One Week: Off to a Great Start

I had hip arthroscopy a little over a week ago on my right hip to address impingement and repair a labral tear.  My left hip was surgically repaired a year ago. I posted weekly, then monthly after the surgery on my left hip a year ago and found it helped me track progress over time, so am hoping to post how things are going with recovery from surgery on my right hip this year. Surgery was July 18, so I am a little over a week post-op, but things have been crazy and in transition, no time for anything except essentials, and often no internet access, so this post is late.

I am doing incredibly well--much better than I expected!  I was pretty independent from the start this time. I was off the narcotic pain medication just a couple of days post op, started PT and stationary bike the day after surgery.  Rehab exercises are going well, and already maxed out on limits for the bike for this early. I was in the pool at 5 days post-op (mostly just hanging out in deep water, but a little gentle range of motion work in the safe ranges PT already had me doing, a tiny bit of breaststroke no kick at all.  It went well and gave my entire body a break from crutches.  Tried again a couple of days later at one week post-op and did more swimming, but still arms only--this time both breaststroke and freestyle.  It felt amazing to be able to move, to unweight my body, give my left hip a break, both shoulders a break.  Water gives me a reprieve from all of the usual chronic pain as well, so it was nice even to just hang out in deep water.  (Surgeon and PT cleared me to be in water this early and I have waterproof bandages.)

One week post-op: preparing to go swimming again!

I am so grateful and relieved to be doing so well.  I am not getting overly confident, but still being careful and cautious.  I know last time that flares happened, so no matter how well I feel, I am choosing to rest, take things slowly, not push limits.  With everything else going on right now, I sort of needed this recovery to go well, but those other issues also make it easier to undermine recovery if not careful.  There have been a few nights of less thane optimal amount of sleep, I also did help with some of the tasks needing done. Then more travel on top of that.  But, still doing well.

I am still using the theme from last year for this year.  This is not a race to see how fast I can recover, but a journey to see how well I can recover.  It is worth it to give my body the time and support it needs to heal and recover well.

Copyright © 2017 by Steph. All rights reserved.

Hip Surgery Update: Transitions

After years of debilitating hip pain, I had surgery on my left hip July 1, 2016, and then surgery on my right hip July 18, 2017.

So far, I am doing incredibly well and this recovery going even better than last time! I am choosing to be careful and rest even if I feel well.

This photo is just a couple of days post-op right hip surgery, next to the sign made for me after my left hip surgery a year ago. 

The surgery itself was nearly identical to surgery on my left hip as my surgeon said both hips were pretty much the same.  Thus far, this recovery has been going even better than the recovery from the first hip surgery.  This is partly because I know more of what to expect and had already figured out tricks to make things easier. However, we also think I was even stronger prior to this surgery, so early recovery and rehab are going even better than last time.  I thought I was independent quickly last time, but this time I started out even more so.

 

Pre-op and post-op. Yes, I really felt that well just hours after surgery and barely back at the hotel!

Being silly waiting to be taken back for surgery.  Modeling the latest in fashion. 😉

The anesthesiologist had discussed with me some of my complicating factors a few weeks prior to surgery, then again morning right before surgery.  I trusted the anesthesiologist so followed his preferences regarding how to address the precautions for EDS and MCAS, even though different from what had been initially recommended.  The way he managed things worked very well for me, as I have felt really well since pretty early after surgery.  However, I was apprehensive about the scopolamine patch used to prevent nausea.  I had the patch last time for the first time ever and although I had no nausea, I also had such badly blurred vision for so long that I could not read, email, text, message on Facebook, or much of anything for days.  We ended up deciding to forego the patch completely this time.  I knew this meant higher risk of post-op nausea.  I have been pleasantly surprised that there was no nausea at all even without the patch and also vision has been fine!  I have so much enjoyed being able to see to read, type, crochet, etc.

The brace is really not that bad.  I usually wear it over a tank top but under t-shirt or dress. I have not noticed it restricting my movement, but I was also told by the PT I saw day after surgery that I obviously had been through this recovery/rehab before and had a good local PT working with me as I was moving well, maintaining restrictions, knew what I was doing, and had good questions.  She told me she trusted me to walk without the brace to the bike, and afterward told me she had watched me walk and I never once went into extension. My surgeon had already told me I only need to wear it when up and around, not when resting or sitting still. So, early on, some days, I never wore it as resting all day.  With the move, I was wearing it majority of days where there was more going on and I was up and down more, or actually helping.  The brace is heavy (relatively, not awful) and gets hot with all-day wear. My biggest issue with it, is it gets in the way of the crutches and afraid of catching myself up.

Brace. The smile is because we were getting ready to go swimming again!

Transitions--the secondary title of this post.  I am transitioning from rehabbing left hip and "prehabbing" right hip, to maintaining left hip (some ongoing rehab) and rehabbing right hip.  However, it also has to do with moving from Iowa back to Nebraska, plus other changes.  Timing of both surgery and moving were not ideal and things have been challenging.  I was so restricted pre-op that I was overwhelmed with how to possibly get packed to move and prepare for surgery when I could not sit or stand long.  Friends from church willingly offered to help me and took turns coming to my place, helping me sort things, pack, clean.  We had most of the packing done prior to surgery. The actual move took place four days post-op. My brother coordinated guys to help in Iowa and my dad coordinated help in Nebraska.  We had my boxes and furniture loaded in an hour!  Last minute the night before after an honest conversation between PT, my sister, and I, we decided to keep my bed after all, but sent all else, except folding card table, folding chairs, my folding zero-gravity chair, my "bike" (folding pedals, and bar stool), a few other small items. A couple of days later, some of the ladies from church came and deep cleaned my apartment!  Then, my aunt and uncle came over and finished off final details.  My sister who had traded places with another of my sisters to stay with me the weekend of the move, helped with the very final packing and touching up the cleaning right before we left at eight days post-op to move to a hotel, then drive to Nebraska the next day at nine days post-op. I maybe helped with the final packing and cleaning.  My sister tried not to let me, but I insisted and knew it was things I really could do based on what I was doing at this stage last time. For as overwhelmed as I started out with how impossible the surgery and moving appeared, but ended up overwhelmed with how many pitched in to help me.  

So grateful and relieved!  I honestly was not sure what to expect.  I hoped this surgery and recovery would go even better than last time, but did not expect it to do so.  Also, my surgeon had told me pre-op that although surgery should be similar, that recovery may be similar, but may be either harder or easier.  Thus, I went into this surgery as I go into most surgeries--hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.  Because I saw my surgeon for post-op appt on left hip the day before surgery on right hip, we discussed again expectations for surgery and I told him my mindset/persepctive going into surgeries, and he encouraged me that it is a healthy perspective.

I am also retaining my recovery theme from last year to use for this year.  This is not a race to see how fast I can recover, but a journey to see how well I can recover.  Thus, it is worth giving my body the time and support it needs to heal and recover well.

There are so many praying for me, for surgery, for recovery, for the move, so many helping in other ways.  I am so, so grateful to all!  God has gone before in so many ways.

Something my dad put together years ago seems fitting in this setting:

God is With Us!!!

August 25, 2008 at 10:07pm
Here's some thoughts that I've been putting together over the last few years: 
GOD IS WITH US [Joshua 1.9] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
HE GOES BEFORE US [Deuteronomy 31.8] And the LORD, He it is who doth go before thee. He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee. Fear not, neither be dismayed.
HE IS OUR REAR GUARD [Isaiah 52.12 (NIV)] But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
HE SURROUNDS US WITH SONGS OF DELIVERANCE [Psalm 32.7 (NIV)] You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
COVERED UNDER HIS WINGS [Psalm 91.4] He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou find refuge...
UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS [Deuteronomy 33.27] The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms...
WE ARE IN CHRIST'S HANDS [John 10.28] And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
WE ARE IN THE FATHER'S HANDS [John 10.29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
HE IS IN US [1 Corinthians 6.19] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
WE ARE IN HIM [Ephesians 2.13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
IF GOD IS FOR US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? [Romans 8.31] What shall we say then to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Safety is NOT the absence of danger; but, rather the Presence of the Lord... and as you can see - HE IS WITH US!!! 

Copyright © 2017 by Steph. All rights reserved.

Preparing for Surgery

Once again I find myself preparing for an upcoming surgery.  This is another hip surgery, I had the other hip surgically repaired last year so better know what to expect this time. I am not really afraid of the surgery itself this time. I also already have most of what I will need for recovery. In some ways I was both over-prepared and under-prepared last time.  There will be some changes this time.

I wrote previously on tips for recovery from surgery (some overlap of information presented here), and that it is as much mental and emotional as physical and the same applies to preparing for surgery. I do not get too nervous until the day or night before. Even if it is a repeat procedure, I usually still do get a little nervous the day before.  I also usually do not sleep at all the night before surgery.  I am struggling more with the mental preparation this time. This is not because of surgery--almost looking forward to it at this point with how challenging the hip has become.  It is because of being in transition--with lots of things.  I prefer things stable during recovery, but this time facing lots of major changes. Working on finding a way to create stability in the midst of the craziness.  This is a mental/perspective exercise.

One of my favorite photos. 

Post-op aids. This time, I already have crutches, walker, shower seat.  I did not have a shower seat last time until over a week post op.  But, having had surgery on one arm a few years ago, had learned how to shower only using one arm, so after the hip surgery, stood on good leg, supported myself with one hand on wall of shower, leaving one arm/hand free.  It worked, but not ideal, and the shower seat was a welcome aid once I got it. I am most definitely not looking forward to being back on crutches. I recall counting down days until I could be done with crutches last time, and I am closer to being back on them now than when I was counting down getting off then. At least this time, I know how to use crutches already, unlike last time.  I found this helpful video by the Nebraska Medical Center, but not until after I had been shown things by PT.  Currently, I am choosing to enjoy my final days of "freedom." This time, I will need a hip brace after surgery, thus need to be fitted for the brace.  I did not need a brace last time.  So, this should be interesting. Curious to see how the process goes, curious to see how I feel about the brace.  There were times last time, I thought something to prevent wrong or excessive movement might have been nice, but not having a brace meant being more mindful of how I moved, which in the long run I think was better. So, not sure how this will go. The surgeon told me I'd need the brace ~2 weeks or until I was "sick of it."  I thought about asking what happened if I got sick of the brace the first hour, but decided that was probably not a good question to ask.  I was told the reason for a brace this time is the EDS--the brace provides extra stability during the early healing stage.

Other supplies. I have a stock pile of waterproof bandages (to allow me to be in the pool early!), my regular "safe" band-aids (I have adhesive sensitivities, these usually work, but last time reacting to these as well by the time I no longer needed to cover incisions), all of my ice packs in the freezer, the water bottles used in the ice machine all in the freezer, jugs of chilled water for the ice machine in the fridge, have the ice machine drained and ready to go (have gotten way more than my money worth out of it as used it post-op several months last time, then for other hip, both shoulders, neck, back, etc.  Incredibly helpful for icing at night to save getting up to get ice pack(s) from the freezer, which then more fully wakes me.

Zero gravity chair.  I know I mentioned this in the post on recovery.  But, I found the chair helpful pre-op both times, plus immediately post-op and it is one of the back-up options for bed depending on how things go with the move.  A body pillow fits nicely and makes it really comfortable.

Rehab aids. I have a fair amount of basic items already from being in PT so long and doing exercises at home.  I am latex sensitive so have to have latex-free therapy bands. I also have a thick exercise mat, yoga ball, small weights, etc.  I knew in advance last time that stationary bike would be part of rehab.  For bike, I had to be creative.  Initially, I'd only need it a few minutes at a time 2-3 times a day.  Not worth trying to get up and down two flights of stairs with crutches to get to the gym, so really needed something at home.  Discussed options with PT.  What I came up with, and PT OK'd, has worked well for me and my situation with small apartment, small budget.  I ended up with folding bike pedals that just sit on the floor.  Then, because of trying to avoid too much flexion at the hips, I sit on a tall bar stool (~30") rather than a chair.

My "bike" set-up

Medications.  With surgeries, the surgeon prescribes what is needed for after surgery  However, I have enough other issues that require medications, that I also make sure that I have refilled any prescription medications, have enough over the counter medications and supplements to last until able to run errands again. Additionally, over the counter pain killers can be used along with narcotic to aid in needing less narcotic, or assisting with managing earlier without narcotic. A caution with over the counter pain medications and narcotic pain killers--if the narcotic contains acetaminophen, it is best not to take any additional acetaminophen.  I have managed chronic pain long enough that I know how to stay within the daily maximal dosing for acetaminophen with extra over the counter acetaminophen with acetaminophen-containing narcotic, but this is something that has been discussed with prescribing physicians in the past and they are aware I know the limits for acetaminophen and how to stay within them. I was off narcotic really early with both of the last two surgeries, hoping to be able to be off pretty early again, but will have to see how things go as prior surgeries it took weeks.

Meal preparation in advance.  I have done this with every surgery.  It looks a little different every surgery. However, with each surgery, I do emphasize protein and lots of vegetables both pre-op and post-op. I did make granola bars again. I also did some crock pot cooking, but less this time. I find I am not hungry the first few days--presumably due to anesthesia effects?  Thereafter, feel as if always hungry. Thus, I tend to make sure I have nutrient dense snack options available for the early days. Then, once hungry again, back to normal meals plus snacks as needed. Surgery and recovery are not a time to try to lose weight  Ideally, weight should be kept stable a month prior to surgery and at least a month post-op.  Even if someone has excess weight, losing weight close to surgery is not a good idea as the body needs to have the resources for healing.  After surgery, the body is using so much energy for healing, that even though not moving much, I still was always hungry even though eating well. Another aspect of food/nutrition for post-op is countering effects of anesthesia and/or narcotic pain medication in terms of constipation.  Narcotics do not affect me at all, anesthesia does and to the extent that I have yet to figure out a strictly dietary approach and need stool softeners at first. However, plenty of water, fiber (veggies, whole grains, legumes, etc.), probiotics in some cases, etc. can help.  I am on probiotics already in anticipation of being put back on antibiotics for surgery.

Finishing projects and getting things to a good stopping place.  This applies to work, school, moving, or whatever happens to be going on.  I like to have things either completely finished up, or at a stable point.  This take pressure off of me to try to get back to tasks right away.  This then lets me take the time to rest and focus on recovery initially.

Someone to help after surgery.  Help is essential at first. My sister has offered to come be with me for surgery and stay the initial days afterward to help me. She helped after my last hip surgery and I am so grateful she is willing to help again! We (mostly she) figured out systems to help things go more smoothly and help me be independent earlier last time and we have decided practice makes perfect (we hope!), so hoping this time goes even better. This time, I have arranged to have help the entire time after surgery until the move out-of-state. Last time, I was on my own earlier, but with the move, want to make sure I am not trying to do things I should not be doing. (Such as climbing up and changing the battery in the ceiling mounted smoke detector by myself at one week post op last time....)

Comfy, easy clothing.  I suspect this varies person to person and by season.  I lived in shorter tank top dresses after surgery last summer except for PT, then shorts and t-shirt. I also had supportive, slip-on shoes for early on when getting socks on or shoes tied were challenging. (The brace is sort of throwing me for a loop as not certain of what clothes will work best with it. However, I figured things out last time, so can figure things out again.)

Surgery planning.  This is not referring to the details of the procedure itself, but managing medications, other conditions, etc. in context of surgery.  Conversations with surgeon and team, anesthesiologist, primary care physician, physical therapist, etc.  This is the same surgery, but other hip, same surgeon, same surgery center, etc. So, we all have been through this and know I did well last time. Clarifying some of my unusual (complicating) factors and how is best to address them or work around them during surgery. The recent diagnoses of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome have ramifications for surgery.  These have been discussed and plans are in place. Grateful for a team familiar with these conditions and how to address them!  My bigger concern going into this surgery is that I am not on prednisone, as we are pretty sure in hindsight the prednisone is why my past two surgeries/recoveries went really well when none of the prior ones did (suspecting MCAS related).  The recommendation/plan is high dose steroid burst prior to surgery. Hoping this works as well as chronic low dose prednisone did the last two surgeries. Choosing not to worry about if it does not--will deal with that as it happens if it does.

Safety issues. "Crutch-proofing" prior to surgery--making sure rugs are picked up to avoid tripping from a crutch catching, making sure plenty of space to maneuver with crutches and even more space for a walker, etc. Any cords out of the way to avoid tripping. Funny thing, is some of the rearranging I did last time never got put back to how it was before. I am not one to do a lot of rearranging or reorganizing.  Once I have a system that works, I keep using it--if it is not broken, do not fix it. Surgery necessitated rearranging, but then got used to that system, so did not go back--at least not fully.

Physical preparation: aka "prehab." Last time, PT helped me work on core strength (I was just months post op another abdominal surgery), glute and hip strength, shoulder/arm/upper body strength in preparation for being on crutches and not able to move normally for a while. This helped me go into surgery really strong, which in turn helped with early rehab. So, we are currently still rehabbing first hip, but also again working on making sure I go into surgery as strong as possible. With the uncertainty of timing of when my my bed gets moved or what options after it gets moved, we have worked on how to get to/from the floor early after surgery. This is something I was told last time not to even attempt at first, and took me 2-3 weeks to manage. With PT's direction/assistance, I am surprisingly strong for as many physical limitations as I have. I laughingly consider it as training for surgery. I know others who are training for marathons, or various other races, and I train for surgeries. This is only a temporary shift in perspective. Normally, I am training to survive life. Goal is to get back to thriving again versus just surviving. Life with chronic illness is essentially a marathon--journey, not a race, though.

Back to concept of mental/emotional/physical preparation--each surgery I try to cerebrate what I can still do before surgery, knowing I will lose it after surgery, but can regain that ability again in time and with work. I prefer to do pretty much everything I can the day before surgery for one last time before letting it go. However, with local pools being closed, the timing of travel for surgery, uncertainty of how hotel pool will work for swimming, etc. not sure if that will work this time. So, I considered yesterday my final day just in case nothing else works out. I am still planning to stay as active as I can these final days of relative ability.

It has been overwhelming at times, and I am sure will still be so for a while.  However, it has been exciting to see God going before in so many ways.  He has been providing help and encouragement along the way.  Prayers for the surgery and recovery are greatly appreciated!

Copyright © 2017 by Steph. All rights reserved.

Medically Complicated

I have been told I am medically complicated by every medical provider who has ever provided care for me. I guess, that means at least I am consistent?  Anyway, Facebook Memories provided an interesting view from over the years. (There are fun memories as well, it is not all medical.)

This is from one week post-op hip surgery a year ago:

Stephanie Kratzer

July 8, 2016 at 9:08pm · 

http://stef-onlybygrace.blogspot.com/2016/07/one-week.html

Only By God's Grace: One Week

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

STEF-ONLYBYGRACE.BLOGSPOT.COM

Mayo Clinic trips over the years:

Stephanie Kratzer

July 8, 2014 at 11:56am · 

I am back at Mayo Clinic again. The appointment this morning seemed to go really well. They have me scheduled for several more appointments and testing. However, not all the appointments are for this week. I am going to try to move all the appointments up to this week if at all possible. However, this is dependent on Mayo having cancellations.

Please pray that I will be able to get all appts moved up, or that I am able to figure out all the other schedule conflicts if not. (Next week I have 2 classes and 8 other medical appts in Ames that will need rescheduled; or conflicts the end of the month for a couple other Mayo appts.)

Stephanie Kratzer

July 8, 2013 at 1:19pm · 

Prayers would be greatly appreciated! I travel to Rochester, MN tomorrow for an appt. at Mayo Clinic. Travel is difficult for me, so prayers the trip goes smoothly are coveted. Also, I have not found anyone to go to the appt with me. Please pray for mental clarity for me that I am able to grasp all of the information I am given and also that I am able to clearly communicate all that is necessary to the physician(s). Please pray especially for me that I will be able to advocate for myself and also be able to accept whatever the outcome. I am so hopeful for answers and help, yet so apprehensive as no one else has been able to find answers or help.

I am grateful for the care I received from Mayo Clinic; however, they never figured anything out. They ruled out a lot of different things--some had been suspected, others not even suspected prior. They missed some major clues.  I saw numerous specialties: Gastroenterology, Neurology, Cardiology, Gynecology, Endocrinology, Sleep Medicine, etc.  But, no one ever thought to see if they could connect the puzzle pieces. Confirmation of a connective tissue disorder years later finally connected all of the pieces. In some ways the diagnosis simplified matters--one diagnosis explaining many symptoms.  In others, it further complicated things--there is no cure, just best attempts to manage symptoms.  I prefer to view it all as a challenge, something to learn how to manage well...some day...hopefully.

Copyright © 2017 by Steph. All rights reserved.

One Year: I Did It!

I am one full year post op from left hip surgery!  This was the time frame I had been told at minimum for full recovery.  I never allowed myself to think anything less than a year.  So, when I was back to pretty much full normal ability around 6-7 months, I was thrilled and relieved and excited!  I ran into a flare ~9.5 months post-op after compensating for rapidly worsening right hip.  But, otherwise, the left hip is doing well.  Last appointment with surgeon, he cautioned me to expect it to take closer to 1.5-2 years to fully recover with each hip--I did not think at the time to ask him if this is because of the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or because of both hips being involved, or a combination thereof. Regardless, it honestly does not matter to me as long as I know that my body can recover and do so well. My theme for this recovery has been that this is not a race to see how fast I can recover, but a journey to see how well I can recover.  It is worth taking the time to let my body recover the best it can. My only regret regarding this surgery was not getting it done years earlier. But, that is not something I had any control over. I am just grateful I finally was able to have it done and that recovery has gone so well.

A year ago, I went into surgery still semi-functional in spite of severe limitations and pain, and came out pretty helpless and needy.

Barely awake after surgery. Pleasantly surprised with how little pain!

I compared early recovery to infancy--almost completely helpless, could not walk, stand, sit, crawl, or roll over, and I woke every few hours even through the night, but slept the majority of the time. I even had "tummy time" as part of rehab. I regained ability far faster, but still similar in many ways to early developmental stages of infancy.

The pool has probably been the single item I used most through rehab and relied on most.  I could still do things in the pool even when unable on land.  Being submerged in water decreased all pain. I had asked before surgery and was cleared to be in the pool early after surgery.  Early on, I could not do much but just being in water felt good and gave me a break from crutches.  When we ran into issues with non-op hip interfering with rehab, PT had me do things in the pool as I could do more in the pool than on land.  That way she kept me moving, kept me progressing in spite of challenges.

Here I am a year later, having been told year at minimum for full recovery.  Am I fully recovered? Probably not.  I was back to pre-hip issues ability for the most part before seven months post op, but the hip is still more prone to flares, there are limits for how long I tolerate some things, etc.  Also, at last appointment, surgeon told me to expect it to take 1.5-2 years each hip for full recovery.  For now, I am very grateful for how well things have healed thus far. I was back to walking an easy four miles in an hour, going to yoga class, Pilates class, even a little running at PT or in the pool.  I had gotten to try whip kick with breaststroke and it went well....with post-op hip, not so much the other.  I pretty much got back to full ability with most things I had done before hip issues.  I have since lost a lot of that ability because of the other hip, but it was so good to be able to get back to them for a while and to see that my body is capable of recovering back to old ability.  I am swimming at pre-hip issues ability or better, so that has been encouraging to have retained something I can do even with other hip getting worse. Surgery on my other hip is in just a couple of weeks, so I will then be starting over again.

I am grateful that the hip has healed and regained ability so well. This in spite of compensating for a painful other hip the vast majority of the past year. I subtitled this post, "I Did It," and there is a huge sense of accomplishment for not only surviving the past year, but coming through it as well as I did. However, I would be remiss not to credit both my surgeon and his team as well as my physical therapist.  There is no way I could have gotten through this year without them and their treatment, support, guidance, and care.  There is also no way I would have come through as well as I did without all of the support and help from my family, friends, and so many others.

I had anticipated the early days after surgery doing various quiet activities- crocheting, reading watching movies, coloring, etc.  However, I had issues with blurry vision most of the first week, and by the time vision cleared, I was totally on my own and self care and rehab exercises literally took all of my time in those early days (still napping a lot).  Once able to do more, I was back to studies. So, I never did most of the hobbies or things I thought I was going to do after surgery.  I did start another baby afghan the morning of surgery.  I eventually finished it, but this is the longest it has taken me to crochet a baby afghan.  I think it took me longer because I was doing other things after surgery, and most of the crocheting took place in the car to and from Minnesota for surgeon follow-up appointments. (I was not the one driving!)

God has faithfully carried me through a challenging year.  So much has happened. Hip surgery and recovery were only one part. However, they have been intertwined with all of the rest.  

Copyright © 2017 by Steph. All rights reserved.