My beautiful wife

Yesterday was probably the worst day that we have had so far. First things first, I'm getting really tired of laying in the same position on the couch. I always used to love this when I was a kid, I got to lay on the couch, watch t.v., eat junk food, and never change out of my pajamas but it's starting to get old. Although on the other hand we rented the first two seasons of "Psych" and are in love with it. Second thing is that I've been battling a terrible stomach ache for the past 48 hours, it's without a doubt the worst stomach pain that I've ever felt. I think it's my stomach's way of telling me that my diet of only prescription meds isn't going to suffice. And third the hip pain-- I've been getting up and doing my doctor-approved exercises and stretches three times a day, and the pain is starting to shift from surgical pain to muscle and joint pain. That's a good thing in my mind, it means that the road to recovery is going well but man does it hurt. I think I pushed it yesterday, but I couldn't really help it when your stomach hurts that much you gotta go to the bathroom, there's no way around it. So today I've decided that I'm not moving from the couch before I mess up something in my hip again.

But the most important thing that I'm realizing from this time on the couch is how wonderful my wife is. No one guesses that within your first year of marriage that you'll have to take care of your husband after TWO surgeries. I wouldn't be able to do this without her and she is what's keeping me going. Lets hope that today is going to be better and remember that the best medicine is laughter.

"why does my knee look like a basketball?"

So today like any other day has had its ups and its downs. The morning was fine, I woke up and was able to do some light physical therapy, and then by mid morning we had a full house. Rachels dad, and brother were at the apartment along with one of Rachels friend from high school Lauren. For awhile there it was nice to sit back and listen to their conversations, laugh and smile while I watched them play with the dogs. Then at around 2:00 I got up to use the restroom and when I got back Rachel noticed that my right foot (same side as the surgery) was turning purple. So we snapped a photo of it and took off the the Emergency Room per my surgeons orders.

After being getting some crazy tests done, a ultrasound and some other test, they determined that my leg wasn't getting proper circulation. Something along the lines of the blood was flowing down to my foot but not flowing back up. All I know is that something keeps trying to knock me down and every time that it tries I turn around and say I don't think so. I'm going to make it through this.

Who thought a shower would be so difficult

Well I just tried to take a shower with some assistance from the wife and things did not go anything like I thought they would. I got into the shower (on my nice shower seat thanks to my dad) and was able to wash my hair and legs before I had to get out. After showering Rachel had to change my bandages and that's when things started to go down hill. While she was changing my bandages I started to get light headed, dizzy, and nauseous. I barley made it to the bed and was so close to blacking out. Not a good expierence. It seems that every time I have one positive progression there's always something at the end of the day to knock me down. I just need to keep remembering that I have an amazing family and friends that are here to help me with anything that I need.

Day 3

Well today is now my third day post op and things are slowly starting to progress. Last night on the other hand was terrible, I got up at around 8:30 to do my stretching and physical therapy and was barley able to get any done before I had to lay back down. While I was trying to stretch I kept having intense shooting pain all throughout my quad and buttocks and couldn't help but think, mabye I fell into the category of the 10% that surgery dosen't help. But after a good night sleep I was able to get up this morning and do my exercises and stretches with minimal pain.

It's been a learning expierence these past couple of days, and I know that it won't be over anytime soon. This morning I sat up right on the couch with my legs hanging over the side, and I sat and stared at my right leg trying to lift it. I kept telling myself "just lift your leg, you can do it just a half inch" but the scary part is that I can't. I know that this will get better over time it's just creepy to stare at a part of you body and not be able to control it at all.

Oh I have a new obsession now, I'm addicted to my ice machine. It's basically a cooler with a pump in it.  You fill it up with ice water and the pad gets strapped around you hip. Once you turn it on the cold water circulates through the pad constantly, keeping my hip at the perfect temperature.

Anyways that's all for now, I know that I'm doped up on Percocet and so most of this is just incoherent rambelings.

Post op day 2

Well we got home from the hospital yesterday afternoon, which was a task in itself, and managed to get me settled (which took 5 hours and about three runs to the store). I've been laying on the couch, in fact I slept here last night, and have already done 2 rounds of light stretching. It's very strange to not be able to move my leg without help from someone else but once I stand I seem to do ok. I've been trying to train myself again how to use my leg which has proven to be most challenging, but I'm glad that I have some help. I've noticed that not alot of people knew the extent of what the surgery was going to accomplish, and after I explain it to them they're always shocked that I have to retrain myself how to walk. I'm praying everyday and I know that its going to be a long road to a full recovery, but I'm here and ready for the battle and with my family behind me helping me, I know that I can accomplish anything.

Day 1 post op

Well I had my surgery yesterday and everything went very well. Dr. Maiers found a large amount of abnormal bone growth but was able to remove it all from the neck, head, and socket of the hip. All in all surgery was just over two hours and ever since then I've been in my recovery room doped up and iceing my hip with a cryo cuff. I can feel a difference already and the only pain I'm having is from the surgery wounds. I have my first meeting with the physical therapist today to teach me how to walk and use the crutches. Overall this has been a great expierence with an excellent hospital staff to help.

Tomorrow is the day

Well tomorrow is finally surgery day, I'm actually very excited to get this done with. I know that I am in very capable hands and have the love and support of my wonderful family and friends to help me through. I'll check back in in a couple of days to post on how the surgery went and mabye I'll know more about my recovery plan then.