Thursday, January 14th, 2010: Erica's Going Back to Work!

We went to the doctor this morning to have Erica's staples removed from her incisions. The doctor was very pleased with the X-rays and how the incisions were healing, so he gave her the all-clear to go back to work on Tuesday, the 19th (Monday, the 18th, is MLK Day, a holiday).

She's giving up the scooter at work and only using the walker, and will hopefully be able to start exercising soon. It's been a fantastic, quick recovery, probably the best out of all her surgeries!!

Sunday, January 10th, 2010: Erica's First Big Outing: All Saints Church!

Today Erica had her first "big" outing since her surgery on December 30th: going to All Saints Church! She did really well, except she sat through the whole service and had a little trouble getting up, but all in all it went great. Everyone was really happy to see her, and she had a blast catching up on all that had happened with them since she'd been out.

I continue to be totally amazed at her incredible progress. She does "laps" around the house on her walker, goes up the stairs with no problem at all, and gets in and out of bed without any help. And remember, it hasn't been two weeks since her surgery! It is just incredible!!

Thursday, January 7th, 2010: Erica is Doing Great!

Just wanted to let y'all know that Erica is doing just fabulous! There is not even a hint of any nausea, and she's eating and getting along fine. We've gotten a visit from a physical therapist, and she's doing the prescribed exercises over and above the number of times she's expected to do them.

All in all, this is the best recovery she's had and I am just so happy. Her first real "outing" will be church this Sunday, and she's really looking forward to it!!

Friday, January 1st, 2010: Update

Erica e-mailed that they'd removed all the IV's and she's feeling better. She'd ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and iced tea for dinner, and wants to come home very much. I think it'll be a "go" tomorrow. I'll keep you posted. I thank you for all your good thoughts and prayers!!

Friday, January 1st, 2010: Erica's Better

I made it to the hospital this morning during the actual Rose Parade, so traffic wasn't too bad. Erica is doing much better, although she is having more pain as the pain block wears off. She is still on track to come home tomorrow, although that hinges on whether she can negotiate the stairs. The physical therapist is supposed to give her pointers on how to maneuver them, but so far no one has. Hopefully tomorrow.

She walked again today, and is now doing exercises with her "new" hip, which includes raising and lowering her leg 10 times every three or four hours.

I left her watching the Rose Bowl.

Thursday, December 31st, 2009: Erica Has a New Hip!

After a minor delay yesterday due to another patient's surgery taking longer than expected, Erica was wheeled into the operating room at about 11:45 a.m. I went over to the surgical waiting room across the hall and set up shop: Kindle, iPod, and phone, and settled down to wait.

The surgery didn't take as long as I thought it would, only about two hours. The doctor came out and told me that everything had gone well, and that they were putting a pain block in her hip, I think, and something new: a scopolamine patch behind her ear to help her deal with the nausea she always gets from the pain medication.

After a little more time, my phone rang. It was Erica! She was decidedly groggy, but told me her room number. I took her stuff up and got her organized. Yes, she was stoned, but somehow able to talk on the phone. She's an incredible person.

I left there at about 4 and came home to take care of the animals. She called me a couple more times at home and then we hung up last night at about 7:30. Haven't heard from her yet today, but will be going back to see her shortly.

Happy New Year!!

Sunday, December 27th, 2009: All Systems Go!

Just thought you'd like to know that Erica's gotten the "all clear" from both her doctor and the great pre-op check-in staff at Huntington Hospital. We went yesterday for the pre-op stuff at the new Huntington Pavilion and it is so neat! She just sat in a big easy chair and all the necessary testers (blood, EKG, etc.) all came to her; no more going from cramped room to cramped room and waiting forever. Very very cool.

So the big day is fast approaching and we are so happy that she will be out of pain soon!