For those who were kindly looking for me to sign in I can now say - I AM DONE!!!!
I only managed to escape from hospital yesterday as I had a bit of a temp but everything is done and I am so delighted.
I wondered what it would be like the second time, I knew what was coming and did that make it worse? The one main difference the second time is the hope and the knowledge that you know that in a few weeks it really will be worth it.
I had my first RTHR on 30/6/15 and the second 12/2/16 because I had OA. I had a 'trinity' cup and a 'metafix' stem for both.
This time the anaethetist explained more fully about the spinal that I had elected for and why it is given now.
On arrival in the pre-op theatre the anaethetist sat me up on the bench and popped a venflo in my hand. He explained he would give me a dose of antibiotics and a cocktail of starter drugs that basically relaxed me but it also contains something that doesn't allow you to form any new memories for a while. He popped it in and the last thing I remember was him saying 'you may be a bit woozy now'.
I then woke up two hours later in recovery with a smell like dry cleaning fluid in my nostrils. I came around very quickly and the nurse gave me a cup of tea and some cake!.
The anaethetist came to see me on the ward a few hours later. I asked him if I had the spinal this time.
"Oh yes, you chatted all the way through it until we fully sedated you. The initail drugs just stop you remembering. It's less stressful and recovery is better".
He was right, It all went smoothly and I am now sat at home with the familiar pile of bricks around my scar site (lateral - side of my thigh).
I would say to anyone facing this for the second time - don't be scared, you know the score and you know that the horrible grinding OA pain is gone immediately and it's just a matter of following the rules and in a few weeks enjoying the start of a new life.
WOW!! How incredible. It never ceases to amaze me how these drugs effect us. Not remembering - that sounds like the way frorward.
Well done you and best of uck with each passing day on your new journey.
Michael x
Inspirational Kate thank you for sharing your experience pleased alll as gone well and you can now look forward to being pain free
Very helpful and reassuring Kate. Thank you and best wishes for a speedy recovery xxx
Hah, remind me never to date an anaesthetist!
Yay, thank you, all going well, so far. I have to ring the ward this morning as my 'drain cover' has filled up over night.
It was soooo good to sleep in my own bed last night and I am sure it is good for your mental health to be back in familiar surroundings.
What a comforting post! I'm not at the stage where I need a 2nd thr but if I was, I would take great comfort from your experience. Hope all continues to go well, Kate.
Dawn x
I knew I was facing two from the beginning, Dawn, and in a way I am glad to get them out the way.
I am feeling so positive now and looking forward to a pain free future
Yeah Kate,
So glad you had a good Op.
I liked this picture, posted by Eammon Holmes ... thought I should share it with everyone.
Graham
Hi dear Kate,
So happy for you that all went well and you're back home -
"real" healing can now take place, darling ...
try to not do too much right away ! it is easy to do because you will feel so good !
tender loving care
big warm hug
renee
Hi Kate
So pleased to hear you are home and welcome to another double hippie.
Hope your recovery goes well and you will soon be able to enjoy a pain free life. Every morning I get up and cant believe that I have no pain, various aches and a few muscle spasms from time to time maybe from overdoing it the day before but no grinding hip pain.
Got the grandchildren this week and I actually look forward to going out to the park with them - before I dreaded it as I couldnt walk far and had to constantly sit down. We are just going out now, it may rain but who cares!
Love 💐💐💐
Linnet x