Two Days Away from PAO Surgery

        I have hip dysplasia. That means that I have a shallow hip socket, and that when my femoral head attempts to rotate inside the acetabular (socket), that it causes pressure and pain. My hip also tends to dislocate quite a bit because of the dysplasia.
        To cure the hip dysplasia, I have to have a periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) in each hip. A PAO involves cutting into the hip, rotating it so that it gives me better coverage and stability, and enlarging the acetabular by grinding away some of the bone. Three-five 4" screws will also be inserted into my hip. This video gives a little more information on the surgery.

 

        I have been waiting for this surgery for four months, and now, here it is, two days away, scheduled for December 18th. There are so many questions I have about the recovery and my time in the hospital. And I can't find the answers to these questions online anywhere. People ask me about my surgery all the time, and I hope that this blog will increase their understanding. I also want to help individuals who will have this surgery after me.

 

       People ask me if I'm excited. I wouldn't use the word excited. I'm scared, not because of the surgery, but because I feel like I'm losing my independence and privacy, and because I feel like instead of being kind Aubrey or Sweet Aubrey, or Talented or Smart Aubrey, or even Sarcastic and Stubborn Aubrey, I'm becoming Gimpy Aubrey.

 

       But I am ready for this surgery. I feel very strongly that this is something that I need to do, for myself, but also for my future family. It's a few years in the distance, but someday I'm going to have a family of my own, and I want to be able to carry a child for more than ten minutes without being in pain, and I want to be able to run and play with my children. I want to have normal pregnancies, and walk around the house without limping. I want to be able to scrub my kitchen floor. So, I'm doing this more for my future kids than I am for me.

 

       People have strengthened me so much along the way, and I know that they will continue to. I am very blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. This morning, my parents and I will leave New Mexico, and drive to the University of Utah Othopedic Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Last night, I had four people come to tell me goodbye, and another person call. I also have another sweet friend who I found out is on her way over now. I have received care packages and cards already, and I haven't even had the surgery yet. I am so very blessed to have the incredible support system of friends and family that I have. They have strengthened me so very much and I don't know what I would do without their constant care and love.