Sparky Goes into Surgery

By the time some of you will be reading this blog I will have been in surgery in order to replace my left hip which apparently has an old fracture that was exacerbated by my fall off my trike. Looking backwards I am aware that my gait had been steadily getting worse over the past three years: from walking with a limp to walking with a cane to walking with a walker. Using my ever present system of denial the idea of what this represented never crossed my conscious mind. It was only when a CAT scan revealed that the circulatory synovial fluid and the cartilage was badly worn out that the whole picture became clear. (osteroporosis) The top of the femoral bone or thighbone is fractured and a prosthesis must be put in its place. This involves removing and replacing both the ball and the socket.

I have been thoroughly briefed by the anesthesiologist, the cardiologist, the physical therapist, the occupational therapist and various and sundry other personnel. They have been unfailingly courteous and informative. Since my denial system is so rapid, I politely ignored many of their cautionary comments as to the risks of the operation itself. Fortunately I had my Mouthy Medical Mouthpiece with me (dear Rosemary) and she filled in the information that I had unsuccessfully tried to ignore. I am now face up against the fact that I will be undergoing major medical surgery and what that has done is to increase my eagerness to get the task done and over with since I have come to terms with the need for the operation itself.

My surgery will take place at the Washington DC Veterans Hospital just off North Capital Street. The first three days I will be in recovery and then I may continue in the hospital for up to 3 to 4 weeks of physical therapy. I will have available to me my Nook, NotePad, Bose Speakers and my cell phone so I will set up my own high-tech communication base. My son Davyd will act as the contact point as will my Care Calender web site.

As a number of you have told me, this event has provided me with a fecund source of new information about myself and the world around me. Central to this new knowledge is the fact that I am blessed with a plethora of Guardian Angels who have come to my side in a vast company and I have a great need to tell you their names and publicly share the gifts that they have bestowed upon me in terms of their support and concern.

The honor roll in my head and my heart consists of the following good souls: Susan, Davyd, Andi, Bhagwhan, Bill, Christiane, Christopher and Rachel, Carolivia, Crystal, Dakota, David, Debbe, Debbie, Debra, Donna, Ester, Heidi, Irv, Jay, Jerry, Jo, Juan Carlos, Julie, Junior and Tanya, Kamila and George, Larry G,Larry T., Lew, Marcia, M-----, Michael (x2), Mike, Nadine, Patti, Raj, Rosemary, Roy, Michelle, Starr, Steve and Rose, Mark,

Thomas and Jennifer, and Zeb (and Xander). If I have left anyone out please accept my humble apologies and I will be eager to correct the record.

Making this list has been a powerful emotional experience for me and for once, words do not suffice. To all of the above, thank you for being in my life and being the people that you are. I carry you inside me and you represent the best parts of me. I both share them and have them reflected back at me, tenfold.

Thank you,

Sparky