This is not how I expected to start my new year lol I am right this second sitting with my right leg stretched out, a blanket folded under the knee, pain meds in my system and crutches leaning within arms reach. Laaaaame!
Let me catch you up!
Tuesday (Dec 31/13) I felt a twinge in my right hip. Something kinda hurt but not too bad, shrug. It reminded me of a twinge I had in my hip years ago that went away when I stopped sitting on my ass and started exercising more. I thought it was my body being all “woman, stop being lazy and get back to the gym!” I wasn’t worried, more annoyed.
Wednesday (Jan 1/14) My right hip actually full fledged hurt. I was not impressed! It was a pain strong enough that I was limping and nothing seemed to make it better. Didn’t matter if I was sitting, standing, walking, leaning, it always hurt. I was limping but I was still able to do everything I normally do at work and at home so while it sucked I figured I’d let my body heal itself.
Here’s the thing about me, I don’t like going to the doctor. I figure if I am sick I’ll let my immune system take care of it. If I hurt myself I’ll rest whatever part of me I hurt and let my body heal itself. Our bodies are amazingly well equipped to take care of themselves but so many people want an instant fix and aren’t willing to just chill and let their bodies get better on their own. So even though my hip hurt and I was limping and it sucked I didn’t even contemplate going to a doctor.
Thursday (Jan 2/14) I had sooooo much trouble sleeping! I got woken up in the middle of the night because of how much pain I was in and couldn’t get back to sleep. When it was time to get up for work I had trouble getting out of bed, getting ready for work, getting in to my suv, standing once I’d been sitting, walking, carrying anything…basically anything that involved my right hip (which is practically everything!) hurt so much I would have to stop and take deep breaths and bite my tongue so I didn’t make a noise. I had plans after work to hang with my lil sis that I couldn’t break so even though I wanted to cry from the pain I met up with her when work was done. We hung out, went for dinner and chilled at the diner we were in. At this point there was no such thing as a comfortable position for my hip. The booth I was sitting in made me want to cry, omg it was so painful! We sat for waaaay too long and when it was time to go I could barely stand. I was stuck in a bent over position, hinged at the hip cause I couldn’t straighten out completely and I honestly thought I wouldn’t be able to make it back to the suv but really, what choice did I have? shrug. After I dropped my lil sis off I went to the ER at the closest hospital. I wasn’t going to go but my lil sis pointed out I wasn’t in this much pain after my car accident and I realized this was ranking right up there with my knee being stuck in a dislocated position for hours and my ovary being twisted and dying. If the pain is ranking that high up there then I guess I should cave and go see a doc, shrug.
Enter The Hospital!
I got to the ER, got admitted decently fast, had really nice nurses, got assessed, had to pee in a cup twice, had what seemed like 1/3 of my body’s blood drawn for testing, had my right hip X-rayed in incredibly painful positions, oh, and spent a helluva lot of time laying in a bed waiting. After all, what is a hospital visit without a lot of waiting, right? lol
waaaaaiting!
Left: The pattern on my hospital gown Right: My clothes, I reeeeally wanted back in my clothes!
After all the testing, and waiting, and picture taking the doc came to speak to me and tell me my tests results. I’m paraphrasing here but what she said was something like this: the x-rays show you have something in your hip. A calcification or growth, possibly an infection.
Nice huh? lol
Because the x-ray didn’t give specific enough images I got given some pain pills, crutches and a doctor’s note to bring back with me the next day when I have to return and get a CT scan.
the portable comp the doc brings over when they come see you and the bill for the crutches
The crutches I was brought had to be bought instead of rented but I was assured renting would cost the same or possibly a bit more so I might as well buy a new pair. I didn’t have to pay then of course, I just had to sign the bottom of that paper saying I acknowledge the crutches are $31 and that I know the hospital will mail me a bill. The T3’s they sent home with me and the pain pills they gave me while I was there were free, oh, and of course the visit itself didn’t cost anything cause hey, land of health care! lol 😉 I think my health insurance through work will pay for the crutches, I’m gonna hafta call them tomorrow and ask though cause I’m not absolutely sure. I know I have coverage but it’s not like I memorized what all is covered lol
By the time I was allowed to leave it was stupid late, almost 3am? I’d been texting with a friend while there and she insisted on coming to get me instead of letting me drive myself home, I’m super grateful to her because I was exhausted and being in one position for so long in the hospital bed had made the hip seize up even more. Ouchie.
I went to sleep with the help of a T3 and the knowledge that I was gonna have to go back the next day for the CT scan and oh man that was most likely gonna suck. Least the T3 let me get some actual sleep that night! 🙂
The Amazing Shrinking Woman 
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