With the advance of years comes occasional replacement of body parts. And we spend more time in doctor's offices and pharmacies. Just part of aging.
Mary Ann has been bothered by a long-lasting bout with hip pain. Consultation with her doctor revealed that the ball and socket were actually bone on bone. Naturally this brought about excruciating pain. First was therapy, which did nothing but aggravate the pain. Next were daily exercises at home, then using a cane to walk with and finally admitting to our family doctor that the pain was just too much. Surgery was scheduled for a right hip replacement.
We arrived on a Tuesday at the Dakota Plains Surgical Center. A lengthy procedure was necessary to prepare her for surgery, including a question-and-answer session.
The Dakota Plains Surgical Center is a place of precision in motion. It speaks volumes for the advantages of small medical groups. The professionalism portrayed by this amazing health establishment is unmatched. And the staff members are so friendly, professional and eager to satisfy. It appears their whole goal in life is to make the patient as comfortable as is humanly possible. We both are so satisfied and happy to have been operated on and cared for by this highly motivated and capable team right here in our own city.
Mary Ann's surgeon was a kind, caring and skilled surgeon. His expertise in the field of bone replacements is just unmatched.
It was a long, long day. She must have been in the operating room for at least two hours and then to a recovery room, and finally after about three-plus hours she was wheeled into her hospital room. Surprisingly she was awake and visiting with the nurses when she was wheeled in. But shortly afterwards she drifted off to a deep sleep. The surgeon came in to check on her and said everything went as planned.
Mary Ann was pampered throughout her three-day stay. She came home in discomfort, naturally, but was in great spirits and stayed that way throughout her convalescence. The onus came upon me to be nurse, cook, cleaner, laundress and other roles I have never filled before, but needed to be done. Our daughter Cheryl, who lives in Aberdeen, was a wonderful help by performing household chores and bringing out scrumptious meals. Then my sister Eileen took over and was a great help bringing food and doing more household chores.
Finally after the weekend passed, the chores fell on these inept shoulders. While it was not done up to snuff, I did get most of these everyday duties performed, including changing the bandages and getting her into and out of the shower.
There were follow up phone calls from the surgeon's office just to see how she was doing.
Lastly a commentary about the health care in our town. It is just so professional and competent. Eventually we won't have to travel at all anymore because the medical teams in our town are top notch for sure.
Nuff said.
Gerald “Jerry” Krueger is a retired educator, coach, commercial pilot and farmer. Write him at americannews@aberdeennews.com. His column publishes Mondays.
