So, as you may have read in my previous posts, I have Bilateral Hip Dysplasia. And i have been waiting for what seems like an eternity, for an operation to fix my right hip. Since August 2017, I had been seeing my consultant quite regularly for Steroid injections into my right hip to try and ease the pain. This didn't work. I was getting maybe 2 weeks of relief from each injection. I just couldn't cope anymore. When it got to the point that I was anxious about leaving the house with Selina, I knew it was time to do something about it. I got myself referred back to the NHS to see my consultant and he finally told me that, yes, he would do the operation - A Peri-Acetabular Osteotomy would be the answer to fix my painful hip. I got this news in June 2019 and was told that the wait list would be 3-4 months. I eventually received my date - 23rd October...this was cancelled....a new date - 27th November and again, this was cancelled. I was beginning to lose hope. As you can imagine, trying to plan childcare and care for me following the surgery was a pain so being cancelled on so often was really getting me down. I was given a new date of 9th December and was told that this could still get cancelled even up to the point of going down for Anaesthesia.
I had to be at the hospital for 8am that morning. All the while, in the back of my head, i was convinced that they were going to cancel again. My mind was all over the place. By 9.05am, however, i was having my epidural and being wheeled in for surgery. Now, this operation is quite a drastic operation, it involved breaking the acetabular and pubic bone and shifting the socket to provide better femoral head coverage. Recovery time is normally 3 months but this all depends on how you heal. I was in surgery for around 4 hours but in recovery for around 3 hours. After having 8 previous operations, i know how i react to anaesthetic, so this time i was determined to make sure i wasn't sick and didn't push myself. I was puffy in the face and sore, my leg was heavy but my lashes were on point.
As i came back to the ward, my blood pressure was dangerously low - 78/48. This was a problem that I had for the next 6 days before i was discharged. I just simply couldn't keep my pressure up. Dr's struggled to get blood from me, i struggled to sit in a chair, i struggled to sleep, eat, poop, i had frozen bladder. It was unpleasant.
Day 2 after surgery and i saw the physio - he wanted me up on a walker to get me mobilised. My Blood pressure had other ideas and kept making me want to pass out. It took 4 more days before i was able to get up and walk without any issues. 6 days in total to get me up, walking up the stairs, walking to the toilet and mobilised.
I had some really down days, I couldn't see how this was going to work, how i was going to get home, and be okay. Ryan was in everyday with Selina and honestly, she was the best tonic. She cheered everyone up on the ward with her babbling and smiles. She even fed me soggy Quavers to cheer me up.
Eventually, on Day 6, I got myself up to the end of the bed and told myself that today would be a great day. And despite having a moment, it was. I managed to conquer the stairs, my home equipment was delivered and by 6.30pm that night, i was home. And the start of my new beginning, was here...hopefully.
Since then, I've started physio and i am slowly building strength back into my leg. I need to be able to walk before the wedding, i need to walk confidently without a limp. So i am listening to the Physio and doing what i have to do. I am much more independent and do not have to rely on others as much.
I recently had an x-ray and a meeting with my consultant, My Pubic bone hasn't healed and doesn't look like it will heal yet. But he isn't worried, if it doesn't bother me, then it doesn't bother him. It isn't a load bearing bone so it should be okay. I am getting issues with it currently. Hopefully this will ease and things will be easier and i can live the life i know i deserve.
Here's to hoping.
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