Last time I was nervous not knowing what to expect or how I would feel so I must have tensed up. This time I told myself to relax that arm especially after seeing the needle. I was having a discussion in my head telling myself to relax. But it worked, no flinch this time.
It was also really busy with lots of people donating so I told myself to stay relaxed and squirt that blood out into the bag. Especially when the seat next to me was no longer vacant. I noticed I started to feel squeamish about it all but I was done before my neighbor next to me even started.
Afterwards I had an oatmeal raisin cookie. Yummy!
I do feel a bit wiped out and drained. But overall no dizziness. Tonight is a bit crazy with meetings so we may eat out tonight.
Yesterday I was sent a care package from my my sister in law. This is their way of helping out since they won't be able to physically help being that they live out of state. And yes I admit I was bad and already opened the blowpops. Gum is a great to chomp the nervous jitters away.
My checklist is getting shorter for things to get done before surgery.
Blood one-done
Blood two-done
Preop and MRI-Next Tuesday
Surgery-Monday May 2nd.

Sweet and Salty

Busy busy day of running around and getting kids where they needed to go. But now it is time to sit down relax and watch a movie,Tron, all while enjoying a sweet tea that hubby surprised me with! Now I need to decide popcorn or chocolate chip cookie, maybe both will just have to do. A little sweet and salty.
Tomorrow I need to work on a list of things to get done before we leave for the preop and surgery. Time is really flying by.

Stupid Cake

So maybe I have to much on plate to handle right now. I just feel so overloaded with everything. The kids are going here and there with all their activities with school, soccer, and baseball. It is all a lot to take in and then add in having major surgery which puts me on crutches for undetermined amount of time. So yes just thinking about it all is really overwhelming.
I thought that if I blogged about it tonight that it might help. I also need to take a few steps back and breath. Take one day at a time and focus. It actually might work if I wasn't an emotional basketcase too.
Things would have been fine if my hubby would have offered to cut me a piece of cut instead of telling me to cut my own. I always offer if he wants something. It is such a simple gesture to show that I care and love him. But no he didn't offer, which lead to an argument. And then he can't even apologize. I just wanted a piece of a cake. Stupid cake. ARGH!

Edgar at 4 Months

Edgar is 4 months today! He also had his 4 month checkup, which meant another round of vaccines. Poor buddy boy. But he did amazing. He wimpered a little bit but once he was in my arms the tears faded immediately. And for the hard work he had to undergo, his sisters, Emma and Paylynn, were rewarded with dumdum suckers from the doctor. Since it was right around lunch time I treated them to McDonald's. They each got a hamburger happy meal with apple juice. So it was a treat. Typically it is chocolate milk.
He weighs 15pounds 8ounzes. His length is 25.5inches. And his head circumference is 17.5inches. So that puts him in the 75th percentile of babies his own age. We discussed food this visit. But the doctor told me that whenever Edgar was ready, which he thought I could hold off for awhile since Edgar was thriving very well on mommy milk. I am not any big hurry for him to grow up.