December: Another Beginning, Still in the Middle
I’ve decided not to pretend this is a clean beginning. I’m stepping into the same pair of surgeries again — starting fresh on the left — but my right side is still mending, still teaching me, still very much part of this season.
So I’m marking the left side as Week 0, but I’m carrying the ongoing right-side timeline with me. Eventually, I may let the numbers go altogether. But for now, these little anchors help me find my place in a process that rarely feels linear.
Daily-ish Updates
- Week 17 of Right Hip Healing (Week 0 for the Left - surgery tomorrow) • December 1-7
- Beginning Again | Days 0-1 of Left Hip Healing • December 8-9
- A Softer Day, A Steadier Body | Day 2 of Left Hip Healing • December 10
- A Few Days of Ease and Edges | Days 3-4 of Left Hip Healing • December 11-12
- On the Horizon
December has already felt full — preparations, travel, small joys, familiar heaviness, and the strange emotional overlap of healing one side of my body while preparing to start the process all over again on the other. Being in Denver for these surgeries around the holidays is its own mix of tender, comforting, and surreal. And yet, surrounded by family, close friends, and so much support, I feel steadier heading into tomorrow.
December 1–3 — Preparing the Nest
The first few days of December were all about getting ready — not just packing for Denver, but preparing the house for the return home after surgery. We deep-cleaned, rearranged the living spaces, and finally set up the new entertainment center and the self-cleaning litter box (a small but real victory). A few more upgrades — new rugs, cookware — are scheduled to arrive while we’re away. It felt good to make home feel ready to hold me again. My body has changed so much in the last year, I also ordered some new clothes for this new and ever-evolving body. They’ll be arriving at my mom’s while we are in Denver.
December 4 — Travel Day & A Sweet Reunion
We wrapped up the packing, headed to the airport, and arrived in Denver where Calvin picked me up — such a comfort. The evening was warm and easy: catching up, laughing, just being together with Mom and Calvin. It set the tone for the week in a way I didn’t know I needed.
December 5 — Patrick Arrives + A Celebration Dinner
Patrick and the pups rolled into town, and that alone made the whole day brighter. That night we had a celebration dinner with my legal team and our close family friends — a mix of gratitude, relief, indulgence, and good food. We were all a little zombified the next morning, but it was worth it. The next day unfolded slowly, intentionally, quietly.
December 6 — A Full Rest Day
Nothing dramatic, nothing productive — just rest. Exactly what we all needed.
December 7 — The Day Before Surgery
The last day before surgery was unexpectedly full in the best way. My best friend stopped by with big, exciting news to celebrate. Then one of my mom’s longtime best friends came over. The day felt big-hearted, grounding, and distracting — a little heavy around the edges, but in a way that made space for gratitude.
Somewhere in all of that visiting and laughter and warmth, it hit me: I’m going in again tomorrow.
Gratitude in a Heavy Season
I haven’t seen my brother since March, and getting time with him this week — around the holidays, especially — has been really special. The end of the year can feel heavy anyway, and combining that with surgeries, anniversaries, and everything my body has been through… it’s a lot.
But there is so much to be grateful for: family close by, friends who are like family, sunshine in the windows, sports on TV, pets curled at my feet, support pouring in from every direction.
It doesn’t make the fear disappear — but it makes the path feel softer.
Close
Tomorrow begins the left side of this journey — the same surgeries, the same protocol, and yet a completely new experience inside a body that’s already tired and still healing. I’m scared, hopeful, ready, not ready at all. But I’m held. And that’s enough for tonight.
Beginning Again
Sunday was mostly restful on the surface, but underneath it all lived the familiar pre-surgery tension — that low hum of stress, anticipation, and emotional bracing. And then, in spectacularly unfair timing, Patrick was sick all night. We all ate the same food and no one else got sick, so who knows what happened there. I felt so bad for him, but in a strange way, it was also nice to have company in the “I don’t feel great either” arena. On Tuesday, we settled into movies and soccer, keeping things soft and simple — a little reciprocal recovery style after a rough couple of days for both of us.
On Monday, Mom and I headed out for the Boulder trek. Because surgery got pushed back, we didn’t have to arrive until 10. We checked in, went through prep, and then waited until around 2 pm before I finally went back to the OR. We were home by 6:30 — such a long, surreal day — but also surprisingly comforting. So many of the nurses and staff were familiar from the right side, and that sense of continuity made everything feel safer, warmer, and less overwhelming.
The surgeon said everything went smoothly and almost identically to the right: a successful labrum repair, femoroplasty to reshape the femoral head, and thankfully no surprises. I’m back to the no-bending-past-90-degrees restriction and can’t lift my leg on my own. Those adjustments always take recalibration, but having been through this once already, I feel more prepared.
And I have to say it: I’m really proud of my right hip.
She’s doing such a fab job holding steady, strong enough now to support the left as she begins this brand-new chapter. There’s something strangely beautiful — almost tender — about one side carrying the other for a while.
The first night after surgery was rough. Pain, anxious mind, the whole cocktail. Eventually I decided to take tramadol on top of the oxy and muscle relaxer, and that helped quiet things enough to rest. Patrick’s mom lent me her old ice machine, and honestly, it might be my favorite medical device this round. I wore it all night with a 20-on/30-off timer, which made the pain so much more manageable. I only slept about 3.5 hours — insomnia after surgery isn’t new for me, but it’s still frustrating. Honestly I’ve struggled with insomnia quite a bit these last three plus years.
The CPM machine is being delivered later today. I’ll start with four hours a day and likely shift to sleeping in it once the next surgery is done. Familiar rhythms returning.
The dogs have been perfect company — sweet, snuggly emotional support creatures who make everything softer. Calvin left yesterday, and although his visit was short, it meant a lot. I love that we’re siblings who wish for more time even when we know we’ll get a big stretch together in the spring.
Friends have been reaching out, wanting to visit over the next few days. I’m grateful, and I’ll take everything one step at a time — trusting the balance of rest and connection to take shape as it needs to.
Some beginnings feel familiar, but they’re still beginnings.
Here I am again — supported, tired, hopeful, and learning as I go.
We were all so exhausted from the past few days that we went to bed early on Tuesday. I slept in the CPM machine again, and it actually went fine — and more importantly, I slept. A real, good night’s rest. Patrick woke up feeling close to normal too, and the whole house felt brighter because of it. It was one of those mornings where everyone’s energy was suddenly cheery and buoyant.
One of my sweet friends came by for a visit and brought treats from the Italian market. It was such a lovely, grounding visit — the kind of simple time with lifelong friends that just fills my heart. She left around noon, and we immediately climbed back into bed for more rest. I’m learning, again and again, how healing it is to be seen and loved in ordinary ways.
“Nurse Patrick” is officially back on duty — spoiling us with fajitas for dinner, and probably a movie to round out the night. We’re trying to soak up as much living room time as possible before Monday’s PAO. I’m expecting that one to be far more uncomfortable, so I’m savoring these gentler days while I have them.
I’m actually feeling pretty good overall — taking slow laps around the house, moving well, and settling into the rhythm of this early recovery. I ordered new crutches (Mobilegs, recommended by my surgeon’s office) and they make a huge difference. Small upgrades become big comforts in weeks like this.
Today felt lighter — a small gift before the harder climb ahead.
Day 3 — Small Joys, Good News, and Big Appetite
I slept amazingly well — started the night in the CPM around 9 pm and somehow stayed asleep in it straight through until 4 am. Easily the best rest I’ve had this round.
Patrick woke up on a mission: bakery adventures. He came home with the best sourdough any of us have ever tasted and a croissant-style pastry filled with goat cheese and blueberries. Unreal. It felt like the perfect start to the day.
I got my shower and removed my bandages — everything looks really good so far, which was a relief and a boost.
My pre-surgery appointment for Monday’s PAO was also the best experience I’ve had there yet. A few highlights:
They’re starting me on a new non-opioid pain medication (Journavx) — recently approved, and my surgeon’s PA seemed genuinely excited about it. We are too. It doesn’t guarantee I won’t need other meds, but adding this to the regimen gives me hope for less opioid dependence and an easier transition off them.
Everyone seemed genuinely excited for me to be close to done with the big surgeries. That energy felt good.
The afternoon was slow and cozy — Stranger Things, resting, and lots of peace. The evening turned into a full basketball watch party: happy Bucks game, Nuggets up big, all the fun. Then somehow we stayed up late watching Survivor and didn’t even realize it was 11 pm.
A long day, but a good one.
Day 4 — Edgier Edges, Familiar Frustrations
Planning my evening cleanse…
Last night was rough again. I slept from about 11 to 3:30, then got out of the CPM because both legs and hips were hurting. My mind was spinning, sleep was patchy at best, and I was mostly awake until 7.
Morning coffee and puppy snuggles helped. Mom brings the dogs in once we’re awake (they’ve been sleeping with her to protect me overnight), and those little morning cuddle sessions are everything.
I thought I’d nap when Patrick took the dogs on a long walk, but the nap never happened. The whole morning and early afternoon ended up being pure rest — Stranger Things, quiet time, not much else — until around 3.
At that point I realized I needed to deal with constipation before Monday’s PAO. Last round I did a big cleanse Saturday before surgery, but this time I decided to start today. Not ideal, not fun, but necessary.
We’re watching Survivor now, hoping things… start moving.
Surgery check-in is at 9 am Monday, with an 11:30 start time. It’s getting very real again.
Some days stitch together ease and discomfort in equal measure — both are part of the path. Holding steady, gathering strength for the next big climb.
12/4-20ish: Denver
12/4: Fly to Denver
12/5: Patrick and the pups arrive in Denver
12/5: End of Legal Battles Celebration with Our Team
12/8: L Hip Arthroscopy in Boulder
12/11: L Hip PAO Pre Op
12/15: L Hip PAO - inpatient at Swedish in Denver (1-2 night hospital stay)
12/22: First PT Appointment post surgery (remove sutures and continue PT appointments twice weekly thereafter)
12/23: L Hip Arthroscopy Post-Op Telemed
12/29: Taos ENT Follow-up and Debridement (if needed)
12/30: L Hip PAO Post-Op Telemed
TBD: return to run, impact, and higher intensity exercise
