What happens Feb lst?

Hip surgery is scheduled for Thurs Feb 1 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, 800 E. 28th St, Minneapolis MN 55405 phone # 612 863 4111

We will go in at 7 am to be ready for the 930 am surgery with Dr. Drake who has done thousands of hip replacements over 35 years or more. He plans to use an epidural rather than a general anesthesia. Insurance pays only for a double room. Pain relief is on demand with IV drip. Physical Therapy is expected to start on Friday with just getting out of bed and standing up.

If all goes well, I will have PT at Sister Kenny Rehab Center next to the hospital starting Feb 5 to 10th as an in patient 3x a day. I have been working on exercises at home to help with the recovery. I have the walker, cane, wheelchair, hi rise toilet seat etc.

Friends and neighbors have offered to bring food or come to visit. I am considering Feb a month of hibernation – being warm inside, sleeping a lot and not eating much. Or it could be a Spa month….people taking care of all my needs, being pampered . I can read all the books I haven’t had time to read and watch lots of TV. And maybe write.

I can play Scrabble, Gin Rummy, Dominoes and maybe even do some crafts in between the exercise and napping. Our building is handicap accessible and has 2 elevators. I can walk all the way to the Guthrie without stairs. The biggest problem will be not bending 90deg and using my arms to push myself up from seating.

Friends who have had this surgery say recovery is a full time job and that I will not have energy to do anything else. But I cant imagine being too far from my computer and phone.
The best phone to call is 712 659 0449 where the answering machine can pick up.

We shall see….Linda