Home Sweet Home-Part 2

The story continues...

Jonathan did great with his surgery.  Two screws were put in his left hip and then she went on and put one screw in his right hip, as there is a good chance the same thing could happen on his right side. The physical therapist was pleased.  The doctor was pleased.  We were definitely pleased, as we got to leave the hospital the next morning after his surgery!

One of our nieces was getting married and almost all of us had a part in the wedding.  God, in His goodness, arranged for us to be able to go.  It was hectic and we were exhausted, but what a gift to celebrate this sweet, compassionate niece of ours.  I will never forget the memories of those two days and the smile on Jonathan's face at the reception when she and her new husband (whom we also love) came over to Jonathan and talked to him for a little while.  What can I say?  We love our family!

Jonathan had a six week recovery.  During that time, there were a few physical therapy appointments, a set of x-rays, but mostly we were just laying low around the house.  He got up and down the stairs by scooting on his bottom.  I will admit that there were times that he walked up and down the stairs.  I would lecture him on it, but it was hard to keep him down.  He was bored.  He spent many days just sitting in the family room watching us, especially me when I was in the kitchen.  I would many times have him come in and help prepare dinner.  

He did get cleared to swim almost immediately.  He was so scared at first and we could not understand why, as he loves to swim!  Then one day he told me he thought he was going to drown!  I felt so badly for him and told him that his hip, leg, and knee would work great in the water.  Once he realized this was true, he loved swimming (as he always has)! 

All was good (or so we thought), until the day before the six week recovery time was up.  He napped a lot that day, but we had been up late the night before.  When it was time to go to church, I told him to get ready.  I was even going to leave the wheel chair at home since the six week recovery was over the next morning.  When he stood up to walk, however, he was limping.  I immediately questioned it, and he told me he was fine :(.  I knew in my heart that something was wrong.  He was walking the same way he had walked before surgery.  Not good.  

We had a follow up appointment with the surgeon a few days later.  When she had him x-rayed, she discovered that the two screws in his left hip had broken.  I actually started praying for her to have discernment the day he started limping again.  I wanted her to make a wise decision.  She took her time and did not rush into a decision.  But, she did know for sure that another surgery would need to happen and would end up being exactly 7 weeks from the day of the first surgery.  And this time, there would be a partial body cast involved.  So, we went home that afternoon with three days to prepare for surgery, instead of just hours.  

It was definitely more peaceful the second time around and we felt more prepared.  We were not leaving suitcases, laundry, boxes, and stuff from a road trip laying around our house.  Family and friends were kind enough to help.  I actually packed the day before and thought through things we might need in the hospital. It was definitely much more in my comfort zone, if that makes sense.  I have thought a lot about the difference in emergency surgery and planned surgery.  Emergency is more intense, feels frantic, so scary.  Planned is calmer, feels as prepared as one can be, but fear has a chance to creep in differently than in emergency.  Different scenarios, good and bad, can play through your mind.  I felt that I had to be much more intentional about letting "every thought captive to obey Christ" by not worrying (1 Corinthians 10:5b).