Surgery and my Mom

[HoneyBadger]

Last Thursday my mother received a call that the anesthesiologist would not approve her surgery. She fought and insisted that the doctors communicate and they did. Mom received the news today that her hip replacement surgery has been approved. She'll be receiving her new hip on Monday, May 16th. Mom is happy and relieved and I feel as if a ton of weight has been lifted off me - off us. I lost a friend of several years due to my stress and temper and I lost a friend to death. It has not been a good week since the call last Thursday. I believe that I need to step back and evaluate what matters to me. My mother obviously - she is my major concern now. I'm not much for praying for myself but if anyone would like to say a few prayers for my Mom; especially that she comes through surgery; I'd be grateful. She's my priority for the next several weeks or longer.

[Alex Oreilly]

I hope your Mom will be okay, if she is anything like you she will be a tough old bird that you cant take down. lol

[orrtannaoracle]

May 6, 2011 23:17:02 GMT -5 Alex Oreilly said:

I hope your Mom will be okay, if she is anything like you she will be a tough old bird that you cant take down. lol

Best wishes to both of you with your Mom's operation. I hope all goes better than my last episode.

In the same vein as in "oreilly's" post - let's remember this: her mother raised FT and has survived FT's presence for many years - I think her mother's "tough old bird" chops are well-established.

On that note (and no longer having a mother myself), I wish both FT and her mother a "Happy Mother's Day"! Good luck. And tell your siblings to help out, you shouldn't have to bear this load all by yourself.

[HoneyBadger]

May 6, 2011 23:17:02 GMT -5 Alex Oreilly said:

I hope your Mom will be okay, if she is anything like you she will be a tough old bird that you cant take down. lol

The doctors will take extra care because of her medical conditions. She is the tough one, not I. Her birthday present has been waiting in a drawer since January so she'd better not have any problems. She'll be 85 years young on May 28th.

Oh, and thank you for the good wishes. Aside from pain she's holding up well. I'm a wreck.

[HoneyBadger]

May 7, 2011 4:57:10 GMT -5 orrtannaoracle said:

May 6, 2011 23:17:02 GMT -5 Alex Oreilly said:

I hope your Mom will be okay, if she is anything like you she will be a tough old bird that you cant take down. lol

Best wishes to both of you with your Mom's operation. I hope all goes better than my last episode.

In the same vein as in "oreilly's" post - let's remember this: her mother raised FT and has survived FT's presence for many years - I think her mother's "tough old bird" chops are well-established.

On that note (and no longer having a mother myself), I wish both FT and her mother a "Happy Mother's Day"! Good luck. And tell your siblings to help out, you shouldn't have to bear this load all by yourself.

Bless Mom, she has had so many operations in the 20 years since she retired. She's a pro. No, we don't want any problems; nothing like yours. I remember having to clean and pack a massive wound after one operation and taking care of another wound on her knee which ultimately required a skin graft.

Surviving all these years with me has been a blessing and a curse for Mom. The blessing - she didn't have to live alone or worry about money or her care. The curse - me.

I'll extend your wishes for a Happy Mother's Day to Mom. She just told me this morning that I have to take her to the hospital the day of her surgery. So much for any help from anyone. But that's ok.

[weekender]

Hey FT, It is really unfortunate that the anesthesiologist did that to your mom. I hope that she gave him/her a little bit of that spunk I saw when we were talking Nascar! She is so cute! I will keep you both in my prayers. You are each other's rocks! Schools out soon and I will be calm then, then we can have that "trinity" thing you were telling me about, on me! To celebrate your mom's successful surgery, you, and of course a summer of no school!!! Happy Mother's Day to you both!!!

[HoneyBadger]

May 7, 2011 18:18:03 GMT -5 weekender said:

Hey FT, It is really unfortunate that the anesthesiologist did that to your mom. I hope that she gave him/her a little bit of that spunk I saw when we were talking Nascar! She is so cute! I will keep you both in my prayers. You are each other's rocks! Schools out soon and I will be calm then, then we can have that "trinity" thing you were telling me about, on me! To celebrate your mom's successful surgery, you, and of course a summer of no school!!! Happy Mother's Day to you both!!!

Oh, yes, weekender, she pushed until she got what she wanted. She "discussed" the situation until the doctor agreed to review her case and actually talk to the cardiologist and orthopedist. She said she'd take a local and stay awake, whatever it took to get the job done. The anesthesiologist she saw Friday gave final approval. She told them that she can't use her right arm due to arthritis and her left hand due to a quack doctor and she wanted a hip that works. Calm down chickie, Mom will have her surgery and I'll calm down and then we'll get together and have our beers. I'll extend your wishes to Mom. She's watching a race and I'm watching Syfy. Joe Flanagan is hot!

[Fire Marshal Bill]

I wish you both well in this surgery. I hope hers goes as well as my mother-in-law's surgery went. But I hope she doesn't have the same reaction to the meds.

[orrtannaoracle]

May 6, 2011 20:13:55 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

Mom received the news today that her hip replacement surgery has been approved. She'll be receiving her new hip on Monday, May 16th.

FT: check out this article to see if it's applicable.

www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/business/11hip.html?hp

[HoneyBadger]

May 11, 2011 3:59:56 GMT -5 orrtannaoracle said:

May 6, 2011 20:13:55 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

Mom received the news today that her hip replacement surgery has been approved. She'll be receiving her new hip on Monday, May 16th.

FT: check out this article to see if it's applicable.

www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/business/11hip.html?hp

The hip is metal. All three have been metal. The first one (1998)was severely infected and had to be removed. The second one (2001) came apart. The third one (2005) is holding up well according to the orthopedist. I don't know what is true and what isn't any longer. I will print the article and ask her to discuss it with the doctor.
I hope that this surgery goes well and that she can live without pain (except for the separated shoulder which they won't repair and the hand that the idiot doctor broke and is now deformed) for the extended future. She seems to recover well after surgeries and she's had plenty.
I know that I'll never undergo another replacement of anything. I remember holding a knife a few weeks after my knee replacement surgery with serious intentions of removing both of them. I'm not strong like my mother. Oreilly called her a tough old bird and she is one. I am not. I may fake it and fool people but it's easy to take me down and keep me down.

[HoneyBadger]

Monday is the big day. I'll post after the surgery for anyone interested in the success or failure of the hip replacement.

I had to start giving her injections this morning. I botched up the first one; I think half of the drug went somewhere other than inside Mom.

I won't be around BV much after her surgery. I think that it's time I end this relationship. I'm too open with people; I trust everyone and I don't look for the bad in people. At my advanced age I shouldn't be so stupid.

[getysbg]

May 12, 2011 19:30:45 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

Monday is the big day. I'll post after the surgery for anyone interested in the success or failure of the hip replacement.

I had to start giving her injections this morning. I botched up the first one; I think half of the drug went somewhere other than inside Mom.

I won't be around BV much after her surgery. I think that it's time I end this relationship. I'm too open with people; I trust everyone and I don't look for the bad in people. At my advanced age I shouldn't be so stupid.

FT - remember the phrase "Trust but verify" Most people are decent, even the ones that disagree with us. As long as the discussion is done in spirit of sharing ideas, there is nothing wrong with agreeing to disagree. I remember reading once of a tribe out west that required opposing parties to fully articulate their opponent's position so as to make sure all understood the basis for the discussion. Seems like the old 'walk a mile in my shoes' type of thing. Anyway, disappearing from the scene does nothing but make you miserable and us wondering how you are.

[lifesaver]

May 12, 2011 20:44:19 GMT -5 getysbg said:

May 12, 2011 19:30:45 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

Monday is the big day. I'll post after the surgery for anyone interested in the success or failure of the hip replacement.

I had to start giving her injections this morning. I botched up the first one; I think half of the drug went somewhere other than inside Mom.

I won't be around BV much after her surgery. I think that it's time I end this relationship. I'm too open with people; I trust everyone and I don't look for the bad in people. At my advanced age I shouldn't be so stupid.

FT - remember the phrase "Trust but verify" Most people are decent, even the ones that disagree with us. As long as the discussion is done in spirit of sharing ideas, there is nothing wrong with agreeing to disagree. I remember reading once of a tribe out west that required opposing parties to fully articulate their opponent's position so as to make sure all understood the basis for the discussion. Seems like the old 'walk a mile in my shoes' type of thing. Anyway, disappearing from the scene does nothing but make you miserable and us wondering how you are.

Right on getysbg !

[HoneyBadger]

May 12, 2011 20:44:19 GMT -5 getysbg said:

May 12, 2011 19:30:45 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

Monday is the big day. I'll post after the surgery for anyone interested in the success or failure of the hip replacement.

I had to start giving her injections this morning. I botched up the first one; I think half of the drug went somewhere other than inside Mom.

I won't be around BV much after her surgery. I think that it's time I end this relationship. I'm too open with people; I trust everyone and I don't look for the bad in people. At my advanced age I shouldn't be so stupid.

FT - remember the phrase "Trust but verify" Most people are decent, even the ones that disagree with us. As long as the discussion is done in spirit of sharing ideas, there is nothing wrong with agreeing to disagree. I remember reading once of a tribe out west that required opposing parties to fully articulate their opponent's position so as to make sure all understood the basis for the discussion. Seems like the old 'walk a mile in my shoes' type of thing. Anyway, disappearing from the scene does nothing but make you miserable and us wondering how you are.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me. Sadly, I trust first. It's a serious flaw in judgement. Disappearing from the scene will not make me miserable and believe me; you would stop wondering where I am in short order. Another obnoxious person would come along to replace me. Before BoroVENT I went to work, went home, went to work, went home; no problems, no muss, no fuss. I never visited people and I never went out with friends. Life was simpler and certainly less conflicted. I'd definitely miss some special people but I've never had a long term friendship with anyone. I'm a loner - believe it or not!

[HoneyBadger]

I have to take my mother to Gettysburg Hospital at 6AM Monday. I'm not going to post any more regarding her surgery. If it's successful there's nothing to report. If it doesn't go well - you'll probably read about it.

[Venter]

May 13, 2011 12:05:50 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

... Another obnoxious person would come along to replace me... "

That is SO untrue.
I don't think we could find another one quite like you
God not ONLY broke the mold, but he also banished the angel to hell for making it!

Hey Townie, you can't quit us.

Good luck with your Mom.
If you need anything, just call.
REALLY!
It's on our way home - even if you just need a stick of butter, or a pizza picked up.

That's what friends do for each other (or so I'm told)

[HoneyBadger]

May 13, 2011 19:45:53 GMT -5 Venter said:

May 13, 2011 12:05:50 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

... Another obnoxious person would come along to replace me... "

That is SO untrue.
I don't think we could find another one quite like you
God not ONLY broke the mold, but he also banished the angel to hell for making it!

Hey Townie, you can't quit us.

Good luck with your Mom.
If you need anything, just call.
REALLY!
It's on our way home - even if you just need a stick of butter, or a pizza picked up.

That's what friends do for each other (or so I'm told)

Venter, I read this last night but couldn't respond. I was surprised that you reached out.

Yeah, Satan was pretty ticked off when that angel showed up. Ruined the atmosphere in hell for a bit.

My daughter - Karla - came to see Mom yesterday. A surprise visit. They went to lunch and since Karla has POA for both of us they discussed Mom's wishes for her funeral somewhere off in the distant future. They encountered Karla's stepmother at the cemetery while visiting Karla's father's grave and Bonnie (I love her so) offered to be at the hospital Monday if I can't be there.

Give me time, Venter, this is difficult. Since plans have been discussed Mom is going to come through the surgery and start kicking butt. And I'll be back to my usual pain in the butt self.

I'll let you know how it goes. Patience - with me you always need patience. I know that's tough because even I don't have patience with myself.

Heartfelt thanks to you.

[HoneyBadger]

My mother came through again. She's tough as nails when necessary. We arrived at the hospital at 6AM and by about 7:20 she was off on her adventure. The surgery lasted longer than I had expected but Dr. Miller said that there were no problems at all.

I came home to get Mom's walker because she's getting out of bed this evening. I'm excited because she'll be in CCU until tomorrow and so far it's all great. Mom was perky when I went in to see her and started giving me orders. That's my Mom.

Thank you OO for calling last night. Mom was very pleased to receive your good wishes and I appreciate your call.

Thanks everyone for your support. I feel as if a giant weight has been lifted. I hope for my mother's sake that the physical results are as great as she has anticipated.

[lifesaver]

May 16, 2011 13:08:57 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

My mother came through again. She's tough as nails when necessary. We arrived at the hospital at 6AM and by about 7:20 she was off on her adventure. The surgery lasted longer than I had expected but Dr. Miller said that there were no problems at all.

I came home to get Mom's walker because she's getting out of bed this evening. I'm excited because she'll be in CCU until tomorrow and so far it's all great. Mom was perky when I went in to see her and started giving me orders. That's my Mom.

Thank you OO for calling last night. Mom was very pleased to receive your good wishes and I appreciate your call.

Thanks everyone for your support. I feel as if a giant weight has been lifted. I hope for my mother's sake that the physical results are as great as she has anticipated.

It's all good!

[Fire Marshal Bill]

May 16, 2011 13:08:57 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

My mother came through again. She's tough as nails when necessary. We arrived at the hospital at 6AM and by about 7:20 she was off on her adventure. The surgery lasted longer than I had expected but Dr. Miller said that there were no problems at all.

I came home to get Mom's walker because she's getting out of bed this evening. I'm excited because she'll be in CCU until tomorrow and so far it's all great. Mom was perky when I went in to see her and started giving me orders. That's my Mom.

Thank you OO for calling last night. Mom was very pleased to receive your good wishes and I appreciate your call.

Thanks everyone for your support. I feel as if a giant weight has been lifted. I hope for my mother's sake that the physical results are as great as she has anticipated.

Good news, and I'm so happy to hear she is doing well. Best of luck to both of you.

[HoneyBadger]

My mother is now at the Lutheran Home and will be there for about two weeks. She began physical therapy yesterday. She is in good spirits most of the time.

[SFP]

I've not been on for awhile T so I'm catching up. I'm glad to see that things are looking up for your mom. I'll say a prayer for her and you too that you get through all of this crap. Regards.

[HoneyBadger]

May 28, 2011 0:58:59 GMT -5 SFP said:

I've not been on for awhile T so I'm catching up. I'm glad to see that things are looking up for your mom. I'll say a prayer for her and you too that you get through all of this crap. Regards.

I've noticed and I've wondered about you. Thank you for the prayer; it is much appreciated. Yesterday was the first day that I had reason to believe that she'll be coming home again. Today was pretty good too except that she sent me home because she was tired. (Actually, there's a race this afternoon and she wanted to watch it). She's getting out of bed now and walking. Today is her 85th birthday and I'm so glad that I was able to wish her a happy birthday.

The lady in the bed next to her was moved to the hospital and then she'll be going to hospice. It makes me so sad. She is a super nice lady and her family is nice as well. I noticed that she was declining; last night she was especially confused.

I make an effort to make eye contact with every resident I see and speak to them. I'm a sucker for senior citizens and animals.

Thanks again. Maybe we'll see each other at the police department next time I have an accident. Whoops, never mind. I did that Thursday but no police were called.

[HoneyBadger]

Every time I think there is progress there is regression. Yesterday was wonderful and today was not. Would I be a really horrible person if I stopped visiting? Loneliness is eating me up. What a lousy holiday weekend.

[nilegrazowski]

May 28, 2011 19:06:36 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

Every time I think there is progress there is regression. Yesterday was wonderful and today was not. Would I be a really horrible person if I stopped visiting? Loneliness is eating me up. What a lousy holiday weekend.

Holy Trinity on me at 2:00 Sunday afternoon if you'll join me! I'll check back here around 1:30 to see if you want to come. If not I am going to go home and mow grass so I doubly hope you accept my offer.