It was Friday afternoon when I was first allowed out of bed. I was taken down for an x-ray first to ensure everything was as it should be. Once given the ok the physio team came to get me up. I wont lie just getting to the edge of the bed was a mission, my advice to anybody would be make sure you are well dosed up with pain killers. They managed to get me up, standing up was excruciating, tears filled my eyes but pure determination made me carry on. I was using a zimmer frame initially and that first time out of bed I only took a few steps before turning back again. My leg felt extremely heavy and the first 6 weeks following the operation you are touch weight bearing only, therefore unable to put any weight through your leg, it is really difficult to begin with but as painful as it is you need to keep with it as the more you do it the easier it gets.
It was Saturday morning when my catheter was taken out, it doesn't hurt, it's just a slight sting for a moment. I was also glad to see the back of the drip too, it becomes really annoying after a while.
The physio team came to see me again, this time to try and get me to the toilet and back! I managed to get there but I gave in and had them wheel me back. For the rest of the day I was going to the toilet myself (well with a nurse following just in case), and each time I managed to get back a little nearer to my bed, by the end of the day I was doing the round trip alone!
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
After Surgery
From what I remember the surgery took about 4 hours. When I woke up later in recovery I immediately felt awful pain in my left hip. I was set up on a morphine drip so as soon as it kicked in I was ok, it was just a bit uncomfortable. The morphine made me feel spaced out and after a while very itchy. I had a bandage over my wound and couldn't move my leg, which was put into a foam trough to raise it slightly. I had to wear an oxygen mask for several hours after the operation, and was connected to a machine monitoring my blood pressure and oxygen levels. I was also attached to a drip, and had a catheter for a few days until I could walk to the loo. As well as the attractive white stockings (which I had to wear for 6 weeks) I also had to wear foot pumps which punch you in the feet every few seconds to get the blood going round to prevent clotting.
It's very common to lose a lot of blood during the operation but rather that having a blood transfusion they recycle your own blood. You may find they take some blood when you are back on the ward to check whether you are anaemic.
I had my operation on the Wednesday morning and for the first couple of days you do not get up. After a while it becomes really uncomfortable not being able to move around and you spend a lot of time trying to get comfortable by sitting up a bit more. If you have a drip in your hand, it can be difficult to use this hand when pushing yourself up the bed.
As you are unable to get to the toilet you are likely to need a bedpan for bowel movements. I was grateful that I didn't need to go during the first few days, i managed to wait until I could make it to the toilet! I found it difficult to go for a few days as the pain killers seemed to constipate me, which I believe is quite common.
I was very emotional after the operation and I would start to cry at the silliest of things.
It's very common to lose a lot of blood during the operation but rather that having a blood transfusion they recycle your own blood. You may find they take some blood when you are back on the ward to check whether you are anaemic.
I had my operation on the Wednesday morning and for the first couple of days you do not get up. After a while it becomes really uncomfortable not being able to move around and you spend a lot of time trying to get comfortable by sitting up a bit more. If you have a drip in your hand, it can be difficult to use this hand when pushing yourself up the bed.
As you are unable to get to the toilet you are likely to need a bedpan for bowel movements. I was grateful that I didn't need to go during the first few days, i managed to wait until I could make it to the toilet! I found it difficult to go for a few days as the pain killers seemed to constipate me, which I believe is quite common.
I was very emotional after the operation and I would start to cry at the silliest of things.
Day of Op!!!
I arrived at the hospital later that afternoon and they wasted no time getting me ready for the morning, I was first on the list at 8am. I had identity tags on one wrist and one ankle. The nurse gave me a special disinfectant gel that I had to shower in the next morning and the dreaded hospital gown and very attractive stockings used to prevent DVT.
After my shower in the morning, the Anaesthetist came and spoke to me about what would be happening and to explain that when I wake up after the operation that I would have various drips and leads etc... I was asked to take off my jewellery. Anything I couldn't take off could be covered with a plaster. Someone else then came to see me to draw on my leg in marker pen. Luckily by this time my dad and husband had arrived, otherwise I think I would have run away! I was really upset and scared, it's an awful feeling. Before I knew it I was being taken down to theatre. My husband was allowed to stay with me until I was asleep because I was so distressed, I wasn't exactly brave but I'm sure they are used to patients like me!
After my shower in the morning, the Anaesthetist came and spoke to me about what would be happening and to explain that when I wake up after the operation that I would have various drips and leads etc... I was asked to take off my jewellery. Anything I couldn't take off could be covered with a plaster. Someone else then came to see me to draw on my leg in marker pen. Luckily by this time my dad and husband had arrived, otherwise I think I would have run away! I was really upset and scared, it's an awful feeling. Before I knew it I was being taken down to theatre. My husband was allowed to stay with me until I was asleep because I was so distressed, I wasn't exactly brave but I'm sure they are used to patients like me!
Pre Op!
During my Pre Op Assessment I had to give some blood, swabs for MRSA, have an ECG, check my weight and height to work out my BMI, and the usual x-rays. It was then onto signing the consent form! Eeeek! I know they have to go through all the risks of surgery but I'd rather not know! When your feeling sick and on edge at the thought of it you just don't want to hear it. There's lots of form filling, you'll be asked about your next of kin and questions about your health and lifestyle. If it's not mentioned, ask about equipment to adapt your toilet. You will need a raised toilet seat at home after the operation which needs to be arranged beforehand.
The last couple of weeks prior to my operation seemed to fly past. Before I knew it, it was the day before the operation! I took the day off work to spend some quality time with my son who was only 2 at the time. I was horrified when I opened my post that morning to find there was a letter there from the hospital asking me to go in that afternoon instead of early the next morning. It meant my 'day of fun' was cut a bit short but luckily I had my bag packed already so didn't have to worry about that. I think the hospital staff thought I'd try and escape or not turn up, they obvoiusly wanted to keep an eye on me! Ha ha. This operation is definately one of the most frightening experiences I have ever had.
The last couple of weeks prior to my operation seemed to fly past. Before I knew it, it was the day before the operation! I took the day off work to spend some quality time with my son who was only 2 at the time. I was horrified when I opened my post that morning to find there was a letter there from the hospital asking me to go in that afternoon instead of early the next morning. It meant my 'day of fun' was cut a bit short but luckily I had my bag packed already so didn't have to worry about that. I think the hospital staff thought I'd try and escape or not turn up, they obvoiusly wanted to keep an eye on me! Ha ha. This operation is definately one of the most frightening experiences I have ever had.
Losing the weight...
I had real determination to lose some weight and when I went for my follow up appointment a few months later everyone (including myself) was pleased that I'd managed to lose nearly 1 & 1/2 stone. I wont lie I did find it really hard work, mainly due to the fact I couldn't do much in the way of exercise. I couldn't even have a good night out with the girls without paying for it big time the following day!
I done really well not to get worked up about the operation at all, until I got my date through that was! I was due to have my op on 23rd August 06. I had my pre op assessment a few weeks before, and this is when I got really nervous and started to doubt my decision. I didn't know anyone who had gone through the surgery before and struggled to find much in the way of info on the internet, and to be honest what I was reading seemed to scare me even more!
I done really well not to get worked up about the operation at all, until I got my date through that was! I was due to have my op on 23rd August 06. I had my pre op assessment a few weeks before, and this is when I got really nervous and started to doubt my decision. I didn't know anyone who had gone through the surgery before and struggled to find much in the way of info on the internet, and to be honest what I was reading seemed to scare me even more!
Decision Time
I decided to go down the peri-acetabular route, the consultant advised me that as this was a specialist operation there was only a few surgeons in the UK who could do this surgery. Unfortunately there was nobody locally who could help so he then referred me to Mr. Hugh Apthorp at The Conquest Hospital in Hastings. Luckily it was only about a 1 hour drive from my home so I didn't have to travel too far.
I received an appointment through within a few months to see Mr Apthorp. I felt reassured once I met him, he was really informative and I trusted him immediately. It was really nice to meet someone who understood what I was going through and most importantly who was confident he could help. After many x-ray's and a ct scan, he advised me I was a suitable candidate for the surgery however he wanted me to lose some weight beforehand. Oh dear! Well in all fairness it was just what I needed. A reason to lose it! As there was a waiting list in the region of 6 months, I was put on the list but had an appointment in a few months to review my weight loss. Although both hips were affected, my left side was a lot worse than my right and I was only getting the pain in my left hip, therefore we decided it was only necessary to have my left side done. I was unsure what I was letting myself in for, all I knew was that I couldn't carry on as I was, so if this is what it was going to take then I was going to go for it.
I received an appointment through within a few months to see Mr Apthorp. I felt reassured once I met him, he was really informative and I trusted him immediately. It was really nice to meet someone who understood what I was going through and most importantly who was confident he could help. After many x-ray's and a ct scan, he advised me I was a suitable candidate for the surgery however he wanted me to lose some weight beforehand. Oh dear! Well in all fairness it was just what I needed. A reason to lose it! As there was a waiting list in the region of 6 months, I was put on the list but had an appointment in a few months to review my weight loss. Although both hips were affected, my left side was a lot worse than my right and I was only getting the pain in my left hip, therefore we decided it was only necessary to have my left side done. I was unsure what I was letting myself in for, all I knew was that I couldn't carry on as I was, so if this is what it was going to take then I was going to go for it.
Thursday, 2 August 2007
The Diagnosis
It was about a year later in March '05, I was lifting Daniel out of the bath and my back totally seized up. I was in agony, unable to even stand up straight. After an hour or so it wasn't improving I still couldn't stand straight so my husband drove me to A&E. They sent me for x-rays of my lower back and pelvis as that was where the pain seemed to be stemming from, and it was then they discovered I had Hip Dysplasia. I was then referred by my GP for an orthopaedic opinion and physiotherapy.
I didn't find that physio or hydrotherapy really helped, I started swimming again in hope that would help but I hated it, all the time I was swimming my hips constantly 'clicked'.
After a several month wait I had an appointment with an orthopaedic consultant at my local hospital, he advised me I basically had 3 options.
1. I could carry on as I was, in agony! Not an option as far as I was concerned!
2. I could opt for a total hip replacement, which is not something that would likely be agreed considering I was only 25, so that was not really an option.
3. I could have something called a 'Peri-acetabular Osteotomy'... a what? was my reply!
I didn't find that physio or hydrotherapy really helped, I started swimming again in hope that would help but I hated it, all the time I was swimming my hips constantly 'clicked'.
After a several month wait I had an appointment with an orthopaedic consultant at my local hospital, he advised me I basically had 3 options.
1. I could carry on as I was, in agony! Not an option as far as I was concerned!
2. I could opt for a total hip replacement, which is not something that would likely be agreed considering I was only 25, so that was not really an option.
3. I could have something called a 'Peri-acetabular Osteotomy'... a what? was my reply!
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