Remember when.....(this is kind of long, I have a lot to say)

Do you guys remember how this journey all began? I am sure that my fan base does remember(but here is a recap just in case) that about 4 months ago I went to see my Rheumatologist Dr. James (who I love to death), and had a major emotional break down, risked my life taking x-rays, and came to the conclusion that I needed to have bilateral hip replacement, a surgery usually reserved for people over the age of 65. Since then I have heard a million ok maybe only 999,000 hip replacement stories, had several oh bless your heart and you are so young moments. This week has had no shortage of stories. I went back for my 4 month check up with Dr. James this week and got a few stories from her. I also had an oh bless your heart moment at school with my kiddos this week. Are you tired of reading yet? Well you may want to get comfortable and grab a cup of hot chocolate I have lots to say today.

Let's start with the oh bless you heart moment at school. I love my kiddos. I told my 4th hour class on Monday that I was leaving them for 4 weeks to have hip replacement surgery. They the next day I was letting them know that I had the afore mentioned DR. appointment on wednesday. One of the kids said is then when you are leaving us? I told them no it was only a one day vacation and a kiddo who was absent on monday wanted to be filled in on the situation. So I explained it to them again. The kids had an oh bless your heart moment which was touching immediately followed by a typical high school response to any situation. They asked are you going to have some good pain killers. Oh well I love them anyway. One of the kids said his aunt was having hip replacement and he came back after school and told me good luck with my surgery. Have I mentioned I love my kiddos. It touched my heart and almost brought me to tears to see that kind of compassion in a high schooler.

The next day I went to see Dr. James. I was determined not to cry but she told me she was so proud of me for making the decision to have hip replacement. I lost it. We discussed my medicine schedule for the surgery and she gave me a prescription for Celebrex to take while I am off my Naproxen so I won't be in pain. I was kind of worried about that so that made me feel better. She then told me that the first few days I may be mad at her for convincing me to do this but about day 7 I would be feeling pretty good. She continued on to tell me a story about an 86 year old patient who had hip replacement last year. She said he went in for hip replacement and made it through surgery and rehab (oops I forgot we call that Physical therapy so people don't think I am in drug rehab). He got an infection in the new hip joint and was in the hospital and had a month recovery from the infection. She saw him later and said please don't be mad at me. He said are you kidding that was the best month of my life even with an infection. So I guess it is all going to be ok.

Look you survived you made it through. I know it was a long but thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed your hot chocolate while reading. My surgery is 4 weeks from yesterday. It is getting really close. I am ready just to have it all over. Start those prayers for me and for my mom(who is doubling as my nurse) who is going to live with me for 6 weeks while I recover. Pray that I am a good patient so my nurse will come back in June when I have the other one replaced.