It’s coming to the end of this chapter. The narrative that began 14 years ago and has left me in the rare position of watching my child learn how to walk three times, and at some point this week, she will master it again, for the fourth time.
Our journey with Hip Dysplasia has been long, and rare, most surgeries that tackle DDH in childhood are successful.
Ours was not.
I am SO excited for tomorrow. For the day that we get gifted a free hip upon arrival at the Hotel La NHS, and unlimited free tea and coffee and toast…
It’s not got the best reviews as a holiday on Trip Advisor, but we are excited for our room with an ensuite for the week.
I’m more excited about the en-suite, Libby is on bed baths, so is less enthused.
Today, I’ve cleaned the house as the dogs have been settled elsewhere as we prepare for a few nights away. I will confess, I entered my dog free home this afternoon with a huge smile, as it is rare that I enter my home to a scent other than that of Labrador mixed with retriever perfume.
The Universe, a mystery in her irony at times, rewarded me for my over indulgent grin with the smell of cat shite filling my nostrils. The cat, clearly lonesome as the only four legged creature in the house, had decided to take a poop in the bathroom….
Not in the loo, his aim is not that accurate.
If this wasn’t bad enough on its own, my robot hoover had entered said bathroom, taken the freshly produced poop and spread it far and wide through the house.
I think forever more, I will remember the day before my daughter got a new hip as being the day I scrubbed vacuumed in cat shit out of my carpet…
Ask me how I am feeling about yet another surgery…
“Better than I am about the cat….”
I have had my moments of frustration, the typical, why me, why her, why us.
But I always end in the same place.
It is the hand we were dealt and the one we make the absolute best of.
Living with a hip that isn’t quite up to par, means we will appreciate the next one even more so. I cannot wait to see her walk pain free, and live a life without a limp.
You have to taste the rain to know the beauty of a summers day. You need to feel sad to know the exquisite sensation of being happy.
In this house, we don’t take pain free walking for granted and we will always cherish each post surgery step.
Fourteen years ago I started writing about having a baby with Hip Dysplasia, I never envisioned the story lasting this long.
Tomorrow we start the final chapter.
My beautiful, brave, baby girl will show me once more her true spirit of resilience and strength.
Please wish her all the love for a swift recovery and pain free steps.