Surgery

We like drama, I guess. That, or we just wish could move into a hospital. But like all of our crazy heath stuff, this story ends well. Bottom line, Rob had hip surgery--an arthroscopy. He's fine. But . . . there's a back story and I feel that I should tell it; I love acknowledging the miracles in my life and this is another one. 

Rob was born with bad hips. His mom was told he'd never be an athlete--probably never would run well. With hip displasia, no arches, terrible knees--I think the only thing he had going for him was heart. Between bad genetics, twenty years of football, and hours on his feet each day without breaks, his body was telling him it was done. He was in chronic pain. His hips were killing him! How could he go on like this for the next four years? Or the next 24, at that? This whole drama coincided with Jimmy's hospitalization--it always hits heavy, it seems.

Rob was at a loss. He had chosen a terrible vocation and was stuck. He finally got an x-ray. It showed moderately arthritic hips (virtually unheard of in someone his age). He got even more depressed. But, with courage, he found an orthopedist who specialized in hips and went for a visit. From the xrays, it looked as though he may just have impingement (which, if gone untreated, leads to a total hip replacement anyway). Rob was hopeful and went ahead and got an MRI. Bad news again. There was little that could be done. My young, beautiful, active husband had 80-year-old hips. Complete let down again. Rob panicked. He could barely stand without severe pain. Did he need to change professions? It was a scary time. We argued a lot. Cried a lot. Prayed a lot. Finally, Rob found peace again. He decided to move forward in faith. He had been led to become an orthopedic surgeon. My dad had given him a blessing that he would be able to get through residency and that his hips would hold out.

He got a CT scan, just so Dr. Harlan could make sure the diagnosis was true. We left for Utah and my brothers' wedding. And then . . . the miracle. Dr. Harlan called three times. Finally, he got a hold of Rob. The CT showed that indeed he did have impingement--so severe, Dr. Harlan was shocked Rob could walk (and here the whole time that Rob said he couldn't sit cross-legged I thought he was joking!)--said he nearly fell out of his chair and never seen the like. And . . . he could fix it. Miracle. It was only after Rob had trusted in the Lord and moved forward in faith that we saw the miracle.

And so . . . he underwent surgery on the 15th. All seemed to go well. Until he found out Dr. Harlan had to do a micro fracture (basically they tap into the bone to create scar tissue that will imitate cartilage--meaning, Rob had none!) :( It's like a roller coaster sometimes! Rob heard the terrible news from the physical therapist. Dr. Harlan texted Rob and said, "We have our work cut out for us." More sadness. The surgery seemed for nothing and he'd still need a total replacement! Faith time again. Miracle time again. Harlan called back and explained that only part of the hip needed the fracture and there was, indeed, cartilage inside! Fabulous! Yes, he now had to be off his feet for 8 weeks, but his program was so kind (giving him clinic for 6 weeks so that would still be eligible to graduate on time) and they even got him an electric scooter to get around the hospital! His mobility is much-improved. We HAVE been blessed! 

36 hours post op, we boarded a plane to Utah. Rob had to use all of his vacation days for the surgery so wouldn't get time off until summer; he figured if he had to sit, might as well be with his family. So, he anti-coagulated and boarded while I carried all the car seats and luggage--it was chaotic! 

He took out his own stitches at home (actually, I had to get the deep ones and started getting nauseous--so not meant to be for healthcare!)

And, he got spoiled for a few days--well, maybe only one or two, but still . . .