👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ Hips and knees part 6 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️

What are the 'what ifs' that freaked you out, sealover?

Can we help you out with any of them?

Sealover, that was me, on the last page of H&K Part 5, who spent my nights going through the “what it’s” from not waking up from the anaesthetic, not being able to get to the loo quick enough in the night when I’m more or less immobile, never being able to walk again, finishing up with something going drastically wrong during the op itself. And those were just the minor ones! But what you missed was my last bit - “Do you know what? None of them happened!” My old granny used to say “Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday, and all is well.”

You’re not a wimp, my lovely. You wouldn’t be normal if you didn’t worry just a little bit, but please don’t think of pulling out now, the end result is so worthwhile but you have to be patient - says one who definitely knows!

After all that - “what ifs” !!!

Charleygirl5

Scrub the bit above, It is under the armpit which can be uncomfortable if not fitted properly. It is more difficult to negotiate stairs.

Charleygirl5 - can understand why the elbow crutches are better for the stairs..

Just having a last minute (many minutes) wobble for tomorrow surgery @7am… just pleased that DD has arrived to be with me..🙏🙏

Goodness MaizieD, that a much more sensible and practical response than my spiel!

Bea wishing you all the very best for your op. By this time tomorrow you will be sitting up and taking tea. Please keep us all in the loop as to how you’re doing!

Bea all good wishes for tomorrow. Don’t forget to keep in touch to let us know how it went and how you are feeling.
We all have last minute wobbles, Would be strange if we didn’t, but we feel the better for it. Afterwards.

teabagwoman the versus arthritis website has some helpful gentle exercises to do or operation.
bea I hope all goes well for you tomorrow. Good that your DD has arrived. I have osteoporosis in my spine and have had two spinal fractures. I know that I will always need some support while walking, be it walking stick (s) or a rollator and have had to come to terms with that. I’ve had both hips replaced and have no pain from them, just my wretched back!

Bea, I wish you all the very best for tomorrow. Before you know it, you will be in the comfort of your own home, and there is nothing like your own bed with a cup of tea or coffee in your hand.

About 60 years ago, the thoughts going through my empty head were I would not be seen dead walking down a street using crutches or a stick. Now, fast forward, if it gets me to a to b with less pain I really no longer care.

I have looked at people locally using rollators so that is next on my list.

My best wishes for tomorrow, too, Bea. 💐

Best wishes from me too Bea - all will
be well. 💐💐

MaizieD, you asked about my 'what if's'... here goes, making a fool of myself because I'm so nervous, muscle and or nerve damage, leg length discrepancy leading to more back pain than I already have and manage, too much or not enough sedation, not coping with the pain afterwards ( a neighbour who is a retired nurse said I would be discharged with high strength morphine because I would be in a lot of pain). I don't sleep well at the best of times so sleeping on my back for 6 weeks??? Never been in hospital before apart from having children, so, loss of control, sense of being mutilated, rejection of the implant...I probably could go on but these seem to be the recurring 'what if's'. Too much waiting time for me, trying to calm down, enjoy the better weather we are having but this 'impending doom' is hanging over me, stomach churning, ratty with DD, on edge. Better not say any more!

* Sealover* OMG. Let's address what we can sort out. It may be easier to sleep on your back if you are half sitting up in bed cushioned by pillows. This is something you can sort out before surgery. I doubt if you will be 100% comfortable, but please try.

You are not having a heart transplant so rejection is unlikely.

I am allergic to morphine, and I had a lot of pain post-operatively following each knee replacement. Like everything, it does get better.

The rest tidy in a drawer and forget about them. You will probably sail through it. Good luck.

Sealover, I could be your twin soul. I had never been hospitalised before except for my babies (three) and I’m 85. Like you, my brain was in overdrive. But none of it happened - honestly! How long has your neighbour been retired? There is pain obviously, but think more high strength codeine. You won’t be comfortable in bed for a bit, you’re going to have to accept that, but it will pass. In the meantime, prop yourself with pillows as much as possible and just read the night away (you may fall asleep doing just that). And remember as well, the hospital staff have seen it all before. You are unique to yourself but not necessarily to them (harsh but true!). Oh, and my legs are exactly the same length as each other - you really, really can do this …….

Sealover

You don't have to sleep on your back for 6 weeks!!

I was told I could lie on my non operated side and put a firm cushion/ pillow between my knees. But keep the pelvis 'upright' and legs together to avoid crossing the midline. It was slightly more comfortable than lying on my back.

I didn't find the pain from the operation site particularly bad (though that might just be me). I certainly wouldn't worry
about it because you know it won't last forever, unlike that awful hip pain. The complete absence of the 'old' hip pain from day one was truly amazing...

I couldn't manage dispensing the liquid morphine I was sent home with so I just used the codeine phos. and paracetamol. It was adequate...

I was going to say my new hip was my first operation too, but just remembered I had had a previous operation 20 years ago. The reason i seem to have forgotten this is that I forgot to visit the loo prior to my operation and when I was back in intensive care …say no more other than I was severely embarrassed 😳.
So my most important advice is just before you go down for your op visit the loo.
As for sleeping on your back yes it can be awkward but use pillows as suggested. What I did was ask my gp for some lightweight but efficient and non addictive sleeping pills, pfenerghan in my case, which I took if I hadn’t slept the night before.
You won’t be in a lot of pain after your op. I was advised to take paracetamol and ibuprofen if needed.
The implant won’t be rejected and you will be fine.
Honestly!

Bea can tell you all about it tomorrow …..or the next day.

sealover I wasn’t allowed morphine after my second hip replacement because I react badly to it. I was given paracetamol and ibuprofen and found the pain bearable with just those. I got used to sleeping on my back and still sleep that way sometimes. You will have a scar, but after 4 months, mine has faded to a pale pink line, not a mutilation, just a scar. I’ve got a worse scar on my back where a heavy handed surgeon removed a suspect mole! My legs are now the same length but my back still isn’t happy!

I hope it went well Bea and you are back on the ward drinking tea!
I have an appointment next week about my hip. I hope it can be done soon.
I also hope the surgeon will have time to reassure me about my knee. It’s more achey now. Am I doing too much? Too little? It isn’t the same surgeon and he was a bit snippy when I had a phone call with him six months ago.

Update - in surgery 3hrs and surgeon visited 8:30 last night to inform me he has slightly lengthened R.leg with titanium and ceramic head to provide more stability and will need an insert for shoes on other leg - was quite delighted with being taller or, getting back some extra little height which I’ve lost over past couple years with disc crumbling etc

Staff very attentive and caring -room to myself with Tv and toilet - physios came both b4 and after - am keen to get moving and visit the loo as, had accident in bed late last night as the helmet commode not positioned correctly and don’t want a repeat…
Had menu card choice for lunch and also for upcoming breakfast 😊
Am experiencing no pain due to cocktail of drugs and regular observations - however in last couple of hrs have developed numbness on area from knee to op site- pressed call button and senior staff nurse said ‘we need to keep an eye on this’ - op site is not numb and neither is area below knee and toes are fine… so hopefully will know further later
They’ve put the circulation foam boots and stockings to prevent DVTs and must say the foam boots fwhch d never heard of are a genius invention to keep good circulation..
Phew hope I haven’t been rambling but haven’t slept more like 2hourly naps..
🙏🙏for all messages above😊

+Bea*, glad to hear that your surgery is done and that you are being kept pretty much pain free. Upwards and onwards!

bea pleased your surgery went well and that you’re now a bit taller! I hope the physio goes well today and that they sort out your numb leg quickly!

Bea the worst is now over. You are lucky to have your own room because it should at least be quieter there. Once the numbness is sorted, you will soon be home enjoying home comforts.

We are here if you need a shoulder to lean on. You have done so well.

Welcome back Bea, have been thinking of you and waiting to hear from you. Lovely to have a room of your own. Are the boots strapped round your legs and plugged in so that it’s like your legs are being gently squeezed every few seconds? Quite relaxing! Once the numbness is sorted, you’ll be on those exercises before you know it. Glad to have you back!

Well done Bea !

grammargran

Welcome back Bea, have been thinking of you and waiting to hear from you. Lovely to have a room of your own. Are the boots strapped round your legs and plugged in so that it’s like your legs are being gently squeezed every few seconds? Quite relaxing! Once the numbness is sorted, you’ll be on those exercises before you know it. Glad to have you back!

Yes they are strap-on white foam legging type snugly fitted over the white stockings whch are cabled to a portable machine end of bed frame which send gentle pulsating squeezes whch as u say are quite relaxing and the hum didn’t bother me n fact was quite soothing

Yes the numbness bothered me a lot today and when DD visited I burst into tears as the Physios said that to Them, they could not feel what I feel and triggered a PTSD memory of the mild stroke I had in 2014, where I described this sensation as cold ice block or an alabaster heavy sculpture and not at all like a leg.. they wanted me to do the stair exercise and initially I said no.. but after DD had a chat about facing the fear another more mature/senior female came into room and said we’re going to rebuild your confidence back took a little while and more tears but I did do the 3step stair in the gym!! and have a diiferent pain plan tonight .. so hope my next post is more positive..
again 🙏for your lovely caring comments.. means a lot..🤗