Preparations are in full effect this week! It is becoming real- in just 10 days I will be in the operating room. I've always considered myself to be a rather healthy person, and it is still very hard to wrap my mind around what is about to happen. 4 months (on average) before I can be active again... And at that point, I will most likely not be 100%.
So here I am, less than 2 weeks til surgery and I'm finding myself under pressure to get things done. My lists keep growing of things to buy and do before surgery. It seems as I check one thing off, 2 are added!
Our first big step to surgery was getting the boys into school and comfortable before even bigger changes happen at home. Yesterday was their first day at The Learning Experience. They will be going M-F full day while I am recovering. Owen did wonderful, as we knew he would. He is a talker, a hugger, and the most kind hearted little boy I have ever met. His teacher was already calling him her baby by the end of the day. He melts hearts- always has, and always will. Landon's day was a little different. This was his first experience going to school, and he cried most of the day. When I picked him up in the afternoon, he was sitting and eating snack, but as soon as he saw me, the tears poured out of his eyes. This is such a big change for him, but I know he will do fine once he gets over that hump. One great thing about school is that the boys were exhausted last night. Both went to bed easily and slept til 7 am! We had to wake Owen to get him ready for school today! Let's hope that continues!
So while the boys are in school, I have until the 21st (surgery day) to get things done around the house. I thought it would be relaxing without them home, but honestly, I've barely sat down. There is so much to do! I made Chocolate Banana Muffins, Pot Pie, and Pumpkin Bread to place in the freezer, and now I am working on packing my hospital bag and getting the clothes I will need to wear once I am home. Who knew hip surgery would cause me to break the bank at the mall? After checking with the amazing ladies in the PAO Facebook group I made a list of the must haves for after surgery. Since I won't be able (or won't want to) wear pants for a few weeks after surgery, I needed to stock up on dresses and night gowns. So off to the stores I went! No wonder I hate pajama shopping. One night gown at Soma was $42! I bought 1 and sucked up the price. If I'll be living in it for the next few months, it might turn out to be worth it.
As of now, most of my clothing shopping is done. Here's my rundown:
-2 pairs of flat slip on shoes
-4 dresses for Dr. appointments and occasional outings
-2 night gowns
-1 slip in jumper pajama set
-1 pair of boxer style shorts (baggy around the hips)
-1 bathing suit cover-up (figure it will work just fine as a dress around the house!)
I ran to Target today and grabbed the hospital necessities. All things to keep fresh (as fresh as can be when you're not allowed to shower), along with some mints to help with nausea, a sleep mask for daytime napping, and ear plugs to drown out the noise of the hospital. Seriously, this Facebook group is great. I am able to ask questions and get immediate answers from people who have already gone through this same surgery. It is so comforting hearing all of their stories and knowing that in the "end" they are all okay. I will be okay too.