More pictures!

I'm one tough cookie!
This is the second day, heavily sedated, and showing off my mean tan.
Close up of the scar, with a quarter for scale.  My other scar is exactly the same, although cut by two different hands.  Greg says I look like a violin now!
My lovely view of the parking structure.  But look at these windows!  It was so nice to have sunlight in my room.  There were also electric shades that I could operate from my bed.  High-tech!
Thumbs up!

Pictures!

These photos came out in reverse order of how I wanted them.  Its my first time! So anyway, this is the cpm machine (Continuous Passive Motion) that constantly and slowing moves your leg from 0 degrees, and gradually from about 40-70 degrees as the days go by.  This is so your body doesn't just sit there and rot, or scar tissue growing around the joint and sticking it in one place.  You have to keep the joints well oiled!.
This is me in the recovery bed, just a few hours after surgery.
This is just after surgery, when my Dad came into the recovery room.  They keep you there a couple hours until you wake up and they can find a room for you.  Totally out of it, I was still ready for a close-up.
This is just before I went into surgery, before all the "margaritas" the anesthesiologist gave me.  He was definitely trying to get me drunk!~
Proof that it is me!  

Dys Hip

I'm going to keep this short cuz I was in surgery today and am too loopy to spend a lot of time online.  

First off, the hospital, Sharp Memorial in San Diego is like going to the spa.  They actually have an area called the SPA (Surgical Procedure Area).  The staff are so nice, the facillities are brand new, and I have my own room full of neat gadgets, including WiFi!  A far cry from the horrors that I experienced at Kaiser for my first PAO. 

The surgery lasted about 4 hours, and I woke up free of pain ( with the help of my oxycontin breakfast, epidural, and myriad of others drugs my anesthesiologist kept calling 'margaritas').  The day of surgery is pretty easy to deal with because you are still so drugged up.  As the big painkillers wear off though, the real pain and brain come back, and the severity of the situation starts to sink it.

Dr. Santore went to the waiting room to visit my parents after he was done.  He shook his head and said, "I don't have good news for you.........I have GREAT news!"  The surgery went very smoothly, and I did not lose a lot of blood.   I also forgot to point out in my (long) story, that when I had my LPAO, I also had an arthroscopy during the procedure, performed by Dr. Muldoon.  This is a common way for them to work together.  However, since I already had an arthroscopy on the right side, there was no need for another today.  It cut off 2 hours of surgery time, and will shorten my recovery time.  Yay!  

Wow.   Here I am again.  I feel like I am in much better hands and that I properly prepared myself for this journey/ recovery.

OK, I just hit a wall and need to pass out again. 

Pictures to come later.

  

The night before/ Hospital Bag

Usually the night before major surgery, you are instructed to not eat or drink anything after a certain time; for me it is 11pm.  Not even a breath mint or a sip of water!  Then, you have to shower with antibacterial cleanser like Hibiclens, wear freshly washed pajamas, and sleep on freshly washed linens.  Then again in the morning, the same routine, paying special attention to the hip area.  I have to be at the hospital at 5:30am for a 7:20am procedure. 

For me, being overly prepared and organized keeps my mind off the scary part of having surgery, and focusing on the getting better part. I wash, package and label everything; it helps others assist you better also.  Here is a list of all the things I packed into my hospital bag:

• small pillow
• glasses
• sturdy slip on shoes
• favorite lotion
• 1 tshirt dress/ pullover
• 1 long cotton dress
• 1 cotton bra tank top
• 2 pair of large boyshort panties ( for the ride home)
• 1 Dad's t-shirt for comfort
• 1 lg pair drawstring cotton pants ( very handy for toilet assistance; you can tie the drawstring to the walker, so you don't have to try and bend to pick up your pants.  It won't work, trust me.)
• face cleaning wipes
• travel Kleenex
• phone + charger
• 1 magazine
• 1 book
• favorite zip up sweater
• journal + pen
• camera
• laptop + charger
  
• small towel

Inside the bag I have a small bag of things I would like right next to the bed, for easy access at any time, day or night.

• eye mask
• earplugs
• mouthwash
• eye drops
• hand sanitizer
• Kleenex
• face moisturizer
• headband and hairties
• Lavender Oil ( because its comforting)
• dry shampoo
• mini hairbrush w/ mirror
• face spritzer ( sitting in the air conditioning for 5 days can be drying, so it is nice to have a fresh spritz to perk you up when you need it [my favorite it LUSH's Breath of Fresh Air])

At some point, you may be hosed off in the shower or wash up in a tub at the bed, so come prepared with a shower bag to include:

• travel sized shampoo/ conditioner
• face wash
• body wash
• toothpaste + toothbrush
• deodorant (if you care)

It's important to keep it simple and not bring too much "entertainment."  You won't care.  Turn the TV on and pass out.  It is OK!

Also, you may just want to stay in the hospital gown; dealing with clothes for the first few days is cumbersome, and unnecessary. You will have a catheter in, and you will probably start menstruating. The hospital has pads and special disposable panties for that mess.  Just leave your own at home, and go with the flow. ;)

I also highly recommend shirts with built-in bras, like a shelf bra tank top, instead of bringing a bra and t-shirt.  Less is more in this case, and you want to have ease of upper body movement, comfort and support.

OK, here we go.  I have successfully distracted myself all day! I'm so ready.  I'm barely even nervous.  At my pre-op today, Dr. Santore was shocked at how slow my heart was beating.  I'm mellow yellow.  Let's just get this over with!