Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Finally Home


Dear friends, I'm back. You have no idea how much it means to write these words. I am finally home after 13 days in the hospital, 2 of those in ICU.

My knee replacement surgery went horribly wrong about two hours in and the surgeon cut 3/4 into my popliteal artery. I was then airlifted by helicopter to Phoenix where I had emergency surgery to

try and repair the artery. I now have an approximately twelve inch bypass in my leg and my artery has been moved to the inside of my leg. I was in ICU for two days and then moved to a room where I lay in my back because I wasn't allowed to put any weight on my leg. My leg was in a brace to keep it immobile and every little movement hurt because the bones were cut but the replacement not finished. To say I was shocked by these turns of events is the understatement of the century!

The next hurdle was getting me back up here to finish the knee surgery. I'm not going to go into detail on all this but I will say that had it not been for the hospital in Phoenix, I might still be lying there. My surgeon had the audacity to suggest that I find a friend within SUV to bring me back up here. Seriously? The hospital understood I needed to be brought back up by ambulance and arranged it. I had my knee surgery the following day.

The bottom line is I now have a bypass in my leg, I'll always have to be in blood thinners, and I ended up having to have several blood transfusions totaling eight units. Our bodies hold twelve units so you can see I had to have a lot of blood. I have never been so exhausted in all my life and I hope that I truly will get better and better but I believe this has been very hard on my body and my mind. The emotional trauma for my family and I has been unbelievable, too, and I feel very fortunate to be alive and still have my leg. It all could have gone very bad very quickly - except for the grace of God.

I am so glad to be home. There truly is no place like home! I just want to thank you for your prayers and I will post more later.

Blessings - Julie

8 comments:

  1. Thank you Jesus for taking care of dear Julie.

    Thank for taking the time to update us Julie. I am praying.

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  2. Oh Julie...I would think after the botched deal he did on your leg, that he would have footed the bill for an ambulance himself. But working in the health field myself, I understand the arrogance and audacity of some providers. And with that said, I also know there are some very loving, very wonderful providers out there too...just like in life good and bad. I am so very thankful that you have survived because I know it could have gone horribly wrong and was probably touch and go for a good long while. May God bless you and return your strength and health quickly! Praying hard for you!

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  3. So happy you are home. I've been worried about you and praying.

    Will you still be getting the other knee replaced after this?

    Prayers continuing!

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  4. Wow, so glad you are home. Sorry for everything you have been through. Praying, and loving you.

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  5. Oh Julie!! What an experience to go through for you and your family. I am so glad that you are alive and that you are back. I will pray for your complete healing. Thanks for posting about your ordeal. It was such a blessing to read about your great attitude and glorifying God through all this.

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  6. PTL and SO grateful you are home to heal fully! You continue in my thoughts and prayers! Isaiah 41:10

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  7. Julie, i am so sorry you had to go through such a terrible ordeal. I praise god that you are home and safe with your family and that you are healing. Give yourself time to heal my friend. You were often in my thoughts and my prayers. God bless you!

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  8. Oh my goodness! You have certainly been through a lot, haven't you? I have to admit that doctor's comment was really unacceptable....perhaps he would have preferred you called a cab? ;)

    But when I was pregnant with my first child, my OB doctor told me that my husband was probably having an affair because I was "fat" because I was pregnant. My husband was NOT happy when I told him what my doctor said. Fortunately there are some wonderful doctors out there too.

    What a testimony to God's protection and provision for you! Certainly not a journey you would have chosen for yourself! I'm glad you are home safe and with your family! :)

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