Mom

[nightrythm]

Mom has surgery scheduled for Nov. 15th. The pain in her hip suddenly got worse and she had to schedule what she's been putting off for the last 2 or 3 years. She tells me she's been on crutches because of the pain. I'm worried and a little scared. She's been through three of these surgeries and each one has been a little worse than the last. At least she's got a new surgeon. Her last orthopedic doctor was an ass. She likes this guy so she should be OK.

What do you guys know about Good Samaritan hospital?

History:

My mother was born with Hip Dysplasia, Acetabular dysplasia more specifically. She was completely unaware of any problems until she got married. My father was the one who noticed that she was moaning and gripping her hips in her sleep. She had lived with the pain all her life, so she never realized it was there/abnormal.

At some point she started using a cane. Eventually this became two canes and finally crutches. When she was finally forced to use crutches due to the pain she agreed to have hip-replacement surgery. So she had first one hip and then the other done when I was in high school.

The first surgery went off without a hitch. During the second surgery, she started to come out of anesthesia, just as they were moving her from the table to the gurney. The main problem there was they dislocated her hip when they moved her. She had a couple more dislocations over the next several hours. It turned out that the implant they gave her was an inch too short. Someone has misread the notes about what size the piece should be. I don’t remember now if they went in and fixed it or not. I just remember she was miserable.

The prosthesis has a life expectancy of about ten years. My mother had her original surgeries in the late 80’s, so you can see she’s milked them for all they’re worth. She was very scared to get it done again because of the problems she had with the last one. But I told her to be brave and I took her to the hospital. I visited her every day and I took her home again.

The problem with the last surgery was that the Orthopedic Surgeon (an ass who wouldn’t listen to my mother) cut one of the nerves in her leg. I understand this is a possible complication. What I’m pissed about is that he never owned up to it. He kept trying to tell my mother that the atrophy of her muscle and her slow recovery were all in her head. Now she’s going to have a fourth surgery. I’m ambivalent. I’m scared. I’m angry.

The last time she didn’t want me to tell my father that she was going through it. I may have to take time off to take her to the hospital which means I have go tell my boss. My boss is a friend of my father’s so he’ll find out w/o my telling him. But the fact that the onus is on me not to divulge information, kills me.

I’m really scared I’m going to lose my mom. Last time I asked my friends to pray for her. And I was worried, but not seriously afraid. (I don’t think). Now I can feel my heart seize when I think about it. I love my mother and I want her around for a while. I don’t know if my fear is based in anything real, or if it stems from the fact that Caddy lost his mom and I’ve been studiously avoid the “what if?” and now it’s kind of hard to ignore. *sigh*

Yeah, this is me, feeling scared and alone for reasons that are mostly in my head.

Comments

[nakeygirl.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. I'd be scared too, especially with her history of other people making mistakes. I'll send you some positive thoughts for her, and I'm here if you need to be held and told it's ok.

[nightrythm]

Thank you.

[stacymckenna.livejournal.com]

Do you have Jay's cell #? Give him a call and he'll tell you his opinion of Good Sam (I want to say it's generally favorable, but I have unreliable pregnant brain). He's down at Rancho working on files today and should be reachable. Later tonight he'll be at USC's main campus for a meeting/presentation until about 9, so catching him during the day is the better bet.

[(Anonymous)]

Thanks. I'll call him at lunch.

[nightrythm]

Right.. make with the logging in, before replying.

[red4269.livejournal.com]

It is a perfectly reasonable thing to be scared. All I can offer is that her first surgery was good, and think how far they have come since then. Surgery that used to be life threatening are now routine and outpatient.
*big hugs*

[nightrythm]

Thanks.

[nomilomi.livejournal.com]

If you recall you very recently held me while my mom went through surgery. I'd like to return the favor. Because everything will be okay. Medical technology gets better every day, less risk and more success. *snugs*

[nightrythm]

Thank you sweets.

[mountain-spirit.livejournal.com]

your mom rocks, i wish your family the best.

*hugs*

[nightrythm]

Thanks.

[digital-rider.livejournal.com]

What ever woman gave birth to you must be a strong woman, I'm sure she will be better after the surgery as long as she keeps her spirits up.

Good luck to the both of you.

[nightrythm]

Thanks

[jeremyseip.livejournal.com]

Good Sam is a great hospital. I haven't heard anything bad about it and our students tend to be very successful there (generally indicative of a good therapy team).

I've been aggressivly recruited for them but that is probably just a misunderstanding on their part :-)

Good luck to your Mom and you. While it's not a routine sx,the outcomes are gernally very good. Especially if you don't have the ass at the helm anymore.

Call me if you need any info, rehab advice or hugs.

-J

[stacymckenna.livejournal.com]

that is probably just a misunderstanding on their part
:P

Uh, honey, you might wanna be careful about medical abbreviations. Some of us just AREN'T used to translating that, and when discussing our mothers... >squick< Just a thought...;)

[jeremyseip.livejournal.com]

Excellent point, I should skip the humor when the brain is fried, especially with important subjects. Excellent hospital, from surgeons through rehab. Period.

My offer for anything else stands.

-J

[nightrythm]

I got it. Of course it's probably because I spent time working for Adventist Home Health here in Glendale.

[nightrythm]

Thanks, I appreciate it. She did tell me that they have to replace the femeral implant, so that could get a little dicey. She was saying there's a chance the bone could break, which considering the fact her bones aren't so great in the first place, makes it a little dicey. I'm hoping however that things will go well.

I feel better knowing that it's a good hospital.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Fingers & toes crossed all goes well. Hugz available if & as needed.

[nightrythm]

Thanks.