Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm one week out from my resurfacing surgery, yay! In honor of Thanksgiving here's a list of things I'm thankful for this year:

-I live in Atlanta, where my parents and my sister's family both live. I'm so glad I don't have to travel to see them, and I'm glad I can recuperate with my folks and they can keep doing the things they like to do.

-My parents are retired so they have enough time to take care of me, but still young and healthy and able to take care of me.

-I work with wonderful, supportive people who have really helped me through a difficult year. They have given me tons of advice and support on my health issues, helped me switch to a fellowship with a better health insurance plan, and sent me flowers after both surgeries!

-After a year and a half of worsening pain and more and more limited activity, I'm on the road to getting better.

Here is a picture of my pirate band-aid, next to the longest band-aid I've ever seen. I know it's not the most attractive picture of me--my leg's still swollen, there are some bruises and blisters, and it's still stained with the betadine--but I'm still proud of it.

Below, see video of me walking with commentary by dad. The white socks are NOT a fashion statement--they are the anti-embolism stockings I have to wear to avoid blood clots (for five weeks, ugh).

Four more days

My big hip resurfacing surgery is on Thursday! I can't believe it's less than a week now. As it's gotten closer, I've been "faking it" more and more, and trying to enjoy my freedom as much as possible before going under the knife. I haven't been using a crutch or cane all that much since I know I'll have to after the surgery. My leg hurts more, but I guess it's bearable because I know that it's going to be fixed soon. It is pretty painful though, I'm having a little trouble sleeping and it even hurts sometimes in my dreams.

I'm really looking forward to getting better--but really scared about the surgery and recovery. I'm just planning on giving myself the rest of the calendar year to lay low and get better. I'll work as much as I am able and have a couple of holiday parties already planned, but I'm otherwise planning to just focus on getting well.

I'm planning to stay with my parents for a while. I'll have to see how it goes but I'm expecting this recovery to be much harder than the last one.

It really makes a big difference to know that all of you are thinking of me. Sometimes I feel really tired, discouraged or I hurt and then I remember how many people are rooting for me, each in his or her own way, and I feel better and stronger. So--Thank you!