The operation went well and Jane is now off the heavy duty pain killers. The physios went in this morning and got her out of bed on a frame. The first time she has stood up for a month !!
The consultant is is so happy he wants to do the other leg !! Jane had a choice, to wait two or three weeks and then go back in OR have in done this Monday. A smaller operation than the other one involving drilling out the affected bone and replacing it with special cement. He is concerned that if it did brake we would have the same scenario. Poor Jane, she thought she was coming home soon.
Well after much heart wrenching and a few tears, she is going to have it done on Monday. I think the thought of the other leg breaking was too much for her. It means she will be in hospital all next week. I will keep you posted.
Martin
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Monday, 16 November 2009
...update 16/11/09
At 2pm yesterday afternoon (Sunday) Jane was transported to the Royal Orthopedic Hospital in Northfield. She said a tearful goodbye to the staff at the hospice and went on a very slow ambulance ride back to the ward she had left some three weeks before.
Today at 1pm, two burly porters wheeled her bed down to theatre. I was with her all the way. I don't think I had a choice judging by the vice like grip she had on my hand. She was greeted by the staff who did their best to put her at ease. One of the nurses recognised her from when she used to take the children to junior school, her daughter was in the same class as our eldest, James.
The anaesthetist spoke gently to her and gradually she fell asleep. I must admit I went home with a few tears in my eyes and tried to get on with some housework. Couldn't concentrate so I went on a golf ball walk instead.
* We have a local beauty spot just up the road called the lickey hills which incorporates an 18 hole golf course. We used to take the children there years ago and there was an ice cream for anyone that found more than 3 balls. (I was too stingy to buy any when I played). We take Grace there now and its a good place to think about things especially when its blowing a gale and raining. I found two today but I wasn't trying very hard !!
I cooked an early tea with Catherine and Edward as I was expecting the phone to ring around 5pm. It did, the hospital and Jane was in recovery. All three of us wolfed down the remainder of the stir fry, jumped in the car and headed for the High Dependency Unit. Jane was sat up but obviously in lots of pain. She had a morphine pump and lots of drips. The operation had gone well but she was experiencing a lot of pain, not unusual for such a big op said the doctor. It was more complex than just a routine knee or hip replacement.
We stayed until 9.30pm, stuck the morphine pump in her hand and said our goodbyes. I shall go in to see her in the morning with Catherine who will stay with her all day tomorrow and then hopefully back on the ward to begin her recovery.
Martin
Today at 1pm, two burly porters wheeled her bed down to theatre. I was with her all the way. I don't think I had a choice judging by the vice like grip she had on my hand. She was greeted by the staff who did their best to put her at ease. One of the nurses recognised her from when she used to take the children to junior school, her daughter was in the same class as our eldest, James.
The anaesthetist spoke gently to her and gradually she fell asleep. I must admit I went home with a few tears in my eyes and tried to get on with some housework. Couldn't concentrate so I went on a golf ball walk instead.
* We have a local beauty spot just up the road called the lickey hills which incorporates an 18 hole golf course. We used to take the children there years ago and there was an ice cream for anyone that found more than 3 balls. (I was too stingy to buy any when I played). We take Grace there now and its a good place to think about things especially when its blowing a gale and raining. I found two today but I wasn't trying very hard !!
I cooked an early tea with Catherine and Edward as I was expecting the phone to ring around 5pm. It did, the hospital and Jane was in recovery. All three of us wolfed down the remainder of the stir fry, jumped in the car and headed for the High Dependency Unit. Jane was sat up but obviously in lots of pain. She had a morphine pump and lots of drips. The operation had gone well but she was experiencing a lot of pain, not unusual for such a big op said the doctor. It was more complex than just a routine knee or hip replacement.
We stayed until 9.30pm, stuck the morphine pump in her hand and said our goodbyes. I shall go in to see her in the morning with Catherine who will stay with her all day tomorrow and then hopefully back on the ward to begin her recovery.
Martin
Saturday, 14 November 2009
The Fear Factor
Most of us will happily admit to a fear of something funny or irrational, like snakes or birds or balloons etc...but to acknowledge you are scared of something which is entirely understandable seems to be cowardly in some way. You are expected to be brave.
Well I'm scared about Monday - very scared as a matter of fact. Just thinking about it and my stomach turns over.
Maybe that's the problem?
Maybe just lying here I have too long to think and worry about it?
For instance, the anticipation of pain can be almost as bad as the pain itself. Just knowing I'm about to have my traction re-done - and how much it will hurt - is enough to bring tears to my eyes, literally. Before the first wave of pain hits I can start to cry, knowing whats coming. Does this make it worse? Yes I think so. Any tension makes pain worse. And yet who can honestly say they 'relax' when told to do so by a doctor knowing full well something IS going to hurt?
Fear is the same kind of thing. Its only there when you think about it - or have the time to.
That's why its 6.30am and I'm wide awake with unwelcome thoughts running through my head - and I'm scared.
Of what exactly?
I'm not exactly sure when I stop and analyse it.
Dissecting something, fear or otherwise, always helps to diminish its power.
So Im lying here trying to work out what exactly I'm frightened of - and if I work it out Ill let you know !
Well I'm scared about Monday - very scared as a matter of fact. Just thinking about it and my stomach turns over.
Maybe that's the problem?
Maybe just lying here I have too long to think and worry about it?
For instance, the anticipation of pain can be almost as bad as the pain itself. Just knowing I'm about to have my traction re-done - and how much it will hurt - is enough to bring tears to my eyes, literally. Before the first wave of pain hits I can start to cry, knowing whats coming. Does this make it worse? Yes I think so. Any tension makes pain worse. And yet who can honestly say they 'relax' when told to do so by a doctor knowing full well something IS going to hurt?
Fear is the same kind of thing. Its only there when you think about it - or have the time to.
That's why its 6.30am and I'm wide awake with unwelcome thoughts running through my head - and I'm scared.
Of what exactly?
I'm not exactly sure when I stop and analyse it.
Dissecting something, fear or otherwise, always helps to diminish its power.
So Im lying here trying to work out what exactly I'm frightened of - and if I work it out Ill let you know !
...update 14/11/09
Jane's operation is scheduled for this Monday 16th Nov. She will be moved back to the Royal Orthopedic Hosp tomorrow afternoon to ensure she has a bed.
Jane is OK but desperately wants it over a done with so she can come back home. The staff at the hospice have worked wanders keeping her spirits up but she is in so much pain even with just a simple bed wash let alone changing the leg traction every morning. Morphine helps but it has its side effects such as sickness and continual tiredness.
She has had her blood transfusion today in readiness so fingers crossed that all goes to plan for Monday
Martin
Jane is OK but desperately wants it over a done with so she can come back home. The staff at the hospice have worked wanders keeping her spirits up but she is in so much pain even with just a simple bed wash let alone changing the leg traction every morning. Morphine helps but it has its side effects such as sickness and continual tiredness.
She has had her blood transfusion today in readiness so fingers crossed that all goes to plan for Monday
Martin
Monday, 9 November 2009
Day 18 of being tied to a bed.......
It's ok to feel down sometimes.
It's ok to allow yourself to have a bad day - an off day.
I had one of those yesterday - today wasn't that great either !
I felt 'dopey' - in a kind of semi coma, drifting off to sleep all day. Not hungry at all. It was very strange and most probably down to a mix of being tired, still being constipated (everything is still very sluggish due to my lying in bed now for 18 days having no exercise whatsoever) all the drugs I'm now taking and generally getting more and more bored and fed up. I actually dream about getting up, walking and sitting on the loo !
Today was a bit better - but my appetite is still non existant and I still feel sleepy most of the time. And tomorrow I have been promised my sluggishness in the bowel department will be resolved, one way or another, finally. So I could be in for an interesting day!
I've also made the decision that tomorrow will be different. I will be positive and upbeat and awake ! Two days is long enough. Yes, being stuck in bed with a fractured leg, often in pain, can be depressing - boring - annoying even. But its only for another week - just one more week before I can get on my feet again.
I'm not quite sure how long the rehabilitation is after an operation like mine - I'm hoping most of it can be carried out at home though and I can have an 'early release'! I will have spent way too long in hospital as it is (almost a month!!) and I'm sure the community physio's will be able to deal with me. I know it will be a strange sensation being able to both sit up and walk again after so long.
I miss my home - and Martin - and the kids - and the cats - and the garden - badly. Ive never been away for so long. Its horrible. I try not to think about it too much or I get upset, and there is no point.
I'm trying to do something positive and productive every day to make the time count, but it's not easy when you're tied to a bed !
It's ok to allow yourself to have a bad day - an off day.
I had one of those yesterday - today wasn't that great either !
I felt 'dopey' - in a kind of semi coma, drifting off to sleep all day. Not hungry at all. It was very strange and most probably down to a mix of being tired, still being constipated (everything is still very sluggish due to my lying in bed now for 18 days having no exercise whatsoever) all the drugs I'm now taking and generally getting more and more bored and fed up. I actually dream about getting up, walking and sitting on the loo !
Today was a bit better - but my appetite is still non existant and I still feel sleepy most of the time. And tomorrow I have been promised my sluggishness in the bowel department will be resolved, one way or another, finally. So I could be in for an interesting day!
I've also made the decision that tomorrow will be different. I will be positive and upbeat and awake ! Two days is long enough. Yes, being stuck in bed with a fractured leg, often in pain, can be depressing - boring - annoying even. But its only for another week - just one more week before I can get on my feet again.
I'm not quite sure how long the rehabilitation is after an operation like mine - I'm hoping most of it can be carried out at home though and I can have an 'early release'! I will have spent way too long in hospital as it is (almost a month!!) and I'm sure the community physio's will be able to deal with me. I know it will be a strange sensation being able to both sit up and walk again after so long.
I miss my home - and Martin - and the kids - and the cats - and the garden - badly. Ive never been away for so long. Its horrible. I try not to think about it too much or I get upset, and there is no point.
I'm trying to do something positive and productive every day to make the time count, but it's not easy when you're tied to a bed !
Friday, 6 November 2009
Pass the prunes......
Morphine is undoubtedly a great pain killer. But it has one side effect which is much misunderestimated. Constipation. Not a nice subject to write about I know, but it is the reality of being on MST.
Being constipated is well and truly awful.It makes you feel dreadful - your head is all fuzzy and you can feel faint and sick. Plus of course you can get horrid pains in your tummy. Ive been lying almost immobile in bed now for 15 days - and my gut has responded by going on strike. I'm still eating well - but little is coming out of the other end!
Today it made me feel REALLY ill for the first time - my dearest wish is to be able to get out of bed and sit on the loo - not to have to try to use the bed pan lying down.
Things came to a 'head', literally, today when the doctor prescribed me some suppositories. The poor nurses on duty drew straws for whom would have to deal with the results of such a drastic turn of events - we are talking of almost 2 weeks worth of beans on toast and prunes for breakfast!!
Anyway - suffice to say that the suppositories worked, I feel 100% better and in my point of view my nurses are complete heroes/heroines!!
Being constipated is well and truly awful.It makes you feel dreadful - your head is all fuzzy and you can feel faint and sick. Plus of course you can get horrid pains in your tummy. Ive been lying almost immobile in bed now for 15 days - and my gut has responded by going on strike. I'm still eating well - but little is coming out of the other end!
Today it made me feel REALLY ill for the first time - my dearest wish is to be able to get out of bed and sit on the loo - not to have to try to use the bed pan lying down.
Things came to a 'head', literally, today when the doctor prescribed me some suppositories. The poor nurses on duty drew straws for whom would have to deal with the results of such a drastic turn of events - we are talking of almost 2 weeks worth of beans on toast and prunes for breakfast!!
Anyway - suffice to say that the suppositories worked, I feel 100% better and in my point of view my nurses are complete heroes/heroines!!
Thursday, 5 November 2009
St. Mary's Hospice, Birmingham
The moment I was pushed through the front door of St. Mary's the effect was instantaneous. My shoulders detached themselves from my my earlobes and I relaxed for the first time in days - weeks really.
Here I knew I would be safe.
Here I knew I would be listened to and not have to repeat my medical history endlessly to doctor after doctor, nurse after nurse - and then have it forgotten or ignored.
St. Mary's is a shining example of the Hospice movement.
The standard of nursing care is the highest I have ever experienced - but its more than just that. Its the genuine, sincere, kindness and empathy that is all encompassing from every member of the staff and volunteers here. Instantly you feel part of the one big St. Mary's 'family'.
Most of all, for me, I have so appreciated the wonderful sense of humour that flourishes here. I don't think I have laughed so much in ages !! Even the daily ritual of changing my traction is accompanied by much raucous laughter - and as someone who strongly believes it really is the best medicine it helps enormously (along with the gas and air of course!)
I could write all day about how fabulous this place is and name every member of staff for the special qualities they bring to their work every day - but I would just like to say this.....
Thank you St. Mary's.
Thank you on behalf of all of us patients for reminding us the time we spend with you is about LIVING - and enjoying every moment to the full. (And a special thank you to Mandy on nights for the endless cups of coffee she makes me and to Chris whose zany sense of humour keeps me sane at times - just!)
The food is absolutely excellent. Very healthy with plenty of fresh veggies and fruit and has that lovely 'home cooked' quality.
I have been overwhelmed by the kind comments and flowers I have received whilst a patient here - my room looks like Barbara Cartland's boudoir!
St. Mary's is a charitable organisation and relies almost completely on donations or legacies from the public to keep up the wonderful work they do. When I'm fit and well enough I shall be joining in with the fund raising here and if anyone would like to contribute a donation I know it would be put to very good use.
http://www.bsmh.org.uk/
Here I knew I would be safe.
Here I knew I would be listened to and not have to repeat my medical history endlessly to doctor after doctor, nurse after nurse - and then have it forgotten or ignored.
St. Mary's is a shining example of the Hospice movement.
The standard of nursing care is the highest I have ever experienced - but its more than just that. Its the genuine, sincere, kindness and empathy that is all encompassing from every member of the staff and volunteers here. Instantly you feel part of the one big St. Mary's 'family'.
Most of all, for me, I have so appreciated the wonderful sense of humour that flourishes here. I don't think I have laughed so much in ages !! Even the daily ritual of changing my traction is accompanied by much raucous laughter - and as someone who strongly believes it really is the best medicine it helps enormously (along with the gas and air of course!)
I could write all day about how fabulous this place is and name every member of staff for the special qualities they bring to their work every day - but I would just like to say this.....
Thank you St. Mary's.
Thank you on behalf of all of us patients for reminding us the time we spend with you is about LIVING - and enjoying every moment to the full. (And a special thank you to Mandy on nights for the endless cups of coffee she makes me and to Chris whose zany sense of humour keeps me sane at times - just!)
The food is absolutely excellent. Very healthy with plenty of fresh veggies and fruit and has that lovely 'home cooked' quality.
I have been overwhelmed by the kind comments and flowers I have received whilst a patient here - my room looks like Barbara Cartland's boudoir!
St. Mary's is a charitable organisation and relies almost completely on donations or legacies from the public to keep up the wonderful work they do. When I'm fit and well enough I shall be joining in with the fund raising here and if anyone would like to contribute a donation I know it would be put to very good use.
http://www.bsmh.org.uk/
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