Out and About

Escaping outside for a daily walk has been more tricky with the recent weather but I was quick to see a break in the clouds this morning and took my opportunity. Having conquered all the nearby bridges (slopes are much more demanding for the new hip) I now have a greater choice of routes. My first stop was down by the canal to see the narrow boats at their moorings. I was able to admire the hardiness and ingenuity of the owners... solar panels, bicycles, plant pots full of herbs and winter fuel, amongst other things, are stored on the tops of the boats. WPH, detecting a glint in my eye assures me life would be difficult for someone with a dodgy hip on one of those!

Moving on I couldn't resist pausing by the bullrushes, which provide hiding places for so many birds, in the wildlife corridor which runs behind our house. There were birds around ....but all too quick for my camera!

I was also glad to see there is more than enough natural food around to keep the tits, finches, robins and occasional sparrows happy this winter. The seeds and berries together with nuts and fat balls in garden feeders suggest the birds of ox2 could soon be fighting the flab!

Before returning home I walked up onto one of the main bridges over the canal. From there I could look down on some ducks who were admiring a new piece of canal bank reinforcement. In the Spring water plants will emerge from these sausages of sacking and soil. Meanwhile they provide a handy perch for the ducks!

What a day!

When I first started this blog I hoped that others, who might have to undergo hip replacement, would glean some useful information and encouragement from my experiences. Today has been such a good day, :-), full of firsts and so much better than yesterday.

I had been warned about 'good days' and 'bad days' and yesterday certainly belonged to the latter. I won't dwell too much on why or how I felt...suffice to say I had my 23 wound staples removed at 9a.m. by the practice nurse and on Sunday morning I had decided to stop taking the powerful pain killers I was given during my hospital stay (and for as long as I needed them when back at home). Having spent some time on the web this afternoon I now realise yesterday's 'roughness' was caused by the classic withdrawal symptoms from an opioid. What a relief!

So back to today. :-)

I woke up feeling refreshed, (always a good sign). I no longer needed prunes for breakfast (apologies to those who feel 'too much information!'), my daily exercises were less arduous and WPH suggested that as the sun was shining we would have another outing. This called for a change of clothing. I discarded my 'nursing home' baggy trousers and put on my slimline Gerry Weber jeans (a first). What a great feeling!

Having decided to visit the newly extended and refurbished Ashmolean Museum we made an early start. As we came out of the house the winter jasmine looked stunning in the morning sunshine. We drove into Oxford promptly and managed to get a parking slot right outside the entrance.

WPH was in charge of my wonderful cushion (essential to ensure any chairs are the right height for me when sitting down...) Have cushion, will travel.

We meandered slowly through some of the galleries in the Ashmolean, including those with beautiful Renaissance Art and musical instruments. I used the new lift and amazed myself by being on my feet for just under an hour, before we sat and enjoyed a coffee in the basement cafe.

We exited via the excellent shop and were home in time to phone our friends, Alan and Pat, for an update on la vie Francaise. The latest news is....wait for it.... all fosse septiques in France (septic tanks to les Anglais) are being inspected to see if they conform to new EU regulations. 'Oh joy' we said to each other and burst out laughing!!!

For Francophiles I can recommend, as essential reading,the following book (kindly sent to me last week by a good friend) Talk to the Snail - Ten Commandments for understanding the French by Stephen Clarke.

Lunch was an excellent mackerel pate made by chef WPH. Delicious..mmm.

After the mandatory daily rest on the bed, I then decided to take a second walk of the day, (another first) having counted my visit to the Ashmolean as walk number 1. I decided to walk solo, (yet another first) without my minder WPH, as he needed to do some shopping. Walking solo was rather reminiscent of driving solo for the first time.

Q Which route would I take?

A The one I took yesterday.

Q Would I do anything daring along the way? You know me!

A Yes, I decided to extend my walk and take in an extra 100 metres.

Q Would I get home in one piece?

A Yes - the feel of returning independence was fantastic!

Today has been a really good day.

A weekend of outings

It is great to feel I am returning to normal life, (whatever that may be). I took my first car journey as a passenger yesterday morning when we went up to Headington to Waitrose. Although I sat in the car while WPH went to purchase Greek yoghurt, the outing provided me with a welcome change of scene as well as an opportunity to people watch. I even spotted two former parents from school in the car park!

It was also good to use my coveted blue badge for the first time. I applied to the County Council for the badge in October having filled in a lengthy form, downloaded from the internet. One of the questions which I had to answer was to estimate the time it took me to walk 100 metres. My GP was contacted to verify my statements and then I waited to hear if my application had been successful. It seemed appropriate that the badge came through the post on the day following my operation...I know that I will appreciate the benefits of the blue badge to enable me to access otherwise inaccessible places during my recuperation.

In the afternoon we went to see and cuddle baby Ben. He is thriving and seems to be settling into a good routine of waking and sleeping. He is a month old today and life would seem strange without him now.

I have managed two walks today; the first this morning around the block and the second meandering slowly through the streets of Woodstock after enjoying a cup of Earl Grey and a toasted teacake in the Blenheim Tea Rooms. Life is definitely returning to normal at last!

Helpful Housekeeper

On Thursday evening we said goodbye to our younger daughter, Alice, who had kindly spent four days helping her 'old folks' following my return home from hospital. She arrived with a box full of organic vegetables, (full of healing properties), from Abel and Cole and soon took over the kitchen. I could hear plenty of laughter from upstairs as she and WPH put the world to rights and the meals on the kitchen table. Her lamb tagine with pomegranate couscous was a triumph, as was the chicken soup with chunky vegetables and pork with mustard and cider sauce. Cooked breakfasts suggested WPH and I were staying in a 5 star hotel.Life has quietened down since Alice's departure....we certainly realise how much we appreciated our energetic temporary housekeeper! However WPH has returned to full time kitchen duties with renewed enthusiasm...as they say 'a change is as good as a rest'.

The Daily Walk

'Begin by pottering around the house and by taking a short walk each day, trying to avoid uneven ground.' This is a key piece of advice in the leaflet I was given on leaving the NOC. Like most people I had taken walking for granted, but a hip replacement suddenly focuses the mind on this basic human skill. Initially co-ordinating sticks and feet was tricky but after a week the left stick, right foot, right stick, left foot sequence now comes naturally.

I look forward with excitement to my daily walk. I fill my lungs with air and conclude that the quality of the Oxford air is better than I ever thought possible! Reluctant, unused muscles are slowly returning to life, particularly the gluteous maximus...(buttocks to you and me).

The walks began last Saturday when I ventured as far as the pavement. Each day I set myself a new target as I have a goal of walking a mile by six weeks post operation. This morning I have walked 300 metres in the welcome sunshine. Fantastic. Now for some inside pottering....

Bionic Lady Hip is back!

Since I returned home on Friday morning the time has simply flown by....but one thing is for sure - it was wonderful to be home on Day 4!

I have nothing but praise for the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (NOC) and feel so fortunate to have benefited from the expertise and skill of my surgeon and the dedicated nursing staff there. This was definitely the NHS at its best. The NOC has a fascinating history and the following link illustrates its gradual development.

http://www.noc.nhs.uk/aboutus/history.aspx

A recent investment of £42 million has seen the NOC transformed yet again into the modern hospital you can see in these pictures. Patients come from a wide surrounding area. In my four bay room on Ward E were Patricia from Abingdon (total left hip replacement), Ann from Islip (total right hip replacement) and Enid from Halton, near Wendover (total left knee replacement). A cameraderie soon emerged amongst us as we encouraged each other to take those all important first steps. However for Enid the recovery has been slow. She had her first operation five weeks ago followed last week by a second. I hope she continues to make good progress and returns home to her much loved Stan very soon.

The moment when I returned to my feet was indescribably good; the feeling of returning independence and progress is very sweet! More followed and even though I am seen here in a wheelchair my face reflects my delight as I am about to be wheeled by 'dishy John' the physio, to do my test on the practice staircase. This was to be my second try as I had fainted at my first attempt (which the family maintain was more a case of swooning over John than my low blood pressure!)

And that as they say is all history now. The brain seems to have slowed down somewhat but the hip is working brilliantly and the posts should speed up now that I have plenty to blog about!

Final Preparations

I thought I needed to write a final post before I say farewell for a few days....

The anti MRSA medication precautions have been used and I am ready for hospital life from 7.30am tomorrow morning.

My suitcase is packed and holds essentials as well as Treats!

'Treats?' I hear you ask.

My secret is out....I wonder if they are allowed?

Something to while away the time (when I am not doing physio of course!

And some very special home made cards from Livvy and Alex....

The phone calls and emailed messages of support from family and friends have been a fantastic help. Thank you!

As for WPH, (seen here having some much needed R and R, before he cooks pasta and meatballs tonight), what would I have done without him?

I'll be back soon!