Days, 282 of them. He has waited this long for tomorrow. Dr. Simmon's incredible news that he delivered to the hopeful ears of my parents was the promise of relief. He could straighten Dad's back, an incredible miracle itself, and that in turn would make Dad an elgible candidate for hip replacements. This news was powerful and promising.
Just a year earlier, early 2011, Dad had been told there was nothing that could be done for his arthritis in his hips. He could expect to be in a wheelchair, and that was the best hope. Due to the curve of his spine, he was not a good candidate for hip replacements and the doctor had no interest in attempting those procedures. Devastating and discouraging, these words were hard to hear and very hard to process.
Then, within moments of meeting Dr. Simmon's, his words lifted our hearts to a place of renewed hope and encouraged Dad deeply at the promise of relief.
Tomorrow, Dad checks back into the hospital and will receive his left hip replacement. His surgeon is confident and unconcerned at the outcome. It should be routine, and Dad will be happy. Due to the deterioration of both hips, it was almost hard to pick which was worse. His right hip will be replaced, as well, six weeks later. Tomorrow he will receive the relief and renewal that at one point he was told could not happen.
He has been counting down to this day. I heard the countdown start at "45 more days to go". I think he may have been counting down from 282, just silently, hopefully, and prayerfully.
