Hip Op Here I Come !!!

[Auricula]

Hi All
Not been here for a week or two as we've had a move around and computer is only just up and running again!!

I heard on Friday that my hip replacement operation will take place on July 1st - scary!!!

I am really pleased because I have been in a lot of discomfort, but I'm madly trying to get the garden in some sort of order before I go in

It is being done in the local private hospital ( but on the NHS) to keep to the targetted waiting time ( 18 weeks from seeing the consultant), and it'll be well within that timeframe, thankfully. Now it's near, I'm feeling a bit nervous so please wish me luck I'll be around for the next fortnight and then as soon as possible afterwards.

Would be interested to know if anyone has had this done at about my age ( 60 ) and how they fared ( only good news please ;D ;D )

Hope all your flowers are magnificent and your weeds non existant ;D

[nightowl]

Hi Auricula All the people I know who have had a replacement hip said it was a new lease of life and well worth the initial discomfort.

[Jasmine]

I don't know anyone who has had one but I wish you lots of luck for a successful operation and a very speedy recovery.

[Deleted]

All the best, and I can only echo what Nightowl said - you'll be gambolling around like a spring lamb! ... cheers ...

[Auricula]

I hope so!! The weeds'd better look out - not to mention the slugs and snails

[Barbara]

hi auricula, my FIL had both his done years ago he was great.
good luck you will be fine

[Plocket]

Oh that's good news Auricula because I know you've been thinking about it and were a bit concerned. I'm sure you will be fine and will soon be wondering what you were worrying about. And it's nice that you don't have a long wait either. Good luck, and lots and lots of hugs to help you with a speedy recovery Px

[snowowl]

Good luck with your op Auricula and look foward to a new lease of life.
I am not speaking personaly there by the way.

[Tig]

Yes good luck Auricula, not long to wait, you'll soon be running around like a spring chicken! I believe that you are out of bed the next day! x Tig

[Auricula]

Thanks to you all for your good wishes. I was quite blase until all the pre op forms came today and ( at the risk of alienating you all) I can't tell you how frightened I am.Everyone says it's a breeze and nothing to worry about but I've never been in hospital ( except to have babies for 48hrs at a time) nor had an operation and it's scary.What is worse is that my OH and best friend are both completely useless with anything medical and don't want to know,nor will they let me talk about it.They both say "it'll be fine" and I know it will but I'm still scared.I can't burden my children with my fears and just feel miserable - I'm always the strong one and the coper in the family and it's hard. Sorry to have gone on, but I have no one else to unburden myself to, without future ramifications. I won't bleat on again...honest - not sleeping last night ( through pain) didn't help - but I'm determined to stop being stupid so I won't mention it again. Off to make some poor bug***ing slugs pay for my mood!!! Sorry again for the whingefest

[Plocket]

Auricula I would be exactly the same as you - I'd be terrified. All I can suggest is that you sit down and talk to someone about it, your doctor perhaps. He/she will have spoken to so many people about this operation and all it entails, and hopefully they will put your mind at ease.

[Shrubrose]

Hi Auricula, here's one from me



I know a fair few folks who've had replacement hips and it really has been very successful surgery and restored real quality to their lives - able to do things they hadn't been able to for years.

It's hard to talk about your fears when you're used to coping and not sharing your darkest thoughts. So, dont apologise for having done so here - we all do one way and another at some point, so it's ok for you too There's always a listening ear here.

Shrub.x

[Amo]

I've heard it's one of the best things ever Auricula!!! Wonderful news that you are having it so soon.

I'm sorry, but If I lived near you I'd come around and slap your OH and best friend both!! How utterly selfish of them! This is a big thing for you and they should be there supporting you just as they'd expect you to do for them. Yes you WILL be fine and you WILL have a new lease of life but at the moment you need to talk it through and have the odd hug of reassurance!!

I'll get off my high horse now before I get on the train down to Cornwall.

You can come here for hugs as often as you like! ;D

[Barbara]

hi auricula, i hope you slept well, and i hope we put your mind at rest re the op.
if you want to have a hissy fit feel free, were' listening' ;D

[nightowl]

I'd like to echo what Amo said, ALL your family and "friends" need a good slap for not supporting you!

If you've never had an op before of course you'll be scared, it's natural but in my experience they will do their best to put your mind at rest. The anesthetist should come for a chat with you, and they've seen sooo many ops and will be able to reassure you that they'll be looking after you while you're "out" (if that's your worry).

Also there's the pre-op jab which will make you nice and relaxed by the time you go down to the theatre. That's great! ;D ;D ;D

Whinge away all you like to us, you know we are here for you

[blodau]

Hi A.

My Mum had both hips replaced (not at the same time!) around about your age and she was fine. It will make a huge difference to your life.

Having said that, it is an operation and you are quite right to be concerned. I am a bit cross on your behalf that your OH and friend aren't being more supportive. Luckily you can come here and get oodles of support. Talk to your surgeon and the nurses about how you feel and don't think that you're being overly anxious. Just hold on to the fact that this is going to make such a difference to your life (and gardening!). Not many of us would face an op without a care in the World, but try and think about the bit after the op when you can walk without pain. It will be worth it.

Good luck.

Blod

[Auricula]

Thanks everybody - I can't tell you how much better you have all made me feel
I really, really value all your support and feel generally brighter about the whole thing
Hugs all round xx

[Tig]

I've been thinking about you, fingers crossed you will be up and about in no time Auricula Hope you are back on board soon

x Tig

[Shrubrose]

Hope it all went well auricula and that they have you up and about in no time. Stick with the exercises and you'll be in that garden sooner than you know

[thecleaninglady]

Hope everything went well yesterday Auricula and that you are not in too much discomfort



Hope to see you back on the board before long
Take care xx

[nightowl]

Think of all that bending and kneeling to weed you won't be able to wriggle out of now!!! ;D

We could do with a Get Well Soon smilie ;D

[Ladygardener]

Hope all went well Auricula and you'll soon be up and around. Big hugs

[Amo]

Hope you're getting all the support you need and that all went well!

[Ruthie]

Echoes of all the above from me. See you soon.

[Yakram]

Hi Auricula
Only just seen this thread. My best wishes to you. My best advice is to do exactly what you have been told to do, and refrain from doing that which you have been told not to do.
I had both hips replaced last year, within 10 weeks of each other. The first one was on Friday 13 April and the second one was scheduled for Friday 13 July, but there was a cancellation so I had the second one on Friday 29 June last year, so that one is now a year old, too.
I had a spinal injection both times and stayed awake chatting to the anaesthetist during the op. It was such a shame they had the builders in next door each time.
I was up Saturday morning, walking around Saturday afternoon; "jumped" through the physio hoops (up and down the stairs, etc) Sunday morning and went home Sunday afternoon - both times.
Monday went shopping in wheelchair, Tuesday did our usual volunteer day (on a motorised scooter) and carried on, with caution, with our usual weekly routine.
I am now a legend in my own lunchtime as the gardeners I work with didn't believe it when I turned up as usual. <big laugh>
I can honestly say it has transformed my life - to be free of extreme pain is wonderful beyond words; I have lost a stone in weight without trying because I am more active, and I look 10 years younger.
I do have to think about how I'm going to garden; I now use a Town & Country kneeler, and pace myself out. I still get tired, but not as much as I did in the early months after the operations.
I hope you are soon up and "running" Auricula: at least you have the nice weather to sit out in the garden. Oh, and let the garden do its own thing for a while - you can soon get it back to 'tidy' next year. ;D

[Biggles]

Hope everything went well for you--Pamper yourself-sit out in the garden--let the weeds grow till you feel more like gardening again in full flow.
Heres to a speedy recovery--

[Ruthie]

Good post Yakram. There's nothing like 1st hand experience to help someone through!!!!

[Tig]

Couldn't agree more - Yakram you are a star, and I'm sure auricula will draw much strength from you sharing your experience

x Tig

[Auricula]

Thanks to you all for your good wishes.Special thanks to Yakram, you have given me great heart
The operation was a success, I was in hospital for 6 days and still have a great many restrictions but I have ventured upstairs to the study for the first time today and hope to be back on line regularly from next week
Biggest pain is that I can't sleep as I have to be flat on my back - but it is a small price to pay as I am now PAINFREE!!!! ;D
See you all next week
Lots of love and thanks from Auricula xx

[thecleaninglady]

Glad to hear you are recovering well Auricula
Take care