Summary: Mom’s surgery and miraculous recovery (shared with her permission)

It has been an unusual and challenging year so far with many family members experiencing health issues. My mother in law passed away unexpectedly, and several others have experienced health issues and diagnoses : a “triple A” (abdominal aortic aneurysm), appendicitis with perforation followed by an appendectomy, an as-yet undetermined cause for shortness of breath, a combination fractured knee and fractured wrist, and finally, a resolution to my mom’s longstanding hip pain.

Mom’s been suffering pain in her hip for at least 5 years.

After I learned she was sleeping in a recliner instead of her bed, a few years ago I conspired with my brother to get her a new Swedish foam mattress which gave her some relief.

On a typical morning, mom would have to get up painfully and walk around a bit before the pain subsided. It grew worse over the years, but became unbearable a couple of months ago.

We thought it may have been aggravated by her 93rd birthday bike ride.

Mom, who has been loath to take any pain medication, was in so much discomfort she started taking ibuprofen and Tylenol daily a couple months ago. She was convinced she was going to have to have a hip replacement.

Finally going in to get medical imaging, an 11cm (4 inch) dermoid cyst was discovered on her left ovary. A small, 2cm cyst was found on her right ovary. Laparoscopic surgery was scheduled for August 11.

I flew down to help care for her.

Another family member had undergone laparoscopic surgery earlier in the year, so I expected mom to be in a fair amount of pain the first couple days after her surgery.

I woke early the morning after her surgery, and she was up. I helped her down the stairs, although she reported “zero pain.” I kept trying to be near her whenever she was on her feet, but it became quickly clear she was doing really well. She went about fixing me breakfast over my protestations.

I instructed her not to take the stairs without my assistance, but she was off and running, climbing and descending the stairs before I could jump up and assist her. Clearly, she didn’t need my help, although I tried to keep an eye on her while I did my remote work.

Patients who undergo laparoscopic surgery are instructed to walk and take deep breaths after surgery to boost blood flow and to help dissipate carbon dioxide used in the procedure.

Mom was raring to go, so we went for an 8 block walk to the bank, drug store, and other errands a mere 18 hours after her surgery. Still no pain.

She commented that this was the first time she had no hip pain in 5 years!

Even without any pain, it was recommended she continue to take ibuprofen to help reduce/prevent swelling.

I kept observing her, waiting for the pain to arrive, but it never did. She was moving like she had no surgery – except now without pain. She prepared lunch for me. That evening we enjoyed a big family meal, and I brought her home. She was tired and went to sleep early. She slept 10 hours.

The second morning she fixed me breakfast, and I took her to the Senior Center for lunch. The whole crew there gave her a rousing welcome and marveled that she’d undergone surgery less than 48 hours earlier.

Although she had no hip pain, what was uncomfortable was constipation. She had a healthy appetite and enjoyed large meals the first and second day after her surgery. But nothing was exiting. The afternoon of the second day post-surgery she experienced the most discomfort she’d felt since the surgery – not hip pain, but bloating from constipation.

I obtained some magnesium chews and Colace® for her, and finally the second evening after surgery things started to move again.

Today she woke up, pain free and comfortable. I can hardly believe it. At 93 she continues to amaze us.

Wishing you all good health and good humor.

Update 1: Mom wanted to walk to Safeway for a few things. She didn’t wait for me and I had to scurry to catch up.

Update 2: Three days post-surgery, mom is back at the senior center, wining at Spades.