It's finally time: the PAO surgery on my left hip is tomorrow at 9:30 am.

They will also take the screws out of my right hip while I'm under. I'm happy about that. The screws are mildly uncomfortable and I'm looking forward to having them as souvenirs.

I have a few items left on my pre-hospital to-do list, but I'm mostly ready. I can finish up in the time I have left.

I have no items left on my mental list. I'm ready. I'm tired of thinking about the freedom I'm about to lose. When I wake up after surgery, it won't matter anymore. All that will matter is recovery. And that's long and hard, but I did it once, and I can do it again. I want two good hips.

My hospital bag is packed. I don't remember what I brought last year, but this year:

baby wipes (they help me feel cleaner)
kleenex pocket pack (hospital tissue is rough)
lip balm
ponytail holders
elastic headband
hairbrush
face moisturizer
antibacterial hand wipes
hand lotion (the wipes dry out my hands)
ear plugs (hospitals can be loud)
sleep mask (people walk in and turn on the lights)
deodorant
toothbrush
emery boards
iPod
cell phone
chargers for both of above
fleece throw blanket (soft, warm, something from home)

I'm lucky that we live so close to the hospital. After four or five days, depending on how I'm doing, physical therapy will have me climb stairs with crutches. Seatmate will bring in loose shorts and a t-shirt for that.

Then, around six or seven days, provided I have no complications, I'll be discharged and come home to my own bed and no one waking me for vitals every four hours. I'm already looking forward to that.

By this time tomorrow, I should be somewhere between recovery and my room on the orthopedic unit. I'll be awake to see the first few innings of the Red Sox game tomorrow night. I love watching Josh Beckett pitch.

Here we go.

Tags: dysplasia, hope, hospital bag, left hip, pao, pre-op