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!!!!!

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.

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!!!

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

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!