Well, tis done. A week ago I got a whole new hip. The surgeon who was there when I opened my eyes told me so. And the whole episode was a kind of strange other-worldly experience.
PRE-SURGERY I stayed in a hotel in a handicap room with a “roll-in” shower.
I figured if I could roll in, I could walk in.
Not so.
I managed to slip on the very slick floor and thought I landed close to the bad hip. Then dragged myself to a carpeted room, and decided since there was no intense pain anywhere I could stay mum about the fall and go forward with the operation in the morning.
And that is what happened.
All went well in the morning including anesthesia with numbing of the back and me asleep in a flash with no nausea or any distress upon awakening!
But the saga went on.
It was agreed I would spend one night in the hospital. I was off to my own little room and bath and right next to that was a man who began a long diatribe of groaning, moaning, swearing, praying, and screaming. With colorful language and an actor’s ability to project, I began wishing relief for him via a sedative.
The nurses on the ward were in a constant huddle whilst taking abusive language as he was shouting, “Please, PLEASE, PLEASE! DO SOMETHING. I AM NOT GOING TO MAKE IT. HELP ME!!! OHHHHHHH, AAAAARGH, OWWWW, JESUS, DEAR GOD”, etc.
His language was so colorful and the nurses were so distraught that it became like an exciting audio story with dramatic sound effects.
Through this drama, nurses were still tending to other patients and would come in to check on me and would provide updates. Some said there was no reason for him to be carrying on like that, and how they were trying to get an on-call surgeon to come in. It was around 4:30 AM when I learned the Moaning Man was finally given morphine and was asleep which could not be said of the other patients on the ward.
The Moaning Man turned out to be a blessing because he actually kept my mind off my hip and on him.
I have been home a week since then and doing the exercises, walking inside with a walker, being pampered by Bill, son, daughter-in-law, and my three grandgirls.
All seems to be going well with more news to come as I progress from a slow gimpy gait to racehorse status.
So, how was your week?
Virginia Views 
Thank you for this progress report. I’ve been wondering how the hip replacement went. You seem to have done very well, considering you tried and failed to break your good hip. It’s great that you are zooming around the house with a walker now.
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My week? Some drama, but all-in-all less angst-filled than yours due to your neighbor.
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Oh my goodness Dora what and ordeal for you, Glad you are out of there and your operation was successful Take it easy and have a speedy recovery.
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I’m so glad you’re home, and glad your ‘moaning man’ isn’t there at home with you– it’s bad enough to have it as a memory from the very recent past. My mother used to tell me to “stop moaning and groaning,” but I never managed to reach that level; usually, it was just the usual teenaged grumping. It was good to see you writing that magic word, too: walking!
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So glad you are recovering, despite a shower “fall” and a moaning man (oh, don’t we wish to know what caused him to moan so?) You are a brave one and healing well because of it. Take your time though with all that great loving help. My week? Lunches with friends, long walks in the relative cool of the morning, book promotion and writing. A nice summertime endeavor.
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Yayyyy!! This is the best news I have had in a long time. You did it!!! But then I knew you would come through it amazingly well because you are a trooper :). Enjoy the pampering and let it last as long as possible LOL.
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Racehorse status? Looking forward to pictures of that!
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In no time, you’ll feel like a whole new woman!
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Are you sure they didn’t put you in the psych ward by mistake? Best wishes for a continued successful rehab.
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Well, glad to hear you got it done and are home. It can only get better from here.
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I’m glad getting your new hip went well…with the exception of groaning, moaning man. Whew. Talk about annoying. Some people are just natural whiners and gripers (ask my daughter, she is a hospital nurse). Anyway, recover well, my friend, and enjoy every minute of the pampering you receive from your beloved family.
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I hope you heal quickly and well. I had an experience just like this in the hospital, a man who screamed and swore all night long. He had spinal surgery. I think spinal surgery can be horrifically painful.
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Glad to hear all went well, Dor. I love imagining you ‘racing’ around soon! 🙂
IMO, between you and me, I think men are the biggest babies. 😉 A common cold and they are ‘dying,’ ha!
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Thanks Anne. Zooming would be a wish fulfilment however.
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I am already looking back at the actual surgery as a kind of adventure. But I would love to read about your drama.
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Thanks Rita. I am already seeing some sign of freedom of movement. It is an unusual feeling to feel good on my feet.
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Thankyou shoreacres! I am now marking time with post-op appointments that will end mid September. And although I have almost
forgotten the immediate aches and pains of hip surgery, I doubt I will ever forget my night listening to the Moaning Man in the next room.
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Oh, your week sounds heavenly! And although I am looking forward to such lovely lunches with friends, and long walks for sure, it
will still take some time for the healing process to play out before I will feel normal again.
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There it is! The happy positive joyful comments I have been waiting for from my almost first in-person blogging pal! Thankyou my
friend. I shall march on through all the pampering I can command. 🙂
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I hope to hone the old body into something slinky sleek and powered by high nutrition and dedicated exercise. The plan should last
about 5 minutes after I am released from monitoring and observation.
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Oh I do hope you are right! I am getting very sick of the old exhausted gimpy one!
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HAHAHA! LOL! Maybe they did put me in the psych ward – probably on purpose!
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Yes. Each morning things seem just a bit better. Now if only I could go roller skating or run a marathon…….
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How I admire hospital nurses! They deal with the worst sides of human nature and reactions to pain and misery. And they do their
work with true love and the urge to help. I felt like I made new friends over that one night in the hospital.
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Thankyou Cindy. My youngest granddaughter had spinal surgery that went on for 8 hours. She gained about 2 inches in height after
they straightened her spine.
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Thanks Eliza. I do plan to implement a dedicated walking program but doubt that I will be racing…. not even power walking…. just leisurely strolls.
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Thanks Eliza. I do plan to implement a dedicated walking program… but no racing or even power walking; just leisurely strolls.
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well, maybe wait till next week for that … 😉
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And don’t forget – chocolate helps with healing! That’s what you should tell them anyway 🤣😃🤣.
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5 minutes? I’m impressed. It’s always just a dream for me!
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Many elderly surgical patients scream in pain as truly they are and from the room of my mom, where she was writhing in pain and tears rolling down her face, they had put her into a room with a door that closed instead of giving her pain meds. I fear the night I will have to stay just one night after surgery hospital staff is not always the ones they portray.
I am glad you were and are well cared for continued prayers for your full recovery and the ability to once again walk with Bill and your dog.
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I had my left hip replaced four years ago, and after hobbling around for ages, I was really happy at the amazing job they do these days with what at first seems like a daunting and scary procedure. It really doesn’t take long to have that veil of pain disappear!
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Congratulations on your new hip and take your time with the healing – and not to worry if it takes longer than ‘no time’ to do so. Leisurely strolls sound delightful.
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Thanks Kate!
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I am looking forward to walking normally very soon. Must be patient I know.
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Thankyou Eunice.
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For me it may be “pipe dreaming,”
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The grands brought Dove chocolates and let me pig out!
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Perfect!! Chocolate makes everything better 😃.
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You are an amazing person and your blog posts are always upbeat – even during trying times. You are an inspiration! P.S. Pichu, who you used to dog sit, has hips just like yours before surgery!
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I know. I know. The healing process is slower for us “these days,” and Patience with a capital P is important! Take care.
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Hi Ellie,
It is wonderful to hear from you and thank you so much for the sweet words! Knowing now how the hip works I feel terrible for Pichu. We have a doggie of our own again – a rescue mutt named Elsa who is a constant mystery but we love her so.
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Good heavens. Such a drama king in your ward. Did he never have pain before in his life?! Oh, wait. Male, right? Meaning no chance of monthly cramps nor childbirth.
Glad you did well and are on the mend!
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This whole hip thing was a revelation in more ways than just the surgery.
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So glad to find your surgery went well and lucky you did not break something the night before! May you continue to heal and do well. (Men just can’t take pain!) Have a good weekend!
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‘Tis true about men except for mine of course!
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