Working for the man

I’ve been a bit quiet of recent times.
The few weeks or so has been a little more stressful than I would have liked. The main reason for this is work. I have thought long and hard about blogging about this stress because I know there are some people from work who read this. On the whole work have been really helpful, especially Occupational Health and Human Resources. Answering questions and helping with making sure I was coping.
And to honest, mentally, the whole situation has been challenging and returning to work was not something I was looking forward to. The final month or so at work was physically difficult due to pain management and astoundingly stressful. The commute was difficult and painful, my independence was eroding away and I was scheduling my out of work life so I could manage work. Even at work I wasn’t pulling my weight, pain made if difficult to think on a good day and on a bad day it was nigh on impossible.
So, going back wasn’t something I was looking forward to. Occupational Health put me in touch with a scheme called Access to Work. A governmental grant. I had contacted them early in the piece but into the lead up to the operation had lost touch with them. (A lot of things slid then.)  I realised I had not heard from them when getting organised to return to work. I called and the case manager had left and I had to start all over again. Cue crying.
Not great but they seemed pretty helpful although a little astounded that I did not have a car and did not want to drive to work.  I pointed out in the end that this was not unusual for London at all. The ball was rolling there and I was getting all the documents that work required. They wanted a fitness to work certificate before anything else happened which was a little fiddly to obtain as they are not something that is done by my GP surgery.
I was quite worried at this point I wouldn’t get paid if there were gaps between my sick leave and returning to work.  I said this and work agreed that wouldn’t happen. I had been in physically to work and a time to start the next Monday was agreed but I was a little concerned that the paper work for occ health had not gone in as promised but figured it would be all okay.
The following day I got an email that I was having my occ health appointment on the 21st, a week after I started back. I thought that was odd but figured if there was any change to the start date I would be told. I had been told over the phone that Access to Work funding would be in place for the 14th and all information would be emailed out. Before I started.
Friday afternoon I have not heard from Access to Work, I called only to find the case worker stopped work at 2:30pm.  This was suboptimal so I braced myself for the tube journey because I had not heard anything from work.
Monday morning I headed off and arrived at work feeling quite sore and tired but okay. The tube was stressful on my own and I felt pretty vulnerable. Mr Hutt’s words about falls and fractures were ringing in my ears as I navigated my way through the heaving mass of humanity that is London underground.
I got into work and my boss asked me why I was there. And I said that we had agreed to this start date. It transpired that that work wanted me to work from home and had emailed me on my work email. The one I wasn’t checking. I could have cried at that moment. The bonkers bit was that I could not have worked from home because there was someone in my desk. We log into our work PCs from home for remote access. The thought of having to turn around and head back on the tube pretty much blew all the mental effort I had pulled together to cope out of the water. What cope I had, run out.  I just wish my boss had called me when I had not responded to the email.
So home I went and tried to get my head in the right place to start work on the Tuesday, via remote access. I felt pretty out of sorts. My job although, not overly complicated has a lot knowledge to retain and remember, being off work for 8/9 weeks meant I felt I could remember very little. I felt isolated as I sat at home and tried to get my leg to be happy with sitting at desk. Even though I had being playing a lot of Minecraft, I would play a little bit then get up and do something else. Work I could not do it. 45 minutes sitting still was painful.
I also was fighting a cold that would not go and that with working from home, it was a week of fighting my body and dodgy brain chemistry. Not a good start at all.
I went back into work the following week, using the cab service.  Going through London traffic is not very stress free. There were some entertaining times and routes but at least I was not having to worry about being jostled and knocked.  The Occupational Health doctor was lovely and impressed with my new posture and the lack of walking stick. We started on a phased return which is shortened hours and slowly moving up to full time hours. Thankfully we had a shortened week so that my leg could get used to the sitting. There was a lot of implant pain but as time went on it did settle.
Being the office helped mentally as well, much more able to focus and felt a lot less out of my depth. We have some interesting times as I don’t think I could manage the three flights of stairs for fire evacuation but it looks like I will be sheltering in stairwells unless there is a serious risk.
All in all it was an sub par return to work but somethings could have been handled better because my stress levels really didn’t need that spike.  Oh well, onwards and upwards, let’s hope my first full week goes well.

Seven weeks, not seven deadly sins.

Seven weeks. Boom.

Back to work next week, not a quite a boom.

I like my job but if I never had to work again, I would be a happy camper, especially if I there was money to live comfortably. I must remember to buy a lottery tickets.

I am waiting for some information from the Access to Work lady, I am hopeful that I will get funding to help with travel.  I went into work on Tuesday, it is a bus, two tubes and kilometre walk commute, over an hour. Catching up with work people was nice; my line manager was surprised how straight I stand now. My whole posture has changed.  By the time I got home with a side trip to the doctor’s I was exhausted. I needed a two hour nap! And I had not done any work!

I am walking much better, already the waddle is decreasing but I really need to focus on the exercises. I get caught up doing other things, washing, pottering, shopping (which takes so much time) and of course, Minecraft.

I am still using the single crutch out in crowds, I am still hyper worried about being knocked.

I have had a nice week of socialising, Tuesday, a group of us came second in the pub quiz and last night I caught up with some ex-colleagues which was lovely. We have found that a few drinks does make the waddle worse. Not really surprising there.

This weekend a wedding. And hopefully but the end of the week, doing stairs like a real person and no bloody crutch outside.

Hi ho, hi ho, it is off to physio we go.

Today was my second trip to Physio. I have dumped the second crutch after Mr Hutt said that it was could go. He also said if the physio was happy with me not using crutches to go for it!

The Physio was very much willing to let me go. We practised walking with a waddle and stairs. Not that thrilling but for me amazing. I do walk with a waddle but that should disappear soon enough as we get more strength in the legs and bum. Some of my gluteus muscles were cut during the operation and they need to heal as well as get stronger.

Putting on shoes and socks is still a bit over exciting and I have some options but need to stretch some muscles that have not been used much.  I really need to get this sorted quickly, I am bored of my slip on sneakers that have been my only shoes for six months!

She was pleased I was going to going swimming and felt that back stroke and freestyle (front crawl) where going to help a lot. I have some new exercises; mainly bum and strengthening the old muscles up for striding around like a boss.

Other things that have been going on is getting ready to return to work. Long term sick is something I really would not like to repeat because the general mayhem it is causing. My GP is not that helpful with such things like certificates etc. They are so difficult to get on the phone and Mr Gin rang for something else today and he only dialled 37 times and spent ten minutes on hold. That gives you an indication of the interesting aspect of getting hold of them. I rang a number of today and in between trying to sort out some odd jobs, physio and their very long lunch break where they not pick up the phone at all. Very frustrating because lots of people need a particular certificate to get things moving and I have no idea when I can get it!
This includes Access to Work, a government scheme that hopefully will help with taxis for the first couple of months as I heal and work.

This week will be busy but there has to be time for walking, and more walking for a little bit with one crutch on the tube etc but I am thinking of going back to my walking stick for a bit to be able to fold it up and then have it for when I get tired.

So, it is all full ahead for returning to work. As much as I love my job, I wouldn't mind winning the lottery at the point to have a full six months to strengthen me to a new body of awesome.

Six weeks!

Six weeks this time I was sitting up in a hospital bed with Mr Gin and Mum chatting away. I had a very numb, wooden leg and the bruises had started to rise.
Six weeks is the sweet spot with hip replacements. You get rid of TEDs, you can drive, some can go back to work, you can road test it in intimate moments and you have a check up with your surgeon. A lot of the dangers have gone, dislocation, although still a risk for a month or so longer is less. You can start to experiment with going over 90 degrees and generally try and get your new life going.
It has been an interesting time, it has been eye opening how amazing my body is and how crap my brain chemistry is.
I have more movement and mobility than ever. I have even legs which means when sorted I should not have a limp. I have never walked without one, it has been always there, from a small one right through to a full hip hiking ship rolling pirate walk. My muscles stop me before the joint, again a new experience.
My brain has suffered a bit. There have been some very flat days. Sitting and crying because bed to drawers was hard work. Struggling to see the point of getting out of bed. Losing days to Minecraft because then l don't have think about much more than killing zombies and long straight tunnels hunting for diamonds. And then amazing highs, feeling like I could take on the world and then taking a step and everything goes ouch. At least I knew how screwed my brain was going to be. I knew I could be crying over silly things and struggling with feeling useless.
My rock, Mr Gin, has been amazing, through thick and thin. Being caring and carrying most of the house hold duties. And just his presence pretty much limited my mood.
It certainly feels a lot longer than six weeks, the improvements so swift. I'm able to shower myself, almost get socks on like a normal person, walk with one crutch, waddle without any and be pretty much pain free. Still taking naproxen but don't miss the grinding and gripping pain of bone on bone.
All it has been an amazing ride and it can only get better.
Tonight, I will have some drinks with good mates and celebrate this exciting new chapter.

The End of the TEDs

The bane of Mr Gin and my lives has gone! No more TEDs! No more ugly bottle green stockings with the annoying hole at the end that my toe(s) would escape through and drive me nuts.

The threat from DVT has passed and also from strangling each other with the bloody things.

My mother and Mr Gin were very patient with putting them on, using the plastic bag technique. I have been not been able to do it.

I am pleased to see the back of very dry legs, that produced the charming ‘leg dandruff’. Mr Gin is also pleased because he does not like goopy things on his hands and he was a champ and moisturised said dry legs.

Having to wear the blasted things almost 24 hours a day was very uncomfortable and I am wearing normal socks today and my feet are wonderfully warm.

The only one that is sad that they will not be coming back is Whitby, one of our cats. Who has a bit of a foot fetish and loves to lick plastic bags. He is an odd cat, and joined in TEDs putting on a number of times.

Six Week check - Mr Hutt

So, today was my six week check up.

I trundled my way out to the far reaches of Wimbledon. Went through the now standard excitement of X-Ray (Yay for yoga pants) and then without much waiting it was off to see Mr Hutt.

Mr Hutt 

He was very pleased with the scar, even though I have had an awful outbreak of eczema around the scar. That should be solved with large amount moisturiser.

The implant is a titanium and ceramic S-ROM implant with a Pinnacle cuff. It is attached using ‘Press Fit’, which means they are both uncemented and the bone should grow to attach them firmly.  It has a long stem and the reason for some of the thigh pain I have. Hopefully this will disappear but this could stick around. It also is closer to a normal hip on its angles so I have a different range of movement. Not a huge different but it does explain why my turn in is not as awesome as it used to be. The small fracture I got in surgery was because I have round shaped femur and not elliptical like most people. The stem is shaped for normal people and was a very tight fit.

Mr Hutt was awesome and answered the three pages of questions I had. Very matter of fact. Very little sugar coating. The left hip looks good but not great and I should be aware that it could go but he said that is a while away yet.

He was impressed by the knee bruise, he felt it was referred bleeding from the operation.It was not something he had seen before. He said that knee had been twisted but not to the bruising extent.

He also said that I can ski and ice skate but to be aware that if I do take a tumble and fracture the right femur it is more likely to be a nasty fracture.  So I shall think about those. Cycling and swimming are for the win the win. This bit is for Red, Mr Hutt was slightly horrified at the thought of Skydiving and that the release of the shute could cause some issues. He did not say no but did look little bemused by the suggestion. He did say that marathons were totally off the table.

So, onto slightly more practical matters. I am able to get rid of the second crutch and when the Physios are happy with the walk, getting rid of the second crutch soon. Also, I can gently attempt to go for putting on socks and tying up laces. If my muscles allow it I should also be able to squat and to sit cross legged.  If I manage to sit cross legged, this will be something I have never done! Never!

There is very little I should not be doing. Most of the danger zone for dislocation is over, and I have to be aware of some twisting but generally it all good. I doubt Prima Ballerina is going happen but I think that there will be a new me.

So, this is a large thank you to Mr Jonathan Hutt for undertaking the job.  At six week I am more than happy with the outcome and the care both he and the EOC showed. Mr Hutt said that we really should know in 12 months how well it has gone.  Hopefully the year mark will be a show case for exciting new movement and life.

Packing list for Hospital.

This is not really about what is happening to me now but more advice on what to take to hospital. Of course, your mileage may vary, the EOC does things differently to other hospitals and I am bit younger than most hip replacement patients.

When I was packing for the hospital, the EOC had provided a pretty good list I have added some bits to the list with additional notes:

• Walking Aids (Be prepared not to be using your old one when you leave.)
• Slippers and/or trainers. Nothing open backed BUT slip on with a good grip on slippy floors is the best. I had a pair of slippers and pair of sketchers that are slip on, Additionally your feet are likely to swell the size of small melons, so have some shoes are a little too big or stretchy unless you want leave in socks! 
• Nightwear – loose is good but also if you intend to wear a night gown, long enough to go over your knees when sitting. I am not the most modest woman but frankly flashing the people opposite you is a little carefree.  If you are going to get a catheter, consider a nightshirt of very loose, short pyjama bottoms. Also, I took a light dressing gown, it was handy at various points.
• Loose day clothing – stuff that will stretch over your swollen leg, I swear by yoga pants, minimal waistband and enough stretch to accommodate a leg at least twice is normal size and looking like it belongs to elephant. Also the high waist of yoga pants are a little easy to deal with when having to deal with limited mobility. 
• Big knickers! Not grandma knickers but something without tight elastic around the leg and with a reasonable amount of fabric across your butt and not to narrow at the side. I wore girl boxers, that have no elastic in the leg and covered most of the incision site, this minimised the amount of rubbing and were easy to get on!
•  I took enough clothes for five days and that was a little much but better than having to ask Mr Gin find a black t-shirt in a drawer of black t-shirts.
• Personal Towels (not white) – I could have got away with not taking a towel but for me it was nice to have one of my own. Also if you like big fluffy towels, this is something hospitals don’t have! Also take a flannel, scrubber or such like. Orthopaedic surgeons love a permeant maker and mine liked a bit of ball point pen. When you finally get to have shower you are going to want scrub that graffiti off.
• Toiletries – If you don’t normally use soap, you will need a bit because of the graffiti loving surgeon. (I don’t use much soap due to it making me itch if I use too much and didn't pack it.) If you are female and have not been through the menopause route be aware that major surgery upsets lots of things and my hormone cycle was upset. I was caught unprepared and I cursed my body at that point.
• Helping Hand, long arm grabber, reacher. I did not have one of these. Get one before you go in if you don’t have one and if you want to be able to put on your own underwear you are going to need this. Amazon provided mine. (Some councils and hospitals will also provide them.)
• ALL YOUR DRUGS! In their boxes! No doesette boxes. Also any other aides – splints, braces!
• Glasses, hearing aids, contact lens and dentures. I wouldn't bother with contact lens, mainly as putting them in when taking opiates is bloody difficult.
• Fruit juice, ready to eat prunes, apricots. Now I did not really understand this but opiates are evil for giving you the worst constipation. If you have some food you know helps get things moving take it with you. I also got bored of drinking all the water, and had Mr Gin bring in some diet lemonade for me. If you thingy about your tea and coffee, I suggest you take in a small supply too. E, 80 hip lady had a china mug and her own tea and that made her very happy.
• Coat and keys for the house. Self explanatory, especially if the hospital take you home.
• A  Cushion. I have carried around a chair pad a fair bit because being a little higher is easier and if you have to get in a car being high is a blessing!
• No valuables including jewellery. Don’t wear anything into theatre but if you, like me feel naked without your rings take some non-important ones with you.

Added to the list by me!

• Something to do with visitors – if you are having visitors, a game, we had dominoes is something that is helpful so you are not discussing bodily fluids all the time.
• Sleep mask and ear plugs – sharing a ward with strangers is entertaining up until they snore like the stream train from Whitby to Pickering without the wonderful views. Additionally hospitals are not the quiet places and sometimes getting the lights turned off is not a battle you want to take on.
• Something to do. I took a book, as did the other ladies on the ward but we all struggled to concentrate. So, I spent a lot of time on my phone, I got extra data because I knew that Wi-Fi in the hospital was pricey. I also had a small deck of cards and I played Patience because that is all I could concentrate on. I also had my laptop and played games (Minecraft of course). If you have a tablet that would be a good thing, but of course keep an eye on the expensive technology. I also had pencils and a colouring book.