Well here si an x-ray of what my pelvis looks like now. the screws have been removed from the left side, but at least now my femoral heads look like they are in an acetabulum now instead of hanging out!

Back to work - 4 months post PAO

OK,
well been a little while since I wrote on here but that is only because I have been taking advantage of having time off in the summer and for the last month can pretty much do what I like, drive, go to the gym, play golf (in little bits).
So, yesterday I went into work for the morning. The plan is to go back for 25% hours for 2 weeks and sloly build it up. Am going to be working in the orthopaedic department at UCLH (where I ahd my surgeries), which I am pleased about while I am getting back into it as I don't have to worry about explainng myself all the time as everyone just knows. Having said that I am also really looking forward to starting my new job in Woolwich in October where people will hopefully get to know me for me, rather than my hips first!
I think it is going to be a bit weird back at work at first, it really hit me yesterday how much confidence I have lost in myself with regards to work, and also in my body not letting me down. I actually felt pretty aimless yesterday, I am supernumeray and (don't get me wrong I think this is essential while I am gettting back into work), but it does mean that I don't really have much of a role. I am sure it will get better though the more I go in and start getting some more experince again.
I am going in this thursday for most of the day, I will be attending a trauma list in the morning (operations on people who have broken things etc) and fracture clinic in the afternoon (pretty self explanatory) so it will be interesting to see how I manage with that, especially as both are standing up for most of the time!
Tomorrow I am seeing a new cardiologist for the heart arrythmias, I am really hoping he thinks it is all because of the surgery and drugs rather than something wrong with my heart. Feel quite out of my depth with regards to this, have never done a cardiology job, and while I can manange all the acute thing when they pitch up to A+E, I have no real experience with the management beyond that!
Also where has all the nice weather gone, august is still considered summer right!
Bye for now
Sophie

2 months down the line

And doing really well - woohoo for Sophie!

I am pleased to say I am writing this on my own sofa in my own flat having spent the last 5 days here and it has been great.

So what has been happening recently -

I went to see Bon Jovi at the O2 twice, now you might thing this sounds a bit excessive but the first time we went in the wheelchair and our seats were right next to the stage which was amazing. I decided that I would probably never be able to get such good seats again so the following day phoned up to see if they had any left for the folowing week, which they did and for £100 less - so we went again.

I had my annual review which went well, apparently they were impressed with what i had acheived in the time I had, only problem is now they have probably got very high exectations of me for next year!

I have been to the gym a few times and can now cycle 6km on a bike and swim 1000m, only problem is walking still quite painful. I do find it quite bizarre and I do get some strange looks, when you see me in the water you wouldn't know there was anything wrong and then I get out and use crutches!

My walking is improving but I honestly thought I would be further along at this stage than I am. I still get quite a lot of pain walking though am no longer using crutches around the house. It is amazing to have the use of my hands back.

Physio to look forward to tomorrow.

Sophie x

Fed up of Pain and fatigue

Well I really am!

I am trying to do all my exercises but it just hurts so much, and sleeping, I just wish I could turn over without having to wake up because it hurts to do so. Obviously the pain is much better than it was but I think my tolerance for it is decreasing!

On top of that I think I have a mild flare up of the pericarditis, compared to last week when I was out and about and still feeling OK, tired but OK whereas the last few days I have got no energy for anything and am getting chest pain especially lying down and going up stairs.

It's not all doom and gloom though. I saw Mr Witt last week and he said that I can start putting 50% weight through my leg for the next 2 weeks and then gradually build up after that to full weight bearing. I can also start straight leg raising and straight leg abduction but it is such hard work and I do not remember it hurting so much to do them, maybe it did but my mind has blocked it out.

The x-ray looked like all the bone was healing, though I was surprised to still see a gap on the left side, though he said that it was still filling in with new bone.

My formal physio is due to start next friday which will be good.

Time to finish watching House and then for a swim.

Sophie

3 weeks Progress

I have been slightly slack on keeping this up to date in the last week, several reasons really. My parents internet is being a bit temporamental, I have also been doing slightly more during the days, which while that is good takes so much out of me that it takes me about 24 hours to recover and even the effort of typing seems too much!

So I went swimming for the 3rd time today which was lovely. I love being in the water so much, it is the only place where I am really comfortable and all the pressure is taken off my pelvis. This time I also managed to swim 4 lengths frontcrawl (arms only - just let my legs drag in the water), the 2 previous times have only managed about 1/2 length before the rolling of my body was too much. The local pool is great, there is a ramp and a plastic wheelchair so getting in and out is really easy.

It is quite stressful at home (with my parents) at times because they are having lots of building work being done and there just keeps being one major set back after another, and with all the noise and everything it is sometimes not that restful.

I am still waking up at night in quite a lot of pain, bizarrely the pain has almost been worse in the last few days than previously - maybe I am just too keen to get better, or I am just so fed up of being in pain my tolerance for it is decreasing.

I also had a manicure this morning which was great. I normally have to keep my nails short for work and never can wear nail varnish, but now not working my nails are growing so decided to do something nice about it. Weird seeing my hands with pink nail varnish though.

I have made it through series 1 of 24 and just about to start season2, also my sister bought me season 1 of house so have started watching that too which is really good - Hugh Laurie is so talented.

I am so pleased that I do not have to go through this whole thing again, I think that is what was so hard last time - knowing that I had to go through it all again thank goodness I don't have a third hip!

Well back to the TV for a while until chinese food for dinner - yum

Sophie

2 weeks down

Cant believe it has been 3 days since I posted - this may sound really strange but the days have gone really quickly, considering I haven't left the house that is.
It is 2 weeks today that I had the PAO so that is 1/3 of the non-weight bearing time done. Already after only 2 weeks I can tell that my muscles on my right leg are wasting.
The glue and scabs have all come off the wounds and underneath they look great. There is only one bit at the lower end of the right scar that looks a touch red, but I am just going to keep an eye on it for now and keep it dressed.
I am going down to stay with my parents this weekend and hopefully taking my first trip swimming. I cannot wait to get in the water. We will not be going in their pool as the heat exchanger is only gettng fixed this week and it will take a while to warm up so we are going to the local pool. My Dad and Westy are going to play golf together on saturday, I'm so pleased Westy is getting to play some golf as this last couple fo weeks have been stressful for him too and that is how he relaxes. (and I'm only a tieeny bit jealous of him, only a teeny bit though as now this last PAO is done I don;t have any more hips so it is the start of me getting my life back and soon I will be on the golf course too - maybe even by the end of the summer - wow that would be amazing.
Its sunny today which means I can sit on the balcony in the sunshine, its a change from in front of the TV or in bed!
Sophie

The unscratchable Itch

Ok, so where I have had the incision on my hip to get to the hip joint they have to cut the nerve that suppiles the outer skin of the thigh. Well it is completely numb however it is itching! The problem is when I scratch that area I can't feel it at all.......it is an unscratchable itch and believe me is quite annoying.

Had my first trip out today and it was so good if slightly chilly. Went to the cinema in my wheelchair to see Percy Jackson and the lightning thief which was really good but amused my husbnad about my complete lack of knowledge about greek mythology - how was I supposed to know Zeus was the King of the Gods, I am a doctor, I studied science at school not greek mythology.

Still can't quite get over how much better the hip feels compared to last time. last time I was still in hospital at this stage - admittedly about to go home - as long as I keep the pain killers on board regularly I am remarkably comfortable - must remember not to over do it though.

Bye for now
Sophie

Ho-hum

Sunday afternoon and its raining.
But......last night I slept through the night for the first time without needing painkillers in the middle of the night. Was suffering by the time I woke up though and it was a toss up between staying still and minimizing pain and moving to get pain killers but knowing that it would hurt!

Thinking tentatively about my first adventure out tomorrow to go to the cinema to see Percy Jackson and the lightning thief (the grown ups that we are). This is the first time I have made it this far in the day without needing to sleep - it just goes to show exactly how unrestful being in hospital is.

Heart still a bit irritable, all I have to do is move and my heart rate shoots up but it settles reletively quickly too. The current challenge I have is finding underwear that does not rub. Having got diferent scars on each side, one is higher than the other this is a challenge that is proving tricky. If it doesn't rub on one side it does on the other. I feel I need to invest in some supersize super high granny pants that come up to my tummy button so that they will not rub, now that will look attractive to match the browny yellow colour my right arse cheek is due to some spectacular bruising!

Right husband is getting his daily sport fix - time for me to go lie down and read.

Sophie

I'm home home home home home home

It was soooooo good to sleep in my own bed, though hubby is relegated to sofa for now, both of us too scared of knocking me in the night.I'm amazed by how good my hip feels, compared to my last one I already feel like I am 4 weeks down the line instead of just one.I am now terrified of general anaesthetics (having twice had heart problems after them) and have decided if need screws removed then I will have it just under a spinal/epidural.Also having had my left screws out unless I look to see the incision I can't actually tell I have had anything done to my left hip.Fresh air is so good too, have got balcony window wide open, hospital was so stuffy.So releived to be home. Though originally I had planned to go straight down to my parents I now have to stay in London for a week or so, the hospital have asked me to incase anything goes wrong with my heart - nice to know how much faith they have in me - however based on last weeks performance it's probably justified.Just relaxing watching tv now.
Sophie

Home Home Home Home Home

It's Friday and that means home for Sophie. My heart has behaved itself so hopefully when my caridiology consultant comes round he will say OK to go home. Westy (my husband - I call him by his surname as we were friends first and that's how I know him, Adrian still sounds odd even after 7 years) has a meeting from 4-5 and then he will come and pick me up. It means we will be travelling home in rush hour but if we use Addison Lee it is a fixed price. I really hope I don't get carsick - after last one I got terribly car sick for 6 weeks - interestingly what cured me was my second bout of pericarditis, when I came out of hospital after that I wasn't car sick any more.
The first thing I am going to do when I get home is le on the bed and have a long proper cuddle with Westy, I've missed that closeness so much.
Then some yummy pasta and pesto for tea.
Then sleeping in own bed with a duvet and a new nightie.
Had my last shower for a while (as can't get into ours at home) and have to wait a week before going down to parents, in case any thing happens they want me close to London for a while - nice to know how much faith they have in me.
Primmee and Jaques cane to visit again this morning which is nice.
Just going to rest today as last night I couldn't sleep, the patient opposite me has a special mattress which is not functioning and keeps going off all night with a really loud annoying beep, and am sure the journey home will tire me out.
Despite all the ups and downs I feel this time it has gone better. The pain has been much better controlled and the movement I have in the hip is just so much better that the left. I think the second one is definately easier as you know what to expect. The unknown of everything with the first one is a massive burden that is just not there this time.
Okey Dokey time to divulge in daytime TV - homes under the hammer!.
Bye
Sophie

Plans for Home

Well today was a good day overall, finally! I feel like I have turned a corner, but being Sophie I have still managed to make it difficult.
Monday - This was the muscle spasm day - I was so uncomforatble all day as the muscles in my leg were going into spasm but a little bit of diazepam seemed to do the trick - and also completely zonked me out. Kept the PCA up today because of it, other than that pretty uneventful - Oh Mr Lee bought me a really yummy chicken and avocado sandwich from Fitzroy patisserie (I love that sandwich shop).
Tuesday, now this was interesting:
Woke up and felt really sick and needed 2 lots of anti-sickness to get on top of it, I was also nil by mouth as I had an ultrasound at 10.15. That was the day the entire orthopaedic department decided to stop by and all I could do was nod and try not to throw up! I think it was all due to PCA. So we stopped it. Ultrasound went OK and although liver and kidney not completely normal yet both much improved compared to friday's scan. Then it becomes interesting - got back to ward, had lunch, had my first shower (which felt soooooooooo good) then decided to have a rest but then..............................
Extremely suddenly I had the most awful feeling of awfulness in my chest (the only thing I think it can be like is the impending doom we tell patients about when we give them adenosine) and the nurse standing near said I suddenly went white as a sheet, then I felt really sweaty and clammy and when they put me on the sats probe my heart rate was jumping around from 150-225. It was truly the most awful feeling I have ever felt. Anyway scared everyone, emergency response team called out, respiratory alkalosis on ABG and then quite quickly got better, then it happened 3 times in the space of about 45 minutes. Very bizarre and not somehting I ever want to experience again.
Saw my cardiology consultant today who reckoned because of the suddenness I probably had a true tachyarrythmia (like the one post op) and not like the sinus tachycardias I have with the pericarditis.
Felt much better in the evening. Mummy brought krispy kreme doughnuts mmmmmm and strawberries more mmmmmmmmm. And although had a bit of pain in the night am managing really well today on just paracetemol and tramadol. Might take some oromorph just before bed to get me through the night and help me sleep.
So...... fingers crossed as long as my heart behaves home on friday afternoon after reviewed by cardiologist again. Then need to stay in London for a bit so am close to the hospital incase anything happens - nice how much confidence everyone has in my ability to not get sick!
Right I think that is plenty for now, time for chocolate crisy cake yummy yummy yummy in my tummy!
Bye
Sophie

So back to today

My blood transfusion has made soooooooooo much difference. I couldn't work out why I felt so completely awful yesterday.
My friend who has been on nights came to see me again this morning and we had a good grumble about the failures of the day before - and then she got me a bacon roll which was yummmmmmy - simple things hey!
Have then managed to get up with the physios - walk a few steps - sit in a chair for half an hour before the nauesea became overwhelming and had to get back into bed - also had another wash. Can not wait for when I am well enough to have a shower.
Watched the marathon - cound't see anyone I knew - it is so inspiring everytime and yet I know I will never do it - leave those challenges for others - semm to give myself enough just with normal life!
Slept this afternoon and then lovely husband there when I woke up. Now for some 24 cathing up.
Sophie

Day 3 Post op

Ok, so it has taken me a few days to get up to the stage that I ahve felt well enough to write on this. I did try on day 1 (23rd) but was doing it on my iphone and the technical challenges were completely beyond me - was able to put the ttiles in but nothing else!
So today we have finally made some progress - but its been a turbulent journey already.
1 - post op - I have no recollection of this but I had an arrythmia with a HR of 150 and systolic BP of 60, 1 magnesium infusion later and I had stabilised, my only memory is the ITU consultant saying they might put in an arterial line - luckily that didn't happen.
2 - 1st night - no sleep but no surprise there - had been having some weird right abdo/back pain.
3 - Day 1 post -op - stayed in ITU, abdo pain still there, had USS which showed dilated bile ducts and intrhepatic ducts (no idea what that means) and a slightly bright right kidney with a bit of fluid around it - the consultant very disappointedly said - nothing for me to drain - I was very relieved
4 - 2nd night - OK, got some sleep, had really nice bed bath and felt so much better - and really didn't care about the nurse seeing and washing everything - in fact felt better for being clean. My skin had been really itchy from the surgical scrub so was nice to be rid of that (and the slightly orange tint!)
5 - Day 2 post op - nightmare - my own orthopeadic team failed to come see me, ITU discharged me back to the ward with an Hb of 6.5, the ward left me without pain relief and anti-sickness for 4 hours - all in all too much. I felt so let down by the NHS and my collegagues - normally I'm all for the quiet life but believe me someone will be hearting about this!
6 - 3 units of blood later, and some sleep and things are starting to look a bit more positive.
Sophie

Panic

So its 9pm the night before, beer and wine has done something to calm my nerves as has talking to my mum, best friend and mother in law on the phone for almost 2 hours in total until my husband got home from work.
Massive nerves and butterflies.
Have had so many good luck texts and e-mails from people, I'm so grateful fo everyones thoughts.
So current plan is to tr to sleep. Get up at 04.30 to have one last bit of bedroom activity with husband for a while, shower and then shave legs so smooth as possible then head of to UCLH for that 07.00 start in good old K-pod!
lets hope I sleep
Sophie x

1 day to go

Well it all looks like it is going to go ahead.
I finished work on monday which was weird thinking I am not going to work again for 4 months. I know I will miss it, I love the interaction with patients and colleagues and learning things everyday. However it had got to a point where my hip was affecting me so much I wasn't actually gaining much from a training perspective with work.
Mr Witt - who was out the country skiing made it back despite the volcano.
I have packed my bag - only need to add the things that I will still eb using today - i.e. computer, phone charger etc.
All medical equipment arrived - 2 toilet seat raises, perch stool, grabber and sock putter onner thingy. So pleased I ahve this stufff - didn't last time and struggled a bit. - Had to put a garden chair in the shower, which didn't leave much room for me!
The butterflies are really starting to kick in, haven't slept well the lst couple of nights because keep waking up and then think about things and butterflies start.
Its weird - last time I was so scared but now although I am nervous I'm not scared which considering how many problems I had last time shows how much faith I have in Mr Witt and the anaesthetist.
Just think 24 hours from now will hopefully be in theatre - as long as am first on the list which i am hoping for.

Still Waiting

Well the volcano is continuing to erupt, UK airspace is still closed and apparently unless the winds change drastically (which they are not forecasting at the moment) you will not be able tofly into the UK anytime soon!

I really hope my operation doesn't get cancelled - not sure my emotional state would be able to cope with it. In the meantime that great medicine called wine is helping me worry less about it.

Off to horse racing tomorrow - fun in the sun - but no air ambulance cover - again - stupid volcano!

Keeping fingers crossed!

Obviously I was always going to be keeping my fingers crossed for the surgery but with less than a week to go am starting to worry but for completely different reasons from last time
1. - I know my consultant is on leave and i think out the country (as no-one has been able to contact him!) and now some stupid volcano has errupted in iceland and so you can't get into the UK. I am hoping it will all settle down so that by next thursday he will be in the country!
2. Am really worried my heart will misbehave, I'm already a bit concerned that I'm only hitting this operation at 60% health, last time was hard enough when I was really health (barring dodgy hips)
3. - absolutely nothing i can do about it all which is so frustrating.

Anyway am looking forward to my last weekend with my husband before I get broken, we are going for lunch tomorrow at an amazing pub (the trafalgar tavern, greenwich), and then, although I am working on sunday it is as senior medical officer for a horse racing event which my lovely hubby is going to be my driver so I still get to spend the whole day with him.

Anyway got to make tea - jacket potatoes - yummy
Oh also bought the essential jar of marmite and nutella to go into hospital with me!

Sophie
x

11 days to go

Well,
I tried this last year and failed miserably, however this year, inspired by all the other hip women who blog, I am going to try to write my own.
So...... in a nut shell here is my story (I figured this was a reasonable place to start)
28 years old, married for 3 years no children (yet, just practicing for now) and diagnosed (with a bit of a shock) with bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hips last year. Oh and I am also a doctor (surgeon, and I want to become a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon) - well I figured I had some insight!
Anyway, many consultant visits later, much tried physiotherapy and a big decrease in mobility the durgery started.
7th July 2009 - Hip arthroscopy to repair torn labrum, and, I think done by my surgeon to prove to me that I really did need the big scary PAO that I didn't want.
6th August 2009 - Big scary PAO, managed to get pericarditis after, the most pain I thought it was possible ot be in but at the end of it ........ a hip that actually works, woohoo!
It was actually far more traumatic and prolonged than that but anyway!
So on the 22nd April we are repeating the process with the Right PAO and having my screws removed from the left side as they stick out and rub ont clothes etc.

I feel I am far better prepared this time, and actually can't wait to get on with it. Wheras last time it was shear absolute terrifying fear and nerves, this time its more nervous but excited too. However that may change as we get closer and closer.

To be honest my biggest fear is getting cancelled on the day. I have to go to Intensive care after (because of the heart problem) and that massively increase cancellation risk - I should know I have worked there and frequently had my patients cancelled. Dreading building myself up for nothing.

Oh well, we will just have to wait and see.