THR I made it over the hurdle.

[Gum168]

Thanks @Josephine. I was warned it's likely to happen, and I'm sure the fact that the fluid is kept above the top of the Ted socks isn't helping, when I was pregnant it started in my ankles and worked it's way up. This time it's got stuck below the knee.

Ah well, at least everyone is getting a good laugh out of it. It does look rather like it doesn't belong to the rest of my body.

Stitch snipping went well, except the nurse ripped the long dressing off very briskly and took some scabbing with it, so I said Ooh, it's bleeding, do you have something.......... But she cut across me with - that wasn't me! Excuse me, I wasn't accusing anyone, I just needed something to mop up 2 rather large drops of blood seeping down my thigh. And actually, it was you. It wasn't bleeding before you ripped so fast! She then handed me the teeniest little scrap of cotton wool you've ever seen. I am prone to earache when I get a cold so I put a plug of cotton wool in my ear(s) when I go out in the cold. I'd lose that teeny scrap in my ear and never find it again, that's how tiny it was. I held out my hand for a bit more and she looked at me as if I was mad. My husband stepped in by getting some paper wipe stuff from the side. Honestly, I've never come across an attitude like that. I hope it's her time of the month or someone needs to have a serious word with her. If it bled, she's the nurse (not HCA), shouldn't she have made an attempt to dab it then hand to me to press?

Added to this, this was not our regular surgery. We live in a village so the practice has 2 partner sites and as there were no appointments at our local one, I had to go to the other so I'm less familiar with it. I couldn't believe my eyes when I arrived. Ok, so I forgot to bring my cushion in from the car, but not only were the seats too low, they were ALL bench style. Not one diner style chair with arms in sight. Amazing for a GP surgery. Our local one does and a couple of higher seat ones too. When I mentioned it to reception the woman said, I've worked here years and no one else has mentioned it, immediately making me feel as if I'm being too demanding. I ended up standing over 10 minutes waiting for my turn. Me thinks it's time to go online and complete their patient satisfaction survey. I hate complaining but this experience didn't make me feel comfortable or good.

Kim

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[Gum168]

Incidentally that surgery site is less than 10 years old, those benches aren't a relic from a past time.

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[Butterfly]

I had a knee the size of a cantaloupe the first few days. Not pretty. But it didn't last very long; then my ankle and foot swelled up big fat. OS said he sees it all the time and nothing to worry about. Kinda scary, though.

 

[Josephine]

If it bled, she's the nurse (not HCA), shouldn't she have made an attempt to dab it then hand to me to press?

Absolutely.

I hate complaining but this experience didn't make me feel comfortable or good.

You were correct to complain but personally, I wouldn't have wasted my time speaking to the receptionist. Those kinds of things are outside her role. I'd have just asked for the name and number of the practice manager and phoned her/him when I got home.

I also tend to take issue about such things and often make quite a fuss about them, my argument being that they are discriminatory to the elderly, frail and disabled. That usually gets their attention as it's a legal requirement now for all public buildings to be disabled friendly and they can get quite a heft fine for non-compliance!

(Long story alert!)
As a for instance, I went in to my local Sainsburys a couple of days ago. It has a large entrance hall designed to park several hundred trolleys. As a rule there is a mix of large and small. I went into this hall and found that it was only stocked with large trolleys. The small ones were outside, halfway down the side of the building! So I went to customer service and asked to see the CS manager. He was a nice young chap and quite prepared to hear me out but when I used the word 'discriminatory', he was clearly taken aback.

I said all that about it being discriminatory to the 'elderly, frail and disabled' and that though that walk from the hall to the small trolleys might not seem much to him, to someone with, for instance, arthritic knees or hips or back problems, it would be quite a long way. He argued that at this time of the year, there was a bigger demand for the larger trolleys to which I answered "Fine, but they're mostly younger, fitter people - let them go outside for a trolley! And surely you could spare room for at least one row of small trolleys". He just shrugged his shoulders and said he'd discuss it with the store manager which I accepted. However, ten minutes later when I departed, I saw that they had already replaced one row with small trolleys! Triumph!

But I've been doing this for years - the trick is to be careful you speak to someone with the clout to changed things and then to use key words like 'discriminatory' - gets'm every time!

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

@Josephine.....perhaps we could borrow you here........there are never enough small trolleys....might have to saunter over to the manager and whisper your word to him!!


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[Josephine]

LOL! Sadly it was a short lived victory as today they were back to all large trolleys!

 

[Gum168]

Hmm, yes, I forgot about the discrimination thing. As it happens we know 2 of the gps in a roundabout way, so I'm thinking of passing it back that way.

A question. Has anybody had numbness near the incision? I'm 13 days post op today and theres an area bit bigger than the palm of my hand that's numb to the touch. If I press hard I can feel the pressure but that's all. I'm guessing, hoping, that it'll pass as the nerves all heal and so on. Otherwise I think everything is progressing well for this stage.

Kim

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[Jaycey]

Not unusual to have some numbness around the incision. Nerves have been traumatised by the procedure. It can take awhile for them to "wake up".

 

[Gum168]

Thanks @Jaycey. I was hoping that was the case. Thanks for the reassurance.


Kim

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[Gum168]

2 weeks 3 days out. Christmas over, New Year to come, and I can't wait for 2014. This will be the first year I'll stop being afraid of pain for the first time in about 8 years or so. :-D :-D :-D.

I'm craving a walk with our dogs, who have happily shifted loyalty to other family members now others are walking and feeding them, hmmph.

I'm also craving a sleep on my side but it's not comfortable on the operated side yet.

Teenage daughter had bought me some yummy bath stuff in Lush for xmas, not realising at the time I couldn't soak in the bath yet, but I'm looking forward to a long long soak when I am allowed. Actually she also made me cry with her card, she wrote that she knows she doesn't always act like she appreciates what I do for her, but inside she does. Aahh. She is a lovely girl deep down, just ruled by her hormones at this age and that rewiring teenage brain. We had a big hug and she's been super lovely over the last few days.

Anyway, trying to concentrate on what I'll be able to do without pain in the not so distant future, rather than get frustrated about what I can't do at the moment.

And have had a brilliant rest this Christmas with a full house of all our grown up kids back with husband/fiances who completely took over cooking, cleaning and pet duties. First time in 34 years I didnt have to cook at Xmas. It was wonderful and I can't stop saying thank you.

Progress is in the right direction but slower than I expected (yes, yes I know, patience, and although I read and re- read the progress info here, we all convince ourselves we'll be the exception don't we), but the future looks bright and for the first time in many years I feel I genuinely have a life to look forward to, instead of imagining increasing pain and disability. .

Bring it on, I can't wait. Oh, and I've told hubby I don't want to just sit and watch Strictly Come Dancing now, I want us to get lessons and learn one really good dance to do for our 35th anniversary in just under 2 years. That'll be 2 yrs and 2 days from my THR, if Craig R-H can do it, so can I!

I truly hope everyone else is feeling the same positivity, I'm sending cyber vibes, just in case you need a boost!

Kim

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[MountainGirl]

Quick reply here, Kim, for I am trying to get back to sleep (not yet 4 a.m.) after being awakened by two giggling Grade 5 boys in the next room (son and nephew): What a fantastic update! I especially love your goals for your anniversary and the perfectly-timed attitude improvement for your youngest. 2014 is my goal year, too, and I can't remember a recent year that where I felt so optimistic. So many recent years were so marked with fears, pain, and often, profound sadness. This year brings hope.

Love to you from across the pond, and best wishes for YOUR upcoming year!

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[Gum168]

Aaww @MountainGirl. I sympathise, I know that early hours of the morning feeling too well. I've been downloading podcasts of my favourite radio programmes (BBC radio 4, talk type radio) and playing them with earphones in the middle of the night. More often than not I need to replay again next day as I drop off and miss most of it, and its also been useful to let me know I probably sleep more than I think, just drifting in and out of sleep, whereas if I hadn't been listening and not realised I'd missed chunks, I'd have the impression I hadn't slept at all.

I'm sending cyber fairy dust for your eyelids right now.

Kim

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[Poppet]

@Gum168 and @MountainGirl - 2014 is going to be such a special year for many of us here at BoneSmart and when I read your latest interactions I can relate with the anticipation of what the new year is going to bring for both of you.... It is late Friday night here in OZ - well almost Saturday morning and I hope MG you can get some well earned sleep soon and Gum, I guess your day is half way through.. do visit the Countdown to 2014 thread I have in the social room, we have a fantastic BS online party - hugs from down under x

 

[Josephine]

And have had a brilliant rest this Christmas with a full house of all our grown up kids back with husband/fiances who completely took over cooking, cleaning and pet duties. First time in 34 years I didnt have to cook at Xmas. It was wonderful and I can't stop saying thank you.

Now that's what I like to hear!

we all convince ourselves we'll be the exception don't we

We do indeed and what's even more common is that we can never really understand what went wrong when we're not!

 

[Jaycey]

Anyway, trying to concentrate on what I'll be able to do without pain in the not so distant future, rather than get frustrated about what I can't do at the moment.

Easier said than done I know! But you are going about this recovery in the right way. Keep up the great attitude! There is a whole pain free life out there. Only a few weeks of recovering the right way and you will be unstoppable! Well done you!

 

[Gum168]

Thanks @Josephine and @Jaycey. Must admit that although it's been lovely having everyone here, I am starting to get Royally fed up with laying/sitting 95% of the time. I know it's best for now, and I should take advantage of the extra hands around the place, but it's late afternoon now, and 15 yr old stayed with me (mainly to catch up on trashy TV haha) but everyone else has dispersed to Leeds and Hull for sale shopping and Hubby at work. I find myself bored and jealous that they are all out and about :-(.

Just saying it, that's all. Not expecting a solution, but thought is best to say it here where everyone will understand, than sound like a stupid ungrateful grump to my family, after the last few days have been so nice. It'll pass.

Sorry about this, especially when I felt so good earlier today. But I do know it'll pass. Don't need replies, it's just somewhere to express it. Hope no-one minds. Sorry.

Kim

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[Josephine]

Aw precious, we do understand. And isn't it good we have a place where we can vent and know it's okay to do it? But you know that your time will come when you can shoot off out to the sales and walk around for hours and not be reminded of your gammy hip! 2014 will be your year! Now go read the email I sent you and start searching out some really snazzy images to post! You'll see what I mean

 

[Jaycey]

Don't mind at all! That's what this site is all about. The reality of recovery is the frustration and boredom. But just remember - you are only watching the world go by for a very short space of time. Think about the end goal - not the current situation. It's only temporary! Hang in there!

 

[Gum168]

Yeay. Had my 6 week check up yesterday and all is good. Surgeon said he was impressed that although I had a stick with me, I carried it and walked well. I still take a stick out as I'm a bit prone to being over confident about my walking stamina, but I don't use it until I need it.

Best of all, no Ted socks now! I hated them. And I can finally drive again. That has been a real problem for me, we live in a village with limited public transport and the bus stop is over half a mile from our house. It has affected our daughter as well, again, as due to the limited buses I normally have to chauffeur her around. However, my driving duties start again today so she can go to a friend's house this afternoon.

Sorry I stayed away a while. I decided I needed to focus away from thinking about the pain and restrictions all the time, and just get on with what I could do. I was turning into a miserable grump and I needed to pull myself out of it.

It's mostly been fine, with a few tricky days when I'd over done things, but it's definitely been more of a straight line forward than with the Arthroscopy which was definitely 2 steps forward, 1 step back, or even 2 steps back at times. I suppose I learnt to pace myself better this time.

I still have a 3 month check to go to and more physio, but now most of the restrictions are lifted I feel like a huge weight had been lifted from my body. I'm not walking into the very nearby woods with our dogs yet, as there's an open and very slippery uphill mud track/bridle path to walk up to get there and I'm a bit scared about slipping over, but it'll dry up as the weather improves. Anyway, still can't quite get close enough to my foot to do walking boot laces up on both feet yet, so I'll have to be patient.

@Josephine, Thank you for your reply last time, but I didnt find any email or communication from you about images or anything. But thanks for your kind reply. I think I was needing a big hug that day. I don't do very well when my activity level is restricted. Hence the decision to do this earlier rather than wait until I could barely walk.

I hope everyone else from December is also doing well. When I get time I'll have a look around the recovery threads, I feel a bit guilty that I had to stay away in order to get my head and mood in order, but I have been thinking about how others are getting on.

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[Josephine]

No worries, my dear. Just glad to know you're chugging along okay!