Me, myself & the NHS

I can't believe it's been two weeks already since my hip operation, time really does fly! I'm still in pain but it's manageable, as long as I remember to take my painkillers. After surgery, it's important to take them at scheduled times (even throughout the night) rather than respond to the pain when it arrives - which is inevitable. I dread my 6pm alarm, because that's the one that means I am due my blood thinners which are injected into my stomach. Although they are painful, I know they are needed to prevent blood clots from forming which can lead to DVT, strokes or heart attacks. Because I'm only allowed to be partial weight bearing for six weeks, it means I'm at a higher risk of all of the above post surgery. Whilst I was in hospital the nurse asked, "who is going to be the one to administer these at home?" I almost wished I'd been there to see the colour drain from my husband's face as he was informed via text. He's not...

So my hip operation has finally taken place and I’m now on the long, slow and very painful road to recovery (hopefully). I was kept in overnight for observation and managed to escape around 8pm the following day. During the procedure I had a spinal block. This is to allow the surgeons to dislocate the hip joint to give them room to work without the body having a childlike tantrum, allowing them to do their magic. One of the risks to a spinal block is that your bladder arrives late to the party once you’ve woken up and your legs come back to life. I knew it would take a few hours for all this to happen and it was the weirdest sensation to feel your legs but not be able to move them. I was bed bound and when you need the toilet you’re given the joyous task of attempting to pee into a bedpan, for women this essentially means trying to go for p*ss uphill! It should really be an Olympic sport. Luckily I managed to defeat gravity and went several times over the next few hours. It was...

I think a lot of people would stress about being put on the waiting list for surgery, but for those in chronic pain, you feel like it’s a step forward. I’m not sure the phrase ‘looking forward to’ should ever be used, but it’s something that you work towards and is hopefully a major milestone in your recovery. In the days, weeks or even months on the lead up to ‘D-day’, you start prepare for the physical things. My top 10 items (in no particular order) are: 1. A crutch bag - I only discovered this recently. A bag, for your crutches! Genius. 2. An orthopaedic ‘v’ pillow - I no longer remember life prior to one now. 3. Shower aids - steps, seats, handrails. You know, the things that make you feel 90 at 30. 4. Toilet aids - you know you’ve reached new heights when a frame and raisers are introduced. 5. Chocolate, because....chocolate. 6. Ice!! - this cannot be stressed enough. Calms joints, relieves pain and reduces inflammation. 7. Netflix or other streaming devices- now is t...