Hip Op The Second

Cherry

By skinner_jennifer

Thu, 07 Nov 2024
  • 545 reads
26 comments
 

Dear diary,,,

it's Thursday November 7th 2024. Can't believe it's been a week since I had my second hip operation on Wedneday 30th October 2024. Thank goodness it was successful without complications. Now I've been at home recovering and enjoying being waited on. 
 
How different my stay in hospital was this time, compared to back in 2017. I was only in for two nights and three days, but that was because my blood pressure was normal quite quickly, although I did suffer a great loss of blood during the operation.
 
On that early afternoon as I nervously walked down to theatre...yes I still suffer anxiety even though I've been through it before. I only recall being told to get up on the bed and having a drip inserted into the back of my left hand. I'd already informed the anaesthetist I wanted to be put to sleep, I would never want to go through those four needles in my back again, like in 2017. I have no idea when I came around, but I recall being wheeled up to the ward where I'd spend the next three days.
 
I have to say the first night was an ordeal with not being able to get out of bed. The night nurse woke me at about 3.am to change my drip and take my blood pressure which was slightly low, problem was I really needed a wee...it was times like this I wish I'd had a catheter inserted like last time. So anyway it was with trepidation I rang the buzzer  feeling slightly guilty and asked for a bedpan, What a nightmare, I ended up with the pan overflowing and the bed soaked. By now I was in floods of tears and couldn't contain my anxiety. The poor nurse didn't look too happy either, which obviously made me feel worse, because she had to change the bed with me in it.
 
Later on that morning she came and apologised for her reaction and said it could happen to anybody. I have to say that in general all the nurses, doctors and also physiotherapists really looked after me
 
Now I look forward to making a full recovery and hoping that 2025 holds much good health and happiness.
 
I want to thank all those at abc tales for their prayers and good wishes, you were all a great tonic to me while I had been feeling so low since June.
 
Don't know when I'll be writing again, as I'm trying my hardest to recover properly and that takes time. I'll continue enjoying reading when I can though and hopefully being out walking again.
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Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I'm so glad it went smoothly Jenny! I hope you have a swift recovery and very much look forward to the time when you manage to restart your writing. Thank you for letting us know you're safely on the road to recovery!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you for your kind words insert.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Very thankful to hear it went smoothly, Jenny. And i hope you have a relaxed convalesence.

Your rueful story of the night bed change, brought back my recovery from a minor op a few years ago. I had a catheter, but for different reasons had internal pressures which necessiated shifting position  to lie in various ways, and suddenly realised that I had knocked the catheter out. I also felt the frustration of the nurse having to change bedding! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon, I can really feel for you when your catheter was knocked out, you must have felt exactly the same as I did. I bet the nurses see it happen a lot. I think the nightnurse I had must have been having a bad night, or she was just tired and me leaving the bed wet was the last straw.

I went for a 10 minute walk up the road today, but my ankle began swellling up, so I'll need to be more careful next time.

Thank you for leaving a message. I really do appreciate your prayers Rhiannon.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Hi Jenny, thankyou very much for this update, am so glad the operation is done now, and hope you are able to get out and about to see the trees again soon. Your account is very brave

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Ah! Bless you Di. I am so grateful to you for thinking of me at this time, it's such a blessing to hear your words of encouragement. I can't wait to get out there amongst all the nature, it's the simple things in life that are the best, and just thinking about it, is what keeps me going.

Thank you and I hope you are all well.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Hope your ankle is better soon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you Di, it's still swollen, but I'm wearing a compression stocking during the day, so that should help.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Very glad to hear it has all gone so well, Jenny. Here's hoping that you recover fully in a very short space of time. And I do hope it won't be long before you're back writing again. I'm looking forward to your words taking me on some more beautiful walks!

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It was lovely to hear from you airyfairy. I do have to remember to take things slowly and not expect too much too soon, especially after finding my ankle swollen up, which never happened the last time.

I wish I could function properly and let my imagination take me away, but it all seems blurry,, so I'll just have to wait and see what comes to mind.

Thank you for thinking of me and best wishes to you.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Hospital is always an ordeal whatever the reason for your stay. I would be anxious too, not knowing quite how your body will cope with movement and unknown levels of pain. You're also trapped, surrounded by strangers. Of course most will look after you well. Hopefully all that recouperation will bring you lots of writing material and ideas for your notebook. I wish you a very speedy recovery, Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Many, many thanks for your kind words of encouragement Jane. Every day is different. Last night was terrible, I just couldn't get comfortable in bed...it's having to stay on my back and not being able to turn on my side, or fold my knees up. Spent most of the night walking around downstairs and watching tv, but hopefully I'll get some sleep today.

Most of the nurses were really nice, though I saw a different one on each shift and had to keep repeating the same things at each course of medicine, but you get used to it after a while. It was of course good to get home to familiar surroundings.

I'm going to get around to reading some more of your story which I;m looking forward to.

Again many thanks for stopping by and commenting,

Jenny.

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

My best wishes for a full recovery, dear Jeny.

Luigi xx

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It's lovely to hear from you and your best wishes are very much appreciated Luigi. 

Many thanks.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by David Kirtley on

I am pleased you are recovering  successfully now. Your piece did explain what is like to be a patient for that operation very well. I read it with interest.Toileting can be a big problem, and your piece shows just how important it is to get it right, and to consider the patient. I am sure you are not alone in this. It would be great if the nurses read more of patients' writings!

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi David,

It's very kind of you to read and leave such a thoughtful comment. I'm just really glad the operation went well and now I can recover with my new hip, though it seems to be taking longer this time, so I just have to be patient and let time heal.

It was great to hear from you.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Turlough on

That's quite a story! And I can understand your anxiety. I'm not all that fond of hospitals so if and when the time comes I think I'd prefer to do my own hip operation at home in the kitchen.

You were very brave to go through with it, though I suppose you had little choice, and I admire you for being to able to write about it, warts and wees and all.

Good on you dear Jenny. I hope your recovery is a quick one and I hope 2025, when it gets here is a good year for you.

My very best wishes. 

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Turlough,

sorry I've taken so long to reply to your comment, only thesd physiotherapy exercises I do take up a good part of every day, but I'm now already walking without sticks around the house. The weather has been so good to us here in Swindon, I'm trying to get out and about as much as possible...with the aid of stidks of course, couldn't face being outside and not having them. I'm still on pain killers, but getting better each day.

I had wound checked at the hospital today. The nurses removed the dressing and everything seemed fine. They said I'll be able to shower...can't wait. smiley

I know what you mean about hospitals, they can be pretty gruesome at times. I was so glad it was only two nights I was in there. I'm finding it so difficult sleeping on my back, but I've no choice for at least five to six weeks, so I like to get up and walk around, or watch a bit of tv with a hot drink, so much easier at home.

Many thanks for your kind words. I really hope 2025 finds us all in good spirits and good health.

Will get around to reading your latest writing. 

hope you and your are all well.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Turlough on

That sounds like good news Jenny. I'm pleased to hear you're progessing well. Keep up the good work.

laugh

Turlough

Submitted by marandina on

It's always a relief to get a hospital procedure out of the way. So glad you are on the other side now, Jenny. Wishing you are a speedy recovery and I'm sure it will all have been worth it. Write again when you are ready. We will all be waiting for you. Take care. Paul x

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Paul,

you are so right about getting a hospital procedure out the way. It's wonderful to be on the other side and recovering. 

I have to spend as much time as I can on my physiotherapy exercises and walking, that it doesn't leave me much time for thinking about writing. It also gets uncomfortable sitting for long periods, so I'm not sure when I'll be writing. It's very kind of you to think of me and I appreciate your words of encouragement.

I will come over and read your latest writing soon.

It's great to hear from you and thank you so much for your cheery words. smiley

Jenny. x

 

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Great! Hope you're soon up and about! Nolan &

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Ah! Bless you Nolan, and many thanks for the positive comment.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I just noticed the lovely cherries. Thank you so much Editors, they made my day.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Without sticks ALREADY!!! That's amazing :0) Well Done :0) More beautiful poem walks soon, I hope

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Only around the house Di, but it's a start. (Best part is, that now I can shower without fear of getting the wound wet now I've had the dressing removed.) 

Always a pleasure to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by.

Jenny.