A bit nervous

First off - big hugs. Waiting is the worst part of all of this. Please don't worry about the operation itself - you won't know anything until you wake up bck in your bed all hazy from the anaesthetic. And while the first week is tough, each day brings new progress and skills (look - I actually moved my leg a little bit and I intended to)!

So - take the extra days for a nice walk, a night out with friends, indeed any of the things you really enjoy and might not be able to manage for a while when you are truly a member of this fabulous community of hippies. And come back soon for the generousity, warmth and advice of this community. Have a super weekend and even better surgery and recovrry. Linda

Ashley, 

As an 'old hand' at this, let me assure you that you are already doing the most important thing- coming to this forum which is so supportive.  I don't know how I would have got through it without my good friends on here.

There are many resources at your disposal, the moderator's own "useful resources" page at   

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147has lots of links, one of which is my own website which has my operation and recovery blogs, lots of hints, tips and links to useful websites.

I am 63, and I was nervous too, this was my first planned hospital stay and my first operation.  The staff at my hospital were great, even when I needed the lady doctor to fit me up with a catheter in the middle of the night - so embarassing 

After the operation, you will have lost that excrutiating OA pain, sure you will have other pains, but they are minor compared to OA, and they do get better which OA pain does not.

Any concerns, come here and ask, there always seems to be someone here who can help or at least listen to you.  but don't forget your hospital and consultant will also want tolook after you, so ask questions. Write them down before appointments so you don't forget any points.

Relax, you're in the best place.

Graham - 🚀💃

Ahhh bless you Ashley, it will be well and I know we all felt nervous at some stage towards the surgey. I remember trying to fight back tears and praying as I walked to th operation room, but as Linda quite righty put it, you wont remember anything just the ponit you go into the pre-theatre room for setting you up and when you wake up (so very true).  I had a really lovely nurse who just by being there helped to calm me down ​.

​You will be fine Ashley! I agree with Linda in things to do before your date does come up.

​God bless you, it will be well with you.

Ashley - Think about the delight of waking up without that nasty grinding pain I presume you have now.

I woke up following morning after my surgery, nurse was saying you havn't used your button for more pain killers, No, I don't need them, she looked at me thunderstruck, as I said I'm in less pain now, than I was when I walked in the front door of the hospital for surgery.

She laughed and said the physio's are coming soon, heres some painkillers, that first time moving is not so comfortable, OUCHHH, but its not coming from the joint, but the surgery site. 

While I was standing tryied out the new hip as instructed, NO grinding, and not as much pain as I expected when moving the joint, I could get my big toe back past my heel, 40 years of not being able to do that complicates the hell out a normal walking gait, had my own strange way of walking which I had to relearn completely, physios a great help, and me repeating to myself in my head, stand up straight, relax knees lift, and let leg swing naturally, heel down first, let the leg swing through naturally past the point where it used to stop.

Aim with physios to get to the door of my room, 4 beds, with en-suite shower, and toilet, walked to nurses station, 3 rooms down the corridor, 2nd day walked to day room, past about 10 rooms in total.

Hi Ashley,

Bless your heart, to be so young and need this surgery, but we are here for you.  When I first discovered that my hip joints had died, my doctors nurse had called to tell me.  I asked her what I could do about it and she said that they would need to be replaced.  Replaced!  It hit me like a ton of bricks and I had a feeling of shock!  

When my day came, I just trusted God and my surgeon.  And was very thankful to be sedated.  I made sure I asked for something to calm me down even before the spinal.  They knocked me out for a brief period of time for the spinal and I was thankful for that. I knew that once I was sedated, I did not have to think about any of it.

Soon we will be hearing of your succes!sful surgery!  

Wish you the best!

Dawn, USA

Hi Ashley

I had my 2nd thr on 15th feb and my previous one on 9th dec so had both done within 3 months. I am 42 so not that old..getting there but still quite young. You will be fine and this forum is great to het you through it any question or concerns you have just ask. I have managed through the 2 off them and am on the road to recovery. I can walk and l have no OA pain that l had suffered a year wit. Now l have only to heal from the ops. But l can tell right away it has been worth it and would do it all again if l needed to knowing what the ops are like.

You will find a range of age groups our youngest is 20 then from there loads inbetween and upwards. We are all here to help. I know this forum got me through it all its like a family and you will get to know everyone through time all that can help with diffrent concerns.

Please don't be scared l know its easier said than done l was terrified but l am here and ok after getting both replaced.

Please feel free to ask anything as you will find we will all help

Laura xx

Dear Ashley, 

Of course you are nervous - we all were - it is a big surgery and other people don't really understand - except here in this forum - 

A good thing that you didn't have to wait too long after the cancellation - 

No matter what we, or anybody say here, nothing can take your worries, nervousness, maybe even fear away - so you might as well accept that you are afraid and it is okay !!!!  with that comes some peace of mind - 

have faith and know that all is well 

angel blessings

big warm hug

renee

 

Ashey, I have a deep-seated fear of surgery and have been known to terrorise theatre staff in the past as they were putting me under.

This time around for some reason I took it in my stride (or non-stride, depending on how you look at it). I was scared, but I was more scared of the potential consequences of not having it. I was really calm on the morning of the op and even walked to the loo in the theatre area before going in to be knocked out.

Woke up two hours later feeling just fine. Even though I hated being "tied" to the bed by the leg pumps afterwards, I actually enjoyed the 24-hour massage I got from them...

I doubt any of us breezed into the operating theatre without carrying a bag of nerves with us.

I gave myself a stern talking to and told myself that life was going to be better after....and it is 

Hi Ashley, good luck for Monday. My daughter in law was 31 and she has gone from strength to strength. It's been two years now and she is so fit and active it's a joy to watch. I'm almost 4 weeks post op, my progress is incredibly slow my to my disappointment but I've learnt from this forum we are all different and be kind to yourself. All the best. Xx

Thank you everyone! I will definitely keep everyone updated tomorrow! This did help put my mind at ease and I am less nervous! I had a wonderful weekend just ready to be pain free!