Up and About
I’m proud of Susan for her efforts yesterday — she stood up and got around her room, with the help of crutches.
At first, people were insisting the walker would be easier, but they were forgetting: Susan’s been getting around on crutches for months now. Her upper body’s strong, and she’s very proficient with the crutches.
Today, In an hour or so, we’re meeting with the surgeon to figure out the pain medication plan, when Susan can get home, when we’ll get the pathology report on her bones, and so forth.
To tell the truth, Susan’s having a very tough time right now. She’s hurting really badly, and getting a major surgery like this right after several months of weekly chemo means she didn’t enter the hospital at her strongest. I’m hoping today’s a better day for her than yesterday.
I’m posting this X-Ray for those of you who wondered exactly how far down into her leg that spike goes. As you can see here, it goes practically to the top of her knee.
Comment by sans auto | 11.30.2007 | 6:55 am
She’s still in our prayers.
Comment by Megan | 11.30.2007 | 7:22 am
Your family is in my thoughts. I know its not really the same (as my mother had not had cancer), but my mom had both of her knees replaced at the same time. The first three days were terrible. She wondered why she had done it – the pain was just that horrible. After those initial days though, it got better very quickly. No, she wasn’t fully functional (two knees at once means that you have no good knee – even attempting to stand was very difficult) for a long time, but she now completely believes it was worth it. These first few days will be rough for Susan, but I’m hoping that it gets much better very quickly.
Comment by Uphill Battle | 11.30.2007 | 7:39 am
Susan, Hang in there, this too, will pass. My daughter suffered major injuries in a car accident last year, and her PT gave her a wonderful mental image to help her deal with the pain….”The pain is the result of your body working extra hard to heal itself. Work through the pain and let your body do the work it needs to to make you well” Unfortunately, pain comes with healing. Continued prayers for healing and strength.
Fatty, I’m sure it’s not easy for you to watch Susan go through this. The feeling of helplessness can be overwhelming. Just be there for her….just be there…
Comment by DP | 11.30.2007 | 7:40 am
Fatty,
I am glad to hear that Susan is up and about after the surgery. You may be interested in a crutch that a friend of mine manufactures. It is a new design that puts much less strain on the armpits and wrists. It also incorporates small shocks in the legs of the crutch, Susan could be operating full-suspension crutches. Check out their site if you have time http://www.millennialmedical.com/ . Best of luck to Susan.
Comment by BotchedExperiment | 11.30.2007 | 7:44 am
I have actually witnessed a total hip replacement surgery, but for some reason, seeing that x-ray made me kind of queasy.
Comment by Medstudentitis | 11.30.2007 | 7:45 am
I hope today is better for you Susan. Glad to hear you’re on the mend and up and around.
Thinking of you today
Comment by DP | 11.30.2007 | 8:00 am
In high school I wrecked my dirt bike and broke my femur. The doctors inserted what they referred to as a pin into my femur through my right cheek. Six months later I got it removed and was shocked at the size of the pin. They should have called is a rebar rod because that was the size of it. It was huge in both diameter and length. When I would place it by my leg, it would go practically all the way to my knee. Crazy but effective and strong. I wrecked a couple of times on my bike when I had the pin in my leg and my leg did not re break. Good luck with everything.
Comment by cccccccc | 11.30.2007 | 8:10 am
I hope she feels better soon!!!
Comment by JAT in Seattle | 11.30.2007 | 8:12 am
Fatty,
Thanks for the updates. It’s quite a community you’ve created here, and we’re all pulling for you. P.T. is really hard – disheartening at times – but Susan is obviously tough, and hopefully there’s solace in things going in the right direction.
keep up the good work.
Comment by je | 11.30.2007 | 8:24 am
Just think how strong and mobile she’ll be when she’s ‘healed.’
I hope that day comes soon.
Comment by turnonthejets | 11.30.2007 | 8:30 am
Love will help make her strong. What a tough woman!
Comment by Ed | 11.30.2007 | 8:53 am
Met you at Leadville this year. I am praying for you guys–for Susan’s healing and pain relief, for faith, and for you to find joy in the love of all the people who care about you and your family.
Comment by Boz | 11.30.2007 | 9:06 am
I showed these pictures to an ortho surgeon friend of mine this morning, and he thought it was a nice, clean “installation”, and recovery should be smooth. He does @ 15 per month, so he knows what he’s talking about. I hope that gives you a bit of confidence. Get well soon.
Comment by Marrock | 11.30.2007 | 9:18 am
Ok, am I the only one hearing the theme from The Bionic Woman…?
With all the positive vibes being sent her way and the flat-out amazing amount of strength she’s shown I wouldn’t be surprised if she started levitating soon.
Comment by Kris | 11.30.2007 | 9:35 am
I was going to comment about a total hip replacement video I saw, but I don’t think the “gory details” would be appropriate right now.
I’ll just wish Susan a healthful and speedy recovery.
Comment by Pammap | 11.30.2007 | 9:54 am
Prayers for you today…blessings, healing, strength, joy…done! My prayers include your kids. Hope they’re holding up well.
Comment by cyclingphun.blogspot.com | 11.30.2007 | 10:22 am
Susan, continued prayers for you and the family. I can’t get over how strong you are!
Comment by Dave | 11.30.2007 | 10:34 am
Thanks Fatty for keeping us informed. We’re still praying for you and Susan. I wore my orange fatty jersey on my ride last night. I don’t know if it’s smart wearing a mostly black jersey at night but…that’s what a L&M Arc HID is for right?
Comment by KT | 11.30.2007 | 10:54 am
Lots more good karma/vibes/heartfelt pleas to the divine dieties that Susan can find some relief… and see the good in the hard times she’s going through.
To wit: You, Elden; her kids; her extended family; and all the love and outpourings of strength from The Army de Fat. (That last is all of us; it just sounded fancier that way.)
Susan, I know it’s difficult right now; I know you’re in pain, that you don’t feel good… but! Every day, your body is healing, and you’re getting better. Sometimes it’s just difficult to feel like it.
Keep your chin up, my friend… And, keep smiling!!! Sometimes that’s all it takes! :)
Comment by buckythedonkey | 11.30.2007 | 11:29 am
Still thinking about you all… XXX000
Comment by Denise | 11.30.2007 | 11:36 am
Susan you are an amazing woman, truly an inspiration to us all. Continuous prayers being sent your way for the entire family. God Bess you and your family!!
Comment by MAJ Mike | 11.30.2007 | 11:57 am
We can rebuild her…we have the technology…
Rock on!
Comment by adp | 11.30.2007 | 12:40 pm
Hang in there, Susan! You are in our thoughts and we hope you have a more comfortable day today. These posts remind me of a Lombardi quote: “The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That’s real glory. That’s the essence of it.”
Best wishes to you all.
Comment by Yukirin Boy | 11.30.2007 | 1:44 pm
Way to Go Susan!
Rooting for you here too.
Comment by Clydesteve | 11.30.2007 | 1:52 pm
PT already! wow! Hang in there, Susan. Daily prayers for you continue.
Comment by Lisa B | 11.30.2007 | 2:38 pm
Susan, I nearly passed out three times this morning during the injection prep for an arthrogram of my hip (seems I’ve recently developed needle phobia – whoopee). I wish I could be one-tenth as strong as you, but I’d willingly donate even that one-tenth to you if I thought it would help. Rock on with the PT, and know that you’ve got a very large cheering section here on FC. Army de Fat, indeed!
Comment by lowrydr | 11.30.2007 | 2:47 pm
Bravo Susan, you can and will make it over this hurdle. Let nothing stand in your way unless it’s Fatty for a hug. Or the kids for that matter. And then continue with the forward progress.
Huzzah….Huzzah!!!!
Wishes and prayers from the Midwest
Comment by leroy | 11.30.2007 | 3:33 pm
One small step for Susan, one giant leap for Susan-kind.
Good luck!
Comment by DNAtsol | 11.30.2007 | 3:40 pm
That is one honking “installation” and frankly I would be more worried if Susan was NOT feeling pain. I would also like to second Uphill Battle’s comment/observation. The first few days should be the worst but some heavy meds should help her not feel it as much or at the very least not care After that the pain should subside substantially and rapidly.
If it helps, while others are sending all their love and karma and prayers, I volunteer to take some of Susan’s pain. Between us all, we shall fight the pain at the bedside, we shall fight it in the hall, the l’arme de fat shall never surrender (with apologies to Winston Churchhill).
get well soon
Comment by Alex Esplin | 11.30.2007 | 4:40 pm
Glad things are going as well as they are.
get well quickly, Susan.
keep up the good work, Fatty
Comment by Mike Roadie | 11.30.2007 | 5:11 pm
Every day will get better and better!!!!!!!
Comment by aussie kev | 11.30.2007 | 5:42 pm
susan you rock !!!! . up and about the next day awesome. we are having our first rain today in 4 months and as a surf lifesaver guess who has a patrol this afternoon ?????
Comment by Judi | 11.30.2007 | 6:38 pm
Hang tough Susan! You have SO many people rooting for you honey!!!
Comment by Walter | 11.30.2007 | 7:21 pm
It’s great that Susan was able to get up and about a little bit today, but I can imagine that it can seem endless and discouraging at times. (A few years before my wife Leslie went through chemo and radiation, she had four rounds of kidney surgery, so we’ve had a little taste of long medical slogs ourselves…) Hang in there, both of you — and know that we (and many other folks) are sending our best wishes, thoughts and prayers.
Comment by formertdfan | 11.30.2007 | 7:22 pm
hang in there susan!!! i am praying for you —
Comment by jacquie phelan | 12.1.2007 | 3:08 am
Elden
only thanks to the web have I begun to read and enjoy your hugely funny writings and now a check back explalins why (maybe) my slavish fan-notes have been unanswered.
Please forgive me for not having been aware of the crisis you and yr wife well mostly your wife, huh? are going thru.
Your miraculous wit is still shining, and I know that she’ll muddle through with all the grace that such hardship drags out of people
esp. thinking people .
I sent up prayrs too though I dinna know you but for the writing of your blog (first one read was about getting bike shops to take you seriously, I soild myself laughing, and hated myself for not being as funny as you)
Much affectionate warmth and best to your Susan.
JP old wombat
Comment by Terri | 12.1.2007 | 4:46 am
Good morning Susan, I know today is going to be a better day and tomorrow even more so. I guarantee.
Comment by DOM | 12.1.2007 | 3:50 pm
Does anyone else see a biker’s tan line on her thigh in the x-ray? I’ve heard of sympathy pains, husbands gaining weight along with pregnant wives, but this is some kind of record.
Comment by Jeff&Jenn | 12.1.2007 | 5:50 pm
Glad to hear that you are up and about Susan — yea! We are thinking about you and sending positive thoughts on your behalf. We hope you feel better soon!
Comment by SpikeBlue | 12.2.2007 | 8:06 am
Ouch! Well Susan has a right to be hurting! Getting up and moving is so important post surgery though. I know it is tough – but tomorrow will be better. One little step at a time.
Susan, be strong and believe in yourself!
Comment by Little1 | 12.2.2007 | 11:16 am
I can’t begin to imagine what Susan’s body must feel like, I can only say thank-you for reminding us to be grateful for our healthy bodies and to keep others in our thoughts.
every journey begins with one step at a time….
Comment by Charlie Brown | 12.2.2007 | 6:14 pm
Hang tough!
Comment by Born 4 Lycra | 12.3.2007 | 4:21 am
Susan we are all proud of your efforts – I’m inspired – thanks
Comment by Joanna | 12.3.2007 | 7:03 am
MANY prayers headed your way for all involved (Susan, Fatty AND the kids).
Perhaps Susan would find this link amusing: http://www.sunjerseys.com/
some particularly HIDEOUS jerseys for women. ewwww.
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