Yesterday was stitches out day.  The nurse removed the dressing and we saw the scar.  All 4 inches of it. It’s astounding that such a major operation required such a small incision.  Everything looked good and mum was delighted to learn that she could now have a shower.

Once that was taken care of, the sun had finally emerged so we went up to the top of Castle Hill to continue building up on the walking in what we thought was going to be a quiet, yet scenic, location.    It was very busy. Lots of dogs and photographers – despite the visibility still being quite poor.  We let Meg off the lead and walked along the path, and back again, probably about twice the distance of the previous day.

Today was independence day.  Mum woke me this morning by bringing me cup of coffee. After she’d had a shower (Tip of the day: Shower gel is easier than soap as it doesn’t fall on the floor) I watched her climb the stairs without her sticks, in the proper manner one foot per stair.  Truly excellent progress.

After lunch we did the “scenes of my youth” tour. I took Mum up to Huddersfield Sailing Club and then onto Winscar reservoir.  I was stunned to find that even after living round here all her life, Mum had never been to Winscar before.

We parked in the carpark and walked as far as the dam wall and looked down on the village below.  From Cross to Cross in the picture above, probably a total of about half a mile.  When we finished, the wound was stinging a bit, but that was probably because the stitches had been removed so recently.

I’m going home once we’ve had Chippy Booth’s finest fish and chips for tea. And then Jackie will be popping in for the next week to make sure all is well.

…I knew my work here was done.

Of course I’m not going home yet. I’m looking forward to a few days of rest, relaxation and being waited on hand and foot (joke, obviously) before going to America next week.

On Monday morning I knew that Mum was pretty much better. The previous evening I she’d climbed the stairs with me standing at the bottom. But she had promised me that she would wake me so I could escort her down the stairs in the morning.  Of course, when I went to see if she wanted a cup of coffee first, she was already downstairs.  When I told Sally about it later Sally said “she’s just so disobedient!”.

We figured out how to put trousers on without bending too far (walking stick down the operated trouser leg and then the foot slides easily into the trouser leg without catching).

Mum had developed a loose crown on Sunday.  As it had taken 2 phone calls  and a lot of persuasion to get the dentist’s receptionist to give us an appointment on Monday, I made sure to remind Mum to hobble very slowly and gingerly on her way into the surgery!

By the time we arrived home the decorator had arrived to start fixing the damage resulting from a leaky toilet in the newly renovated cottage.  He climbed his ladder to examine the wallpaper on the ceiling. As he’d prodded the paper the large pool of water which had collected under the paper had deposited itself on his head.

After the trials of Monday, Tuesday was better all round.  The plumber came and sorted out the leaky washer in the cistern. I lengthened Mum’s sticks so she could walk more upright.

Every morning we take Meg out to the top field and throw the ball for her. If Alan has left the gate locked, I have to lift her over the wall as it’s too high for her to jump over.  This morning I turned away just for a second and the next thing I saw was Mum heaving Meg over the wall herself!

The rest of the day was full of very welcome visitors. I was dispatched to the driving range with a pocket full of pound coins while Mum’s dog walking friends called in for a cup of tea and a gossip and to see when she’ll be back with them walking round the woods.  I don’t think it’ll be long!

So it’s Sunday evening and after being back in Reading for six days I’ve returned to take over from Sally who went back to Alton early this afternoon.

I’ve been noticing all week how much better she sounded on the phone, better in fact than she has in months, so I was hoping that she was doing as well as Sally had reported.

As I arrived this evening Mum galloped towards me on her 2 sticks and I couldn’t believe the speed she was moving and how much taller she looked!

Mum had already made her own dinner, so we went for a walk round the yard so she could demonstrate how she could walk evenly with both legs and no limp.  The new new walking stick technique has helped her look like she’s walking normally, and it looks as like the sticks are more an aide to confidence than props to lean on.

All in all I’m delighted with the progress and I think recuperation is progressing well.

The first full day at home and it’s been quite difficult to fit in all the exercises between naps!

Although she has to walk every 20 minutes, I’ve generally not managed to wake her up enough to do that.  I think it’s going to take quite a few days to get over the effects of the anaesthetic.  Walking is also slightly difficult because her good leg has developed a bad knee!

After a long afternoon snooze we walked up the drive and leaned on the wall where we watched Alan stacking the newly baled hay.

Sally has arrived so we cooked a delicious team roast chicken dinner.  After a day’s handover I will be heading off back to Reading tomorrow and Sally will be in charge.

I was going to have this post approved before I pressed publish, but Mum has nodded off.

And we’re home 🙂

Funny how I noticed every little bump and rut in the road as we drove home.  I hope the drive wasn’t as uncomfortable as I felt it was.

She did comment that the car seat was much more comfortable now than on the drive in, which I think is very positive. Also the leg feels much longer than it did on Wednesday, and her knees feel better already. It’s probably because the hip joint had almost completely collapsed and everything else was having to take the strain.

The hospital doled out extra sleepy painkillers before we left, so it’s now time for a brief power nap before we start the walking round every 20 minutes regime which is required for optimum hip recovery.

When I arrived at the hospital this morning Mum was dressed and in a chair.  The physio, Angela this time, has been in and explained the standing exercises.

Joan the vet came to visit this morning which was lovely.  While she was here physio Angela came back and we did steps, first on a little exercise step and then the flight of stairs down to the ground floor.  I have to stand below her as she goes up and down, but apart from that she’s good on her own. Angela remembered Joan treating her cat when she as a child, so there were reminiscences all round.

Now for the big news: They are so pleased with Mum’s progress that she is being discharged today.  I’m bringing her home this afternoon.

But first it’s lunchtime, and the soup once again is delicious.  We’re trying to work out what’s in it so we can replicate it at home.

The sun was shining when I arrived at the hospital at lunchtime and I was surprised to see that the bed had been moved next to the window.  The inflatable slippers had gone, the hospital gown had been replaced by a nightie and Mum had walked, under instruction and with the aid of a zimmer frame to the far wall and back.  After yesterday’s worry about low blood pressure, this was excellent progress. Both Charlotte the physio and Hayley the nursing assistant were impressed at how fit Mum is and how much upper body strength she has.  I don’t suppose that would come as much a surprise to anyone else who knows her…

The surgeon, Mr George had been in and asked if Mum had heard him hammering the new joint in.  Fortunately she hadn’t!!  He explained that he doesn’t use cement or glue to hold the new hip in place,  he uses a special collar which then fuses the new hip and the thigh bone together.  This process takes about 6 weeks, but gives a more secure and long lasting joint. The recovery takes slightly longer, but it gives a much better result.

After Mr George’s visit, there was another X-ray, just to check that everything was looking good and then lunch.

Contrary to the reputation of hospital food, the meals have been excellent. All three courses are tasty and generous, and the fresh homemade soup has been especially delicious.

After another little walk round this afternoon with the physio, Mum had a little snooze and I came home…

Evening update: She’s definitely on the road to recovery.  She’s looking better and has all her electronic gadgets out…  I’ll need to put them all on charge before I leave.

The operation seems to have gone well.

Before being wheeled down to the theatre Mum had a huge black arrow drawn on her leg in permanent marker. So unlike the pacemaker fitting, I didn’t have to go down to the operating theatre with her to check that they were going to do the correct operation!

In a stroke of good fortunate, she was first on the list this morning and in surgery before 8 am.  The epidural with sedation looks to have been an excellent choice,  she remembered hardly anything about the operation, and only felt anything during the stitching at the end. When I returned to the hospital at 10.45 she was looking fine and seemed very alert – which may not have been the case with a general anaesthetic.

Of course she couldn’t wait to get rid of her drip so she could use her right hand to start texting again… 🙂

Mum is currently sporting some very unusual footwear.  Her feet are wrapped in inflating slippers which are attached to a pump.  They inflate and deflate alternately, at seemingly random intervals.  every time the left one inflates it makes a loud popping noise which makes Mum (and me) jump.

Apart from having low blood pressure this afternoon which meant an unwelcome return to the drip and no getting out of bed, recovery is progressing nicely. Charlotte the physio has prescribed exercises to be done 3 times a day while still in bed – no rest for the recuperating!

Mr George the surgeon was pleased with the operation. He said the old hip was completely worn out and full of arthritis.  He expects the new hip will give her a new lease of life!

As she’s had to stay in bed today, I expect tomorrow to be a busy day with physiotherapy, another visit from Mr George to check up on his handiwork, and of course I will be visiting…

Make sure change the correct hip!!

I left the hospital this morning at 7.50 as they were wheeling Mum into the operating theatre.

It’s now10.50 am and she’s awake, she looks fine and she didn’t didn’t feel a thing.  As you might imagine she’s champing at the bit to get her drip out so she can operate her phone and start texting….