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Saturday, December 31, 2011

AT&T Don't Text While Driving Documentary

I couldn't help but share this video after I watched it:

Friday, December 30, 2011

Nothing Else

There is nothing else to do on my end....just to travel and have the surgery done and over with! I am so thankful that everything has worked out. There were a lot of hoops through which I had to jump, and I hope that they are all worth it. At times I thought that the organization would never come together. Setting up all of the things to get to Vail to have surgery done by one of the best surgeon's in the world was, at times, extremely challenging. I am so thankful that I am able to go and have my hip fixed.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

One Week Remaining

Exactly one week from now I will most likely be done with my surgery or in surgery. It is exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time. I have everything set to go, just need to make sure that my lab results actually get to the surgeon's office since apparently they didn't receive them the first time they were faxed.

Tomorrow is my last day of my anesthesia rotation. (Thank the Lord). Then I have to pack and head off to Vail to get this darn hip of mine fixed up. Anesthesia called yesterday to take a history so that the pre-op the day before is smooth sailing. I called the insurance company and the various medical devices used afterwards are still being sorted out by the supplier and insurance company; this should be cleared either today or tomorrow.

After surgery I will be using: CPM machine, anti-rotational boots, pneumatic stockings, hip brace, and crutches. I'll have a whole bunch of machines. I bet it is going to be fun to use all of these things post-op. I'll take it though if it is going to help the recovery.

COUNTDOWN: 6 days!!!!!

Monday, December 26, 2011

The Muffin Top....IT'S GROWING!!!

I am pretty sure that the people at the surgeon's office are going to think that I lied when I filled out my paperwork. I am sure that when they go to weigh me next week that they will think that I totally lied about my weight since I have, for sure, gained several pounds over a span of a week. Man alive, this holiday eating is really doing it in for the muffin top! Phew. Despite these unwanted symptoms from over-indulgence, the Christmas holiday has been more than pleasurable. I got to celebrate Jesus' birth with the great company of family and friends. I am so thankful for the fact that I can celebrate the holidays with my family. It is a blessing and wouldn't give it up for anything.

I got four days off total this past weekend and I return to my rotations tomorrow morning. It is bitter sweet returning because it is great that my school and hospital are allowing me to do one last rotation before being off for my surgery, but at the same time my entire family is off of work/school still and they get to stay home while I will be gone all day. At least I will have the evenings to spend with them this week.

Everything is set to go to Vail. All details are in place. I have to pay some bills and email some people, but other than that, I am good to go! I am actually kind of surprised at how nervous I am getting. I know exactly what they are going to do, which is both a good and bad thing. I think that I have some weird white coat thingie going on...which is especially odd since I wear a white coat all day. I think that being on the giving rather than the receiving end of this deal is better. But, what can ya do?! Hopefully this will be the last time for a very long time that I will be on the receiving end of all of this medical care.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Thursday, December 22, 2011

2 Weeks' Time

Yuppers, in exactly two weeks I (maybe) will be all finished with my surgery and on my way with a new labrum. Yahoo! I am so ready to move on and be able to live without having my hip scream at me at the end of the day. How glorious will it be to have a hip that isn't angry 24/7? Amazing! I am hopeful and pray this will be my last hip surgery for a very long time.

On a lighter note, the doctor's at the hospital gave us medical students both Friday and Monday off....4 DAY WEEKEND ROOOOCKS! I am thrilled that I am going to be able to attend all of my family functions that we have over the next couple of days to celebrate Christmas. I am so thankful for this!

As I march into the holidays I am so excited that I get to be with my family to celebrate this wonderful holiday.

Happy Holidays to all!!!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

This hip is gonna be super expensive!

Man alive, when adding up all of the costs required for me to get from here to Vail to see Dr. Philippon, it makes my head spin. It is really adding up. All of the little things you dont think about. Like bulk head seating- had to pay $117 more for three people to fly bulk head seating on the way home because I'll need more room on the way home. Sigh. This is all very difficult since I have no money, but it has to be done because I really need to get fixed and it will be worth it to get the hip fixed up.

I guess it is what it is. Plus, I am truly thankful that I have the opportunity to have this surgery and have it covered under my insurance. Things could be a lot worse. I may not have health insurance, may not be able to make it to Vail, etc. So life is good, even if things are financially difficult for me at the moment.

Countdown: 17 days until surgery

Friday, December 16, 2011

Swa-eet Deal on a Hotel

I managed to finagle an incredibly sweet deal on a hotel for my stay in Vail. Seriously! I have been emailing the general manager and he has given me a room at a beautiful price. Something that is going to save us hundreds of dollars. I am stoked. Plus I am able to get a mini fridge, shower chair, and I will be asking about a raised toilet seat when I get there. This will make our stay a lot more comfortable since we'll be able to keep some food chilled and save some money by keeping some groceries in the room.

Yayayay :) Now just to book flights out

Confirmed

Yesterday I confirmed my surgery date and scheduled appointment times for pre-op. I have to be in town by Jan. 3rd. I have an 8:45am MRI appointment, followed by a 9:45 strength testing/ROM appointment. After this I have an appointment with the surgeon's fellow and then after lunch I'll actually have an appointment with the big guy himself. All this, then pre-op surgery appointment to organize all the meds, surgery time, etc. With surgery the following day.

It looks like I will be getting general anesthetic with an epidural. I am bummed that I'll have to have general anesthetic since I hate trying to wake up from it but will be more than happy with the epidural since it will provide wonderful pain management.

One thing that kind of surprised me, was that this surgery is going to be a 6 hour surgery. That is more than double what my previous surgeries were. Heck though, I want him to take his time fixing my hip since I plan on this being my last surgery for a very, very long time.

Now I am just booking flights, hotel, and a car. I am so relieved that all of this is finally coming together. In three weeks I'll be all done my surgery and be first day post-op. yayay!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Getting Closer - Still No Answers

It will be three weeks until my surgery in two days time and I still have yet to hear from the surgeon's office as to the details of my surgery (pre-op appointments, actual surgery day details, etc). I was told not to book any accommodations until I hear back from them, but heck, this is cutting it close since their office closes on Friday for the holidays. I am getting a bit anxious about getting all of the details figured out, so I think that calling and/or emailing the office tomorrow is in store. I feel terrible since I have already emailed her last week asking about details, but they have to give me some time to book flights, hotels, cars, etc. Phew. The surgeon was reviewing my case last I had heard, but I really need to get things in order.

Today I was in the OR scrubbed in on a case and was standing there when I realized just how much I need this surgery. I was standing there throbbing and the thought crossed my mind, "only a couple more weeks of 'functioning' like this, thank the Lord!!" I have to study in bed tonight with a heating pad because I hurt so much. This is no way to live and can't wait to get this fixed up, once and for all!! :) *fingers crossed*

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Less than a month

Apparently my case is currently being re-reviewed by the surgeon and I will hear in the next couple of days about the timeline, and finalize the surgery date. I also am going to send his office pictures of my previous hip brace since I may be able to wear the same one from my last surgery. It would be nice to be able to use that one and not have to get a new one! I hope it will suffice.

It truly is approaching quickly. I have a lot to plan, but am getting excited to be fixed. It certainly is difficult to live with chronic pain. Although I really do hurt all of the time, I think that remaining positive and having a good outlook on the entire situation makes it a lot more tolerable. It would be so easy to simply give up, call it quits, and feel sorry for myself. But that doesn't help anybody; nor is it healthy.

I read many posts on Facebook groups, forums, and continually read how horrible everybody feels. I know I've done that and posted things like that before, but at the current time, I just fail to see the point. I am in pain, but I try to repress it in order to function in life. My medical school schedule honestly doesn't care about my hip, nor does anybody I work with; they care about teaching me and about caring for patients. Hence, I've worked hard at ignoring my pain and continuing on with life. So far this tactic has been working. It could be a lot worse - I could have a terminal illness or something of that nature. Instead, although I have one messed up hip, and I have a loving family, I love what I am studying, and the Lord is completely in control. I've been dealt this for some reason and it will make me a stronger individual. I will NOT let my hip ruin my life. It has curtailed so many things thus far, I will refuse to let it bring me down further. Only 28 days left of living with my hip in its current state. I can do anything for 28 days, right?

So, from now until then...I will repress, repress, repress, and think positively. It is the only way to go.

Hugs go out to all of my fellow hip patients. We will get better :D