5 months

I am revisiting this site but the whole Hip Op thing feels like a distant memory now. Im bushwalking. Im dancing. I can even put on my left sock. Still a bit stiff getting down low and getting off the floor, or climbing a big step or a log in the bush, but generally Im good. So glad not to be in pain and debilitated as I was for months before the Op. Thank medical advancements for this new lease on life.

Throw the Stick

Its now 7 1/2 weeks since Op. I havent been using the stick for 3 days. Apart from Wed night when I took a couple of panadeine extra for back pain, ive had no painkillers for a week.

I continue to do 3 hours of physiology, hydro and physio on Wed mornings at Metro Rehab. Its so good to do. As I get more caught back into the cycle of work, plus driving, this physical activity is all the more important.

The Physiotherapist told me not to get down on the floor and up again until post op 3 months, which is late october. However I did notice myself getting up and down off the floor in Playgroup today without even thinking to trace around a childs body on the floor.

The School Play on Wed was fabulous with our Playgroup performing Dem Bones. Kids and parents, even a baby was dressed in black outfits with white bones. Looked great against the black curtains of the stage with stage lights on us while dancing.  I also tacked on a hip replacement in my outfit.

No Drugs No Stick

No painkillers last night and none for 4 days. Im ok. I went for a walk around the river and the last bit I did without the stick.  I even climbed the stairs using alternate legs and no stick.

Life is getting back to normal post 6 weeks.

Next goal is weight baring and getting up and down off the floor.

doin without da drugs

Been just over 6 weeks since op.

i cut out on any drugs through out the day the last couple of days. I didnt know what the painkillers were masking. But ive been fine.

i also had my first drive today and that was fine too

i went to my first playgroup in 8 weeks too. but its challenging in an environment created for children. i still cant get down on the floor or sit on low couches and childrens chairs.  i cant pick things off the floor or pack away that easily.  Where would I be without Nimfa and Ariyani.

i feel the time is getting close to chuck the stick.

Back to Work

6 weeks have passed and even though I didnt feel ready in my head, it was time to go back to work. Rika drove me and I took my stick and walked up the steps, and across the playground into my office.

Helen had sorted everything: the office, my emails, the cooking demos, the recipe collections, childcare, playgroup song dancing and costuming for the school play and great updates in Facebook. She, Nimfa, Ariyani, Yunita, Nazma and Lilly also threw me a Welcome Back Lunch!!  Those women are just so together. Not to mention the cool baby Suri and sweet Shafin.

Not feeling quite up to the enormity nor the speed of which Connect can become, I plan to leave each afternoon at 4pm.

Not taking oxicontane is like taking off the velvet glove. There simply is no pain or discomfort with it. Im on Panadeine Forte but it doesnt quite cut it and I feel some discomfort. Im taking Endone at night.

Following Up with Surgeon

Its 5 weeks since the Op and today I took the 412 bus to Dr Boyle s private rooms at the RPA.  I had used my notebook to write down some questions such as:
What is inside me?
What happened to the spur and cyst?
Can I see the X Ray?
When can I drop the precautions?
When can I chuck the stick?
What about the pain in my back when I walk?
How should I come off the oxicontane and other drugs?
What about Osteo Arthritis elsewhere in my body? How do I know the extent of it?
What can be done to prevent further deterioration?
What about the bill?

Well starting with the last question they are not charging me anthing extra than what my health fund will pay. Hooray!!
I didnt even have to pay for this followup consultation, which would otherwise be $230. Feeling lucky.

I havent seen the xray yet but I believe him when he said there was a ceramic and titanium hip in me. I had a feel of his model.

The twinges in the back are probably the effects of the realignment and are quite normal he says. And poss also OA.

Finding out where OA is - by pain. Propensity for cartliage degeneration in one area  indicates its likely in other areas too. Fish Oil Glucosamine with chondroitin are the best known preventors at this stage. Plus using the muscles.

Abandon precautions any time from now on. Start driving locally to begin with.

Walking without the stick remember to tighten the buttocks with each step.  Drugs: go off Oxi when pkt finished. Take Endone when necessary.

About it. Its been an incredibly social time. Suzie came from Tasi in the weekend.  We visited Anneli in Manly on Sunday. Ive been walking all number of steps and distances, but overdid it on Sunday. I got back pains and my worst night ever following. I hadnt taken oxi s and my leg felt a wreck. Panadeine didnt work. Taking oxis on Monday felt like velvet.

Venturing Out

I had nothing in particular on today so I decided I would venture out. I would walk up the 'steps of death'(96 steps behind this place) and take a train to Marrickville. I would sit at Cafe Vesbar, drinking Campos coffee while writing to Dad, drop the letter at the post office, see if the Vietnamese beautician and Phil the hairdresser were open.

I was in no hurry to leave. Instead getting more ensconsed in the adventures of Hubert Wilkins, the scarcely known Australian explorer, who just about did everything imaginable between 1888 and 1958, but who was not accepted by Australia for his comments about the way we treated Aborigines and the environment. He must have had more than 9 lives. Prepared to push the limits at every opportunity, trying to give life to the imaginings of Jules Verne, but overall trying to prove that what happened at the Poles influenced global weather patterns. At the time there was so much land and sea unchartered and it makes you realise the phantom leaps of discovery that we just take for granted today.

A bit like my hip.

At any rate dear Dimiti popped by and I discovered more about her and her history as a sculptor and artist. She accompanied me not up the steps of death but some smaller sets of step near the old school.

I then did everythin I planned, and had a facial and my hair cut, caught trains. Managed steps. Feeling like I was stretching my limit on the final stairs back home. Must have done 200 or so steps today.

The Day Playgroup visited Vivi

What a suprise it was to have 7 lovely ladies, 2 lively children and 1 peaceful baby coming to visit me, armed with so much food. They all fitted in to my tiny living room and set about feeding everyone with a efficiency I can only dream of. Then just like at Connect, they leave leaving only fairy dust and a pile of yummy food. They are the family of Connect. From many places they come, bringing with them their own uniqueness, their own tastes and cooking styles, and through loving open welcome hearts they make one big family here. Babies get passed around. The jokes are universal - just as Nazma.  And now with the Friday afternoon cooking demos they are welcoming new families into the folds. I love each and every one of them. Its more than a job!

Vivid Dreams

Im in a wilderness area of which more and more has been bitten off and privitised. You think youre walking through the wilderness and then you come across cute animals that do tricks. Over there is an island with seals and wild waves crashing over it, but to get to the beach you must go through a door that charges $20. The tamed animals are a part of the lure. But you are disgusted that animals that are meant to be wild are serving human need and greed. You decide to find your own way through the wilderness to a wild headland. You are somewhere up on Sydneys North Shore walking with good friend Jenny Pollak.  The valley is too thickly overgrown but the next hill might be a goer. You have to climb it finding small grooves to get a foothold and small grooves to get a handhold. Then heave. Wow, come a long way since the Op. Then I woke up. Thankyou Oxicontane.

First Night n Day at Home

Now it s Vivi s turn to take charge.

Meds in the morning and meds at night. Still on mls of oxycontane twice a day. Need to work out when to cut back. Is that what lies between pain and no pain? I dont know.

But they do give vivid dreams. All sorts of things like having to take care of Skiddles, Karens old dog. And trying to clean an impossibly filthy and cluttered appartment in New York. Weird. But in the physical world my heel was giving me grief. Is this from friction from being in bed for too long? I debated with myself about taking an Endone, but thought I should put pawpaw ointment on instead, except I cant reach that easily.

I cant reach thing on the floor. So Eileen plugged in the heater for me last night, and my mobile charger. I couldnt do that with my pick-up-stick. Thankyou Eileen.

Then with only one pickupstick now, if my walking stick falls down I need it to pick it up. I also have Lizzy Mulrennans husbands stick, so this is a good backup stick. But I need to manage the risk of falling sticks much better. I dropped my mobile phone on the floor and then it rang. So I used the pickupstick, slipping at first, but finally getting it and taking Nadyats call.

That was all in the middle of a power blackout. As I invited my neighbour in to take candles and matches from under Mishkas new heightened food box, so I soon learned the blackout effected 60, 000 homes.

Today I had visits from Esther and Maria from school. Esther brought stuffed tomatoes, stuffed capsicums and Greek sweets, and Maria chicken soup and mushroom omlette. Yum!!! And oh so kind and lovely.

At around 4.30pm just before the blackout Coles came with a delivery and took the food right up to the kitchen bench. How simple is that!!! 10mins to order, then the next day - voila!!! Altho id miss the little specialist shops in Campsie, that are oh so cheap - I cant help feel that would save me time, petrol, parking each weekend during my working life. But I would sell my soul to Coles or Woolies and not support the little businesses. Ill play it by ear but its good for the time being.

I did 2 x 10minute walks today along the river, a couple of sloppy rounds of circuit on the back of an ill heighted chair and 2 sets of 10 bridges while lying on the bed.

Im booked into the Rehab Day Program and will start tomorrow morning. Liz will pick me up at 9.30. We'll take coffee before she drops me off. Rika will pick me up. I will be the subject of her OT assignment next week - how a disabled person copes with a new environment.

Home

What a commotion it was at Rehab this morning - a first time fluster as Marcelle put it. People emptying our drawers, making our beds, giving us our scripts, our exercise charts, our discharge letter, settling our accounts.

Then chatting to other patients who were leaving today as well, all remarking on our improvements and the quality of staff in the place, and the whole quality of the experience. While dear Liz came to collect me in her big doored car and her big adooring heart. We stopped at Dully to pick up a few things and have coffee at a cafe, before heading home.

Managed the stairs just fine. Rearranged a few thing and then the Equipment Hire man came:
* 15cm chocks on couch - yay!!!
* 10cm chocks on bed
* fancy smancy toilet elevation, very sculptural

As well Gabis dear Justin dropped off the giant purple chair last night.

All set!!

Jo came and we went for a 10minute walk along the river. I also tried one foot after the other on the stairs and it worked well. Then she made miso soup. Good sis.

After an attempt at a nap Mishka jumped up on the bed and head butted and nose rubbed enough to make up for 3 weeks.

Photo Art at Metro

Outdoor at Metro

Some of the lovely staff at Metro Rehab

Norma and all the staff are just so positive good humoured and lovely!!

Getting Ready to Leave Rehab

Just done a few tests with Cameron to check my ability before I go home. I walked 350 metres in 6 mins then did 14 tests without using the stick. Like sit to stand without using hands. standing with eyes closed, standing with feet together, reaching out with arms, looking over shoulder, balancing on one leg. The only thing I couldnt do was balance on one leg.

Testing out Home with the OT

Today I went home with the Occupational Therapist and the Physio student (final days of a 4 year degree) Cameron.

First thing was getting into the car. Car seat pushed back as far as possible. Lower bum onto seat taking care not to bend operated leg too much. Swing around. Very laid back. Reverse procedure getting out. First time out of here in 2 weeks - out into the big wide world.

Up the 36 steps. Right leg to heaven each time - pulling up my left - like I did before op.  Can do but a bit tired by 36 step.
Coming down its stick/left leg, followed by right leg, and so on.

Inside the unit, the bath poses a problem.  There is not enough space to put the contraption down. But I can climb in if I kick my feet back towards my bum, rather than lifting my knee up. I will ask Tony the Landlord if hes able to put some bars in to help steady myself.

I can see that feeding the cat is challenging. I will need to keep the food up high and not put her food on ground level. Some new challenges. Will also use a pickupstick for the litter tray but will need help changing litter tray.

The raised toilet seat will need to come from a seat on a seat, as a pipe would block the positioning of a frame.

The couch is too low and could pose a stability problem if 15cm chocks were put underneath. Yet this is my comfort spot and the place I would prefer to spend the bulk of my time. Still to work out. Otherwise Gabis big bulky chair but it will be an ugly space invader, altho it gets all the ticks from physio.

The bed will go onto 10cm chocks. That should be ok.

Gosh how would it have been if I just went home straight from hospital? Id hardly know this stuff.

Cost of making and buying hips

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/08/artificial-hip-cost-markup-healthcare

Rosies Photos

Life in 5CA

The Gear

Sock putter onner, shoe horn with long handle, walking sticks, pick-up-sticks

Walking the Block

Today I walked around the block as part of my physio. Cameron and Stef, the physiotherapists either walked beside me or observed me from behind. I needed to navigate the slopes, cracks, bumps and general uneven slopes out there. Trying to be mindful. I started out with energy but got tired by the end of the block. My left hip tended to veer out a bit with each step. But those are things that can be corrected by physio guidance.

I was thirsty and needed to rest. That was before going up to do some more block work upstairs. After 45 min workout in the pool this morning I really felt exhausted by this arvo and have just had a wee nap.

Ive been down to 5mls of oxicontan since 48 hours ago and seems to be going well in my transition to life without meds.

Outlook in Rehab

Just spoke with Dr Rinku. Looks like I will be discharged next week. There will be a home visit on Monday with the OT in view to my discharge after. Hoping to see podiatrist while Im here.

Chillaxing

Cheeky Marcelle took this photo unbeknown to me. TODAY IS MY 2 WEEK BIRTHDAY SINCE MY OP.. done hydro therapy this morning and woring on steps in the gym this arvo

On to a stick.

Its Day 13 since the op and I was deemed ready to use a walking stick. Still doing my range exercises with the slip sheet on the vynal bed, the circuit at the bar, sit ups from the chair, and step ups on an increasingly higher step. Cameron my physio student from Newcastle University corrects my positioning and where I bear weight. He encourages me to put more weight on my operated side. 

This has all been the necessary prep for walking with a walking stick. Left leg and stick together then right leg, trying to get an even gait. Its coming. My shoulders got lopsided so they took a mirror to me to help me self-correct. I am feeling stronger everyday.

The Rhythm of Life

At Metro Rehab Petersham. I wrote a beautiful spiel then lost it. I wanted to capture the rhythm of this place. How its helping me to get in touch with my body and feel the rhythms around that too.

The physio twice a day a a really solid workout stretching oneself at times to capacity,  concentrating on specific muscles and shifting body weight around so you give more work to the effected side. Catching conversations with the others, sharing their stories or catching their humour or admiring their stoicism against the odds. Cameron is a final year student from Newcastle Uni and hes on my case. The latex band around my knees has pushed me from what started as strenuous moves to more easy. When too easy they up the resistance.

Coming back to a cup of tea, a brief liedown or a read. Then lunch comes and before too ling you are up for your 2nd round of physio. It goes from 40-60 mins.  Come down for a cupper then a nap.

Then at around 3pm I have visitors. Its been most enjoyable and catching up with people I rarely catch up with and some times adding to the alchemy which is Marcelle and I.

After dinner its on with the TV and favorite ABC or SBS programs or we go completely over on conversations that might lead anywhere. Sometimes we split our sides laughing. We hit the pillow late well after the latest drug trolly has made its call. Often with the delightful gentleman Geoff, once a Tenor.

We are awoken early with fresh towels and morning meds.

Shower which I do completely independently now I have my grabber to put on my pants with.

Flowers from Marrickville West

From the beautiful family of Marrickville West

From Louisa

Lovely lavender, candle and chocolate from Louisa to spoil Vivi

Physio

The top floor of Metro Rehab are teaming with physiotherapists. And for each physio are two people working out. Mostly elderly, but not entirely.

Yesterday Stef, a gorgeous young physio, came to collect me with a lightweight walking frame (wheels at front, slides at back) and took me to the top floor.

Stef tested me on the 3 golden rules of post hip op precautions
1. No less than 90 degrees between torso and knees (I had completely misinterpreted this before and thought it was 90 at the knee so focussing entirely on lower body).
2. No crossing the midline below the waist - no leg crossing
3. No twisting at the hip.

It was great to ask questions and get clear about it.

So these were my excercises for the morning of Tuesday 5 August:
CHAIR  Inch bum forward and holding chair arms push up to standing, arms forward to rail 10 x 3
WALKING WITH FRAME for 6mins straight (with U Turns)
At the bar:
SIDE KICKS with left leg  10 x 3
BACK KICKS with left leg 10 x 3
FORWARD KICKS left leg 10 x 3
SQUATS bending knees and sticking bum out
Worked opposite Sheila and we mirrored each other as it was her right hip effected.

Afternoon Session 5 August
Could hardly move when I got up for this but soon broke thru the barrier
At the bar:
More of the above but also using right leg (hardest)
Tip Toes and down.

Morning Session 6 August
Lying flat on back on vynal bed, using a slip sheet sliding foot up and down 10 x 3
Lying flat on back sliding foot out and in
Bridging by pushing feet into surface and raising bum off ground.

Basic Circuit:
Raise on toes x 10
Left side kicks x 10
Left back kicks x 10
Right back kicks x 10
Right side kicks x 10
Back to beginning

Squats

NY Times article on Hips and the complex relationship between business and peoples health

Very interesting article below

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/08/04/health/for-medical-tourists-simple-math.html?h=6AQGQh9Td&s=1&_r=0&

Room Fellows

Halleluliah... Peace at last.  The Ambulance came and took my room mate away.

For 4 days I could have put a novel together about the people in this room. Those limb-operated horizontal ones and the people who come rushing to them.

La Nonna Dramatica - Maria. And then someone next to me who made fun of Nonna but then when Nonna left could surely take the prize, the Golden Globe, the Oscar for melodrama itself.

To be fair there were complications following her surgery. And yesterday there was not a dr in the hospital.

The releiving Dr who did come was uncertain about everything but had her turn before the inquisition.

The young Dr today was really onto her case and was very good.

at 3am this morning she was crying as her glands had swollen and she thought she was going to die. I agreed to let particular people know if she died. We then just talked and talked just to keep her mind off things into the morning. She could laugh joke talk and cry like a baby at any point, within split seconds of one another.I perlexed over what was real or imagined but I knew that this woman needed 24/7 attention of any kind on tap.

My feeling was of high drama and i was feeling cheated. Because both these women had nursing and medical staff and their families and loved ones spinning around them.  Everyone!
My own difficulties in being assertive are brought forward.  Not that I would want that kind of attention - it would be my own worst nightmare. I am glad Im healing well and Im not needing any more care than the amazing medical staff have given so often and so well.

But I look at societys resources and see how with all the best intentions for equity its the squeaky wheels and the flashing sirens who rule the roost.

x

Ballet Party

Lovely visit today from Maria Emily Gloria Ariyani Alex and Anthony.

We tried some ballet exercises that I need to do 3 times a day.

And sang "Dem bones dem bones dem dry bones" which Playgroup will perform in the School Musical.

Sister Jo came by bringing with her some coffee. This prooved to be the trigger for The Number Two Movement in B Flat Major.

After this release and working with her on the crossword I began to feel nauseous. Small things are a effort. Thats why we need recovery time.

xx

Disentangling

last night my bloodline was disconnected and today my urineline - the catheta was removed.  Not sure about spelling. My oxygen line was also removed - so now im a free wheelin woman!

Enough to go to the bathroom and have my first 'letting go' wee in days. God it felt good.

Shortly after that I had my first shower as opposed to having a washdown. Sitting on a chair in thw bathroom and washing my hair.

i had one session with the bully physio making me do impossible exercises in bed and taking me for a drag along the hall. in the afternoon i had the great physio and moved on to  lighter frame and accomplished quite a bit.

But inbetween im just out of it drugged up to the eyeballs and just sleeping. Doing this blog is taking all my strength.

First Steps

Ive just taken my first steps. Baby steps. From the bed to a walker to a chair.

Stayed there feeling quite light headed then nauseuos. Back into bed for anti nausea meds and more rest.

A day later

The pain is setting in. Now that the  block has worn off. I pushed the self-administering pain relief button all.night.

All yesterday arvo theyd get you to grade your pain from 0-10. And I gave a zero or 1. Now its a 5.

ive been nodding off all morning and resting in a far more comfortable position. Just had a cuppa and toast but beyond this I have no appetite.

Must say the staff are fantastic.

Post Op

Sitting up like Lady Muck. This time in a 4 person ward for heart monitoring.
My left leg has been numb from the thigh down. Feeling is just starting to come back in the form of pins and needles in my left foot.

I believe the operation went smoothly but I wasnt there. There was music and happy commotion going on up there but I dreamed I was travelling in the underground. I was moving along a tunnel with alternate adjoining glazed billboards, softly lit, with alternate burnt orange Aboriginal textured sign and quite stunning white motifs on black.

This is where i stayed until I came to in the recovery room.

Now un this room with the gumtrees outside. i have a catheta going to the lower right end of the bed. blood drain on the lower left. heart monitoring and blood pressure on the upper right and drugs-on-demand on the upper left. As  i still feel no pain ive just pushed this once. you cant push more than once every 5 mins.

As a reaction to those drugs theyve set me up for vomitting just i case: a sickbag, a towel and a bowl. Not looking foward to that bit.

Thanks everyone for your infusions of love. That has carried me thru this.

One hour away

Im in the room where i will be spending the next few days.  7th floor looking west. There is a construction site next door but the double glazed windows mean ots relatively quiet.

Inside is another construction site. Im robed up with a red hat on and red wrist and ankle bands to denote Im allergic to penicillan.  I have white tie up disposable undies like my sumo wrestling outfit. Covered by the elegant back opening cotton gown.

Rosie escorted me in today. Didnt sleep a lot last night but know perfectly well why. Things have moved along quickly here and ive been visited by so many people - anaethesist, registrars, nurses, cleaners.

The anaethesist gave me the option of a general or a spinal numbing of the waste down. Recovery is better from the latter apparently. They sedate you and give headphones for music.

Im feeling ok. i just hope it all goes smoothly. occasionally a sweeping thought like when you take off in a plane. Not much of a chance of anything going wrong but what if this is the one that does.

So Lordy Lord No Complications Ok?

Love

VIVI

One day to go

Ive taken off 2 extra workdays  before I go in. It's been a good idea. I have time to pack, do my exercises and psychologically prepare. Really l-o-v-e sleeping in.

I have books to read, the use of Rosie's Kindle, a tablet, some sewing. I have some new nightshirts, some sheepskin shoes and the dressing gown Rosie gave me for Mothers Day.  I have a sheepskin for my backside that apparently makes being in bed for so long more tolerable.

Ive had to keep free of cuts and broken skin and free of colds and illness, lest the operation be postponed.

My sister Jo and daughter Rosie are my support birdies but my sister it turns out, has shingles, poor birdie, and so we can have no contact. We are relieved its shingles as she had a melanoma cut out last August and we were fearful of the cancer manifesting itself again.  Was thinking we both might be in the same hospital at the same time, unable to see each other.

Im really comforted by Rosie coming to stay tonight and coming in to the hospital at 6am tomorrow morning. Settling me in. I fast from midnight - no coffee tomorrow morning even tho Missy's next door makes a Tobys Estate.

I guess Ill be entering another universe, anaesthetics taking me to other dimensions, while my body is sliced open and the carpentary begins.

God give me courage!

The Pre Admission Clinic

12.30 and im eating ginger chicken and rice in Cafe Missi next door to the QEII Building of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital  (RPA)Sydney.

Im about to go in for a Pre Admission Clinic. Thats like a one stop shop where u meet surgeon, anaethesist, physiotherapist, ot etc. Ive half filled out about 10 forms.

i have another 10 results to take with me from pathology, xrays, ecg organised by my GP.

and then theres the questions i need to ask:
- what about arthritis elsewhere in my body?
- what happens to the spurs and cysts?
- how can i prevent further deterioration?

do i want a solo room? what if its lonesome? but what about sharing with someone groansome and snoring? But I wouldnt want to turn down the opportunity of meeting and sharing the experience with someone half decent either.

12.55 Now in the waiting room with about 30 people with various walking aids. im 11th on the list. I get restless in waiting rooms. I think Ill catch a flu from someone. im also not good at waiting. i like to be busy.

Hip Op Demo without the Blood

This UK Animation about the Hip and replacing them, is kinda neat! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMMCQ8yhAls

Getting Closer

Three weeks away now.  Switching away from Work Mode and into Op Mode.

Am I nervous?  Not so much anymore.  Not since I found I could stay in a Rehab place after the Hospital stay, at no extra cost.  Now my private health insurance IS working for me.

I was worried about not being assertive enough to stay in Hospital for the length of time I would need.  They are keen to get people out of beds as soon as possible for the next people.  And while my friend and I entertained swapping places so I could be on the ground floor with her cat Tiger, and she and her gentlemanly dog Claude, would be up the 36 steps in my flat with my cat Mishka - as the time drew near I began having anxieties about how this would actually work out.

It would be too squashy and there wouldnt be room for my sister and daughter to stay.  And what would I be asking of them anyway?  How would it be for my daughter to help with her Mum in this condition?

So instead the Rehab Hospital will be 3 meals a day, someone to make the bed,  physio including hydro therapy twice a day, access to a Physio, OT and Social Worker.  People who have experience with orthopaedic recovery.  When I can climb the stairs there, I will be ready to go home.  This is a great comfort to me.  Visiting hours are 3pm - 8pm and I'm already excited about entertaining visitors.  They have 5 star food and extra food can be purchased for guests at a modest price.

Medical Prep recently has been: blood tests, urine test, chest x-ray, ECG - all to take to the Pre-Admission appointment next Monday 15 July.  That will take about 4 hours.  Lots of forms I've half filled out, I will need to take.  Got it all into a display folder.

Financial Prep has been getting a 2 way claim form sent off to Medicare.  Medicare sends to my Health fund and when I have both cheques from them, I combine it with the difference and send it off to my surgeon.  It'll be about $2800 out of pocket, with another $740 for the Anaethesist.  The Assistant Surgeon, Prosthesis and Hospital stay are all covered by my Health Insurance.

Physical Prep has been getting a set of grabbers.  Buying some tracky daks (made in Bangladesh God Help the Workers), some easy to slip on sheepskin shoes.

Emotional Prep has been ordering 2 books I'd love to read in recovery - one about Hubert Wilkin, Antarctic Explorer and the other about the 1967 bushfires at Fern Tree where I grew up.  A jigsaw puzzle of Renaissance Florence that my daughter gave me.  And maybe embroidering some table cloths.

Am I being overly optimistic?  Well I dont know.  But it doesnt hurt.

I know I'm going to be out of it with an anaesthetic before the blood spurting and carpentry begins.  I know if they do the lateral, the muscle will take a long time to recover.  But I also know that most people are very satisfied with their hip ops and re-discovering movements that have been denied to them so long while the arthritis set in over many years.

The Hipster Club - when youre just TOO hip!

http://hipsterclub.com/

Getting Ready

Ive joined The Hipster Club  - When youre just too hip!

I have not only connected with a woman my own age about to have a hip op around the same time, but also a lot of useful info based on peoples experiences.

Topics like 'hipster proof' where you live, or having a roster of friends to drop by or talk to. And getting a grabber to pick things up from the floor with. Or advocating for yourself.

i know its a good op. I know theres 99% satisfaction with hips compared to 76% with knees.

But im only just beginning to figure the details closer to the op itself and more importantly - post op.

ive drawn up a 7 week calendar. My hospital stay will be from 31July -5 August  (if I advocate for myself well enough when they try to turf me out.)

Then my good friend Nadyat and I are going to do a house~swap. She lives on the ground floor. So I will move in with Tiger. And she will take Claude and move into my 2nd floor unit with Mishka.

Shes coming over tonight so our animals can make their acquaintance.

Until next time Im blogging off

Navigating the Health System

we are pretty lucky in Australia. We have had a universal health care system called  Medicare since 1974. Everyone pays a levy1.5% of their salaries.  But  over the years Medicare has been eroded and there is an expectation people have private health insurance as well.

this gets complicated. My surgeon practices in a Public Hospital but in order not to wait forever I am going in as a Private patient.

Medicare will pay 75% and my health fund 25% but that is of the 'scheduled fee'. The gap fee is 3 x the scheduled fee and I must pay this out of pocket. Similarly the Assistant Surgeon and Anaethesist. I am still trying to work out cost of prostheses and hospital stay.

i have never had an operation in my life so i feel im entering a new planet.

My hip op blog journey begins...

Here I am with Lizzie Mulrennan learning about how to do a blog.  What an amazing opportunity.  Throughout my Hip Hop Journey I can stay connected, learn from others and share my experience.