I Have New Toys!!

My new laptop arrived this morning, it's so lovely & pink!! Here's a photo;

& I got my new DSLR (first DSLR) on Monday;

The new Canon EOS 450D with twin IS lens kit. Have only taken a few indoor shots at night so not really had a good play but from what I have taken so far it is amazing! I have been wanting this camers since it was released & Bond & Bond had a good finance deal with 15mths interest free deferred payment so I though why not :) Should have them paid off by the end of the 15mths so wont have to pay any extra on interest!

The laptop is just so neat - I love it! It also came bundled with Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 (Photos) & Adobe Premier Elements 4 (Videos) which is about a $230 software package already on the computer. So I am double happy as was looking to buy the software anyway. Not quite ready to move to Photoshop CS3 as it's insanely expensive & Elements has everything I need anyway. I don't like editing photos too much as I like being able to take a great photo without needing photoshop to make it look great.

Next I am going to do an online Digital Photography course which will enable me to setup my own business when my hip if fully healed. I am also working through my Massage Therapy course and will be able to setup that from home also once I am 100%.

So it's a good day even though I am in pain - I have toys!!! :)

Recovery Timeline FAI Surgery - 7 Weeks Post Op

I have made it to 7 weeks post of with no big dramas, no falls, bumps or knocks to my hip & it feels like it has been a lot longer timewise. I really must thank again all my friends (especially those who have been through similar hip problems) and family who have been so supportive through all the ups & downs you go though after surgery. It makes a difference to have such a wonderful support network!

I had my 2nd post op checkup on 29th July & had x-rays taken (these are on my Imaging post). The screws had not moved and the outer trocanter where it was cut was healing nicely though there is still a section nearer the bottom which was not as healed as the rest.

I have been given the go ahead "To Work The Hip" (that's specialist speak... lol) and start fullon physio therapy focusing on core strength (ugh time to wake up ab muscles..) stretching the glute/thigh area, Aqua Jogging & something else I couldn't read on the physio referral.

My lovely phsio who I have had for the last 4 years and who as been through my hip saga with me has just moved to greener pastures in Australia & I felt the task of finding another great physio quite daunting. Our town here only has around 40,000 people and 3 main physio places with a few solo physio practices around. However I have; I was talking to a friend who had a very bad motorcross accident and ended up dislocating is shoulder out the back (which aparently only happends in 5% of cases) and had a very complex recovery stemming from that. He said the physio he has was brilliant and handled a lot of complex/complicated cases and has many years of experiance behind her. So last week (Wednesday 30th) I went to my first appt with her however she was sick so was booked in for this Friday 8th August. She is very popular but I am hoping once I am in the system I should be able to see her every second day.

Pain - I have made quite a big step and have downgraded from Morphine 20mg 2-3 times a day to Codine 60-90mg twice a day. If it is bad a need the 90mg to get on top of it & my stomach seams to be holding up with the change of medication ok but I will see if that lasts.

Over the last couple of days my pain has changed and another element has added itself. This pain;

1/ Feels like a burning pain

2/ Is around the groin area

3/ Shoots down my leg & feeling quite deep like it is shooting down the bone

4/ End up in my calf/foot which is really uncomfortable

I am wondering if my screws have got something to do with it? It's starting to annoy me as it hasn't get less or gone away. Frustrating at night as it has made things harder to sleep again so have been trying all my tricks (wheatbags, creams. pillows, massage etc) to try and get on top of it. Saturday night I was still awake at 3am!! But did manage to catch up on some sleep yesterday.

At 7 weeks I can fully weight bear and there doesn't seam to be much if any pain when standing however things start to feel more uncomfy when walking and sitting in chairs or moving round in bed trying to find a good position. I have had come very sharp pains in the joint like a stitch has come loose in the labrum and it's rubbing but it only lasted a few minutes, still getting the odd popping sound but have been told it's normal in these early days.

Swelling is much better (will photos photo this afternoon) and I can fit into my jeans again :) My thigh muscle has stopped randomly cramping on me and it slowly getting stronger, though it is still at least half the size of my good leg. Quite amazing how quickly muscle wastes away when not being used as normal.

I can manage to get in & out of our Spa with relative ease and find this has helped a lot with my stiffness and just relaxes everything. I am looking forward to getting into some deep tissue massage with my new physio, I know I will most likely cry to begin with but it is going to feel SOOOO good afterwards - look at that I am EXCITED about PAIN! lol.

Will expand this post later in the day :)

We Finally Have SUNSHINE Again!!!!! Yayyyyy :)

We have had around 3 weeks of rain, cold southwesterlies, horrible damp overcast days with little to no sunshine.

I am a Sun Person, I love soaking up the warmth & I hate the cold. So I am finishing up on a few posts then going to make the most of the weather, think I might go for a drive to some scenic spots in our area and take some photos - it might not last long!

Plus it's 15oC!! It hasn't been this warm in a long time, well it is only just under 4 weeks till the first day of SPRING so hopefully there will me many more days like this instead of the cold overcast ones :)

It's like an instant happyfix when the Sun's out it really is :)

I hope others round the country have had the change in weather too & Have a good day everyone!

Recovery Timeline FAI Open Surgery Day 1 - 4 Weeks Post Op

Dated 15 June 2007 - Day After Surgery

Not supposed to txt or use cellphones in the rooms here so am hooked up to the dialup internet in the wall - so fast!! Well op is over, yesterday was pretty terrible as they have not really got my pain meds right till today. Had the op 11.20 i think on Sat and was under for a couple of hours (still waiting on the op report) woke up in insane pain in recovery. As I had been taking morphine tablets (10-20mg two to three times a day) since December 2007 my body was used to the medication and was only given 20mg to start with in recovery what basicly had no effect. My surgeon charted I needed more than normal however it took over half an hour and me crying in pain for them to give me more. Even when they did it only just hit the surface of the pain. I think I should have been given 50mg to begin with.

I felt like I had been hit by a bus in recovery. Yesterday (morning after surgery) they got me up and showered me, the worst part was standing up for the first time and the hip clicked & popped as it settled into place and this was quite painfull. I was placed on the commode/wheelchair and wheeled into the shower. Having a shower did help make me feel a bit more fresh but it was very exhausting & getting back into bed was not too nice with the pain being up there. I still think I was not being given enough pain meds and most normal people having this surgery who have not been on morphine before hand would have coped better with the pain releif I am sure. But I got there.

The next day (Monday) I had a shower, was able to get dressed into my own SATIN PJ's and had my post op x-rays. My level of pain relief has finally reached the right balance and it took a while as I was first on a PCA pump - self administered pain relief but would dose off and wake really sore as couldn't press the button when I was sleeping. I also started to throw up with the pump so they changed to morphine shots in my good thigh (I hate needles and it was not bad at all). Seemed to work ok but started to get sick from that too. So they changed me onto my normal morphine tablets and my stomach has settled down, not queasy or throwing up anymore (which is great as I can start getting energy from food and it is not nice trying to throw up and protect your newly operated hip at the same time!!). I did my makeup today so help helped me feel little better :) . Crazy thing is I am allowed to fully weight bear on my op'ed leg! Too sore right now only restrictions are not allowed to swing leg out to the side for 6 weeks in case it dislocates. Have also been given daliy injections into my stomach of a blood thinner and have to take asprin daily for six weeks post op to stop blood clots.

I have very sexy stockings on to the knee to help circulation - kind of like airplane compression socks and have had booties on my feet which inflate every 5 secs to push the bloodflow up the legs. I only have to wear them at night from now on - the day of my operation and the next I had to wear them 24/7, oh yay! You get used to them and I have been able to sleep with them on they are just annoying sometimes. So am in a much better mindframe today - really was not good yesterday. I couldn't keep much food down either which didn't help.

Day 14 Post Op (28 june 2008)

It is now day 14 post op & it is much better this week. I was able to go home 4 days after surgery (Operation was the Sat and home on the Wed afternoon) and couldn't wait as I missed my own place & family lots. I have been sleeping in a lazy boy since I got home & highly recommended it as it gives much better control and is so much easier getting up etc just until you have a little more strength back and you also have support on both sides. I did have a very cold foot on the operated side with pins & needles but that went away after 3 days at home. Wheatbags helps a lot! Also if you can get someone to gently massage your calf & foot on the operated side. Still have my pressure stockings to wear for the next week or so and taking Asprin once a day for 6 weeks in total to avoid blood clots.

Painwise - I still have had little pain from the actual incision. I had disolveable stitches and a mefix bandage which I took off yesterday (27/6), very slowly. The incision line is really fine and a lot less noticeable than I was expecting. Swelling has mostly gone now which is great as I pretty much had a second hip on that side! The main pain I have currently is when I wake up in the morning and the joint is very achey till I move round, get the muscles moving and get on top of my pain killers again. I have been told I can weight bear, even fully if I can however am on double crutches for 6 weeks with no physio. I am allowed to practice my walking and clentch/flex the muscles to help them retain some strength.

3 Weeks Post Op - 7 July

Progressed from lazy boy to the bed (have a memory foam mattress cover, numerous pillows and satin blanket for getting in & out of bed). Feeling stronger this week and the swelling is going down nicely which is helping to straighten out my lower body as I am a little wonky looking. Currently I am getting more muscle pain than joint pain & my thigh on my operated leg has decided it wants to cramp up on me, often. So I have to be carefull getting up/sitting down and have been given some gentle stretches by my physio to help loosen the muscle. My scar has healed nicely though it is still numb around the scar, the feeling will come back with time though it does feel weird rubbing creams into the leg there and it being numb!! ACC have supplied a cleaner to come once a week and she is lovely, does a great job and it makes you feel so much better to know you have a tidy house!

Above and below my scar 3 weeks post op, still a lot of swelling to go down yet.

4 Weeks Post Op

Though I am not allowed to do any physio till after the "safe" 6 week period post op I went to see my physio as my lower back & glutes on the operated side are giving me a lot of pain and everything is soo tight. She did a few gentle mobs on my lower back - which was a minefield of pain but it did help to loosen some of the muscles. She also did work around my neck and upper spine as I also have a shoulder/neck injury which has been aggrivated by my constant crutch use. Still about the same as last week but feeling stronger everyday and slowly getting more normal activities into my day like cooking meals again & managed a walk to the shop & back (block & a half from our house).

Scar 4 weeks post op - healing nicely, still swelling though this will take a while to fully go away.

Tips For Coping With Open FAI Surgery...

1/ Make sure you get a haircut before hand – makes it so much easier to managein hospital and when you get home.

2/ Shave you legs, give yourself a good body scrub and keep moisturizer up inthe week before – make you feel better during recovery and the iodine they slop everywhere can make your skin dry and flaky in the weeks afterwards. I am using Bio Oil on my skin & will also use it on my scar when fully healed, it’s great!

3/ I was allowed home on the 5th day after surgery & made the trip from CHCH-Timaru with lots of pillows supporting me. Make sure you take painkillers before the trip home.

4/ Pain relief in hospital – They will force Panadol on you religiously and try to wean you off stronger options but make sure you keep up the stronger stuff if you can as I was feeling ok but it took them 3 days to begin with to get on top of my pain medication as I was taking morphine (10-20mg 2-3 times a day sinceOctober 07) before the op and my body was used to it so speak up if it’s not enough. It took around 30 minutes in recovery to settle my pain as all theygave me to start off was 20mg!

5/ Take Arnica Plus Spray by Naturo Pharm in the weeks leading up to your operation and in the weeks after – 2/3 Sprays 3 times a day. This helped me hugely and I did not come out with any bruising – only a little yellow where the stitches were. It helps your body heal naturally.

6/ Make sure you get home help with ACC or through Insurance if you can – I have a lady that comes every Tuesday for 2hrs and does all cleaning & washing etc and is such a great help. Also make sure you get a raised toilet seat with handles, a trolly with wheels and couch raisers.

7/ If you can get a lazy boy/recliner do that or if you have one or know someone who has one see if you can borrow it as I slept in it for the first 3 weeks after surgery. It is so much better than the bed as I am able to get up myself and lie flat if I need to or shift the angle of the chair myself. Otherwise I don’t think I would have been able to get up or out of bed if I was on my own. Plus your not having to lift your leg in and out of bed and reduces the chance of slipping or straining the hip.

8/ Make sure you drink lots of water to help your muscles heal, stock up on magazines to read!

9/ BABY WIPES – these have been wonderful, keep a pack in the toilet where you can reach as sometimes after the surgery when your trying to balance on the loo things don’t quite go right and this just helps clean and makes you feel much fresher lol till you can have a shower. Also keep a pack wherever you are during the day as they are handy to wipe hands etc. You can get some really nicesmelling ones too!

10/ Once you have got the hang of your crutches and want to carry things I use a plastic bag and put things in and take them to the lounge with the bag on my crutches otherwise you don’t have any free hands and if your on your own it can be pretty frustrating not being able to carry things.

11/ Stock up on muffins and ready to eat foods – things that you can pop in a bag and get on your own & easy to eat foods for during the night when you need to take pain killers.

12/ SHOWERING – The day I left hospital I was strong enough to stand with one leg and partial weight on my op leg and have a shower on my own. When I got home I had a couple of sponge baths in front of the fire till I was happy to have a shower. A detatchable shower head is a must – as this helps a lot for the first few showers. I got away with not needing to have a hair wash till I got home and found it easiest with a $10 shower ext from The Warehouse & used it over the sink as it is much easier to lean forward than backwards after the op. Or if you have a shower with slider shower rose it would do the same job.

13/ Massage - if you can get someone to massage E Balme into your calf/foot andthigh (away from the cut) this will help circulation and the muscles to repair.Plus it feels great and helps you relax.

14/ Satin PJ's & Satin blankets. I manged to pickup a satin quilted blanket for around $20 and used this in the bed when I migrated from the lazy boy as it lets you slide in & out without straining your muscles & is sooo much easier. This is also useful when getting in & out of the car if you can lay the blanket on the seat before you get in it helps you slide in out with ease.

Photo of my bed setup with the satin blanket;

Imaging - X-Rays & MRI Images

MRI Screen Captures - 14 May 2007

X-ray of pelvis pre operation:

Pelvis after FAI operation (14/06/2008) where they shaved the impinging bone on the head of the femur, removed the inflammed bursa & repaired another tear - all things they were unable to go in the scope operation. The screws are holding the outer Trocanter on and if I am lucky they will not irritate me and they will stay in! :

Left hip take at 6 week check-up 29/07/08

Cross table view after the operation taken 15/07/08:

Cross table view taken at 6 week checkup - 29/07/08

Operation Report 14/6/08 with Operation Photos

Operative Procedure:

The patient was anaesthetised, the left hip was prepped and draped in the usual manner to give a sterile field. An incision was made over the greater trochanter through the subcutaneous fat to ilia tibial band, this was split, the greater trochanter was found to have moderate bursitis here, this was excised.

A trochanteric osteotomy was undertaken, care was taken to avoid damaging the blood supply to the hip and the gluteus minus lifted off and the hip capsule exposed, a capsulotomy was undertaken, the hip was dislocated. The findings showed that there was an area of contusion to the anterior labrum with some associated chondral damage with this.

The previous arthroscopy where the labrum had been torn was visible and found that the labrum was adequately excised. I removed the anterior labrum and reattached it with X2 anchors after I'd removed the bone behind this, then went to the head/neck junction where there had been obviously impingement here and used the templates to check the serosity of the head and removed the excess bone, the head/neck junction offset was improved and the raw bone surface and placed some bone wax into the raw bones to prevent bleeding here.

I closed the wounds in layers just slightly tightened the anterior capsule as I felt it was somewhat lax, then a redivac drain was placed in the deep layer and the greater trochanter reattached with X2 screws. The skin was closed with subcuticular Monocryl.

Post Op Instructions: Pain relief as charted, no active abduction for 6 weeks but patient may mobilise full weight bearing, check xray and haemoglobin in 24 hours.

More Background on my Hip Injury..

This post is a continuation of the January 2008 post;

By September 2007 I had been through 2 x GP's, numerous physio's, Chiropractor, Local Specialist, Osteopath & a Chinese Accupuncturist to find out why my hip and groin had never settled down after my fall onto my left hip in October 2005.

After the Local Specialist admitted the results on the MRI looked too complicated for him to "fix me" I found my own specialist in Christchurch who was reported to be one of the best in the country.

I was sent to get more x-rays and he assessed my MRI. The MRI showed a small tear and Cam & Pincer Impingement. My surgeon wanted to do open surgery to correct these problems and also deal with my very irritated bursa. However ACC thought this surgery was too risky and wanted him to try Keyhole Surgery first to see if that would work. So on 10 December 2007 I went in for the Scope (keyhole). I was only in the theatre around 30mins as all they could do was repair the small tear which showed on the MRI and debride (burn off) a larger tear which had not shown on the MRI. (MRA's show much more detail for this type of injury).

They were unable to address or even look at the bursa or deal with the impingement issues. We did hold onto the hope that what they managed would be enough to make me pain free....

I was operated on the Monday morning and was discharged Tuesday lunchtime & got to make the lovely 2 hour drive home. Over the next 5 months I went for checkups with my specialist and thing went downhill for me and I ended up getting more sore after the scope than before and it was getting worse....

I was given a guided steroid injection into the hip capsule to hopefully reduce the inflammation however this also aggrevated my hip and made things worse with no relief.

I went back to my surgeon in dispair and said I couldn't take this any longer and wanted him to apply to ACC for funding for the open proceedure they turned down in the first place. He did and amazingly it only took 3 weeks for approval to go through and I had my date set for June 14th for the Open Surgery to address the FAI, Bursa & any tears not seen in the first scope.

Grrrr I Hate Big Chain Stores.....

I have been looking at buying a new laptop and a DSLR Camera Kit & after a lot of research I went down to our local Harvey Norman and found a salesman and said " I want this laptop, laptop sleeve & DSLR Camera Kit & will take it with me today thanks..."

Salesman replied great no problem I will just check availibility.

Sorry we don't have any of the camera kit you want and we also don't have any of the laptop apart from the showroom model (which I was NOT going to take as they have it set up with all the laptops on a large table/stand and they are on 24/7 and had no heat protection. I picked up the display one and it was soo hot underneath I hate to think what that was doing to the laptop. Plus it was shop soiled and looked rather shabby.)

I asked him to check other branches and there was 3 showing 1 each (also display he said). So I asked if he could get one direct from the manufacture - he replied " Sorry no, we have had 2 on order since Feb and looks like we won't ever see those, sorry."

As for the camera kit he said he could place an order Monday and should have the kit in a week or so.....

I have quite a specific list of requirements for my new laptop and this one fitted it perfect! I did have another option - a Sony Vaio but it was over a week wait so I chose this other option instead as it had the same specs mostly and HN had it - apparently!!

So I left pretty pissed off as those new toys were going to brighten my weekend (Its been overcast here for over a week and raining an awful lot, plus I have been quite sore the past couple of days with my hip).

I have a copy of their new mailer and it has the laptop I wanted and the camera ( plus another laptop I asked them to check for and also didn't have with none in the country) and I think that's false advertising - Our store here is pretty big and I expect them to stock what is in the mailer..... GRRRRR

I have now gone back to my Original laptop I was looking at;

Sony Vaio in Lizard Pink! Which you can get from Bond & Bond & Noel Leeming's so if I am feeling not too sore in the morning I will go down and see who has the better deal :)

As for the camera kit, well that's going on hold as I have lost my motivation after today.

I think I have vented enough on that subject!!

It's Raining, I'ts Pouring...

Torrential rain started pouring here yesterday and has not stopped since, most of the county is getting battered by this huge winter blast. We have a lovely river running down the backyard from the school field above and down the path at the side of the house!.

Currently nearly 7 weeks post op - next post will have the details

Here are some photos of the rain......