Surgery is a great excuse to shop!

Over the last few weeks I have been shopping for stuff to take into hospital with me. This has had to be done at one hour max at a time, cane in one hand and balancing a bag or two in the other. I have noticed how rude people are when they see you using a walking stick. With some you get the pitying 'she looks too young for that' look, others the 'there doesn't seem much wrong with her' look,after which they usually slam a door in your face. But the one thing I have noticed is that the most courteous of all are couples who are approximately eighty years old who always stand and hold the door with a genuine, but not pitying, smile on their faces.

Anyway, I digress,back to the shopping. Being a bit of a shopaholic, I have relished the thought of having a valid excuse to buy an endless supply of 'necessary' items.

Here's what I have so far;

Toiletries;

Bath towel, hand towel and face flannel,
Soap,
Shampoo, conditioner,dry shampoo,
Hairspay, hairbands
Hairbrush
Toothbrush,toothpaste
Lipsalve,
Savlon,
Body lotion,
Moisturiser,
Body spray and perfume
Hand gel
Tissues.
Earplugs.

Dressing Gown,
Slippers,
Fleece jacket ( in case Im cold in bed but don't want a dressing gown)
Nightshirts(9 in total. Is that too many? Said I would be in 7-10 nights, need a clean one each day, but don't want hubby to have to bother washing as he will be staying in hotel)
Boxers ( largest size I could find.Don't like the thought of going commando)
Bras.
Socks.
Grabber.
Ipod.

Need to get; Pen, notebook, mags, book , sweets to suck, puzzle books.

Is there anything I have forgotten/don't need?

Also I have bought some extra large jogging bottoms and leggings.

Now all I need to get is a bigger suitcase .....

I'm back!

Inspired by a fellow hip chick (Annick, if you read this, thank you so much)I realised I have done exactly what I said I would never do.For the last year I have let my hip take over my life. I allowed it to turn me from someone who was always active, on the go and loved to exercise to a couch potato who wallowed in pain and self pity.

Just because I can't run, do high impact aerobics and walk very far, there is no reason why I can't still exercise and keep fit.So, determined to shed the pounds before surgery,I went swimming today.I intended to do around 20-30 laps to see how things felt,but once in I couldn't stop. It felt so great to be doing some exercise again! I stopped after 50 laps of the pool, and felt brilliant.Now Im not the greatest swimmer, and it wasn't pretty, but I didn't care.I loved it!
Yes, I am a bit sore now, but no worse than I would be at the end of the day anyway,but I also feel on top of the world, and determined to do this at least 3 times a week.I am going to get a waterproof case for my Ipod, and go cycling at the weekend.I feel, for the first time in a long time, like the old me.

I have been thinking about all the things I need to get sorted before I go into hospital.The list just keeps getting longer,
Heres what I have so far:

First and foremost, get fit and lose some weight! This seems a common aim for most of us pre-surgery. I have put on about 10lbs since my Arthroscopy. Too much sitting around feeling sorry for myself. So I have decided to try and lose a bit of weight, whilst eating as healthily as possible, stocking up on lots of iron rich foods(bring on the liver!)Also I am going to start swimming more, and dust the cobwebs off my bike.

Keep on top of the housework. I spring-cleaned last week, but am sure it will need it again before May!

Freeze lots of nutritous meals for when I get home.

Hair cut, and colour(yes, I am going grey around the edges,thanks to the NHS!)

Buy lots of granny style nighties for in hospital, and joggers to slob around in afterwards.

Book train tickets.

Book hotel for OH and youngest daughter to stay in London, whilst I'm enjoying all-inclusive at the UCH.

Arrange kennels, and vaccinations for the animals.

Have necessary bits waxed!

Teach 17yr old how to use washer,cooker,vacuum, its the first time she has been left(OMG!).


Then theres the next lot of lists...
Make lists for thing to buy for hospital stay, lists of questions to ask at my pre-op, lists of lists.....
Aaaargh!

Fellow Hip Chicks!

I hope that this blog can give someone some help and alleviate their fears about having a PAO.
I have spent the last few months pouring over some fantastic blogs written by fellow hip chicks,most who have had a brilliant outcome with their PAOs.I can't promise that this blog will be as entertaining or as articulate as some of the blogs I have read, but I promise I will do my best to tell things as they happen to me, and if I can help just one other hip chick who is following on this daunting journey then it will be worthwhile.
I have gained so much and got so many tips including what to and not to take into hospital, questions to ask,etc, that have helped me prepare for the big day. I would like to thank all those who have been through this procedure and put up with my endless questions and those whose blogs I have read and reread (I know I'm sad!). You are all an inspiration!

Some background info

I was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at around 15months which was treated successfully with a deroational osteotomy. This give me a normal, painfree childhood,and allowed me to take part in whatever sports and hobbies that I wanted to.
Fastforward to about four years ago, at the grand old age of 35,and after a few years of vague pains around my groin I began to experiance episodes of sharp groin pains enough to make me limp for short periods of time. These began to get more frequent and last longer so it was time to seek some help.
After a few months of physio, pain meds, anti-inflams, and cortisone injections, I was referred to a consultant for a Hip Arthroscopy.I had this in September 09, and spent 6 weeks on crutches.The pain didn't ever go away, and at 8 weeks post-op I was referred to Mr Witt at University College Hospital, London.
That brings me to where I am today( if anyone has got this far and is still awake).
I am due to have a RPAO on 12th May 2009.