I am finally back home and not without an additional asset. I have a brand new hip. Body parts, being scarce for people my age, make me feel so entitled. My surgeon said the cap is pink…ok, thats exciting, I said and like who will ever know. Oh well I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to go home. Now let us back track;

I have had many surgeries and have been checked out to go home after each one, multiple times. The difference is, I had a husband that picked me up and brought me home. Now that I am in the widow club no one was available to pick me up and stay for a few days and care for me post surgery. So the word REHAB was tossed about and rejected and tossed again, like junior league T-Ball. I fought hard and then after much diplomatic pleading and prayer I surrendered to my Son who did not want to worry about Mother. I joked with my Pastor about going to prison and he thought I could have a prison ministry and so nobody understood. I went to rehab and was so confined I realized my original thought was true…I was in prison.

I was assigned a team of 5 and they all came and talked to me about doing REHAB. I was asked what my goals were, and I said I WANT TO GO HOME, and I needed a list of tasks to check off to get out of there. So, first I learned how to fish: this is the trick of using your grabber and casting your legs into underwear or pants or jammies and pulling them up. Then you must learn how to shower alone and not fall or drown or pee while wet. I had to explain my diet and nutrition tricks and explain how and what I cook for myself, without standing very long. I had to be able to get in and out of a vehicle without rotating the new hip. I also took a memory cognizant test and aced everything in four days . Thank God I didn’t have to draw a box because I do not draw and never could.

Surgery went well and the Hospital staff were excellent in everything. I walked a lot immediately and every PT was super impressed. I tried to tell them that the pain and discomfort I had experienced for the past 6 months had been unbearable at times, so this incision thing was nothing compared to that. The food was excellent and I decided the next time I am hungry and ambulatory and not nauseous, I’ll come for supper. The folks who take the meal orders were so awesome and (I don’t think they know it). I praised them regularly and looked forward to their appearance every day. I am not positive that getting used to being fed every four hours is a good idea but…. whatever. I was going home.

When I arrived at home I did not kiss my door and certainly not the ground due to not being able to bend at the waist. I was, however, so happy to be in my own domain and sit in my chair, and let the fun begin.

I have whole leg lymphedema and have for ten years now. I am used to seeing my left leg swell pretty bad but nothing like this. I wear compression hose and it is a challenge to put them on ordinarily. I cannot bend at the waist and figuring out this problem was solved through very good friends. A friend came early and put the sock on and another in the evening to take it off. The right leg just swelled and did not explode or weep but was pretty scary at times. It has taken 20 days for the swelling to subside to a reasonable size since we can now get a compression sock on it, and the best part is I can do it myself.

It was originally recommended for me to sleep on the opposite side of the bed. This included lassoing my leg with a gate belt and lifting it in first. I could not find a comfortable spot could not sleep and ended up in my chair in the living room for several nights. Finally, a Home Health PT came to assess me and show me how to get into bed …on my side. Not perfect at first but I fine tuned the process into a semblance of comfort and a whole night’s sleep. I fed this PT rep. lunch and was beyond thankful for common sense at last. He asked my goals, and I said to not need a walker and to be able to drive. He asked me why I couldn’t drive, and I said that is what the paperwork says. He inquired if I thought I could drive and I said I guess so. He said if I needed reassurance to find somebody to ride along with me. I thought to myself, I wouldn’t do that with a person who used a walker and had to lift her leg up to the gas pedal and couldn’t think of anyone I knew that was that crazy. I now drive myself to therapy twice a week and it is getting more comfortable but its better all the time as my wound heals.

For all my adult life I had my best friend here to hold me up and sit me down and bring me whatever I needed, whenever I asked. I have now felt a different type of loss and a reality check into my new normal. I feel encouraged that I have gone through another blind tunnel not knowing what is on the other side. I found out that I like being among other people and to be able to encourage the youth I encountered as they are navigating their lives. I guess there really is that silver lining you read about. I am also challenged to move on to new things that are intimidating in thought but manageable in the long run. I have an unknown future and am now able to say truthfully: I have learned to be content in all circumstances I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation I can do all things through Christ who is my strength. Philippians 4:11-13