Surgery for the Left Hip

I officially have two matching ceramic hips!

I arrived at the hospital at 5am yesterday, was in surgery by 7, surgeon talked to my husband at about 10:15 everything went well with the hip replacement, I was in my hospital room by about 1. They did x-rays in the recovery room when I was still trying to wake up as well as put in my pain catheter . I got to see Joe back there for a little bit and had some delicious ice chips.

I was really sleepy the rest of the day, but thankful that I was comfortable. My pain was/is managed really well. I have a catheter going into my hip, delivering medicine directly to the joint. I can hit the button if I need more medicine, which I did yesterday a bit. I also had an IV for fluids and antibiotics and had to wear the oxygen tubes in my nose until this morning.

I've had more jello in the past 24 hours then I've ever had in my life (I do not recommend the Orange flavor especially if you've had the orange glucose drink/test during pregnancy). I got sick after my liquid dinner yesterday. My stomach did not like the chicken broth on top of the juice I had just drank. I was so frustrated, knowing this would set me back from having something solid. Eventually, I talked my PCA into getting me some saltines. I think I was just sooo hungry and the liquids were not sitting well. They let me have just one cracker, then I had to wait and see if my stomach could handle it. I felt so much better having something of substance in my belly, so I had a lovely bedtime snack of crackers and, of course, strawberry jello.

I was delighted to have a good friend (she's the children's pastor at our church) visit before dinner and was alert enough to chat with her a while. Then around 6pm, my husband and sister brought my girls in for a visit. They are 15 months and 4 now. I had made room on my bed for them to snuggle on my good side. It was the best feeling in the world to hug them. My oldest brought me some lovely "gifts" including two books to read to her and some random toys to play with. She also picked out a plush Mickey doll as my "snuggie" to sleep with and some treats out of her own candy bag from home. We talked about her day and the things she saw in hospital room, then we found a Pooh Bear show on tv to watch. Of course, both girls enjoyed it when I moved the bed up and down, etc. Eliza actually said that coming to the hospital is fun; she's had plenty of experience with hospitals and I'm glad she still has a positive view of them.

I feel so blessed having so many people praying for me and a great surgeon taking care of my hips. It is such a relief to have this over with and I look forward to 2011 - hopefully a year without hospitals for our family!