How not to make a grand entrance!

Yesterday I was allowed home – Yay!!!  It was so exciting.  I was able to have two hydro sessions – one in the morning and then one after lunch, I packed and for the first time in a week did not feel the need to sleep (probably my biggest mistake!).  My husband picked me up at 3.15 p.m. and off we went.  No problems sitting in the car (apart from the seatbelt resting on my wound, so I just had to loosen the belt off  a bit), traffic was good.  We were home by about 5.00 (having stopped off for some provisions). 

Our dog, Ella, was just so excited about seeing me – she almost climbed into the car.  Managed to get out of the car without a problem, to the front door, and into the house – Hurrah! Home! Took three steps, caught my foot and believe it or not TRIPPED!  Felt my left hip clunk twice big time, landed in my sons’ arms and passed out!   Next stop, Guildford A&E for x-rays which sadly the doctors weren’t able to really give me any definite views as to whether I had moved anything, but as I had full range of movement, they figured I would be okay to go home. I contacted the London Clinic as soon as I got home and they contacted Mr Witt who was just wonderful.  He felt that the fact that I wasn’t in excruciating pain, that hopefully things would be alright.  I was just bloody sore – to the left of the coccyx.  We arranged that my husband would take the xray up to his office in the morning for him to have a look at, and then would take things from there.

I am extremely happy to announce that THERE IS NOTHING OUT OF PLACE!!!!  I have pulled muscles etc., but that is all.  I did ask his secretary if she knew of anyone that had pulled a similar stunt within minutes of returning home, and her reply was “Not in the 7years that she had worked for Mr Witt!”  

So having made my rather grand entrance, I have spent the day quietly contemplating my navel!  I would like to point out that this does in fact show that Mr Witt’s work is superb – I have tried and tested it and it works!  He is the best in my eyes!

Go easy out there!  And, don’t try to run before you can walk – it hurts!

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Spasms and Twitches!

Dear oh dear, what a night – last night it wasn’t disco feet but twitching legs!  Everytime I started to drift off to sleep, a spasm would should through my operated hip and down my leg which was, surprisingly, quite painful!  And more surprisingly, it kept waking me up!!!  By 1.45 a.m. I gave up and was given a tablet to calm it, which took half an hour to kick in and then I found I was awake three hours later!  The nurse came in at 6 to do blood pressure and give me paracetamol and because of the twitching she also gave me tramadol.  I then slept till the lady came in with water at 7.30 and then again till breakfast at 8.10.  Other bits of the body are twitching too, so this evening Mr Witt has said for me to have diazopan to relax the muscles.  Anything to get rid of the twitching – I almost dread starting to fall asleep!

Phil, Jenna and Karinna came to see me and saw me doing my physio – I did a full flight of stairs and up and down the corridor.  Mr Witt came in and saw me and said that I could probably plan to leave on Wednesday, and to try and fit two sessions of hydro in on Tues (it’s closed tomorrow as it’s a bank holiday!) and then another on Weds morning.

So all is looking good.  The wound is good, the swelling is going down, the bruise is coming out well.  There is a small bit of oozing on the bottom bit of the scar but Mr Witt was okay with that and I just have a bit of gauze over it at the moment. The swelling has taken me a bit by surprise – not sure why really – but I don’t think I was expecting it to feel the way that it feels – rather like a balloon that is about to go bang!  The skin is so taut and out of proportion.  I am presuming that will go!!!!!

Phil and the kids think that I look better than before I came in – so maybe I should stay?  Hmmmm – need to think about that one.  The food is very good here and the staff are great and I don’t have anything to do, which really is very nice – but it’s not quite the same as home … will toss a coin and see which wins!

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Disco Feet!

Well, I am now day3 of being a post-PAOer, and it’s okay – really it is!

Yesterday, I felt sick – didn’t feel I was going to be sick, just waves of nausea.  They gave me an injection to counteract that.  My blood pressure was quite low, which was the main reason for the ‘icky’ feeling.  The physio and I went down and back up three steps, and then walked half way down the corridor and back.   Later I was taken for a shower, which was bliss, just before hydrotherapy which was just divine, and then following hydro I washed my hair and got into ‘human’ clothing!  That was lovely – I was me again.

Later on Jenna came over to see me, as well as Suzanne Hawkesworth, a fellow PAOer who I got to know through Hipwomenyahoogroup.com.  She lives on Baker Street which is about 5 minutes from here, and is due to have her op with Marcus Bankes on October 13th.  It was so lovely to put a face to a name, and she is just wonderful – she is hoping to come and visit on Monday, which I am really looking forward to.

Dinner was delish – as have all the meals been here.  And then I had a lovely surprise – totally unexpected, the rest of my family turned up.  It was about 9.30 p.m. and a little knock at the door, and then a little head peered round, then a bigger person, and then an even bigger person.  My husband had driven James (17) and Karinna (9) up to see me.  I was just thrilled.  I had  literally just been wondering why he hadn’t called for me to say goodnight to Karinna!  It was such a lovely surprise.

After they had gone, I decided to settle down for the night, and that was when the next wave of nausea hit me.  I had another injection and snuggled down – well, as best as one can when lying on your back!  Started dozing off, and that was when the ‘disco feet’ started!!!  (LOL)  I could feel the spasm start in my left knee and it would just shoot down my leg making my foot twitch about, which in turn set the right foot off!!!!  It was so funny.  I lay there trying to ignore it, but it wasn’t going to go away, so I had to call the nurse who gave me a shot of morphine – WOW is that stuff good!!!!  Within 10 minutes I had stopped partying and was in a beautiful sleep – I didn’t wake till 6.30 when they came in with my meds and to take my blood pressure.  Went back to sleep till the lady came in to change my water and bring in the newspaper, and then went off to sleep again till 8.30 when breakfast was served!!!!  So I have a new best friend – I slept like a dream!

Today, I walked down a whole flight of stairs and back up, then walked down to the shower.  Once back in bed I dozed for about an hour till lunch was served. Then as soon as lunch was eaten I went back to doze mode for 2 and a half hours!!!  All this exercising is knackering!  Really makes me chuckle when I think of how much exercise I used to do before this, and how wiped out I am now after so little.  But I know it is early days and is to be expected.

I have not felt at all sick today, which has been lovely, but whilst I was dozing, my feet were definitely putting on their high heels and partying from time to time – so tonight could be interesting!!!

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Marathon training!

Little did the physio know, when she got me out of bed and got me walking round the room on my crutches, that she had, in fact, started my training for next year’s London Marathon! Yes, those were my first steps following my LPAO yesterday towards that monumentous finishing line and THAT MEDAL.  The challenge has begun!  She is coming back this afternoon and I am hoping to make it out into the corridor.  It was wonderful to be off my butt even though it was for just a few minutes.

I slept relatively well considering – apart from the herd of elephants stampeding through my room at about 4 a.m. with each and everyone of them stamping on my left hip!  I hadn’t used the PCA pump regularly enough (well, I kept falling asleep!) and so by about 4 my hip really started to kick in.  I needed to move my leg, but couldn’t, and just couldn’t get comfortable.  Also my catheter wasn’t draining very well, which gave me the sensation of desparately needing the loo, but once the nurse had moved my leg and rearranged me and the catheter I was able to get a bit more sleep. 

I am pleased to say that I am in a very quiet room, not overlooking Marylebone Road, which is wonderful, and having the earplugs just helps block out the hospital sounds.  The nurses are lovely and they only come in when they have to, which is great except when you want to go to sleep and your curtains are open and all the room lights are on, of which you can only turn off one yourself! 

All things considered, I am happy with how good I feel – I haven’t tried reading, or movie watching yet, but don’t feel that I will have a problem with concentration, but we shall see.  I hope to be able to have a shower tomorrow.  I had a lovely bedbath this morning – never had one before but I felt SOOOOO good after it.  As for my scar – well, it’s not too pretty at the moment but that’s fine!  I spoke with Mr Witt before the op and asked him what the difference was between an open ‘c’ shaped scar on the side of the hip, which he tends to do, and with the straight, very neat line along the panty line, which I have seen that alot of the american ladies have.  Apparently the groin/panty line incision cuts through a major nerve to the thigh which can result in a permanent loss of feeling to the thigh, whereas the ‘c’ shaped one that he does, doesn’t.  He could do either so I opted for feeling over very neat scar.  I would rather have all the feeling back in my thigh than not.  Hope that helps some of you, who are heading for theatre, make your choice if you have an option.

My eye is much better – sleep is a great healer for these things, and the anaethetist has given me some eye ointment to help soothe it.  So, all in all, everything is looking very positive.

 

YUM! - Not sure what my hand is doing - I had no control of it!

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It’s official – I am a post-PAOer!

Well, that was fun!

Had my paper knickers nicked – AGAIN!   But not before they put the epidural in and then put me under.  I don’t actually remember going under this time – very weird as you try and recall, but can’t. I remember lying on my side and him putting the epi in, felt my left leg going numb and told him that he had got the correct leg.  Then we discussed that he was going to put a bigger line in for the drip, but that he would do that when I was under.  I didn’t see him slip anything in my drink to make me suspicious, but he must have spiked my drink because next thing I know I am coming too in the recovery room three and a half hours later with no knickers! 

Wow, all done.  During the time it took to get me from recovery back to my room (which again, I am not sure I remember completely!) my right eye had decided it was time to do it’s bit, and I managed to lift a scar that is on the lens, off!  It is a problem that I had out in Singapore on my left eye and had to have laser treatment in the end, which worked beautifully, but the right eye obviously thought that it need to stick it’s oar in.  So by the time Mr Witt got to see me it looked like he had punched me!  Hopefully sleep will heal it back up, but again, strange thing is, is that I am WIDE AWAKE!!!!!

Pain in hip is minimal – just a bit awkward moving around.  Was getting a burning soreness at top of groin to the right of the wound, but pumped some meds and it is now fine.  Could get used to this stuff – shame it doesn’t have any effect on the eye!

Only problem I am having is that the catheter isn’t really draining, so I am constantly feeling the need to pee – again, another very odd feeling!  I keep having to jiggle it around, lift my butt up which is not easy to try and get a better drainage angle!  Also was itching for a bit put piriton has stopped that and it wasn’t too bad anyway.

Husband and kids have surived first night on their own.  Jenna, our eldest came to see me, as she is at Uni just round the corner, which was lovely.  She brought me a tray of caramel shortbread – yum, my favourite!!!  Had a lovely dinner too, although I didn’t really see how a whole pear and a whole apple was the same as ‘Fresh Fruit Salad’!!!!!!

Oh well – I have ordered everything for breakfast – more yum!!

I am a POST PAO-er – feelin’ good, no, actually feelin’ GREAT!

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D-Day!!!!!

Well here I am – Wednesday 20th May and stuffing my face full of Special K before the 8 o’clock deadline for no more food or drink!  Can’t bear the thought of having a rumbly tumbly for Mr Witt – that would be just too embarrassing!

Looking forward to joining ‘The Club’ – it’s actually quite exciting. 5 months ago I had no idea about any of this and now I am almost a fully fledged member!  And what a club to be a member of.  All the ladies of the yahoo group ‘hipwomen’ are just brilliant.  We are all coming from the same place, and it has just been a fantastic experience being allowed in, accepted and just given so much support, and laughs (yes, Shelley !!!).  I will be forever grateful for having had the chance to get to know them.  I didn’t want Hip Dysplasia but actually it has been a bonus in a funny way, because without it I wouldn’t have got to know all these wonderful people.

Anyway, I am into babble mode – later today I will be a post PAOer and I can’t wait! 

Love you all xxx

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Hours, and counting!

Well, today is Sunday and my PAO is on Wednesday, so not long to go.  I had a bit of a wake up call yesterday when I slipped out while walking the dogs – nothing major really, but as my right leg went one way, my body and left leg went the other and my hip DID NOT LIKE IT!  It felt like a knife being stuck into my groin – excruciating for a split second – just like the twanges that I was having last year.  I had forgotten how painful they are but it certainly brought my brain into the ‘accepting’ region.  Up until last weekend I really had little discomfort, but from last Saturday there has been more and more regular discomfort – can’t really call it pain, but then I am just weird and have a high pain tolerance, (well I think I do – the operation will prove me either right or wrong on that one!).  But that sudden searing pain made me understand that there is something wrong and it needs to be addressed.

So, it’s off to The London Clinic on Wednesday morning – armed with ear plugs!  I had a very nice letter from the hospital following my returning the questionairre which I was given post my arthroscopy – rather made me chuckle as my comments about wanting a room AWAY from Marylebone Road have been duly noted and I will hopefully placed somewhere more quiet!  They very nicely thanked me for my comments – I wonder if I am the only person to ever return the form – or do they do that for everyone??!!!!!

Well, tomorrow I plan to go swimming and then I have my youngest daughter’s play to go to watch in the afternoon accompanied by my eldest daughter before she goes back to Uni. ( My husband and son will watch the play on Wednesday evening.)  Then, on Tuesday, my friend, Julia (comrade in arms) is taking me for my last 10 mile cross-country ride before taking me to lunch – they will love us if we turn up covered in mud, like we ususally are!!!!!

Oh, how I am looking forward to that – YEEEHAAA!  Can’t wait – really going to go for it!!!!!!

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Wehehay!

Had a fantastic experience today – I went to the British Red Cross and got some of my bits that I am going to need i.e. raised loo seat with frame, resting stool, 2 grabbers and two very long shoe horns.  The ladies there were just brilliant, and just so sweet.  I didn’t feel like a complete weirdo as I had thought I would – they just took it all in their stride, there didn’t seem anything odd about me going in there and asking for the items, they just got on with it.  It was just lovely.

The lady asked me what I was intending to use the shoe horns for – which she then followed up by saying “And don’t say putting on shoes”.  So I quizzically told her that I was planning to use them for on putting on socks because that’s what I had read, to which she replied “How?”   Well, bloody typical –  I didnt have a clue!  So, she did a lovely little demonstration of what I would need to do and how I would then be able to put my socks on!  She also demonstrated how to use the resting stool, and the raised loo seat.  I even got a leaflet about how to use it (Health and Safety!!!)  I laughed so much!

I will be getting another loo seat and a shower chair from a friend, and my darling newspaper delivery man (Alan) has very kindly offered me a wheelchair from Help the Aged where he volunteers – he did snigger as he mentioned where it would be coming from and then followed it up with the words “No offence”! 

I then came home and decided today was the day that I was going to practice going up and down stairs on crutches – well, that was a laugh and a half – got to the step before the top, caught my ‘good’ leg and very nearly went arse over tit – then coming back down found that I was starting to speed up about three steps from the halfway landing and nearly went head first out of the window!  That, in turn, set the dogs off – I think Tui thought that I was some sort of alien out of control – God did I laugh.

The thing I can’t quite get my brain round is if you use the banister for one hand, how do you get the other crutch downstairs?  I used one, got all the way down to the bottom, then had to go back up to get the other crutch!  Using both crutches is completely suicidal and I might as well go straight for having FHR on both hips all in one go, because I will be needing that a few days after getting home at this rate!  Lol!!!  Oh well, presumably practice will make perfect.

As my new saying goes “Have mod cons, will pee in comfort and break neck !”  Ah, that’s the life!

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Que Sera, Sera!

When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother
What will I be?
Will I be pretty?
Will I be rich?
Here’s what she said to me:

Que sera, sera.
Whatever will be, will be.
The future’s not ours to see.
Que sera, sera.
What will be, will be.

She was quite right!!!  I have spent the last few days trying to imagine if my life is going to change a little, a lot, or humungously, and you know, I just don’t know. The biggest thing about having this surgery, to me, is the not knowing.  And I find it REALLY frustrating!  

Phil was racing at Brands this weekend and I sat there thinking that I don’t know when I will be able to go with him again, let alone help out in the pits doing the timing board.  I haven’t been able to go as often as I would have liked in the past because of having the dogs to look after, plus children to run around, but it just really hit me that I just don’t have any answers except for the fact that I will be having the op – that’s a definite – but after that – blank!

Oh well – a good weekend was had by all – Phil and his colleague came 2nd, which was great.  I don’t know if they will make it on to t.v. – the A1 Grand Prix which was also being held (actually the main event!) took precedent with the t.v. crews and I don’t know if they will bother to show the rest – which, actually, was just as exciting and entertaining, but we shall see.

Had a lovely walk along the beach at Hayling Island this morning with Grandma Hollins – took all the doggies (Ella, Tui and Phoebe) which was a hoot as Tui spent the entire drive down heavy breathing down Jenna’s neck.  I think they all enjoyed the change of scenery.

On the hip front, there is very little to report except that where they did the incisions for the arthroscopy, it’s is really itchy!  I am sure that will get better in a couple of days but it’s bloomin’ irritating – lord, knows what the real thing is going to be like.  I am putting bio-oil on it.  I have noticed that for the last couple of days I have hardly limped which has been lovely – it was only every mild anyway, but still, nice not to be doing it!

And then, of course, there are the pills that I am taking – immune booster tablets, cod liver oil (extra strength) tablets, vitamin c 1000mg tablets,  calcium tablets, and glucosamine and chrondoitin tablets  – I swear I am now starting to rattle!!!  One of them, if not all of them, had better do something good.  But as I said at the beginning “Que Sera, Sera!”

Funny old life!

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