3 weeks and counting

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Silver Swan

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Dear Wendy:

I think it is good that your surgery was postponed. It was meant to be so because of the uncertainty about your possible allergy to the metals. Be glad it was discovered in time!

Thanks for your good wishes.

We all will be interested in following how things go for you. Please keep us posted.

Shirley
 
hi everyone! I just got my surgery date a few days ago...I go in Sept. 14th for my RTHR. Scared but also very excited to finally has a resolution to pain that has haunted me for the past 10 years!

Any advice or tips?

Thanks!
~Shuga
 
the op was cancelled !! it was awful as i was wheeled to theatre at 10 am on that morning and they done their checklist and the operating assistant guy said " umm your allergic to Nickel" i and said yes anyway the prothesis is 90% titanium and 10 % mixed metals one being a smaill amount of nickel !! i am so angry than for some reason this was not on my main notes but on every form that was filled in by nurses and the pre op check it was never mentioined as being a problem ..anyway to cut a long story short i now need to go for testing to see exactly what im allergic too...they said it may not be just nickel it could be any thing else..i dont just suffer with itching when i come in contact with it my arm swells and i have to use steroid cream ...there is much more to say but i have spoken to the patient advisory service and they are going to take up my complaint....this all could have been avoided ..oh well for now the op is cancelled and they will have to re- schedule but it is so diseheartening .
The Hospital has referred me to another Hospital that will do the metal allergy tests but because its a NHS referral it could take weeks to get an appointment.... i am going this wednesday 9th to a private clinic who will do all the metal allergy tests i need and i will have the results 5 days later.I am paying for this out of my own pocket as i cannot wait for this appointment with the other Hospital...the results of the test is the only thing stopping me from getting my operation.
I am so glad your surgery went well Shirley but ooh you heard the noises and that would put me off. Titanium is a very strong metal and i have found that there is a prosthesis called oxinium which is ideal for people with metal allergies like myself...the metal is zirconium and is treated with oxygen which changes the top layer to ceramic ...apparantely in tests it has been found to be alot stronger and durable than the traditional prosthesis on the market.
when i was admitted to the Hospital they gave me a private room which was a pleasant surprise and seeing as i didnt get my surgery i could not appreciate this room...i hope when the op is re-sheduled i get a private room again infact i will insist they do for all the upset they have caused me...anyway continued good health to you all and hugs xxxx Wendy
 
Hi Shirley here is a link to my story re my cancelled hip op the local newspaper have reported it and now i am going to have my operation in a private Hospital at the NHS expense
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/whereilive/east/westessex/eppingforest/4657564.LOUGHTON__Woman_rushed_out_of_operating_theatre_over_nickel_allergy/
 
Hi Wendy:

Shirley here again. :eek:

For my first hip replacement I had the spinal block plus general anesthetic and things went very well with the corabination. I plan to have the same again, tomorrow. I also requested something to prevent post op nausea and that worked very well too and will ask for that again.

You are very lucky to have several family merabers to help you after the surgery.

I am looking forward to hearing from you when I get back on line after coming home from the rehab center. Since your replacement happens a day after mine, we can compare notes. ;)

Shirley H.
 
Great to hear from you Shirley. I also had the spinal block and think it's great, I didn't have hardly any pain at all. Had the medication for nausea but I must be just one of those who can't tolerate anesthetic. Must admit too I did get a shock when I came to and saw that I had so many things coming out of my body. But all is good that's for sure. Lots of love and good luck for tomorrow and look forward to your update. xx
 
Dear Wendy:

I think you had your hip replacement the day after mine, which was August 24 in the early morning.
Everything went very well - I had the spinal block again plus the added sedative to keep me unaware.

Well, ladies! Guess what?????? I BECAME aware at one point of some very noisy POUNDING, which was the hip surgeon pounding the ball into the socket! :dizzy: Talk about being amazed that I heard this! I never felt one twinge of pain, however. My new hips are made of titanium, I learned. I don't know much about that metal. I had asked the nurse anesthetist to add some anti nausea stuff to the anesthetic, so she did, and I had no nausea after surgery. In fact, I came to, feeling pretty good, and even was able to feel hungry for the clear liquiRAB I was given. Tasted great to me after no food since 6 PM the previous day.

I was part of a new joint replacement program at the hospital, where everyone is gotten up immediately after surgery, wears street clothes instead of gowns, has group therapy, and one group lunch. We were pushed around on those huge lounge type chairs with wheels. This program did not work well for me, and I at once spoke up. However, the staff urged me to continue in it, so I did, being an obliging girl. :angel: I did not like it, though. Also for some odd reason, no one came to push me into the room where the group luncheon was taking place. So the new program was very disappointing to me. I did get a nice big light blue T shirt though. That would make a good nightshirt. I haven't tried it on but it looks huge. I asked for a large size but it is larger than I anticipated. ;)
I was transported in a van to the rehab facility, which is a few city miles from the hospital. Had a very pleasant trip through neigrabroadorhooRAB, and that was refreshing, seeing the pretty green grass, trees, flowers, people.

I had a very good roommate, we were just a few years apart in age - she being 3 years older than I. We had similar childhooRAB and remeraber all the same things about life in this country while growing up and being adults. She is married to a retired Lutheran pastor who still is active in volunteer work.

We had a wonderful time at meals - usually all about the same age ladies. Some husbanRAB visited too. We had lots of laughs and pleasant relaxation.

The therapy as usual was excellent and they whipped us into such good shape.

I came home yesterday, Friday, and it is so good to sleep in my own comfy bed again. Making my meals is no problem. I get around just fine with my walker. My leg lifter is so much help getting in and out of bed. Sure glad I have it.

My kitty Leila is so glad that I am back home. My grand daughter cared for her while I was gone, but I am Leila's very favorite person and no one else will do.

If anyone has any specific questions, I will be happy to answer them. So my second hip replacement is very successful. So far so good as the saying goes. :D

Shirley H.
 
Hi Wendy:

I sure understand your huge disppointment at having your surgery postponed because of their finding out about your allergy at the last moment. But wonderful that this was discovered in time to save the possibility of having a very bad allergic reaction.

Yes, it was disconcerting, to say the least, to hear that "pounding sound" while under anesthetic. But since there was no physical pain, I got through the experience and think that the nurse anesthetist got me more "under" as fast as possible. I don't even think about it anymore except to report it here.

I hope you get your new surgery date soon. Please let us know how things are going.

Shirley H.
 
Hooray! Glad that all went well--but hearing that noise! Whoo. Glad you didn't feel any pain. Was anyone in the operating theatre aware that you were semi-conscious???? Thanks for the report. I've been checking in periodically and glad to see that you are back at the keyboard so fast.

I'm anxious to read about your continuing progress! Will be in Italy from 9/12-22 on vacation--my first really long trip since surgery a year ago. Then, will be followed by a trip in October to Bogota and a trip to Japan (if swine flu doesn't cause headquarters to cancel as they did in May). Then, there will be the usual family trips at Thanksgiving and Christmas, all just a few hours in a plane. By then, I may be ready for my other hip to be done!

You are my inspiration Shirley! Give Leila a big hug!

Maggie
 
Thanks Wendy for the link to that interesting newspaper article. I hope that reading it will remind others to be sure to inform the doctors and nurses of any allergies that they have. I know here in the U. S. I am asked many times before surgery to report any allergies. They are very diligent about that, to the point of irritation!

What a good looking girl you are Wendy, and look much younger than your age! ;)

It is fun to see how our forum contributors look! Thanks.

Shirley H.
 
Dear Shuga:

Do a lot of reading on the Forum.
Read all the 6 month postings on the top of the opening page. Those helped me tremendously before my first hip replacement.

Be sure to get all of the dressing aiRAB and have a walker and cane.

If you have specific questions, post them here and there is usually some hip replacement veteran reading, who will jump in and help you.

I am having my other hip replaced this Monday, August 24, and am READY! Will tell all about my second hip replacement experience when I get back home after rehab.

Shirley H.
 
Aww Shirley thanks for the compliment ...i have a 21 year old Son who looks older than his age so that helps me to look younger...i was told to look miserable on the article and i said to them its not hard to lol....i hate pictures taken of myself like that i like to have a big smile normally hehehe....i hope the article brings awarness to others that even someone had told important things prior to any operation still they should tell them again on the day ...make doubly sure that all important info is known...continued good health to you xxxxx
 
Wendy, your picture makes you look none the worse for wear and what awful advice to look miserable for the article. :eek:

Shirley H.
 
thanks for your prompt reply Shirley ...may i ask and you may be able to answer...is the epidural for the op is given with sedation so your slightly aware but dont feel any pain? i pressume i will just be put out know nothing ... The epidural is called regional anaesthesia and I dont think your fully asleep so there is no need for the intubate tube that goes down the throat to help you breathe.. lol im all confused sorry ....xx
 
Hi Maggie:

Kitty Leila says thanks for the hug. She has been keeping track of me since I got back home. Poor girl may be afraid I might disappear again. I love being back with her as much as she loves having me home. She is a darling and such company. :angel:

I asked the nurse anesthetist how they can tell a patient, during an operation, is becoming aware, and she assured me that one's eyes might open, or other body movements may occur to clue them in to that fact. I was very reassured to hear that. There was never one bit of awareness of anything other than sound and thank goodness for that. I have had very positive surgery experiences, I think. My new hips are made of titanium. That sure sounRAB like outer space!

This morning a visiting RN is dropping by to go over my discharge instructions with me - mainly I think to make sure I understand how and when to take the meRAB with which I was sent home. I haven't had any trouble understanding those, and after those are gone will go on to my trusty extra strength acetaminophen if I need any meRAB. I like to get off all meRAB as fast as possible. ;)

Tomorrow another visiting RN will come by to measure my INR ( consistency of the blood while taking warfarin). Now they have a hand held gadget costing about $20,000 (:eek:) that pricks the finger and then gives an INR reading. I was wondering how my blood could be tested when at home. There is no way I could get to a clinic or lab by myself right now.

You are very arabitious in your travel plans. Get as much in as possible before you have to stick closer to home for the next hip replacement recovery and rehab. Store up some memories for lying - in - bed entertainment.

I know that you will get yourself "up" for your next hip replacement, Maggie. We sound a lot like each other except I hate traveling! :eek:

Keep us posted, please.

Shirley H.
 
Hi Wiggzy:

Now that you ask about it - I must have been given the spinal after I was given a sedative because I don't remeraber a thing about the needle going in! The first hip replacement surgery, I was awake and aware when the anesthetist did the injection and although I felt it go in, it was not painful at all.

Odd that I never gave that spinal a thought this time, either before or after the surgery. I asked the anesthetist to add something so that I would have no nausea post op, and that was very successful.

I had no nausea post op and I was able to eat some clear liquiRAB a little later after waking up. One of the items was jello - I don't remeraber what else there was - might have been a broth - but I do remeraber being hungry and enjoying the clear liquiRAB immensely. Delicious!

I know that there must have been a breathing tube because my throat felt sore when I woke up, and that made a sort of blister or something on the back of my throat and this bubble did not go away for about a week. It was not the least bit painful but it was odd. This was the first time I had this odd kind of blister on top of my throat. I did not worry about it and it just went away after a few days.

Shirley H.
 
Hi there, this is the first time I have posted anything and so wish I had this forum before I had my Hip Replacement. Have found it very helpful for info now though. I am 57 and couldn't stand the oseto pain any longer, that is probably the best bonus ever for having a hip replacement. I didn't handle the anesthetic very well and had a blood transfusion, but apart form that I have recovered extremely well. I am now in week 8 and can walk quite well and don't have any aiRAB at all. I know everyone is different, but most people seem to recover so well. I have to agree with Shirley H re aiRAB. The best thing I would say that was the most beneficial in the early days was a walker. Would of been lost without it and you can carry things on top of it. The other best thing was a electric lift chair that a friend lent me..fantastic. The first two days after arriving home before I got it, I found it difficult trying to get comfortable with sitting. The other hint also is make sure you do the exercises given to you. So hope all goes well for you and you will be so glad that you had it done. xx
 
thanks again Shirley for your very prompt reply....its always so nice to hear other people's experiences..how are things with you now ? i am so apprehensive probably because of what has happened with the surgeon not knowing about my allergy..i was seconRAB from being put to sleep phew that was a close call...if i had the prosthesis put in it does not mean it would have failed because of my metal allergy...what you are allergic to on the surface/ skin is not necessarily what you are allergic to within the body ...i still work full time and am going back to work on Monday 14th and hope it wont be too long till i get my re-sheduled op....oh well what is written is written i say ...it just was not meant to be at that time...all good wishes to you and hugs xxx Wendy lol aka Wiggzy :P
 
Hi cmpresto:

So good to hear from you there in Oz.

I sure can see how good an electric lift chair would be after hip replacement. My favorite, best, chairs - are my high kitchen stools with arms, and a regular living room chair with arms - this chair is so sturdy and I use it at the computer. No wheels, of course. They would be dangerous.

I agree that doing the exercises, before and after hip replacement, is very important. I did the on-the-bed ones before and after surgery. Have nice strong thigh muscles now. I think they already were strong from decades of lawn mowing and snow shoveling, though.

I share your enthusiasm with the walker. I too found I could carry a plate on top of it, for instance. I purchased a tray that snaps on but it didn't arrive soon enough for me to get much use out of it. This time I think I will use it more. (I go in tomorrow to have the other hip replaced.) :D

Shirley H.
 
Am having my right hip replaced on Tuesday ( 25th) i have only just found this forum and have been reading with great interest ..i am 43 years old and for the past 16 years was mis-diagnosed with sciatica..i was diagosed with a shallow hip socket 2 years ago which i was born with....for many years until i was about 20 my Nan used to say the pain was " growing pains" as the years have passed and i have got older the pain has been getting worse ....of course the bones are getting older and arthritus has set in..i now have no cartilage so its bone on bone...i still work full time as a Custody officer but travelling home on the train is agony especially if i have to stand...the rocking motion really makes the hip hurt....i have a wonderful surgeon at the Royal National Othopaedic at Stanmore Middlesex ...last Septeraber i had a inter articular injection under anaesthetic ...pain relief /steroid was injected into the hip and i had no pain for almost 4 months ...could not have another injection as the risk of introducing an infection is quite high and can delay any planned surgery...anyway i love reading other peoples experiences it put your own mind at rest...im thankful i can walk still but thats with determination...i was told my "sprit is strong" ...i have my Son and Husband who will be off from work to help around the house and My Sister is "on call" if i get fed up with them lol...i have bought a raised toilet seat and a new leather chair with arms which is just the right height for me to sit in...i only have 2 leather sofa's which are far to soft and low for me to sit on ...hence the new chair.
I am going into hospital tomorrow and have been contemplating regional anaethesia ( spinal block ) where you are sedated and only the bottom half of your body is nurab...my Sister advises me to be put fully asleep ...she says even if i wore headphones with music playing i would still be aware of all the tugging and pulling but with no pain felt of course...and i may hear the noises attached with this ...cutting etc...i really dont like the idea of being " completely out of it" hate the thought of the breathing tube ( intubation) and having a catheter for urine collection...anyway i talk far too much for a newcomer...just like to wish Shirley on here all the best for her surgery and to those who have upcoming surgeries planned...continued good health to those who have already undergone a THR...all the best and regarRAB Wendy
 
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