On Monday November 12, 2012 my mom had right knee replacement surgery. She remained in the hospital for 3 days and was transferred to the rehab hospital where she stayed until she was discharged on Wednesday November 21. I opened my home up to her especially since I have everything---bathroom, shower, kitchen, living room all on one level. Where as her home is a tri-level---bath with no shower and rooms upstairs, living room and kitchen middle level, and shower downstairs. I knew it would be enough accomplishing my house at first.
It has been nice being able to care for my mom. It is hard to watch on the days she hurts more and there really isn't anything else but to let the healing process take its place.
Also this Thursday November 29 my mother in law is having surgery for uterine cancer. Dusty will be caring for his mom tomorrow, as it is a one day surgery and then dismissed home as long she pees. Then on Friday after Arianna gets out of school she will stay with Grandma Beverly through the weekend to help her, as she has no one else.
But to add to this, on Sunday I began to have vaginal bleeding. We hadn't told anyone that were expecting. From the start I just felt something wasn't right. So on Sunday afternoon, we went in to the ER where a vaginal sono was done. ER doctor told me I was growning a gestational sac measuring 14 weeks but no baby. He told me if the bleeding increased or the cramping worsened I was to call my OB. Later Sunday night, my bleeding increased greatly and cramping worsened. I called the ob office and the operator told me the on call nurse would call me back. An hour later still no phone call. I called back. 10 minutes later the operator called to make sure nurse had called but still no call. Finally 10 minutes later she called but told me that my bleeding was normal and to call the ob Monday morning. It didn't feel normal but I was tired and wanted to sleep.
Monday morning came, Dusty went to work. I thought I felt good until I got out of bed and began to throw up. I managed to get the kids ready for school but on the way home the cramping was increasing. I just began feeling worse. So I got home and before calling the office got sick again. I laid down on the couch for an hour then called. The receptionists said they had an opening that day but would have the nurse call back. She called back and asked if I had my ER reports. I said no just the informative discharge sheet. She said I needed to get those before they could see me. This just upset me after I hung up the phone. By this time I was feeling terrible emotionally and physically. It was a process trying to track down how to get the ER report papers. My mom was very mad over this because I was in tears and hurting and trying to find out how to get the ER papers. Finally I called back the nurse and told her I felt terrible. She said it was normal. I didn't feel normal, even if this was a miscarriage. I felt terrible. So she scheduled me for Tuesday at 11.
Tuesday I get up to shower and by now I am feeling like I am in labor so to speak. I was bleeding heavily and cramping immensely with a bad backache. Dusty took off so he took me out to the hospital to get my ER papers and then we went to my appt. Where they already had the papers. I didn't care at this point I just felt awful. The doctor came in and talked to me about miscarriages. Then he examined me and found my cervix was dialating and what looked like the placenta trying to pass. He used a long pair of tong like thing to ease it out. And oh my goodness that relief that I felt after that. Now he cleaned up the "area" too but I was tender and sore so this hurt. He explained to me that if the bleeding hasn't stopped or the cramping continues I am to call back by the end of the week. But for now he wants to let nature take its course before doing a D&C. I am to followup in one week for lab work to make sure my HCG levels are dropping.
This just really hurts. The emotions are everywhere right now. And with so much going on it usually hits me at night or in the shower when I am alone. I have never experienced this before, this is all new to me. It crushes my heart but I know I have an angel baby waiting for me in heaven.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
What a Year
Last year was a year recovering for me. Childbirth recovery, LPAO, RPAO, Left screw removal. Even though it was a hell of year, I wouldn't change it. I have grown closer to God through this whole process.
With both my surgeries I had a bed sore on my tailbone region making it very hard to find a comfortable spot to lie down or sit. The first bed sore with my LPAO wasn't as bad. It healed up in about two weeks. With my RPAO, that bed sore was painful and big. I slathered all sorts of ointments on my rear to help with relief. Thing is I was too embarassed to ask for medical advice. I honestly was afraid that somehow it would be my fault when I all could do was lay on my back slightly turned or sit. Standing for long lengths was exhausting and out of the question. Those first weeks are kind of spent sleeping and taking it easy. But after about a good 3.5-4 weeks it finally scabbed over and relief was found.
Over the summer I was so thrilled to wear flip flops without having pain. I like to wear my cowboy boots and don't have trouble. I haven't ventured to wearing high heels and don't know if that will happen. But wearing sandals is huge since previously it would cause the instability to greatly increase along with pain that I didn't know how long it would last for. It was a good summer.
I still get upset when I feel like my surgery and recovery is made to sound easier compared to something in someone else's life that they are facing. Yes once again, this wasn't the end of the world, there are worse things out there, etc, etc, etc. But I am the one that went through this surgery and recovery. I am the one that was faced with setbacks and obstacles that I had to face and deal with that many will never know about. So yes it is upsetting when I am compared and made to feel like this was nothing compared to what someone else must face. To each their own but unless you walk in that person's shoes, comparing and undermining is a big no no. At least one person is bound to get hurt if not both from comparing. Instead reaching out with support is by far much better.
As for my oldest daughter, no plans have been made as to when we will plan for Right hip surgery. She doesn't sleep on her left side, even though I tell her it is okay. I am not sure if it grosses her out or what. But whatever her reasoning I do reassure her that it is ok. Lesson learned on part, I will be pushing for PT early on for her.
Overall I am so thankful that I had the surgeries when I did. Yes it was a year of physical and emotional turmoil that in the end has made a stronger human being with such a greater and deeper love for God.
I don't need much as each day is a blessing to me, knowing what I can accomplish with a little determination. And knowing that it is okay to cry or laugh because those tears and laughter are what makes me---me.
With both my surgeries I had a bed sore on my tailbone region making it very hard to find a comfortable spot to lie down or sit. The first bed sore with my LPAO wasn't as bad. It healed up in about two weeks. With my RPAO, that bed sore was painful and big. I slathered all sorts of ointments on my rear to help with relief. Thing is I was too embarassed to ask for medical advice. I honestly was afraid that somehow it would be my fault when I all could do was lay on my back slightly turned or sit. Standing for long lengths was exhausting and out of the question. Those first weeks are kind of spent sleeping and taking it easy. But after about a good 3.5-4 weeks it finally scabbed over and relief was found.
Over the summer I was so thrilled to wear flip flops without having pain. I like to wear my cowboy boots and don't have trouble. I haven't ventured to wearing high heels and don't know if that will happen. But wearing sandals is huge since previously it would cause the instability to greatly increase along with pain that I didn't know how long it would last for. It was a good summer.
I still get upset when I feel like my surgery and recovery is made to sound easier compared to something in someone else's life that they are facing. Yes once again, this wasn't the end of the world, there are worse things out there, etc, etc, etc. But I am the one that went through this surgery and recovery. I am the one that was faced with setbacks and obstacles that I had to face and deal with that many will never know about. So yes it is upsetting when I am compared and made to feel like this was nothing compared to what someone else must face. To each their own but unless you walk in that person's shoes, comparing and undermining is a big no no. At least one person is bound to get hurt if not both from comparing. Instead reaching out with support is by far much better.
As for my oldest daughter, no plans have been made as to when we will plan for Right hip surgery. She doesn't sleep on her left side, even though I tell her it is okay. I am not sure if it grosses her out or what. But whatever her reasoning I do reassure her that it is ok. Lesson learned on part, I will be pushing for PT early on for her.
Overall I am so thankful that I had the surgeries when I did. Yes it was a year of physical and emotional turmoil that in the end has made a stronger human being with such a greater and deeper love for God.
I don't need much as each day is a blessing to me, knowing what I can accomplish with a little determination. And knowing that it is okay to cry or laugh because those tears and laughter are what makes me---me.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Pains and Discomforts
As I do feel good must days. I still find I am having different issues to cope with.
My left hips doesn't do well from inactivity at all. I do have the stiffiness but I am noticing pain and limping especially in the morning and in the evening. I find if I tip toe on my right it makes walking easier until my left hip settles down. As much as I love to bring my legs close to me, I find that the stiffiness is bad. I am limited to one sex position---side lying. I can't spread my legs apart without experiencing pain and feeling like my pelvis is going to break into two. And if any pressure is applied, oh my goodness that hurts drastically. At times it does sadden me because I do miss being kissed during that special time or just sharing me. I have managed to get the nerve pain undercontrol on my own with magnesium. It took about a month before I noticed any improvement.
My left hip isn't the only joint. My knees will lockup on me sending sharp sudden shooting pains. I did have an MRI over the summer only to find out that my knees are like my hips. Thankfully I still have cartilage. I did do 4 weeks of PT for my hips and knees. Not much else I felt could be done except once again just learn to cope with it as it happens.
My lower back is giving me problems. I wake up during the night only to toss and turn because it hurts. I am finding it harder to bend over without pain and stiffiness. And to get up from a sitting position I can't quite straighten up at first. And then I do notice discomfort in my hands and shoulders at times but this isn't bad at all.
I am not sure the cause of most of my pains and discomforts. A big part of me wants to pursue answers but I don't honestly know where to begin and with who at this point.
My left hips doesn't do well from inactivity at all. I do have the stiffiness but I am noticing pain and limping especially in the morning and in the evening. I find if I tip toe on my right it makes walking easier until my left hip settles down. As much as I love to bring my legs close to me, I find that the stiffiness is bad. I am limited to one sex position---side lying. I can't spread my legs apart without experiencing pain and feeling like my pelvis is going to break into two. And if any pressure is applied, oh my goodness that hurts drastically. At times it does sadden me because I do miss being kissed during that special time or just sharing me. I have managed to get the nerve pain undercontrol on my own with magnesium. It took about a month before I noticed any improvement.
My left hip isn't the only joint. My knees will lockup on me sending sharp sudden shooting pains. I did have an MRI over the summer only to find out that my knees are like my hips. Thankfully I still have cartilage. I did do 4 weeks of PT for my hips and knees. Not much else I felt could be done except once again just learn to cope with it as it happens.
My lower back is giving me problems. I wake up during the night only to toss and turn because it hurts. I am finding it harder to bend over without pain and stiffiness. And to get up from a sitting position I can't quite straighten up at first. And then I do notice discomfort in my hands and shoulders at times but this isn't bad at all.
I am not sure the cause of most of my pains and discomforts. A big part of me wants to pursue answers but I don't honestly know where to begin and with who at this point.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Right Hip Memories
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| Left Hip Scar |
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| Right Hip Scar |
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| Day 2 or 3 |
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| The Best Roomie ever, My Daughter! |
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| Before |
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| Right Hip Screws |
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| Right Hip Incision with Steri-strips |
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