Two Weeks Post op

I don't know where the last month has gone. It doesn't seem two minutes ago I was writing that there was two weeks until surgery, now suddenly I am two weeks post-op! YAY! I know the worst is behind me, and all the nerves and worry that I had a month ago were, more or less, unfounded. Yes, its a big surgery, but very doable. I will not be at all concerned if I do need to have the other hip done.

Two weeks post-op I feel great in myself. My pain hasn't been more than 'mild' for most of the time.It occaisionally spikes in the evening, when sitting on a hard chair which is uncomfortable, or when I try to reduce the meds( which I still keep attempting ). The hip is uncomfortable sometimes, and stiff when I first stand up, but that is to be expected. It grinds quite a bit, but I have read on other blogs that this is normal. I can crutch much better now, and can swing the leg through instead of sliding it, or dragging it with the TEDS stockings, which is what I had to do to start with. I am down to two paracetamols and one codeine every 6-7 hours. I am still fairly swollen around the butt area, and have quite a numb area on the outside of my thigh, but this is reducing already. The rest of my leg looks quite pathetic-I am amazed at how quickly it has lost all its muscle tone!

At two weeks I can;
Get in and out of bed/chairs by myself,
Wash, use the bathroom, shower without assistance ( although hubby won't let me shower alone yet, I know that I can)
Get dressed by myself,
Put socks and shoes on good leg, but still need help with the right one.
Pick stuff up from the floor,
Do light housework, such as dusting , putting washing away etc,
Make light meals
Lay on my side for a few minutes at a time.


At this point I can't sleep on my side, or sleep through the night yet.

My goal over the next week is to cut out the codeine during the day, and to sleep on my side, even if its just for short periods.

We went out for a meal on Sunday just at our local pub. I went in the wheelchair which was mentally hard, as I felt like a child in a pushchair, but it a nice evening so we enjoyed the walk. It was a fairly quick outing as I couldn't sit for too long, but it was nice to get out in the real world again.

Bad Move!

Yesterday, I decided as things were going really well I would try and reduce some of the pain meds. I have already cut out the Diclofenac, but thought I could cut down the codeine too. I was taking eight a day, and needless to say was getting major constipation issues. So as the pain was well controlled I thought I could cut them out during the day, and just manage on Paracetamol.

Bad idea!!

You would think after months of reading every word on other hip chicks blogs I would have remembered their advice of keeping on top of the pain. No, I thought I was superwoman, and soon found out that I wasn't!! I ended up in more pain than I had been since just coming out of surgery, and it took a good few hours to get back on top of it.

So the moral of this post, to those of you still to do the great PAO journey, please remember not to be in too much of a rush to get off the meds, its not a race, and its better to take some and keep on top of the pain.
On the bright side though, at least I know that I still need them. I intend to take 6 over then next day or so, then cut down to four, before trying to be Superwoman again!

Apart from that, things are going great. I am getting more mobile on the crutches, and feel less tired in myself.

Home!

Yay! Home again!

The journey home really wasn't as bad as I thought. It was made better due to some of the planning we had done beforehand- we hired a wheelchair from the red cross and took it to London with us, then arranged wheelchair assistance from the train company. This worked out really well as they met us at the station, helped with the luggage, and used a ramp to wheel me on and off. I took my meds an hour before leaving, so they were just kicking in by the time we got to the station, and lasted almost until we got home.Also travelling first class was comfortable, and I enjoyed a nice breakfast of smoked salmon and cream cheese! Yummy! Travelling this way was the best thing for us, as my dad picked us up from the station and drove the short way home, and that was much more uncomfortable than the train, also it was better than taking the car into Central London for ten days.

It is so nice to be home. As soon as I got in I had a short nap as I was pretty tired. It is great to be able to manage the muscle pains etc with hot water bottles and ice packs whenever I need them. Although I am only 8 days post-op I am already so glad I have had this surgery, and have already come so far. I am not in much pain, and haven't been since day one, just uncomfortable at times, but my hip already feels more stable.

At first I felt like I had a mountain to climb before things would get better, now it seems like a hill. I just need to be patient over the next few weeks and not do anything to spoil Mr Witts good work.

1 Week post-op

Hi Kate here, back in the land of the living. Thanks Becky for updating this for me.Sorry for not updating more in the last few days.

The last few days in hospital passed fairly uneventfully. I had some issues with the diclofenac causing stomach pains, so was taken off them last night and have felt much better since.

I escaped at ten o'clock this morning. Have spent today watching TV and sleeping in the hotel, then we attempted my first outing. Complete with wheelchair and crutches we went to a nearby pub for some tea. It was nice to get back into the real world, although sitting is pretty uncomfortable, so it was a quick meal and back to the hotel bed. However, I feel like I have accomplished quite a lot already considering where I was a week ago today.
So far I can get in and out of bed by myself,
Get washed and dressed without help ( apart from sock and shoes),
crutch short distances, and sit for short periods before getting uncomfortable.

I am on paracetamol and dihydrocodeine every 6 hours, which is controlling the pain pretty well. I plan to cut down on these once we get home tomorrow, but have got a three hour train journey to get through first.

I have to keep wearing the teds until I get more active, and can't do straight leg raises, but apart from that, and toe-touch weight bearing only, I have no restrictions.

I have not found this anywhere near as difficult or painful as I expected, but have had amazing support from my husband, and don't think the experience would have been as easy if he hadn't been by my side. I love him so much.

Will update more when I get home.
Thanks for all the support and good wishes from family, friends and fellow hippies.

3 Days Post OP

Nothing much new to report today. Mr. Witt came round first thing he is pleased with how everything is That was really good. I had about 45 minutes in the pool, walking and stepping up and down steps plus sum exercises bending my knee and hip and out to the side. It was so much more comfortable to do them in the warm water and walking freely without the aids felt great.

Had all the remaining drips and tubes taken out so am free to move around now. There is a weird catching/clicking feeling in the joint every time I move, but this isn't pain full just feels strange. I am only taking paracetamol, dihydrocodeine and diclofenac now and that is controlling the pain real well. I haven't had much pain at all, just times when it felt a bit uncomfortable or achey. One word of advice for anyone going into UCLH, ask if you think you need stool softeners etc.. because they are not given at all unless you request them. I have been really glad to have a grabber, lip salve, baby wipes and moisturiser with me, but have been to tired to bother with reading material.

Last night the pain got quite bad probably and after effect of moving around more in the afternoon. Not much to report today. The physio team and the consultants team have been excellent, as have a couple of the nurses - but not many! On the whole they leave a lot to be desired. I also think most of them think i have had a THR - I have not had any help getting in and out of beds, just left to struggle with lifting my leg up myself.

I can't wait to get out of here. Some of the nursing staff are so miserable and look like they really think everything is such a chore. I have had my PCA removed and swapped my walker for crutches so hopefully that is one step nearer to getting home. I think i was spoilt at the previous hospital where I had the Arthroscopy because the staff were lovely, cheer full and that noting was too much trouble here it is just the opposite.

5:00pm
I can't believe how this is going. The physios came at about four o'clock and gave me a couple of exercises to do in bed, then it was the dreaded time to stand!
It went ok then I walked across the room to the toilet and back - the physios were stunned as they hadn't had anyone go so far on the first day! I could have gone further only i wasn't sure if i was able to get back. It wasn't at all painful just a bit uncomfortable from the clicking. I have been sat in the chair for over an hour now and still feel good.
Tomorrow hopefully the catheter can come out and i can go onto oral meds and crutches.

9:00
Am still feeling pretty tired today but otherwise quite good. I don't have pain when i am lying in bed, which is good but any movement is difficult - not looking forward to getting up later!
I managed to eat two slices of toast for breakfast. Mr. Witt has been to see me and he was very please with how the surgery went, he said he had got good coverage and the hip should be a lot more comfortable - so that's great news!
My BP is low so that has caused some concerns and I have been put on O2, but apart from that everything is going really well.

Tuesday 12th May - Surgery Day!

Kate here -
Hi, Becky is posting this for me as I can't log onto my blog for some reason, so will send updates via Becky while I am in hospital, but I won't be able to reply to any comments so please don't think I'm being rude - lol!

Got up 5:30am for a shower and last hair wash then left the hotel about 6:30am for steady walk to the hospital. The admissions lounge opened at 7am, and once there things moved pretty quickly. I was first on the list so quickly went through the usual blood pressure and health checks before being seen by the Consultant and Anesthetist. I was taken down to theater at 8am, where i was then asked to change into a gown and anti-embolic stocking on my good leg. At about 8:30am I was taken into anesthetic room. I was given a GA and once asleep they gave me a spinal and a catheter.
I came round in recovery about 12:30pm, and had to wait for a bed so was taken to the ward at about 3:00pm. The pair was very well controlled, initially with they spinal, then with a morphine PCA pump, diclofenac and paracetamols. The only problems is the intense itching from morphine, but that improved after piriton through the IV.
Ian and Becky came to see me about half past 3 and stayed for a couple of hours whilst I attempted a little beef stew and some fruit. By 5:30 I was completely wiped out so they left and i slept for the rest of the night.

Post Op Becky's Post

Mum successfully had surgery this morning, the surgeon said she'll be out of bed tomorrow.

She went in at quarter to nine and was in recovery for half eleven. No real problems at the moment although morphine is making her itchy.

WARNING scar picture below, scroll down to view!

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Becky's Update

Hi everyone I'm Becky, Kate's youngest daughter.

Took my mum to hospital at 7:00 am, she was first on list and went down to theater at 8:00 am.
Will post back this afternoon with more updates.

We're off!

Well I really can't believe the time has come, but we are leaving for the train to London in half an hour.
Tomorrow I need to check in at the hospital at 7.00am.
I will try to post an update whilst in hospital , but have been told that there isn't an Internet connection available at UCLH, so my youngest daughter who is 13 has agreed to post a quick update if I am unable to.

Thanks to all the support and good wishes that I have had from all my friends , family and hippie friends.

Rayray, have been thinking about you today as you have your surgery-hope everything goes perfectly.
Debbie , good luck with the CT scan tomorrow.
Annick, will text you before, but good luck for next Wednesday too.

So here goes....

Reality check

Well I have just taken delivery of two very unattractive raised toilet seats with a surrounding frame, one to double up as a shower stool. They may be functional, but are certainly not pretty!
I am fed up of trying to explain to people that I am not having a hip replacement, and have become expert at the hand over fist demo of dysplasia, but looking around my house at the moment it is definately more suited to an 80 year old who is about to undergo a replacement.

It certainly feels like there is no going back, and it is really going to happen.

I think I am going to need to be pushed onto the train on Monday.

Great timing Lefty!

Ok, so here I am four days away from surgery on the right and the left one that has been niggling away quietly for the past couple of months has decided now is a good time to become more vocal.
She is popping and cracking constantly ,sounding like a bowl of a well known cereal. I am slightly worried as she will have to take my entire weight for the next 6-8 weeks, so am really hoping it will hold up.Hopefully as I won't be moving around so much it won't be a problem, and I have been pretty busy the past few days getting stuff sorted so possibly it just compensation (fingers crossed!)

Almost there

Only another five days to go!!!

Am gradually working my way down my list of 'lasts'.

Last haircut,
Last night out ,
Last day at work-still got that one to do.

At this point I am alternating between being fairly calm and resigned to the fact that for the next 6 weeks or so my life is basically on hold whilst I recover , and being downright terrified! I had a moment today when I really felt like picking up the phone and calling the whole thing off! But I got through that, and I know that I would bitterly regret it if I did.I am not scared about the anaesthetic, or have any worries that something will go wrong, its just the unknown and the fact that as much as I have read lots of other blogs, and am really prepared in that way, I have really no idea at all how much pain I am going to be in, and can't imagine what that will feel like.
Oh well, will soon find out.

I have picked up a wheelchair that I have hired until 1st July. I hate being stuck in the house so I am hoping that it will enable me to get out a bit in those first few weeks. All the other wonderful aids that I am to be given are due to arrive sometime whilst I am in hospital.

I was so grateful yesterday, when I had a meeting with someone who had a very bad cold and she rang me to cancel as she was concerned that she would pass it on and then I might have had the surgery cancelled. That was really thoughtful of her and I can't thank her enough, as I would have been in a difficult position if she had turned up. I would have felt like running a mile (well ok then, hobbling quickly) away, but would have had to sat through it. I am a bit paranoid at the minute in case I get anything, normally I am not the least bit bothered about things like that- I would be gutted to have got to the last stage and have it cancelled,( Hobbling Helly , I really feel for you on that one! )

So everything is done now, just got to get through the last few days of waiting.


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