I have arrived on the other side!
But first ... a note about preparing for the Big Day ... Yesterday, on the eve of surgery, I was struck by the strong desire to talk to people--like deep talk. I burned up the phone ... returning calls and having meaningful talks with coworkers and friends--talks that went way beyond my hip surgery. I'm a college teacher and yesterday I talked two of former students I am close to. (Both have described me as "mentor.) Had fantastic conversations with both of them. About my surgery (my fears and hopes) ... But at least as much about their lives. And both of these young people were in the midst of major challenges and transitions in their lives ... and talking to them ... as a mentor of sorts ... was unbelievably fulfilling, and grounding ... and real! ... and a great way to divert myself from my own worries.
Back to the other side:
Arrived at 9 am. at the hospital ... and had a funny moment. My sister traveled from 150 miles away to go with me to the hospital. Well ... she uses a walker and is in need to replacements on both sides but has been delayed by other health problems. The hospital admissions person assumed my sister had come for the surgery and that I, who did not have an assistive device, was there to support my her. The admissions woman and I got a good chuckle at this ... out of hearing range of my sister.
My surgeon came to say hi shortly was placed in a robe and hooked up to the IV machine. He looked great! ... He came over and talked ... I asked him a question about ceramic heads ... I could tell he really didn't want to talk a lot. (Later I realized he was in between surgeries.)
The spinal, which I wanted in place of full anesthesia, was more uncomfortable than I anticipated (though maybe only 10-20 seconds total.) The anesthesiologist started an IV sedative at the same time he gave me the spinal. Now this all gets strange: I remember telling the anesthesiologist the spinal was a little uncomfortable, then he shifted the position of the needle slightly and discomfort was gone ...
The next thing I know the anesthesiologist and the nurse barked out questions at me. In my hazy memory, I knew the answers to their questions, but I couldn't get out the words ... I don't know if this loud questioning was a last-second check to find out if I was sufficiently sedate ... or whether I dreamed this whole sequence.
Woke up in recovery room ... covered with warm blankets ... feeling nothing in particular. I have a long bandage on my left side ... 8 to 10 inches and very narrow ... will ask my surgeon about this tomorrow. He uses the anterolateral approach ... on the side and slightly in the front.
I was to too nauseous when my PT arrived for a walk down the hall.
Two hours later, the PT and I walked down the hall about 50 feet and back ... On the walker, I had a flashback to my mom walking slowly with a walker at ages 88 to 90 after her hip replacement. Anyway, I felt none of the familiar arthritis pain ... but definitely felt soreness and tightness and hardness in the left upper thigh along the incision. This pain didn't frighten me--something about it my brain interpreted the discomfort as ... Oh, this is serious but this will definitely go away with time! ...
I'm at a small orthopedic specialty hospital outside Philadelphia, PA-- I think 24 beds total. The nurses are amazing. Thorough, kind, open ... quick to respond when I call. Kind, attentive nurses must create some kind of placebo effect ... as well as an anti-anxiety effect... and ... an anti-totally-terrified effect. I haven't been overnight in the hospital many times, but these nurses here are wonderful. I'm chatting up a storm--not just about me ... but about them and about their lives. One reason I selected this hospital from among three places where my surgeon operates ... is that people online (including on BS) raved about the care here. They seem to be right!
Tomorrow I will likely try a cane when walking with PT. We'll see ... I'm guessing I'll be using a walker at first when I return home.
Pain has been very low to mild as I sit in bed ... About an hour ago, I felt a little more "throb" and and ache in my leg, so I told the nurse and she gave me my first oxy pill.
Ironic bottom line: I just turned myself slightly in bed ... felt like ... well it felt like the left leg had sustained a major cut and laceration that is gonna take a while to heal.