April 4, 2013 Surgery at TOSH

Bryce is awake and very well aware of what just happened. They have him dosed up with some pain medication that is making him drowsy. Tom and I had lunch together and then met with Dr West. Dr West told us that the surgery went very well and that he definitely needed this surgery. His labrum was separated from the bone and they had to reattach it. Bryce's MRI had shown a Labral Tear, but it was more than just a tear, it had literally pulled away from the bone. Dr West just came in to talk with us and he feels that Bryce will be doing much better with this repair and that he will work with us in getting his next hip done soon,. The labrum is part of the cushioning or cartilage that surrounds the outside rim of the hip joint. I've attached a picture of the hip joint and it shows where the labrum is situated.

We talked with Bryce about the blessings of modern day medicine and the advances that have been made in technology. If he had been born in the 1800's- he would have had surgery like the Prophet Joseph Smith, with no anesthetic, no cameras to guide the Doctor in the surgery and definitely no X-rays, CT scans, or MRI's to pin point the problem. It is amazing what they are able to do - now he has his surgery recorded on DVD!

He has an ice machine wrapped around his hip. It is actually a small box that looks like a cooler, that is filled with ice water and it then circulates ice water through tubes that are attached to a brace that is then wrapped around his hip. I've attached a picture of what it looks like. This will be his best buddy for the next week or two. The machine does do it's job numbing him up- which is great for pain and swelling too.

He is still hooked up to all sorts of tubes and gadgets. The one frustrating thing about them all- is that is makes it difficult to get up and move. They all have to go with him. =) Every time he starts to dose off, his oxygen drops to 89, which then triggers the alarm and wakes him back up. I might have to turn up the oxygen in a bit so that it quits doing that.

We'll be home tomorrow! I'm looking forward to sitting on my comfortable furniture and watching conference with my family.