The joy of scans

OK so I wasn't planning on doing another update. I figured once I hit 12 weeks I'd have got through the main fun stuff and from here on it'd just be a case of carry on carrying on. But this week has actually seen quite a bit of change.  In the colour of my inner elbow for one thing.

Anybody who's been reading this blog, or who has had the misfortune of talking to me over the past few weeks, will know I've had a bit of a problem with swelling. It's been lower legs and in both,  though worse in my right. It's been a bit tiresome though tne word 'swelling' was a good source of childish innuendo in a chat with a male colleague. Nice to know it can be amusing I guess.  Anyway my surgeon had decided to send me for a scan so that was my little adventure on Thursday.  I'm not actually sure if adventure is the right word; I think adventures should have more excitement and less waiting around. And also I was feeling a bit of a fraud since the swelling had really gone right down this week.

I only actually got confirmation around 10am that I was booked in for 5pm.  And that I was actually having 2 scans - a Doppler ultrasound and also a CT venogram. When I went to the hospital for 5.30 on Monday it took me over an hour to get there,  so I decided to take no chances as I figured there'd be school traffic so I left work at 3. But the traffic wasn't there.  The roadworks are still there but the cars werent. Luckily there is a cafe and free WiFi so I got some work done in the hour and quarter I had to kill. I could've done more as having got up to xray dept a little before 5 I found out Dr Farquharson, doing the Doppler was late leaving his Manchester hospital and had to get through the traffic, which was apparently more car-laden than mine was. 

Anyway just after 5.30 he appeared, I got told to just remove trousers for this scan and then was taken into the ultrasound room. These things never fail to remind me of the antenatal scans. In fact given my weight gain I probably have a bigger belly now than I did for my first pregnancy scan! But no belly action here, this scan was on my legs which meant I was pretty much covered from hip to ankle in gel while the very friendly Dr F looked at my veins.  I couldn't see the screen but he seemed to be quite happy it was all ok.  After trying to wipe all the gel off (God that stuff gets everywhere!) I was taken back to the changing cubicle.  I knew I'd need to remove my belly bar and was also told to take off my bra but could leave my top on. I'd got my laptop bag with me so I just tucked my bra and belly bar in that, and was just carrying trousers as there didn't seem any point lugging one of those baskets . 

So I was taken into the CT room with Joe, who was in charge of proceedings there.  I've had a couple of these before so wasn't overly worried, though not overly looking forward to needing to have the injection for the imaging dye. Joe started looking at my right arm but predictably couldn't find any decent veins there. So he moved to left arm and after quite a bit of clenching and patting he found a vein.  Not that I was looking, I am quite a needle phobe and despite being a very brave girl giving myself those injections I just lay there with eyes shut and labour-like breathing. He got the cannula in but then seemed to be having problems and said it wasn't working and took it out. He said he'd go get Dr F and hoped he'd be better at finding a vein. Personally I've never had much faith in doctors and needles, I'd always prefer a nurse if not a phlebotomist.  But Dr Farquharson  (full name now as the tablet picked it up without me typing) is very nice so I was ok with it. Not that I actually had any say in it. I was literally just lying on a bed under a blanket while Joe had gone to fetch the good doctor. And I lay there for around 25 mins, I did actually doze off for a while.  

Eventually Joe reappeared, apologetic for the delay and assuring me Dr F would be here soon. Sure enough he arrived and started vein hunting ( or should that be hunting in vain) in my right arm. For a while he thought he'd found one and started putting a needle in but soon realised it was futile and changed his mind and came to my left (where I had told him I had better veins but what do I know).  Lots more squeezing, clenching,  relaxing, tapping but no obvious vein.  I did make the observation that we were in an air conditioned room and they were putting cold stuff on my arms, so really it wasn't that surprising my poor veins had shrunk away. He did actually say I'd made a good point but warm gel was banned for health and safety reasons.  By this point I was cold and shivering, partly nerves too. I knew the chance of DVT was minimal and did ask if the Doppler had looked good couldn't we just give up and go home. But no. We went instead back to the ultrasound room.  Yes it had actually got bad enough that they needed to use ultrasound to look for my veins. He looked in my right arm (yawn) and said they were basically rubbish. Then cane to my left and said that was definitely my better arm (yayyyyy like I hadn't told you that!).  So having found the veins it was then time for the needle.  He got it in, but god knows what else he was doing as there were about 5 teeth gritting, uber heavy breathing,  occasional minor yelling moments.  Anyway the cannula was in and then it was back to the CT room. At this point not only was I quite shaky after the needle action but also my groin had kind of locked and was giving me shooting pains so they wheeled me in like a proper patient.  The scan itself was pretty uneventful, apart from the fact that as I went in and out the scanner the line feeding the dye into me kind of pinged across my face.  But it all worked ok and after all the faffing that had gone before it was done in under 10 minutes.  But all that faffing had taken its toll on my poor arm, which is currently a lovely shade of purple some 48hrs after the event.

But back to Thursday, I  was released back to go get changed and told I could just leave, didn't need to see anyone else. So I popped my trousers back on and headed back downstairs. I'd decided I'd sit in the main waiting room for a little while to get myself properly un-whoozied but as I headed down I felt something was missing. I thought it was my jacket but I knew I'd left that in the car, but somehow I just seemed lighter. Then it dawned on me. My bra was still in my laptop bag. At the age of 51 & 3/4 I was walking round in public without a bra. I hastily headed to the ladies loo (arms now folded across chest) and re-bra'd myself, at least it wasn't like I'd had to see anybody I knew. 

I haven't had the scan results yet. I saw my GP on Friday and though he'd requested them nothing had come through.  Considering I do seem to have stopped swelling I'm not overly bothered. Assume it's fine. If it isn't and there's anything more dramatic going on I will be forced to blog again so let's hope it's all fine for your sake!

I have to end on a happy note as this last week has been a week of major achievements.  Well they're major to me. They'll seem pretty inconsequential to many of my friends and colleagues reading this, but my fellow hippies will get it.  Yesterday I put my sock on by myself, no gadget assistance.  It wasn't elegant. It wasn't quick. It wasn't without muttered swear words.  But I did it. On Thursday I wore a proper pair of shoes. They're not high but they are narrow heel and pointy, and they go a bit of the way to restoring my self esteem. I feel more feminine and less hospital patient in them.  Today I wore a pair of pumps with laces and fastened them up all by myself. 

 And later on I climbed a step ladder. Only one step as that was all I needed but I did it without any worries. I would say I exercised educated caution but there was no fear. The groin is still a pain but I'm now finally starting to really feel good. And I have a week off work and a few days in the Moroccan sunshine to look forward to. Actually the forecast is for rain on one or two days but I'll still be in Morocco rather than Macclesfield  or Middlewich.  Life is good 😊

12 weeks, knickers in a twist

So yesterday was the biggie. Second biggie as obviously week 6 was the biggie, but then it actually wasn't so yesterday was. With me so far? Yesterday was 12 weeks and saw me back visiting Mr Hoad-Reddick and the physio,  and this was to be 'sign off' with my next visit due at the one year mark. The day hadn't been great as I'd been feeling quite swollen in my legs but I'd  eased it a bit with a lie down in Occ Health at lunchtime but with a stifling hot office and then a hell of a drive in almost stationary traffic I was feeling it. Which in some ways I was glad about as I wanted to be seen while things weren't great. 

I did say to him, as I happily say to anybody, that my walking and general mobility are a total joy now. But the groin pain is in the 'not so good' category and the swelling I class as 'bloody awful'. The groin pain hurts but I know when to expect it and with the ability to do some additional exercises I can see how that will improve. I know lots of people have it and it kind of makes sense. But the swelling is different. It seems to be both legs, and while it's not acute pain like the groin it is such a constant dull aching heaviness and tightness it is bloody miserable. On Thursday I was at work in the office and no chance to put my feet up. I didn't do the 'lunchtime lie down' thing as I was doing the 'pub lunch with a mate' thing.  I also stayed late as I got called into a 5 pm meeting. By the time I got home I had just about lost my ankles. It was a different story at the weekend when I was really active but took time out to lie with legs up. And as I can't just do that do easily at work, I just swell and feel horrible..

Anyway he examined me and said he didn't think they seemed overly swollen. He said he wasn't sure there was anything specific he could pin it to and commented that maybe I have a lower tolerance to swelling. He has a point as I've swelled quite impressively on the 2 cruises I've been on, and last year I did keep having occasional ankle swelling.  He's sent me for a Doppler scan  to rule out DVT though he thinks that's really unlikely as my calves are soft. I'll most likely be going for that on Thursday (still waiting for hospital to confirm).  He also queried an apparent urine infection I had before my surgery and suggested I get tested again at my GP. And rather than wait til one year, he'll see me in 3 months time.

He said I'm now free of the formal restrictions but not to think I can go mad.  He threw in the story of one of his patients who was over eager to cut her toenails and managed to dislocate at 3 months 1 day.  Basically anybody with a hip replacement is at risk of dislocation, the risk going down with time but also connected to what you try to do with it.  So the approach to follow is 'if it hurts don't do it' (though on that basis I could justifiably wimp out of some of the physio exercises).  I'm fine to resume pilates, dancing, and zumba he didnt bat an eyelid at.  Though I might want to wait a couple of months until I feel a bit stronger and more flexible.  Running is also fine - not that I'm much of a runner but the occasional burst on the treadmill is OK.  The only things I am banned from for life are trampolining and water-skiing.  The latter was never on the agenda.  Trampolining I am slightly gutted about as a visit to Jump Nation was on my to-do list.

After seeing him I saw the physio who said my walking was great (ha, like I needed telling!).  She focussed on the groin pain and said that some new exercises might help to work that out.  As one of these exercises involves bringing knee to chest I haven't been allowed to do that until now.  Now I'm allowed to I have as much chance of getting it there as Louis Van Gaal has of being Man Utd's all time favourite manager.  But I feel quite encouraged and hopeful that if I work hard it'll pay off.  Today I had hydrotherapy which was fantastic.  Another 1-2-1 session where I worked pretty hard.  And nearly drowned at one point as I fell off the step into the deep end! But it was great being able to move so much and in that warm pool I have great movement in the knee to chest department.

So now my restrictions are gone I don't need to rely on my grabber to help me get dressed.  But god it's hard to put knickers on when the leg is just too stiff and painful to bend up.  As I've been told to try to limit the amount of lift and twist to start with I just can't get my foot into the knickers.  Trousers aren't so bad as they're longer...I can hold them at the waistband and where my feet need to enter is further down.  But the whole palaver of getting into knickers feels like a promotional exercise for going commando.  It's sad that it feels such an achievement to be able to put my own undies on.  Almost on a par with the triumph of having a poo.  If I was a lot younger and more cool this would be a FML moment.

I did have a bit of a yayy moment last week when I hit the shops and ventured in poor beleagured BHS.  I thought they might be having a sale and was right - 2 pairs of shoes for £17 :)  Not high but they are narrow heel and pointyish shoe so I get away from the boring flats shape.  As they say the 3 things to avoid with shoes are high heels, narrow heels and pointy shoes it means I've been a rebel on 2 out of 3.  I can live with that at my age and in my condition.  Actually my condition could be worse - according to the Wii, while I didnt lose any weight this week, I am younger than I really am. Here's the proof

Some time ago I remember proudly boasting on FB when I showed a number in the 20s. I am not so delusional as to think I'll get there again but getting into my 40s still feels pretty good.  As does being described as in 'relatively good condition'.  Especially when I'm still too wrecked to get in my knickers without a big effort!

11 weeks, bending the rules

I'm now 11 weeks and seem to be getting forgetful. I go off to work and do stuff round the house and sometimes forget I've got this new hip and that I'm on restrictions. Most of the time I'm not actually breaking the restrictions but just doing things on auto and often not consciously thinking about Horace.  

The other day I was upstairs changing our bed when I realised I'd meant to get some meat out the freezer. So I just popped downstairs to the kitchen. And without even thinking about it I just did my normal half jog down the stairs. When I say normal I mean normal as based on several weeks preop. Since my op I've never actually had a problem with stairs. I coped fine going up and down with the 2 feet per stair routine, good leg leading up, bad leg leading down. In fact there were only 2 occasions I felt anything less than 100% doing the stairs. One was when I missed the bottom step and came down with a bit of a jolt on my operated leg. No damage done, just a little shock at the time. The other time was when I was at the top of the stairs coming down. I correctly put  my operated leg down first, but then instead of bringing my other leg to join it I went to go down to the next step. I felt myself doing it, had a quick moment in my head and almost fell down the stairs. I'd have been safer if I'd just walked normally down. Not long after that I went back to normal stair walking, one foot per stair. Going down I was great  (resisting urges to make inappropriate comment here!) but going up was a bit tougher getting the thigh muscles in action. I used handrail in both directions though it wasn't that long before I did come down without holding on. Not intentional but I was carrying a basket of washing and just sort of did it. And it wasn't that much longer before I didn't need to pull myself on the rail on the way up. So it's now been about 6 weeks I've been walking the stairs normally and last week I just speeded it up a bit.  I'm not making a habit of it just yet but it was great that I just did it. 

I'm also getting bendier. I've been doing golfers bend all over the place.  That's often out of necessity as I am hopeless at remembering my grabber. But I'm getting comfier and less worried about just bending to certain things now. And in the case of the emergency I faced yesterday morning all thought of obeying rules went out the window. I not only jumped out my chair quickly and ran across the room but I also had to bend at the same time. The reason was my cat. I'm not sure if she's had any other mention in this blog apart from the time she threw up on my bed. She is quite nice and there is more to her than being a 4-legged vomit machine but on this occasion it was that habit that came to the forefront.  She was making her way downstairs into the dining room where I was sitting when I heard THAT  noise. Have you watched Shrek (or possibly Shrek 2, I lose track) and seen the scene with Puss in Boots where he coughs up a furball? The noise is gross in real life. And unmistakable.  So I was up faster than I've moved in weeks, bending down to shove her out through the kitchen, bent again to push the cat flap open with one hand and her through it with the other.  Timed it perfectly too as the stream of yellowish gunk loaded with grass landed in the garden and not in the house. 

So it's great that I'm returning to normal. Work this week was quite busy and my reduced hours didn't happen a couple of days. That's a 'normal' I don't want. I really do mean to keep things in check now. This week I'll be in the office for 3 days and it'll be interesting to see how it feels physically. My groin pain is still horrible. It's getting more predictable as it's definitely at its worse as I sit and watch TV in the evening,  and first thing when I wake it's really painful. I'm aware it could be a number of things and hoping it is just a bit tight and will loosen off with time and massage but so far nothing's improving.  If it's bursitis then that could mean injections or surgery to remove; I really would prefer the latter to sort once and for all if it came to it. Right now it's a shadow over such a great improvement in my walking and general mobility. The swelling seems to be gradually getting a little easier. First thing in the morning I pass the kneeling test fine.  I can kneel down, sit back on my heels and my skin fits. But by the evening it's all a bit tighter. What bothers me is that in just over 2 weeks we fly to Morocco and our flight is in the evening when I'm likely to already be swollen. I have got compression socks ready. Maybe I should also wear jeans. I still can't fit in most of my jeans (though I did manage to lose 2 lbs last week) but one pair are stretchy so they can cope with my oedematous lower limbs. I wore them this afternoon and felt quite good.  I wondered if the fact they're fairly tight fitting (put it this way, I wore a long jumper to cover well down below the hips to avoid indecency) meant they served as a kind of compression aid.  That's fine in the shitty weather we have right now but  when it gets warmer, and certainly  when I'm in Morocco,  I won't want to be wearing them. 

At least I get to see my surgeon in a week's time and I really hope he can come up with solutions to the swelling and groin pain.  Right now I'm loving my walking but not loving these aspects. I want to be there saying this is the best thing I could've done and it's now fantastic but right now I'm not quite there.  I guess at least the down bits are when I'm on my own at home.  Well obviously Kev's here too but I'm not having to face other people when I'm feeling whingy. I can save the whinging for Kev,  the FB group or this blog.

But I'm not ending this on a downer.  Today I went into Northwich.  We didn't stay that long so we didn't do a ton of walking but the bit I did do was done wearing boots with a bit more of a heel. Not high, not pointy but not flat. I only got them towards the end of last year and I love these boots. I really didn't want to not wear them again. I had hoped it might not be an issue until the autumn as I thought by the time I was ready to wear them the weather would be too warm and spring like.  Ha, like that's the case. So given our single digit temperatures and rain and hail the boots were appropriate.  And I survived them. The proper heels will have to wait a bit longer but this is a step in the right direction and I'm happy :)