My Fortune

The Big Day

I am sure a couple of you have been checking my blog for a while to see how my surgery went. I know I have been totally slacking, but here it is!

Wednesday June 11th, 10:00am. My parents and I arrived at the surgery center, checked in, and waited for my name to be called. While I was waiting, I read an awesome year old Sports Illustrated magazine. I finally heard my name called and went back with the nurse. She hooked me up with an awesome gown, slippers and some warm towels while she took my vitals and hooked up my IV. The doctor came to us and explained again that he was using this surgery as a way to look at the actual anatomy and figure out what was wrong. While he was in there, he was going to repair the tiny tear in my labrum. Later, the anesthesiologist came in and well...knocked me out! All I remember is saying "bye" to my parents as they wheeled me away.

The next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room having the hardest time trying to open my eyes. I wanted to know what was going on, and where I was, but at the same time I just wanted to rest. My parents came in, and the nurse brought me a PB and J sandwich and another warm towel. Man! the warm towels are probably the best part of the surgery! Anyway, The doctor came back and talked with us for a bit and explained what he saw. This is what we have been waiting for. The doctor explained to us that the only thing he saw wrong in my hip was the labrum tear. There was no trace of a Femoral Acetabular Impingement, No sign of Acetabulum Dysplasia, no (insert another big phrase that relates to bad hips). So he fixed the tear, smoothed it all out, and called it good. He said there shouldn't be any pain in my hip after my recovery. He said the surgery went well, and I should be back to 100% in about a month.

What a relief!! Can you believe that? What a miracle! Last January, I almost went in for a surgery on my hip that would require a 1-foot incision down my hip, a femur bone dislocation, 6 months on crutches and a chance at never getting back to 100% normality in my hip. I am so grateful we didn't do that.

Recovery has gone smooth. I was told to stay in bed for about 3 days for the first part of recovery. I was able to catch up on a few movies that I still hadn't seen. But, those 3 days went well because of my awesome family (especially my Mom) who helped me out with everything I needed when I couldn't move. THANK YOU SO MUCH! The next week I was on crutches, slowly increasing my movement each day to where I was able to hang out with my brother some and run some errands around town. And about a week ago, I dropped the crutches and started walking on my own. I have only fallen once! I think that's pretty awesome. But I'll tell you, I am so anxious to start running again. I feel like I have been in a locked cage for so long. To run again, to play, to keep up with my friends, oh man. A dream come true! I just hope it comes soon.

Well, that's it! That's my surgery story. Things are going well. I still cannot believe it was just a labrum tear. I start physical therapy tomorrow, and that will determine if the surgery has really worked or not.

And of course...pictures!

Totally Ready.

Oh Look! and IV!

Pulling it off.

Way out of it.

Surgery

June 11th 2008.