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

charleygirl I always used to put a sheet between me and the duvet cover and still do in the summer, but I find it warmer without in the winter!

Redcar my tip for the duvet is much easier. I did not like it but it saved changing the cover for many weeks.

grammargran I’m walking for a mile or so, but have to use two walking sticks because of my back problem. Without sticks or anything else I can do 200-300 yards. I have to rest for a little while after a walk, but can then do more. Yesterday I did the mile walk, had a break, did some ironing, had a break then started to clear a chest of drawers in the garage, but gave up after half an hour! I’m just wondering why my late husband kept a quantity of lead weights and how long they’d been in the drawer!
I think stamina is a problem for many of us, months old being fairly inactive takes its toll on us.
bea your helpers sound pretty useless to me, but I think you haven’t got them for long? Well done for doing the stairs, they’ll get easier, although when I’m tired I hang on to the bannister rail for dear life! Keep smiling! I’m almost 5 months post operation and consultant is pleased with my walking and doesn’t need to see me again.
Changing the duvet cover is exhausting, especially a 10.5 five foot wide duvet!

Good morning everyone. GN still not notifying me each time of new posts arriving. Grammaretto good to hear from you, I was wondering how you were getting on. Bea I do think of you a lot and hope that things are slowly improving, but your life doesn’t sound straightforward at the moment. Redcar how far are you managing to walk? In spite of returning to exercise class and being quite active around the house, I am still quite stiff, esp after sitting for any length of time. I haven’t been walking as much as I should as I find it hard work, to be honest. I am not using a stick much except to lean on if much standing around is involved & I can stand and balance on my operated leg. If only I had more stamina! Recently I’ve had blood tests, ECG & a chest X-ray; bloods all satisfactory, ECG nothing particularly worrying, just waiting on X-ray result. I feel fine in myself and am itching to do more. Please don’t tell me that at 85 going on 86 I’m actually growing old!

Bea If your daughter has changed your bedding, may I suggest she put a single sheet between you and the duvet cover? It will be easier to change that sheet than to wrestle with the cover.

Those "helpers" are a waste of space. We certainly would not like to see them fall when hanging out your washing, but it obviously does not matter if you trip over the dryer indoors.

If these petals are not allowed to use a hoover, could you afford to employ a cleaner in a couple of weeks?

At least you are getting stronger each day but it is so frustrating.

grammaretto congrats on the walk 😀 how far did u go and what stage are u post op - 6 wks or ??

Day 11 post op .. sun is shining and had a 4 hr block of sleep 😊
Yesterday had brutal physio session with the 2physios ..walking up and downstairs no longer swearing….also had Rehab Assistant in twice- new title of carer which means no cleaning other than they empty commodes and help with personal hygiene… they oversee how what you can cook/prepare to eat- not allowed to carry hot drinks etc to you…glad I have my coffee tray in bedroom ….they will watch u put washing in machine but cannot hang washing outside in case of a fall - but will help to put on an air dryer- this latter point, not happy about as surely drying washing indoors is not healthy for people with breathing problems or allergies or asthma - rehab assistants could have fall in house so not too happy about this

Must ask if rehab assistance includes changing duvets - DD is doing today before she leaves -
so mood not great…but will put my happy face on 🥹

Redcar tomorrow will be another new routine - thanks for asking and silverlining / charleygirl

grammaretto we’ve all done it! I went for a longer walk this morning, my hips are fine, but my leg muscles ache because they’re not used to walking so far. I rest for a day or so and generally all is well again. I think it’s what happens when we feel better after the operation!
bea how are you getting on? I hope you’re sleeping a bit better now and getting used to a new routine.

Just as I was smugly thinking I had had a perfect recovery, on Monday I had my post hip op appointment after which I went for a longer than usual walk and woke up the next morning unable to move without pain 😢

I phoned the hospital today and am told it's a common mistake.
She, the physio, recommended total rest for 48hours with anti inflammatories.
Oh dear;
Pride comes before a fall in more ways than one

Take care everyone and be warned ⚠️

Silverlining Yes, I do, but it is in my garden shed. I did use it after my last knee replacement, but I never felt comfortable. I always felt I was going to slither onto the floor.

The air conditioning was fierce, but I was dressed for mid-January. It is on the 1st floor of the shopping centre so draughts everywhere.

My coffee was paid for, so I spent zilch yesterday. That must be a first.

Do you a perching stool Charley-girl?

Enjoy the coolness of your airconned coffee meet.
I havnt been out yet myself but am behind a sunlit glass window and it feels like I am somewhere on the Mediterranean perhaps. 🤔 I w ish !

Today will be 18C, and where will I be? I will be indoors, freezing in an air-conditioned room, having coffee with friends.

At least my washing will dry.

charleygirl there’s a definite communication problem with some hospitals and healthcare professionals, it’s as if they expect you to know the procedures without being told.

A cold wind here yesterday too, disappointing not to be able to enjoy the sun!

Redcar What irritates me is the way we sometimes have to find out. We are neither thinking nor doing much normally, so having to sort things out is a pain.

The sun was shining today, but it was so cold and windy that I was in danger of being blown over.

silverlining I only had crutches and a raised toilet seat too. No visit from a physiotherapist, I had to go to the hospital for that, also no visit from a District Nurse. I had to go back to the hospital to have the staples taken out.
Different areas have different procedures, weird isn’t it?

I was in the right place at the right time because equipment was being given away. I helped myself to what I knew I would need in the future, such as a commode—I have forgotten the word—but it is a leaning chair. My shed is well equipped.

The hospital that gave all of the stuff away now wants anything it lends back to be cleaned and loaned again.

I have equipment envy. I had nought but a toilet seat and two sticks.
This too will pass and in another week or so you will feel a different person, in a good way . Really, you will.

bea good that you are at last in “the system” and that some help is on it’s way to you. I’m sure that in 2 weeks you will feel stronger, both physically and mentally and will be able to get around more comfortably. (Without tripping over all the new furniture you’ve had to have!)

As soop would say, a total buggeration and naturally nobody will be responsible.

It is a good job your daughter is there to help when you have both seen the NHS at its finest.

It is understandable that you only have to roll up your sleeves and move furniture around.

Words fail me, and that rarely happens. With luck, you are on some system now.

So bed delivered and commode..all sitting next to each other with my recliner..could have wept…room looks like a HMO which see now often on the TV…as ‘normal living arrangements for some people who are struggling with accommodation but never expected it to be part of my ‘living’ lifestyle and pray that normal service will be restored soon ..🙏

SLEEPING is still poor quality and getting up in night for loo too…DD tried to get District Nurse in for wound care check - apparently my Sunday Physio guy said this was the protocol after discharge from hospital, they should visit within 48 hrs..however when we phoned yesterday, was informed that ny discharge was not on system and therefore could not be booked for home visit…I really despair for people who have NO- close relatives/ friends who can support them and keep ringing tel nos to hear that ‘your discharge is not on the system🤬’

The GP Practice blame the nursing discharge at the hospital for not sending copy of discharge to GP last Thursday…now have been told over phone that District nurse coming later this morning 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 … just finding this process extremely tiring…
DD changed bed etc so feeling bit fresher today…and thank goodness we’ve had some lovely sunshine to help with extra washing chores…

Am also expecting 2 carers to come shortly and introduce themselves - they will visit starting Friday for 2 wks only and then I’ll be re-assessed according to my needs….the issue of installing a safe key box is also underway…🙏
Am walking around bit better and getting up and down the stairs is like a mammoth task but keeping telling self ..it has to be done😬

That’s true ….though do draw the line before breakfast.

silverlining it’s never too early for a g&t!

Just the one, both of you?

I havnt Nannytopsy. Not yet anyway. Maybe later.
Rather think you might need one given your stressful afternoon.

Have you already had a G&T Silverlining? 🤣
Well, I have just had a face to face with the hip consultant. An old school man, not one of the young doctors trained to speak to people. He had no interest in my symptoms, poo pooed my concerns about a lump which has appeared on my hip then did his best to tell me I should live with the pain and manage it, while admitting there was severe osteoarthritis and loss of cartilage. I stuck to my guns and I am now on the list. “It should be some time this year”. I came away still with unanswered questions. Hmph!!