Today marks the 22nd day post operation. How's it been going? Very well I have to say. Yesterday was a landmark for me. After waiting at the mercy of everyone to bring me my daily paper yesterday I decided enough was enough. The thought of going a Saturday without finding out what had been going on in the world was just to much for me to bear.
So armed with my update ipod and a great amount of podcasts to listen to, rucksack on my back and emergency numbers in case I needed them. I left for my biggest adventure to date, a walk to the local corner shop by myself, just me, the ipod and crutches and some strangely strong wind which at times did make me think I would be blown over.
The trip normally would be just under 20 minutes there and back. I am very pleased to say that I managed it in just under the 30 minutes. Quite a feet for someone who had a brand new hip in place three weeks ago to the day. I don't think I have ever been so pleased to read a paper. Unfortunately my local newsagent didn't really see the big deal. Upon entering his little shop I proudly announced I had arrived. He looked at me sceptically then nodded. Thats fine the significance of making it to his little shop was lost on him, but absolutely not on me.
So this coming week's task is tomorrow to make my way - albeit slowly to my local supermarket to get money out and as a treat go for a coffee. I'll definitely need it to give me the strength to make it back home. Now that trip would most likely take me 30-40 minutes there and back but hey the one thing I absolutely have is time. Wish me luck and I will keep you posted.
Sunday 18 April 2010
Thursday 8 April 2010
Day 13 Post Operation
What a differences 13 days make?
I can't believe that I am on day 13 post operation. I wasn't sure at times if I could think ahead to this point. However, I am so very happy to report that the operation went very well. I have a nice brand new shiny hip which is working so very well.
I am on crutches and will be until the end of May but this is such a tiny price to pay as the main thing i.e. the pain has gone. Its like winning the lottery and has felt like such a massive weight off my shoulders. I will of course keep posting my progress.
I can't believe that I am on day 13 post operation. I wasn't sure at times if I could think ahead to this point. However, I am so very happy to report that the operation went very well. I have a nice brand new shiny hip which is working so very well.
I am on crutches and will be until the end of May but this is such a tiny price to pay as the main thing i.e. the pain has gone. Its like winning the lottery and has felt like such a massive weight off my shoulders. I will of course keep posting my progress.
Monday 22 March 2010
5 days and counting
Good afternoon,
Well this morning I attended my pre-operation appointment. With only 5 days until my hip replacement op (this Saturday) today was the proper countdown starting.
I had a ECG, blood and urine tests, MRSA tests, chats with the nurses of what will happen, physiotherapy, occupational health professional and it felt like anyone else who had a part in Saturdays operation and recovery thereafter.
I have to say I was dreading this morning but the nurses were very nice and it went very well. However, what this morning did confirm is what has been building up in my now for the past 12 weeks since I was first told about this operation. How massive it feels, how much of my independence I have to give up (granted just for the short time) but more than feels comfortable.
I have as you probably have guessed tried as best as i can to prepare for almost every eventuality although the one thing I can't really prepare for but seems to be the thing I am struggling with the most is the lack of independence, that combined with the harsh reality that my vanity is going to take a major bashing for the next 9 weeks. And I agree its not really that long, however, its long enough.
So I will post again before saturday at which point I am sure my anxiety will be at it's peak. I must keep repeating to myself "this is for a good purpose, the pain will be gone"
Well this morning I attended my pre-operation appointment. With only 5 days until my hip replacement op (this Saturday) today was the proper countdown starting.
I had a ECG, blood and urine tests, MRSA tests, chats with the nurses of what will happen, physiotherapy, occupational health professional and it felt like anyone else who had a part in Saturdays operation and recovery thereafter.
I have to say I was dreading this morning but the nurses were very nice and it went very well. However, what this morning did confirm is what has been building up in my now for the past 12 weeks since I was first told about this operation. How massive it feels, how much of my independence I have to give up (granted just for the short time) but more than feels comfortable.
I have as you probably have guessed tried as best as i can to prepare for almost every eventuality although the one thing I can't really prepare for but seems to be the thing I am struggling with the most is the lack of independence, that combined with the harsh reality that my vanity is going to take a major bashing for the next 9 weeks. And I agree its not really that long, however, its long enough.
So I will post again before saturday at which point I am sure my anxiety will be at it's peak. I must keep repeating to myself "this is for a good purpose, the pain will be gone"
Friday 12 March 2010
My head is empty
Evening folks,
It seems like its been a while, but really it hasn't been that long since my last entry, only last week. A strange thing is happening to me in that time is speeding up and the very moment that I wish it to slow down.
It's two weeks tomorrow until my operation and this morning I had the first of a few appointments with a clinical psychologist to go over 'where my head is at'. I've never experienced anything like that before and have had subsequently the worst headache all of today following the meeting.
We went over my thoughts about the operation, what I wanted to get out of it, what I thought a good result would look like, how would I measure the success of the operation etc. Some of the questions were thought provoking and others really hit a nerve. They suggested in the meantime I write a 'thought diary' which in someways what I am treating this as.
Last Sunday was awful, I was so blue and overwhelmed and couldn't think of anyone who I could confide in about how I was feeling. I honestly thought what I needed was a weekend to myself and in fact, having so much time on my own lead me to 'wallow' which I now realise is really not helpful. This weekend I have some plans and am hopefully that I wont get melancholy again.
On the plus side I have purchased a foam memory mattress topper, apparently I will benefit enormously from this when I can only sleep on my back. I have also had to source 'letter cages' to ensure I don't bend down. How fun this will be!
OK, I am off to chill out and watch a movie, thanks for just letting me share.
Take care.
It seems like its been a while, but really it hasn't been that long since my last entry, only last week. A strange thing is happening to me in that time is speeding up and the very moment that I wish it to slow down.
It's two weeks tomorrow until my operation and this morning I had the first of a few appointments with a clinical psychologist to go over 'where my head is at'. I've never experienced anything like that before and have had subsequently the worst headache all of today following the meeting.
We went over my thoughts about the operation, what I wanted to get out of it, what I thought a good result would look like, how would I measure the success of the operation etc. Some of the questions were thought provoking and others really hit a nerve. They suggested in the meantime I write a 'thought diary' which in someways what I am treating this as.
Last Sunday was awful, I was so blue and overwhelmed and couldn't think of anyone who I could confide in about how I was feeling. I honestly thought what I needed was a weekend to myself and in fact, having so much time on my own lead me to 'wallow' which I now realise is really not helpful. This weekend I have some plans and am hopefully that I wont get melancholy again.
On the plus side I have purchased a foam memory mattress topper, apparently I will benefit enormously from this when I can only sleep on my back. I have also had to source 'letter cages' to ensure I don't bend down. How fun this will be!
OK, I am off to chill out and watch a movie, thanks for just letting me share.
Take care.
Monday 1 March 2010
Just another day
Good Afternoon,
I am currently off work for a couple of days. I have a new shower being fitted at the moment which will make things better post operatively. So how am I feeling today? Well ok it has to be said. I have an appointment tomorrow to check out 'where my head is at' which I am sure by tomorrow morning I will be a bit more freaked.
I have had a nice weekend and only occasionally thought about the fact that its now less then 4 weeks till the operation. I am managing to occupy my evenings and weekends which is helpful. However the middle of the night is still a problem time for me.
I do however look very much forward to a time when I will have a peaceful sleep, I am sure it will come. I also have a great support network around me.
My own organisation skills have I have to say surpassed even my expectations. So far its all going according to plan. I will as always keep you posted.
For now, take care and be good,
P
I am currently off work for a couple of days. I have a new shower being fitted at the moment which will make things better post operatively. So how am I feeling today? Well ok it has to be said. I have an appointment tomorrow to check out 'where my head is at' which I am sure by tomorrow morning I will be a bit more freaked.
I have had a nice weekend and only occasionally thought about the fact that its now less then 4 weeks till the operation. I am managing to occupy my evenings and weekends which is helpful. However the middle of the night is still a problem time for me.
I do however look very much forward to a time when I will have a peaceful sleep, I am sure it will come. I also have a great support network around me.
My own organisation skills have I have to say surpassed even my expectations. So far its all going according to plan. I will as always keep you posted.
For now, take care and be good,
P
Tuesday 16 February 2010
Let all the blues come
Less than six weeks to go now and last week seemed to be an OK week, today I have the day off and instead of enjoying the day off and doing all the things I have wanted to do, I am feeling so blue.
I am struggling to not start crying at the drop of a hat and have suffered the inability to decide exactly how to spend today. My most favourite thing to do is to go to the movies, I used to do it while I was studying for my exams. It was and still is the only way I can get out of my own head and today, I most definitely need to get out of my own head.
I am finding the most trivial of things are bugging me or making me want to burst out crying - I know how absolutely drama queenish of me!
I suppose in hindsight it would have been easier or me to go ahead and get my op straight away, if wasn't a option for many reasons and while the time to plan has been most welcome. The downside is their is a lot of time to think, think about what lies ahead, to feel selfish if you think someone doesn't understand the mammoth task ahead of me, to be fully aware of the recovery I need to go through and the whole time being so unbelievably alone.
I have an amazing support network but for all the people who are able to support me, its only me that can get my mindset in the correct position prior to surgery and then again after it, its only me who can rehabilitate myself and for the very most part thats fine, but for today its just so overwhelming.
So thank you for letting me vent:-)
I am struggling to not start crying at the drop of a hat and have suffered the inability to decide exactly how to spend today. My most favourite thing to do is to go to the movies, I used to do it while I was studying for my exams. It was and still is the only way I can get out of my own head and today, I most definitely need to get out of my own head.
I am finding the most trivial of things are bugging me or making me want to burst out crying - I know how absolutely drama queenish of me!
I suppose in hindsight it would have been easier or me to go ahead and get my op straight away, if wasn't a option for many reasons and while the time to plan has been most welcome. The downside is their is a lot of time to think, think about what lies ahead, to feel selfish if you think someone doesn't understand the mammoth task ahead of me, to be fully aware of the recovery I need to go through and the whole time being so unbelievably alone.
I have an amazing support network but for all the people who are able to support me, its only me that can get my mindset in the correct position prior to surgery and then again after it, its only me who can rehabilitate myself and for the very most part thats fine, but for today its just so overwhelming.
So thank you for letting me vent:-)
Saturday 13 February 2010
Six weeks and counting
Six weeks to most people can be ages away. It's a month and a half, 42 days and an eternity to me. I am hip chick and in 42 days and possibly by this time in the afternoon I will be dosing in and out of consciousness following surgery. I am having total hip replacement surgery for the first time.
Its been 3 weeks since I was told the news and its taken this time to get my little head wrapped around the fact that I need to go ahead with this surgery. With my mind circling round so fast and so often I wanted to put something down to help me come to terms with my thoughts and feelings before, during and after surgery.
Why blog, why not! If someone comes across my crazy lady ramblings then brilliant, if they get something from it, fantastic. If not thats fine too. I am I must admit doing this for purely selfish reasons as I need to get out these things or I do feel I will explode.
So if you fancy it, going me and feel free to get in touch with comments or words of encouragement and support.
Its been 3 weeks since I was told the news and its taken this time to get my little head wrapped around the fact that I need to go ahead with this surgery. With my mind circling round so fast and so often I wanted to put something down to help me come to terms with my thoughts and feelings before, during and after surgery.
Why blog, why not! If someone comes across my crazy lady ramblings then brilliant, if they get something from it, fantastic. If not thats fine too. I am I must admit doing this for purely selfish reasons as I need to get out these things or I do feel I will explode.
So if you fancy it, going me and feel free to get in touch with comments or words of encouragement and support.
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