It was a weird feeling to lay on a gurney saying good-bye to an original body part.  To let a piece of you go.  I was grateful to my hip that it carried me to this point.  For months I worried that it wasn't strong enough to make it; but it had.  Through all the pain, it held me upright while I worked, snowshoed and hiked. Yet saying good-bye was a bit emotional, knowing it had done its best but it was time to go. It had brought me to the finish line. I was in line for an operating room.

And, it was equally odd to try and set the tone to accept a piece of hardware that wasn't a living source.  I told my cells to accept this new titanium hip. That this new one will carry us on more adventures and let us live with less pain.

I knew it would be a shock to us all.

As I entered into the operating room, the first person I saw was dressed in a hazmat suit with shield and full body coverings.  A gizmo that looked like a torture piece….and then I said, "While curious, it is best I not see anymore."

A shot was given to numb me from the waist down, and medicine was administered to put me to sleep. I watched the needle go into my IV and then I was awakened in recovery.

The exchange had happened. Out with the old in with the new, while I slept.

Oddly enough all that I feel is missing is that old pain.

I recognize the new hip by new pain.

Evidence of surgery is a small bandaged area in my upper thigh and lower belly.

Granted it is ouchy when I move or try to lift that leg into bed, and when I go up and down steps and sometimes when I walk.  It is a different kind of pain.

And, I am still on painkillers. So, we can't know the real story yet.

All my worries were unfounded.  I am much less handicapped than I had imagined.

I do need others to carry my walker from level to level.  I have tools that assist me in getting dressed or picking up stuff out of my reach.

I am learning to receive help.  I have friends who are helping with meals. I live with wonderful caregivers. I am grateful I have help as I transition from old hip to new.

On our drive home we stopped a small diner for a late lunch and I was greeted by a non-handicapped bathroom. One where my walker wouldn't even fit in and the seat was very low.  I managed; but with pain.  You don't really appreciate the luxury of handicapped stalls until you need one.

It was amazing to me, that 4 hours after getting the new hip I was walking with assistance from my walker.  I was moving, standing and putting weight on the new leg!

And, 24 hours later, I was discharged to go home and rest and heal.

I sleep really well, better than with my old hip.

I was given the license to be lazy.  I can only be up and about 10 minutes out of every hour. I have to do my exercise twice a day and elevate my legs three times a day.

I am still on lots of meds, so I am fairly sleepy.

I am allowing my body to heal from the shock of replacement.

I am learning to receive and be the care of the caregivers.

I feel hopeful that the new hip and I will go many places and experience an adventurous life that my old hip could no longer give me.

 My job is to listen to my body and surgeon for the best healing.