On The Mend ~

Precious Ones,
How grateful I am for your prayers!
God’s Healing touch was with my surgical team a week ago
and my hip replacement was a success!
Now the physically challenging and emotional process
of recovery is in full gear.
I could not do this without your prayers
or without the constant, loving assistance
of my wonderful husband.

These roses arrived from my brother Matt in Colorado.
He is always so thoughtful and I have enjoyed their beauty and the love
they represent every time I glance their way!

So, in between doses of vicodin medication,
here is a glimpse at my progress…
I came right home from the hospital, on the 3rd post-op day.
Our church family has been very attentive with meals and cards.
Maneuvering with a walker and not being able to sleep on my side
make both day and night seem very loooong.
Challenges with rented medical equipment are enough
to make us want to pull out our hair!
But gratefulness for God’s protection and provision
keep us rising above the annoying inconveniences.

NO SHOWER until day Eleven (24 hrs.after staples come out)!!!!!
Oh my, never had to wait THAT long before,
yet I’m determined to follow this
surgeon’s orders, so trying to survive with sponge baths.
How we take for granted the luxury of a shower.
The hot water caressing sore muscles and
washing away the stress of the day.
And it’s truly a banner day

when one can shower without assistance!
Sweet independence!

Ever wonder what a hip replacement looks like?
Not on your top ten list of things to Google?
Well, the diagram below shows a

surgeon’s replacement
for a worn out joint.

In very elementary terms, this is how I understand it:
once the diseased joint is cut out, the thigh bone is reamed out
to accommodate an appliance with a ball head.
Also the pelvic bone is altered to accept a new “socket.”
Then with the strengthening of bone and muscle
around the appliance,
the new “joint” can imitate the one God created.
The physical therapist who helped me with my
first hip replacement in 2004
said that while witnessing this procedure for the first time
he was certain that the patient would never walk again!

What an honest remark! But was I glad that
my procedure was behind me when he shared this insight!
Oh, and walking and dancing are very real benefits
from “new” joints.

Well, Precious Ones –
I’m wondering how you are doing?
I pray that you are finding God’s Grace and His Promises
truly sufficient for the trials and challenges of this day.