7 weeks and one day since the operation and mum has now been signed off by Mr George her hip consultant and Angela the physiotherapist.

I came home yesterday afternoon to accompany her to the consultant’s appointment. It’s been a while since I last saw Mum and it was great to see her walking taller, more confidently and most pleasing and important is that she is pain free.

Mr George was very pleased with the way her hip has healed and admired the neatness of the scar.  He even said she would now be able to wear a bikini on her next holiday!!  He also stressed that she mustn’t overdo it or push herself too hard as she is still going through the recovery process.

He OK’d her to drive, so this morning, Mum got the car out of the garage and for the first time in 7 weeks loaded Meg into the back and off we went, with Mum driving to Horbury for the weekly shop.  It was a very smooth drive – she certainly hasn’t forgotten how to do it!

This afternoon we had her final physiotherapist appointment with Angela who also signed her off.  The exercises that mum has been religiously doing have really paid off.  She has good strength in both her legs and can walk (when she thinks about it) without a limp.  Angela advised her to keep walking on the flat and for the time being to avoid rough terrain.  So Mum may have to wait a couple more weeks before she resumes her old routine of her daily dog walk in the woods.

Angela also confirmed that Mum can now lie on her side in bed at night and can at last remove her surgical stockings – so this evening, with great relief, Mum took them off for the final time.

So, 7 weeks after the long awaited operation normal life for Mum and Meg is starting to resume which is just fantastic.  She still has to be careful and mustn’t overdo it but she is certainly well on the road to a full recovery.

We’ve had some good progress over the last couple of days. Mum has now started pottering around and doing some jobs around the house – nothing too strenuous. The plants are watered, the potatoes peeled and last night she made her own bedtime snack.

This morning we went to see the physiotherapist predominantly because her right knee is quite painful. The physiotherapist ‘Angela’ was very impressed by her progress and even though there is nothing that can be done at this stage about her knee she now has the next set of exercises for her hip. Oddly it transpires that mum has been walking incorrectly with her sticks so she now has to re-train herself which with her lack of coordination is easier said than done!!

She forewent her daily nap for an afternoon in front of the TV watching the golf and she managed to stay awake throughout which is a great achievement.

Tomorrow we are going to try a longer walk with Mum walking correctly with her sticks!

There’s nothing like a bit of fresh air and sunshine to make you feel better

Second full day at home today and this morning Mum managed to stay awake long enough to do some good exercise sessions in the fresh air. She took advantage of the fine weather by taking a short (and slow) walk every half hour round the yard. It was a lovely day so in between her short walks she sat out enjoying the sunshine.

Back on form this afternoon with a long nap and once ‘Flog It’ finishes the evening walking sessions will start.

After lunch Susie left to go home and tomorrow Meg will be returning from her 5 day holiday so we’re getting ready for chaos!