Virgil

Several people have asked about how my mother is doing. I'm not good with this blog thing, but let me bring everyone up to date. To remind those that may not remember, my mother broke her hip back in early September falling in my sister's kitchen. My sister lives in Toledo, Ohio which is quite away from home for her. The break was such that the best approach was to screw it together with three screws. She spent about two weeks at the hospital altogether and then because she was to recieve physical therapy right after, she stayed at my sister's house. Physical therapy hit a snag as her healing has not been perfect. Apparently the joint settled and she is pretty much in constant pain. The doctor in Toledo said that if it doesn't get better after six months she will need a hip replacement.

She returned home about two weeks ago. She does get around well with a cane and a walker. But the pain has not gone away. She is a strong woman. She walks with a severe limp and a wobbly gait. She still needs pain killers. I found and took her to an orthopedist here a few days ago and he reviewed everything in detail. He agrees with the doctor in Toledo. He will only give her another month and then if there is no improvement she will definitey need a hip replacement. He thought the Toledo doctor did everything right. For her type of fracture, the three screws were the correct approach. Apparently 70% of the time the screws do the job. However for 30% the bones settle and shift. It was worth taking the chance with the screws but unfortunately my mother turned out in the 30% group. She gets around, even goes up stairs and has amazingly straightened her garden for the winter, but she can't bend the bad leg. I expect that she will need a hip repacement come middle December. Hopefully this will hapen before Christmas. Who knows what our holidays will be like this year.

Thanks to all who asked or thought of her.