Week 17 post #HipReplacement

This week I’ve been camping, we went for a few days in Cornwall. Had an event planned for the Saturday, so we decided to make the journey worth while, we set off Friday and would come home Monday.

Arrived at the most fantastic campsite just outside boscastle called Trebyla Farm it’s a simplistic working farm campsite, with electric hook up and caravans too. Idea for those wanting to escape the world for a few days. So no WiFi, no posh toilets with grand baths, or clubs and pools here. It’s back to basics camping, I love it!!

Just toilet blocks and showers available, with hot water and free so what could be better. Also available is a kitchen area with microwave (I couldn’t work it) freezer for your essentials, and dry area to wash up in.

Everything was super clean, well stocked with toilet roll and hand soap too. So I didn’t need my emergency packed ones. As some sites often run out, or don’t re stock often. These were done every morning. All bins checked each day too.

We have a large spacious tent, bought when we had 4 small children we used to camp with. But it’s size means I can stand up, so no bending to get in and out. Which honestly I’m relieved at, as I don’t think the hip would like that.

The hip coped very well with a lot of things I requested it to do. But mainly I do the kitchen stuff, I sit to make a coffee or sandwiches as I don’t like to stand too much.

And banging in pegs is not one of the things I can do, I still struggle to squat down and get up again. I’m not agile and I get stuck, so better for me not to try!

I definitely did need my pain meds, a lot more of them and my walking stick at all times. Also I needed rest stops all the time. But it coped, and I would do it again, I just need a few months to recover lol.

Weather and cold obviously made it feel stiffer to move, and I often felt seized into a position, that would take time to get out of again. But once the joint got moving, it was happier.

But look at the view we had, it’s hard to be grumbling and sad when this view greets you each morning!!

Not many on the site, so the area was super peaceful, and you are left alone to relax and plan days in leisure. Exactly what we needed. My only regret is coming home after 3 nights. I will be returning for sure.

Advertisements

Day 101 #hipreplacement

Well it’s the day the night before! I’m a little bit hanging as I was full of absinthe, prosecco and aperol, and Stella.

Club was ace! I felt steady on my hip all night so that was good, there was really good seating so that helped massively. I saw another walking stick there, and he had a light (like a bike light on) I think I need one!!

Small club, so not endless walking to places. It was the longest I’ve ever stood up for. I did use my walking stick most of the night. Hip held out well, just nagging thigh pain. In fact I was just tired more than anything.

So recovery mode on, out in the garden. Rest and recover time. I’m immensely stiff this morning.

Day 89 #hipreplacement

Yas!! The sunshine has returned, it’s a little nippy out, but dry, which means it’s a good day to get outside for a walk.

With a mission to go Geocaching to make it a little more fun.

#

Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, I think of it like treasure hunting!!, in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called “geocaches” or “caches”, at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.

These can be filled with little gifts, like a pencil sharpener, or pretty pebble, or just paper to write that you found it and what the date is. Really good ones have disposable cameras to take photos of you finding it.

I love Geocaching, the aim is to take you off the beaten track a bit, and show you an area that is pretty, or stunning views.

Came across a Deer bone first. Not sure it’s treasure we want, but still privileged to see it.

Aiming for the funny tree, let’s see if we can find one?

Path isn’t always easy though.

I see one!

No good gifts, but logging that we found it. Back to hiding it again. Making sure #muggles don’t see us.

Sarnie break, and much needed leg break too. Though I can feel such improvement in this hip. Hope other one stays behaved. Hand is particularly sore on my walking stick though.

Another cache to find, but harder this time and definitely prickly too. But we had success. Again no gifts as it was an old camera film container.

Hidden once more, it was time to meander home. The routes have took us on uneven grassy tuffs, and heather filled areas (bit scared of adders)

Only beast we found was a millipede.

Nice to see new growth coming through, and the dead old brambles disappearing now.

Following husband’s footsteps so I don’t stumble, though I did kick a rock which hip did not like at all.

Once home we were all shattered, I ached everywhere, especially glutes and quads.

Day 79 I think I’m back

But tentatively back, as I daren’t rush back into over training, and doing too much. The way I’ve felt over the week has kicked my butt, and reminded me it’s still early days.

I class this stage of recovery from hip surgeries the worst stage, because you ‘look’ fine, you can do most things, but you don’t necessarily do them well, in good form, or for long. And most are off painkillers too, so once they tire, the pain can easily feel all consuming again. And because you ‘look and feel’ fine it gets frustrating when the hip decides to remind you, of your weaknesses, and limits.

Today it’s been exploring and strolling kind of day, a way to get moving but gentle, all flat walking, using my stick as I’m definitely not ready to lose it. And going slow, stopping often and just enjoying some fresh air.

Where we live, we have a house that author #JRRTolkien lived in 1916 and also a serene area where the books were inspired from the local countryside. Especially where two rivers meet, so that was our aim for the day to visit these places.

Looking at the house you let the mind wander of those years gone by, with his wife here while he was in camps over Cannock Chase and Rugeley too.

Wandering down the little village, in bloom with glorious blue skies and sunshine, we embark on an amble to the canal, and river waterways. To catch a glimpse of places visited by Tolkien and places that inspired him.

We find his spot where the rivers meet, the sounds of water is soothing, and mediative. We eat our packed lunch and gaze at the running water, imaging the stories he told. Listening to the wildlife and thoroughly enjoying every moment.

For once I wasn’t chased home quickly from pains and aches, like I’ve been for years. That isn’t to say it is painfree, because it isn’t there yet. But it’s certainly manageable. I felt the hip flexor area mostly, as lower back in this walk.

#Blogmas 2018 Yule tide Blessings

You know the year has gone fast when the Solstice is here, seems barely five minutes since the Summer Solstice 21st June.

Some believe that the Winter Solstice is a day celebration, but in reality they had no clocks or calenders, so Yule lasted over a period of days. Yule 2018 will begin on Friday

21

th December and ends on

Tuesday

1st January 2019.
And is a time of great symbolism and power. It marks the return of the sun, when the days finally begin to get a little longer. It’s also a time to celebrate with family and friends, and share the spirit of giving during the holidays.

You can as a pagan hold rituals, both with a circle or as a solitary. But as we are a family, we choose to do this in a far more understated way. Instead I rather have a good meal, where we save some as an offering to the spirits, light candles to honour the ancestors. And have a Yule log, we’ve had both a chocolate log very nice, but also one to light our candles on too.

Everything we do as a Christmas celebration is really a Yule celebration, from the feast to the tree, wreaths and gift giving. So they are already hand in hand. But on this day especially it is nice to take a reflection over the year that has passed, and of time yet to happen. Because the returning Sun is the promise of things to come.

Like at Samhain, you can burn wishes wrote down, if you choose to have a bonfire outside. But weather being awful this month, and myself not doing well health-wise, it’s not likely for us this year. But not all is lost, you can make those wishes as you blow out the candles after your feast?! Like a birthday wish. Or burn them in your real fire or log burner if you have one.

So eat up and drink and be merry, it’s time to give thanks for all that you have. Feel blessed, it’s been an eventful year.

Our plan is a full on Roast, and Christmas movies galore, probably Arthur Christmas, and Home Alone.

#Blogmas 2018 Birmingham Uni and Christmas Market part 1

Well it’s that nerve wrecking time again! Time to get up ready and show the world my daughter will make an incredible teacher.

This time it’s closer to home, it’s Birmingham. My eldest went to Aston in Birmingham, so it’s not too far, just far enough to move away from home.

This time there wasn’t a presentation, so the whole thing felt more relaxed. We got there early, so parked up and ate some ready made sarnies, I come prepared.

Noticing the nearest parking we couldn’t go over an hour, so we checked her in, and left as the students were called upstairs, where they were broken off into smaller groups, to start with interviews, then to watch a program and complete a written test on it, to then finally do their chosen specialist subject matter to discuss.

Olivia chose the topic of literacy in the modern times, how it’s failing in areas and how to bring the standard back up, both as a student and a teacher’s prospective.

While she was busy, we drove off to town, a simple 5-10min drive or for some 25min walk. I couldn’t walk it.

Lots of building going on, so forced walkways are about, but you won’t get lost as it’s well sign posted.

We get a chance to see the town and Xmas market while it’s pretty quiet. But it’s freezing cold, so not wet like Chester last week, but still uncomfortable.

After a disaster coffee and rest, we had to start heading back to collect Liv, and hear what happened. The suspense is nail biting.

Its around 3pm ish now and lights are more noticeable, which starts to transform the whole feeling. We will be back to hear the Santa singing and see the market in the dark.

Back for part 2 later

#Blogmas 2018 Chester uni interview, Xmas markets part one

To finish off the week, a completed week of blogmas, I’m going to share our Chester university visit and Christmas market.

The first of 5 interviews at different universities for our youngest, marking a pivotal point in our lives, soon she will be carving out her own life in a new city. We’ve done this twice before, but knowing she’s the last it’s emotional to say the least. But warming knowing that she feels confident enough to find her own way too.

First we all entered the university to sign in, and be there for the introduction speech. The tutors were welcoming, friendly and there were 3 first year students to wander around, so we could ask questions. Seen as they are relatively new, it was good to talk to ours (Laura) as they remember the nerves, and fear well.

After this speech, we left to reconvene downstairs, gather our thoughts and practise Olivia’s presentation, as that would be next. Followed by group work and then a written piece, and interview.

Once it was presentation time, we took our cue to leave. Scary leaving her there knowing she was nervous, we felt the butterflies for her too.

While she does the scary part, we get to visit some shops and feel the Christmas spirit. It’s exactly what we needed, and a good way to kick off hubbies birthday celebrations too.

Indoors was fabulous, the decorations and shop windows, and it was light relief from absolute downpour outside!!

Spotted a grotto too, though it had a mechanical Father Christmas? How does that work? That would of scared my children when they were little.

Catch you in part two….

1yr #Hipaversary #hiparthroscopy

It’s finally been my 1year Anniversary since my last surgery, my Hip Arthroscopic surgery. And to celebrate it, we did it in style.

First off we visited #50cent for his 15th Anniversary Get Rich Or Die Trying Tour, this is immense, I loved every single second of it. We had Lethal Bizzle first up, then 50cent and GUnit. It was like the 00’s had come alive once again. And better yet, we knew once we got home and slept, we were off on Holiday!!

So off we flew the next day in the afternoon to #Rhodes hip obviously hates flying but I was well prepared for this.

To arrive here in the gorgeous sunshine, I knew it was the right decision to go.

This one wonderful week away, we visited as many sites as we could. Drove around the island and swam nearly everyday. I ate better here than I ever have done on a Spanish island (easier for veggie food too) the warmth honestly did my hip some good, as well as my hands. Though ankles continued to swell each day if we had been on our feet alot. But painwise the warm dry heat does absolute magic to them!! This is why pensioners move aboard.

We did a fair amount of steps, we had to stop every few so I could adjust hip, take stock and breathe into it. But boy oh boy was I rewarded. Going down was always my worse part, but I did it and so did my dodgy ole hip that’s going to be replaced. It’s like its final adventure with me. I get sad thinking that soon it won’t be with me, but I know it’s daft really. Anyone else feel a bit sad??

So I’ve made it to 1yr and it’s been a huge learning curve, my fitness has improved greatly, the muscles around the hip are stronger, I trust myself more which was a huge mental issue for many years. And all because I took physio seriously and did it religiously. I also stopped trying to race ahead and do more than my hip wanted to do, I kept to the basics and finally got results. Granted it never stopped my pain or limitations of the hip, but I’m sure that once it’s replaced, it will greatly improve my recovery period.

And better yet, I didn’t put on the usual 5lbs + that I usually do on holiday!! We ate more like at home, less carbs, more protein and salads and I came home 1lb heavier, which has already gone 3 days after getting home.

Obviously I got off the plane and I couldn’t speak, lost my voice. Maybe air con had something to do with it. The day after being home I had to see the doctor, as I felt super poorly. And it’s laryngitis so on antibiotics and feeling very sorry for myself right now. But what a week we had!!!!

Familiar aches are back… 50 weeks post #HipArthroscopy

Charting my journey as its nearly a whole year since my Hip Arthroscopy Surgery, at the time I knew I was potentially only saving myself an extra year or so from Hip replacement. However it ended up a lot sooner than I imagined, meaning I sought a steroid injection to stabilise the joint back in June, and now already I’m in the process of being on the waiting list to replace it.

It’s been a good year however, I’ve improved all the muscles, and strength which was important to me, and I firmly believe it will give me a better foundation to build on, following the replacement.

It’s now 10 weeks since the Hip steroid and that pains been back a far while, and no surprise if I’m honest. It lasted at best 4 weeks. A bloody glorious 4 weeks too.

My CMC joint steroid was 9 weeks ago and it worked immediately, and completely too. And just today at 9 weeks, I’m starting to feel the bone crushing sensation on the joint. So hard to explain it really, just feels like a constant vice on the joint. Well that’s back, I’m thinking a turn in weather temperature brought that back into my life.

This poor hand never catches a break, as recently I fell over and created a TFCC tear in the same hand. So lots of bracing, ibuprofen and rest for now. Thankfully that pain which was intense, has subsided into an ache, and overall weakness.

I confess in the time since I’ve fell which was 2 weeks ago tomorrow, I haven’t done any #couch25k #couchto5k as I was too sore and swollen from falling. Then we did Blackpool a week later, and hip has been 💯 bitch since. So sharp, so stabby, even while sitting down, or lying down, that the thought of standing on it has not appealed in the slightest.

Next week it’s 3d CT Scan time, it feels like things are actually happening, and there’s an end to this pain….

Out of our comfort zone

If like me you don’t actually like crowds, deep rooted fear of falling over, being pushed, walking stick kicked from under me. Then you’ll understand how scary this is. But we did it!!

What did we do…. It all started with a competition on Facebook, to see #BlackpoolLightsSwitchOn I casually shared and commented on their page and a week later I got an email saying I’d won 3 tickets to the big switch on.

Brilliant!! Exciting and nerve wrecking, especially when you hear it attracts 20,000 people. Come again…. How many?? Oh god, what will I do. Well nowt for it, but grin and bear it and make the most of it all, as it’s a chance in a lifetime. And there’s fireworks too. I’m sold.

We arrived at 3pm so just time to shop at primark and hunt down a spoons (wetherspoons) for early tea. We had until 7pm to get into the arena.

We sat outside and had a wonderful view of the tower, sun was glorious, food totally delicious even though it wracked up too 1,544 cals!! And the pink gin was refreshing.

Now to see the queues, eek!! Will we get a good spot??

Thankfully not our queue!! Green bands queue was tiny at 6.30pm so soon strolled in, while #Hrvy was singing.

Ended up winding through the people getting closer and closer, and with 2 huge screens it ended up being a decent spot.

After #Hrvy it was #R3wireAndVarski more up my street with drum n bass beats being played. The crowd thankfully loved it too, lots were bouncing and cheering, what an atmosphere!!

Sun going down made this event so magickal, the weather was perfect.

After the madness of drum n bass, it was #EllaEyre which I loved too. I was excited to see her.

Then #Diversity and #Dvj which I have no photos of, as by this point my child had stolen my phone to Snapchat on. They were electric to watch, great seeing a newer generation of them too.

#AlfieBoe came on and the countdown to the lights was on…. He only sang one song though, and while speaking I was disheartened that the crowd were too loud to actually hear him.

Fireworks lasted about 2mins which was a disappointment admittedly. But the lights were twinkling and I’m feeling incredibly lucky to be here. Last up it’s #JonasBlue which I honestly though was going to be my worse, but in no way was it. Full of well known clubbing tunes. Meant to end at 10pm but we partied on until 10.30pm.

I envisioned chaos getting out, but none of that happened, it was well organised and getting out was simple and done in a few mins.

Hip hated every second of this, but I’m at a point where I don’t care. I took tramadol to combat it, though I don’t remember it ever working really. Just shifted my focus instead. Walking was a very very painful experience, and getting home my ankles looked like this

Super swollen, and painful. But I can rest now for days and recover. Hip is obviously worse, sharp groin knife like pains, but I hope it will all be a distant memory soon.

I’m so glad I dealt with my anxiety and stepped so far out of my comfort zone, because this was an incredible day, one I’d definitely do again!!