Post Scripts: Surgery worries made bearable

Kathy is recovering slowly from still another surgical adventure. Like those of the past, she has displayed exemplary courage, faith in God, plus assurance that everything would turn out good. This is based on continuous, positive dialogue with her husband, the old editor, who never doubted she would handle this surgery with her usual courage and conviction.

This time it was total hip replacement which required about an hour and a half in the operating room at Saint David’s Hospital in North Austin, about 25 miles from where we live in San Marcos. This meant fighting notorious I-35 traffic for several days but, of course, bearable since Kathy had been tolerating severe pain for six weeks. A visit to our family physician predicted the pain was from her right hip and a visit to the surgeon’s office in Austin confirmed it.

I discovered that my aging tends to arouse more worry about Kathy’s health problems. As you may recall she is not a stranger to operating rooms and pain. To help me get through all this, our daughter, Cindy, flew up from Florida to offer assistance and help provide comfort and support. Our other daughter, Kathy Ann, who lives a few miles north of us at Kyle was, of course, present when needed. Kathy’s sister, Doris and husband, Charles, of Sedona, Arizona, were on hand for her surgery

I didn’t accommodate this latest round of surgery to Kathy very well. We’re both "getting up there" and I was full of worry and concern. I shouldn’t have worried so much since Kathy accommodated her discomfort like the queen she is, and demonstrated again her courage and faith in facing what could have been quite complicated. Instead, she came from the operating room smiling, relieved and confident, with her right hip stapled up in the neatest slash I’ve seen since World War II

She was fully conscious and, as anticipated, giving orders to all who would listen, directing the placement of her bed, her arrangement of pillows and the position of her television controls. "That’s my gal," I said to my self and at the same time thanking God for the skill of the surgeon, Kathy’s fortitude, glad I was still around to accommodate her wishes and recovery, although Cindy has been a irreplaceable.

The first thing I noticed after all this was the most beautiful floral arrangement I’ve ever seen – and I’m not stretching the truth. This arrangement was made up of some of the most exotic flowers one can image. I hurriedly opened the envelope attached and was so pleased to see the flower were from Darryl and Elizabeth (I’m never going to call her "Liz" again) and the publishing company staff. Let me say Kathy had the loveliest floral arrangement in the hospital.

Boy o’ boy, I’m glad we’re back in our apartment with Kathy improving slowly every working day. I say "working" because when Kathy’s "under the weather" so to speak, she can keep you busy. Cindy has been a Godsend and caters to Kathy like a loving daughter. Kathy Ann, of course, is always standing by if needed. I’m also hoping and praying that Kathy does not have to face further illness or surgery. She’s had far more than her fair share. Good people, thank you so much for your prayers and concern!