TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!!!!

I can hardly believe that it is almost here...HIP HIP HOORAY! It seems like I have been waiting forever for this day...tomorrow! I will get my new hip and finally be on my way to start living again....and back to work. I miss my patients and co workers so much...ACH really is my second family!

I am making my list and checking it twice and ready to start packing. Hopefully this time next week, I will be feeling much better.

Sisters are the best and most precious gift your parents can ever give you.....my parents sure gave me the perfect gift with my sister, Kimberly. I will be going to her house during my first days of recovery. As much as I would rather be at home, I know that since my hubby is working nights, this will be the best place. She has arranged to be able to work at home so that I won't be staying alone while I am learning to get around without bending my leg. Like I have said before, it will be like living in a scrapbook store. She will not be working this first week, so we should be able to get alot of cards and projects done! She is the one that got me into this paper crafting madness and she is my inspiration! I wish everyone could see the exploding box she made for me with the pictures from my ten year breast cancer anniversary party....truly amazing, just as she is! It will be good spending time with her....she is the greatest!

Better get to packing.....good bye old hip...hello new and improved hip!

I AM SO BLESSED!!!

I had such a great day yesterday. First I had to go get my lab work done....then to Conway for a wonderful birthday lunch with Kimberly, Lisa, Missy, Charlotte, Linda Y., Linda Mc., Edwina, Mandy and Breanna...I feel so spoiled and loved my first visit to Mike's Place...yum!! Kimberly, Breanna and I then went to my hip class. It was very informative. We got to see the implant and hold it. Found out that if I ever fly, will have to go to the airport early because of setting off the metal detector and will probably have to show them my scar! I will be able to walk after surgery, but no bending...for fear of the new hip popping out of the socket. When you have surgery or are ill, you really want to be at home in your own bed.,,,but sometimes you have to do what is best for your recovery. I have waited a long time to get this resolved. Since my hubby now works at night and I would be home alone, my gracious, awesome sister has arranged to be able to work from home and watch over me during my first days of recovery. Sisters are one of the most precious gifts in life...she is my rock, my pillow, my strength...she is always there for me. I will stay with her after I am released from the hospital until I am sure that I can maneuver and be alone. I also will have to have lab work done twice a week because of the blood thinners. I am sure that I will find plenty to do....it will be like living in a scrapbook store......I should be able to get all my Christmas cards and gifts made! After the hip class, Kimberly treated me to a hair cut and color....I want to look my best pushing my walker LOL! We ended the wonderful day celebrating with the Pajama Mamas....Breanna loved wearing her pajamas to IHOP! What a perfect little angel during such a busy day. When we left IHOP, she said "I think I need to lay down and take a nap." She slept on the way home, but never once complained about anything the whole day.....she is such a joy. I thank my wonderful sister and friends for such an awesome day...."I get by with a little help from my friends." Hip Hip Hooray.....only three more days!

HIP HIP HOORAY!! FIVE MORE DAYS!

Just five more days until I get my new hip.....can't wait. So tired of this pain and being a human barometer of the weather! The next five days will be busy and will go by pretty quickly. Tomorrow I go to the doctor at 10 for my lab work, then 10 friends and I are going to Conway for lunch, then I have my hip class...then a perfect ending to the day with a great time with the Pajama Mamas! Breanna has been here with me this week. She is only five years old....such a joy to be around and such a great little stamper and card maker! Saturday is the Razorback game and then we are meeting Kimberly at Grandpa's for some catfish...yum! Sunday is church and crafting and then Monday night is Bible Study....which leads to the Big Day! Seems like it has been forever waiting for this...but it will be worth the wait!

RACE FOR THE CURE

Today is the day for the Race for the Cure in Little Rock. Since I have just celebrated my ten year anniversary as a breast cancer survivor, I had hoped to be at this year's race. I will plan on being there next year for sure, with my brand new hip!

It is such an amazing thing to experience being a part of this day. Seeing that many people coming together in one place to support such a good cause is almost breathtaking.....especially when you are walking over the Broadway Bridge and look and see all the people crossing the Main Street Bridge at the same time. You see people who are survivors, people who are walking in honor or in memory of their loved ones and people walking to support this great cause. I have never been there without starting the race with tears in my eyes...for seeing the memory patches people have on their shirts and for all the people walking together as one, for such a good cause. It is truly such an emotional experience.

My heart swells with pride when I think of all the times my precious Jennifer was walking with me. I know alot of those years she didn't feel like walking at all...but she insisted that she walked with me. The last year that she walked with me, we had to stop and let her rest a bit. We were in the last group to finish.....but finish, we did!

This year I will be a "Jammie Walker" for sure.....but I will wear my shirt today and know and feel how many thousands of other women will be wearing this same shirt today. We will all wear pink, "fight like a girl" and all come together to "save the ta tas"!

COUNT DOWN

Only thirteen days until my surgery.....I am so ready to get this over with. Had my pre op at the hospital and doctor's office yesterday. The hospital was very nice and the people were too. Got to see one of the rooms and it looks like a hotel suite....sitting area before you get to the patient area and a huge walk in shower. Hopefully, my stay won't be long, but it is really nice. My potassium was a little low, probably from the Lassix, so I will have to get it up before the surgery. I am still in atrial - fib, but that doesn't seem to be a problem. The only thing left to do is to go to a hip class next Friday. I am so thankful that God, the Great Physician, led me to this doctor. I don't know why it took so long to finally believe that my hip was causing the pain, but everything happens for a reason....I am grateful to have found Dr. Hefley, who does this wonderful new surgery.

GOOD DAY!!!!

Yesterday was such a good day...busy, but good! I went to my primary care doctor for a follow up appointment and blood work....then I had lunch with Charlotte. Next was my appointment with my oncologist....waiting for lab results there, which is always a little nerve wrecking...but again, it is out of my control and in God's control. Next I had a wonderful visit with my long time friend, Mica! We had not seen each other in about nine years!!! Could not believe the changes that have occured in our lives....hope that we don't let much time lapse before we see each other again....Mica is such a sweet and strong person...yesterday made me realize just how much I have missed her friendship! I ended the day with an awesome Bible Study with Beth Moore and Edwina...couldn't ask for a much better ending to a great day!

BUSY WEEKEND

This will be a busy weekend...which I am grateful for. I am counting the days until I get my new hip....25 more days! I will be so glad to get this over with and be out of this pain and be able to do something!

Tomorrow is World Card Making Day...we are getting together at Kimberly's to make cards....Lisa, Edwina, Pig(by web cam) and me! I am very happy that Edwina is joining us...she is recovering from her spinal fusion and has been stuck in the house too long too! Card making is very good therapy!

On Sunday, I will go to church, which always makes me feel better...then to Leigh's house for a stamping party.

On Monday, I go to Dr.Curtner, then to Dr. Sneed for my oncology appointment...then to Bible Study! This weekend will help pass the time. I am still anxious about having surgery, but have resolved myself to do it and am so grateful that I found Dr. Hefley!