And...we're back

Hi Everyone,
Well, it's done.
First, I want to thank our entire teaching staff for stepping up to the plate and supporting me during my surgery and time out. It has been a long wait to find the 'right time' for me to do this and our instructors being so committed and wonderful makes it possible. Thank you all girls...I love you.
Second, I want to especially thank Karen for stepping into the role I take on a daily basis and dealing with all the little things that come up...knowing that she is there lets me relax a bit and rest. (I don't relax well but that's on me) Karen and I have been business partners and best friends for 16 years and we are always there for each other...though it may not look like it to everyone every day. When it comes down to it-we are each other's right arm and would never let each other down. K, you rock and I love you to pieces!
And, to everyone who contributed to the Edible Arrangement or put a card in the box-thank you. They are so nice to read and the fruit is so wonderful to have. Mr. P&P thanks you too.
Ok...so here's how it went down:
We had to be there 7:30am Thursday. I had packed a little bag and we left right on time. KA and her boys came over later that day to stay with Lilly (and thank YOU for that-it was awesome to know she was ok).
We arrived at NEBH and they told us we were delayed (they had tried to call but, thankfully ,we had already left). So we went into pre-op and sat...for over 5 hours. Why? My surgeon had decided he wanted an additional surgeon in the room because of the complexity of this particular hip. (My other one is not this complex, thank God) So, they had to coordinate already scheduled surgeries and get together to do mine. I was oddly patient about it (for me...as we all know I possess, uh, no patience) and Hubs and I hung out. I couldn't eat or drink but I could 'rinse and spit'...yuck.
Around 12noon things started moving-Dr. S came in to brief me and later Dr. R did too. Anesthesia comes in and the nurses are in and out. The IV going in wasn't as bad as I had built it up in my head (thank God) and I cried and so did the nurse (it was scary-first IV and all). The nurses were all sweet, kind and encouraging. Between the 3 I had in pre-op they had been at NEBH, oh...like 90 years total. Now that says something. Anyway, the nurse anesthesiologist came in and put something in my IV and they rolled me in, around 2:30pm...I was crying a little, said BYE to Hubs and then I remember them saying, "Slide over to this bed", then the mask over my face and the next thing I know I'm vomiting a little (they said I did great, not too much getting sick) and Hubs was there saying, "I'm here honey". I told him to go home to Lilly and I feel back asleep.
I guess it was about 1 hour later I woke up and got the nurse to get me to the bathroom. I will not go into detail here but I, apparently, cannot use a bedpan. (no catheter-Dr. S doesn't do that for younger patients) So, I was up a few hours after surgery...ok so I just stood and went on the commode with the walker but, hey, that's progress!
Side note: Mother nature decided to make a visit...I guess that happens to lots of folks but boy did that s*ck.
I slept off and on and really didn't hit the pain med button (I forgot about it) and the next morning they came in with a clear liquid breakfast. I had to fight the room service (yes, that's what they call it) lady because the jello had artificial sweetner in it and she tried to tell me to eat it until I showed her my allergy bracelet. I got my FAB nurse (Windy) and she said, "Are you hungry?" I was so she got me some toast and OJ. So there, no clear liquids for me!
So the day was resting, watching TV and all-Hubs visited that afternoon (Friday) and I think JL and DF came that night (can't remember if that was Friday or Saturday).
The food was really good and lots to choose from. I slept alot and, thanks to Mother Nature, was up using the real bathroom (with supervision and the walker) Friday night.
K and Little K came on Saturday and ST sent me a nice candy basket too!
And now for the more funny portion of this post:
-Nurses...Windy and Hema were the best. The listened to me, encouraged me to do what I could along the way and made me laugh when I had to face my 'ladies days' in the hospital. They both marveled at how my hair stayed looking nice the whole time and how I barely used any pain meds. ***Then there was nurse Ratchet. Her name is Laura and she s*cked. They have shift change at 7pm and she came in around 10:30pm, flipped on all my lights (did not announce herself) and woke me up with a jolt. She was rude, short and b*tchy. So, as you can imagine, we got along great-NOT. When I asked to go to the bathroom and she saw I was using a feminine product SHE did not approve of she literally yelled at me. There I am, standing in a jonny, just had surgery, having my period and this beyotch is lecturing me on protocol.
I let her have it. I said, "Look...all the other nurses and aides know and no one has said a thing to me so LAY OFF. I just had surgery, I have my period and I've been through enough. I don't give a crap about your protocol and I don't need to. Take it up with the other nurses but NOT with me. Now get out of my way so I can get back to bed."
Needless to say she did not bother me again.
-Mr. Moan and Groan neighbor across the hall.
So, I had a private room (thank God) and sometime on Friday (time kind of just goes by so it's hard to tell when things happened exactly) I hear yelling "OH, OMG, that hurts, NURSE!!!" Yeah, use the button dumb a**, people are trying to recuperate here! The yelling, moaning and groaning were almost continuous for 2 days. He would shout, scream and yell for the nurses and aides as soon as he learned who was on at the time. Then he started yelling, "Coffee! I need a coffee. Get me a coffee. Black, no sugar. I need coffee"
I asked for my door to remain shut.
He was MORE than annoying and the entire nursing staff was pissed off. Hema told him to use the dang button and he wouldn't. I think he screamed for pain meds, oh, every 10 minutes for hours. The staff wouldn't say a word (HIPA and all) but I would say, "Hema, how the hell are you handling that man?" She would just look at me...Windy too. The guy had some shoulder thing done and, apparently, has a ridiculously low pain threshold...I do not miss him.
I was discharged on Sunday and it was quick and easy. Oh and Dr. S and Dr. R did visit me on Friday (and a junior doc did on Sat/Sun). They were all impressed with my quick progress and I did have a few meltdowns of frustration. I'm used to my body doing what I want and being able to do everything so that was a bit hard to take at moments. But, overall it was ok.
We got home, got in the house and all slept downstairs-Hubs, Lilly and me.
I am taking pain meds here and there but mostly at night and so much less than what anyone thought. Honestly folks, the pain was BEFORE the procedure-and now it's gone. The incision is already starting to itch and PT comes a couple times a week (this week) to the house, then I go to outpatient.
Hubs is working mostly from home, Lilly is being great and it's been wonderful to have visits from MW, K, TM...
Yesterday I drove (again, I'm not on the meds) with Hubs to WF and walked the store and got my groceries. Hubs was not in favor of this (he was afraid someone would bump into me at the store) but supported me nonetheless and all was well. I was NOT tired when we got home but did sit down to elevate (swelling). It was great to get out and I was SOOO happy to drive and feel a bit normal again.
So, things will progess from here. I will see the docs at a 4 week appt...show up at the Center sometime this week to be at the desk (not telling when...) and get back to normal one day at a time.
I was so scared to do this and now I feel so proud of myself that I didn't let fear stop me. I always tell you guys not to let fear keep you from achieving your dreams-getting fit...whatever it is. I do not like hypocrites and I knew I had to walk through this to be a person of my word. And, I did it.
I miss you all terribly but I know you are in the more than capable hands of Jess, Jill and Kristen (covering my classes) and Karen and all the rest of the girls too.
See you all soon!