The Lessons in the Life

I have read many times to always be a student of life.  Always keep learning.  One of the several countless things I love about my husband is his ability to always want to learn and never wanting to be the smartest man in the room.  Why?  Because there is always more to learn.  Ways to grow.  And inevitably people who know more or different things than you.  If you listen, you can learn.  God is teaching me.  A lot right now.  I am 20 days post op from a hip replacement.  I realize my last post was about learning that I needed one.  In 20 days I have learned a lot and I am sure there is so much more to go.  I read and researched so much before surgery.  One things was missing from all of that research.  Not one person mentioned something I didn't know.  Something I feel I should have prepared myself for.  So I am going to tell you.  Are you ready?!  It's simple.  Here it goes.  Surgery sucks.  Yep that's it.  No one mentioned that one small fact.  I had never had surgery (minor or major) until now.  They mentioned doing your PT before and after, listening to doctors orders, and making your nest while you heal, resting, pushing yourself without going to far, and yada yada yada.  No where once did it say just how surgery plain and simple was rough.  I was doing well even the day of surgery walking and stuff.  But the simple act of getting in and out of bed was remarkably hard and painful.  The stuff that all the meds do to you is just simply terrible.  My first week post op was good but man I had some rough days.  I thought to myself many times why would any one do this to themselves if it was not medically necessary.  I don't have any answer to that.  Because I now know I would not.  I am sure in another few weeks everything will be worth it.  I truly went through all the scenarios in my head to see if this was indeed the right time for surgery.  It was just going to get worse and worse.  My quality of life would keep deteriorating until it wasn't a choice.  That's not to say this wasnt a choice.  Because it was.  I could make my hip last longer if I stopped doing taekwondo and being as active as I am.  But isn't that losing quality of life anyway?  Not being able to do and live your life?!  So now I am down for a few weeks to get back up again and continue my life.  Yes I will have to be careful when I get back to tkd but I don't have to stop,  And this time next year I should be back to full strength and ready to do...well whatever I want I suppose.  God has been so gracious to give me the patience and ability to be okay at a home.  Outings really do take a lot out of me but I get better each time!  God is teaching me limits and letting go of things, that I am not the same without my daily prayer time, to lean on Him through the darkest times and brightest times as well.  I am thankful to God each day that I can get through this and know it will be better.  I am grateful beyond words to my husband who has been my rock through this.  He is managing the household, doing all of the stuff I did (and I'm getting back to doing slowly), still rocking his full time job, and still being the most fantastic father a little girl could ask for.  My parents ....seriously we couldn't have done this without them.  They have made sure our munchkin was well taken care of while I was in the hospital, gotten her to camps and back, to tkd and back, and just made sure I was okay each and every day.  They have gotten us groceries, emptied litter boxes and Fed the cat, brought balloons and flowers and cheered me up!  My munchkin has been amazing through this as well.  She has been the best helper and nurse, and been so patient and understanding while I cant do too much with her.  It's hard when mommy is down for an extended period of time.  My friends.  They have stopped by to check on us, send cards, gift cards, text messages and meals.  Our village of friends and family have all made this possible and bearable.  God I thank you for that and for each and every one of them.  Praise you Lord!!