The Road to Recovery

Yesterday we saw the orthopedic doctor. He showed us the bone scan photos and panicked me for a moment, because I thought he was indicating that the facture was in the "ball and socket" part of the hip. He decided to do an x-ray after learning the pain had significantly increased since twisting the leg Monday (after the bone scan had been done). A fracture, approximately in the middle of the femoral neck, which went all the way through the bone (a displaced fracture), was clearly visible on the film. Dr. O recommended pinning it, because he was worried it might do a little "shifty, shifty". It was in perfect alignment so we also had the option to leave it alone. We felt not having the surgery was too great a risk because "if it does the shifty, shifty it could cut off the blood supply, causing the bone to die and requiring a hip replacement".

Originally we were scheduled to come back the next day for surgery, but getting dressed was so difficult, we went directly across the street and Dr. O did the surgery last night. He assured us the surgery would be nothing like the surgery when Gene broke his hip when he was 11 years old - just a one inch incision and a little "pokey, pokey" putting the wire through the muscle and screwing it in place.

While Gene was in surgery I sat in a waiting room - freezing, while I read and watched some of the first game of the world series (sorry, it doesn't get capitalized - it's not like it's the SUPERBOWL). I moved to different chairs, trying to find someplace that did not have cold air blowing on it from a vent above. Each seat proved to be just as windy and not hiney-warmed like the one I left. Finally I remembered that Gene had a shirt in the closet of his hospital room and went to retrieve it. Apparently, that is when the Doctor arrived to tell me how the surgery went, but we missed each other and I sat for another hour before hearing my name called over the loud speaker. So I still have not conversed with the doctor.

I sat with Gene in the recovery room and accompanied him back to his room, where he slept except to wake up and complain of being nautious. I left a little after midnight. When I returned this morning he was still sick - pain medications do not agree with him. He has discontinued all medication for pain with good pain results, but battled the sick feeling all day. So he is still in the hospital. I think he will be home tomorrow.

I cannot believe how tired and achey I am (considering I have done nothing but sit on my hiney for two days) - so I am off to bed, missing Gene but happy that finally, after 17 days we are on the road to recovery!