Posted , 22 users are following.
Hallo all. Just looking for some words of encouragement. I know all will be well and I will finally get my life back, but I'm still very anxious about my hip replacement surgery on Thursday (31st). I keep bursting into tears! Must get a grip.
2 likes, 91 replies
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jane87386 jenny16761
Posted
hi Jenny, i had full hip replacement three weeks ago. like you, i was really nervous and ended up working myself up into a right state! try to relax and think positive thoughts. visualise yourself without the pain you currently have. i had spinal block and stated awake for the op, which was fascinating and as you say, much quicker recovery time. the worst bit is anticipating the op but once done, you will be so relieved and you can start to get your life back. good luck!
jenny16761 jane87386
Posted
Thank you so much. I keep telling myself to get a grip and then find my anxiety spiralling! I shall try to think happy thoughts and focus on no more limping, no more walking stick, no more stock-piling paracetamol (for all the good they do) x
Lilylou1 jenny16761
Posted
Im also a similar age to you 45 when i had my op, nearly 11 mths post op now.. My kids were 16 and 20 they were incredibly helpful. But the shock of knowing i needed a THR although i knew in my 30s that was the likely scenario as my hip was considered severe then! Just go easy on yourself after, realistic expectations, i would rest on my bed and ice my hip everytime and if i wasnt doing that i was doing walks with my crutches up and down the driveway. I remember trying to help fold the washing after my op i felt shattered and gave up lol.
Just be kind to yourself. I also got my period two weeks after the op, not helpful, my poor husband, i very rarely cry in front of him anyway so what a mixed bag! And my job is to listen to other peoples problems!! You will be ok! Im the biggest wimp out and i did it!
jenny16761 Lilylou1
Posted
Thanks, Lilylou. I was so shocked to hear too - I cried all the way home from the appointment. I thought I would just have another injection and all would be well again! Luckily, I won't be worrying about periods - all done and dusted on that front 😉 It's my last day at work today and then Game On. I have felt much better since receiving all these messages x
jen86183 jenny16761
Posted
Jenny,
Good luck for Thursday. I left my hip for eight years as I was terrified of having an op, any op but come the day I was remarkably calm, I thought, well I am here now, I just will just go along with it.
About two hours before the op I was given a tablet with I believe was a sedative, at noon they began the spinal at 1.50 pm I was being woken up and have never had any pain since, no post op pain at all. Don't assume you will have pain afterwards, the first two weeks are the worst if you have clips (you might have glue) in, when they are taken out it gets better. Do not worry if you have swelling or bruising, it is normal and varies from person to person how long it lasts. I mention that as some people seem surprised to have swelling etc.,
Take care and let us know how you are getting along.
jenny16761 jen86183
Posted
Thanks, Jen. Lovely to hear your experience. I had a pre-op assessment yesterday. The nurse noted that I'd had shoulder surgery a few years ago and commented that the shoulder' s such a complex joint , the pain I had after that would be much worse than after hip surgery. Good to hear. It's going to be wonderful to be out of this rotten pain. It's my last day at work today x
Nat666 jenny16761
Posted
Hi Jenny I have been following this thread and just wanted to reinforce what all the other lovely people here are saying ..Yes you will be definitely be fine and its normal to feel apprehensive as after all this is major surgery.I am 6 weeks post hip replacement, I had spinal and sedation and it was great! I woke up pain free and ready for a cuppa lol.The staff were great making sure pain relief was taken well before the block wore off. I had my other hip replaced 10 yrs ago , I had a general then and woke up quite groggy and not wonderfully comfortable.You will be so well looked after .I am in the uk and had both hips done in Plymouth but different places
.I go back for my 6 week follow up on Friday and hope to be back driving soon after. By Friday you will be all done with your shiny new hip and up and about. Thinking of you x
jenny16761 Nat666
Posted
Thank you, Nat. All these kind and positive messages have really turned my mood around - I'm so grateful. I hope you're driving soon. It must be great to be pain-free x
HLMUK jenny16761
Posted
Hi Jenny, good luck for tomorrow and if you do only one thing today, cut your toenails!! You won't be able to reach the boogers for 6 weeks, its only a small thing but it's worth it. Sending zen like happy, calming, gin based wishes
Helen x
jenny16761 HLMUK
Posted
Haha! I was just thinking about that, Helen. It'll be a job for The Husband, I think, because I can't reach the nails now, even with the most creative of contortions 😊 I've also assigned my daughter with the job of painting them when I get home. I think I'll toast the outgoing hip with a stiff gin tonight x
Nat666 jenny16761
Posted
It is great Jenny, just a bit of muscle stiifness after periods of inactivity but yes really good .Have a day getting yourself ready for tomorrow and maybe some relaxation time too
😊
jenny16761 Nat666
Posted
Thanks. I've done a little bit of cleaning and shut the lid on my work laptop (yay). I plan to get myself to my favourite little coffee shop too - just to make the most of getting somewhere under my own steam. I will sip my coffee and think brave thoughts. See you on the other side 😊
PierinaAnn jenny16761
Posted
you will be fine, let us know how you are, this a fantastic place to be . Good luck and all will be well.
Ann
jenny16761 PierinaAnn
Posted
Thank you for kind thoughts. Today's the day!! Jenny x
monkeypearl jenny16761
Posted
Hiya Jenny..😊
I've had both hips done over the last 12 months and my life is 100% better for it..
All the best for your op and a nice steady recovery, just take one day at a time and you will be amazed at how life is good again...😁
Enjoy the future and stay happy...
Pete 😊
ptolemy jenny16761
Posted
Have been thinking of you. Hope everything is now tickety boo.
jenny16761 monkeypearl
Posted
Thanks, Pete. I'm so glad I found this forum where people are truly supportive. I was part of a Facebook one and it seemed to be a competition about whose pain was the worst! I'm in a bit of pain but at least I know this will go away in due course. Onwards and upwards x
jenny16761 ptolemy
Posted
Hey Ptolemy. All ok here. I've taken a couple of walks by myself. I think this'll be fine as long as I keep taking the painkillers!! x
ptolemy jenny16761
Posted
It is important to keep the pain at bay. I was lucky and did not seem to need pain killers perhaps it was all the ketamin they pumped into me during the op.