We studied weather apps, we mapped out places to go, and weighed up pros and cons of each place, and settled on Barmouth!! To the beach it is…

So alarm clock set, we are off on a road trip. Packed enough stuff for breakfast, dinner and hope to eat tea out, you have to eat fish and chips at the beach!!

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I had #Wytchwood beer, a new beach shelter and a lovely book to keep me occupied while Mr Moon went paddle boarding.

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We managed to get fish and chips for us both, and sneak back to the beach to watch the sun go down and leave us with a dramatic colourful sky. It felt so glorious to bask, and relax in the sunshine, to watch people, dogs and children all enjoy the simplest pleasures in life. Shattered we find a place to sleep, and I fell asleep so quickly. More adventures for another day to come.

We had a really good break, since our late trip out. The weather stated it was warmer, we picked a flatter area, and mission is on!!

Now there’s no various appointments, it’s been boring staying indoors. I needed some fresh air.

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The path is muddy, but more claggy sticky mud than slippy. The path winds down around the River Wye. Watching dippers bob up and down, dipping into the water, Heron taking off, looking like a Pterodactyl.

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The day is amazing with blue skies, a little wind, and some warmth in the sun. We took it all very slowly and with maximum tablets, and pole. I’ve noticed I scramble too, often using my hands and grabbing things to steady myself, rocks, fence posts, walls. No wonder I have upper body aches too.

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Warm pot noodle made dinner good fuel to keep us warm. Mentally this day out has been invaluable. Bodily I won’t be moving for a long time, but worth it.

Here to mark my first true hike being a double hippie. We’d done some short walks, but nothing that involved the technical terrain like the Peak District.

Opting for a old haunt, and favourite place to walk (no river walks allowed as weather has swelled them too much) So off to Ramshaw Rocks.

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We set off in gloomy foggy weather, but as we progressed into the clouds lifting, and revealing some glorious blue skies.

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Some of the walk I needed to take bigger strides to avoid streams, and boggy water. Or scrambled to climb to rocks. I really put the hips to the test. I took 3 tramadol and 6 paracetamol over the entire day and night. I used a hard insole to 1cm to help leg. And used a walking pole for stability.

It wasn’t a long walk by normal standards, but HUGE for me, and it did take nearly 5 hours. But I am overjoyed with this victory. First time in 20 weeks I’ve felt such an accomplishment. I am in such pain now (home and resting with hot water bottles) but it was so worth it. Especially for the mind.

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There so long we almost saw a full sunset, only fear of it being too dark to come down, made me leave earlier. I did suffer a lot of knee pain in operated leg, swelling at top of thigh (but I seem to get this at home too, whenever I lift leg) and lower back pain. All expected pains to be honest, though the level of knee pain took me by surprise.

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The next day (New Year’s Day) I simply could not move or get dressed 😜 my body is so so broken. Already mentally planning the next one.

A corner has been turned at last, and sleep is getting better. Which means I can now turn onto the opposite side and sleep, and I can do a few hours on my front too. Huge improvement.

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Forever asking the same questions.

Been adding some stretches to help the hip flexors as they are my weakest point.

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I love this one, the support of the chair makes all the difference.

Holding onto a chair and standing on my areobic step, I’m getting better at single leg squats. But I have to hold on for dear life!!

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I’m starting at 5 reps X 3 very alternate day. As they are hard work.

Having days off when I feel achy and sore is paying off, as I find I can do better quality ones in better form, when they’ve rested properly, and I’m starting from a un-swollen place. It’s the mind that plays tricks always telling you you’re not doing enough, but I trust that I am, and that rest is important too.

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Now that the restrictions that I never had, is over. The physiotherapist has also added the knee to chest stretch, and I love this one too. To just breathe into it, feel everything relax is perfect.

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Just bring it as close as you can to the chest, don’t force it. Relax and breathe.

Now for a workout over the weekend with a difference, let’s see if I can hike a bit. Fingers crossed, sticks and crutches at the ready.

The first 2 weeks are the worse and I’m almost half way through, so I thought I’d be open about the pain and expectations.

I’m starting to notice knee and ankle pain on the operated leg, I figure this is due to traction of this leg, it’s a pretty brutal surgery so it’s no wonder these areas hurt.

• Moderate pain due to the trauma of surgery.
• Prescribed oral and IV pain medications to keep pain controlled.
• Bruising, swelling and inflammation beginning to set in.

Tips

• Keep your affected leg elevated (ideally above your heart). This will help with bruising and swelling.
• Understand the pain medications you are on, when to take them, and how these meds may interfere with others prescribed or over-the-counter meds you will take at home.
• With the help of your care team, perform the recommended movements as best you can. You will be required to stand, go up and down a stair, get on and off the toilet etc. If you can master these movements, you may be able to recover at home and avoid a secondary care location.

Depending on your surgeon and pain medication plan, two weeks is often the time you’re dose of narcotic pain medications will be lowered, if not stopped completely. Prescription-strength non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are continued longer to help with swelling and inflammation.

For hips, the two week mark and beyond is when patients report feeling a significant drop in pain, experiencing only mild discomfort. Right out of the gate, hip replacement patients are forced to movements that help increase range of motion. This helps fast-track recovery and shorten the window of pain. For all replacements, the incision site will likely still be tender and painful.

Following some personal news I’m halting my blog, while I process the news and grieve.

Phone Consultation Hip News

I’ve managed to finally get a phone consultation with my surgeon to see what the results are of the MRI on the left hip, and hoping to get a ball park time frame of surgery date.

Could be asking far too much though, as I know they are swamped from a huge back log of those cancelled and not just those desperate for now. It will be a huge undertaking to get this back to how it was pre covid.

First I had to write down my questions, so I know exactly what to tell him or ask him while I can.

First off epic wait for the call….

Nearly 4 hours later than planned. I get the call. And it’s NOT good news. It’s grade 4 osteoarthritis no cartilage left, but the real kicker is probably 1 year wait!!

Silver lining my steroid injections in the hands can freely go ahead, and I can hope to ease them up, and I can’t possibly do anymore damage to hip, as it’s trashed.

And though I’m custom hip and they usually have to do them quick in case anatomy changes, mine is overall static so only have to redo 3d CT scan in Dec 2021.

So all I have now is to try and live with it, accept it hurts and do what I can when I can.

Week 34 post #HipReplacement

It’s been a weird old summer holidays, we’ve had a lot to do especially in the month of August. So fitness, physio has taken a back seat of late.

But Tuesday saw me heading off to physio at the hospital. Where after over two weeks from doing any physio at home, it was a killer workout.

We did the usual

• Stationary bike level 2 x 5mins
• Ball squeeze hip bridges x 20reps
• Single leg hip bridges x 15reps
• Single leg raise ankle weighted x 15reps
• Prone knee raise ankle weighted x 15reps
• Kettle bell squats x 15reps
• Walking lunges with dumbbells x 20reps
• Duck walking green banded x 20reps

Walked, well waddled out thinking OMG my groin is killing me, I do hope this pain settles down, it feels exactly like before surgery!! Physio thinks it may be osteophytes or loose bone spurs, so need to keep an eye on this pain, and see what activities cause it most.

photo credit

Then Wednesday I had to see the council about a blue badge, as I feel I benefit a lot from one, parking closer at times is a godsend. So armed with letters, splints, compression gloves and prescriptions (as they ask for them all) answering questions, and hoping for a good outcome. But it’s a 4 week wait to find out. I’d say fingers crossed but that’s not going to happen with my Hands!! Not feeling hopeful though.

photo credit

Thursday it’s MiCats for my hands, been waiting for this appointment since April. I’m hoping but also dreading it, as I’d like the steroid injections, but I know they hurt a lot too.

Gutted the ultrasound machine wasn’t available, so my earliest possible date for a steroid injection is 23rd September, I think I’m just doing the left hand first (walking stick hand) and have an open appointment for 3 months so I can return for the right hand.

Day 207 post #hipreplacement

Round up of the last week, and I’ve managed to do my hardest physio routine Mon, Tues, Weds, I had a break Thursday and did Friday. See here for the routine. This completes 6 weeks of doing 3 different routines twice. It’s a way to kick-start new and healthy habits and routines.

Thursday I used to hoover the front room, but I’m still finding this hard to do. Maybe it’s how you plant your feet into the floor to push and stabilize yourself.

So come Friday I was honestly dreading doing the set. But I remembered someone on the boards telling me I’d inspired them to do it, so I was soon up and doing it. And I’m glad I did. Your comments mean the world to me!! Thank you.

So now this weekend, it’s all relax and let my muscles recover. Zero weight loss which is sad. But not my main focus, but the skincare routine is down to a tee. And I’m managing at least 3litres of water per day. So I’m happy with that.

So my skin is feeling so much better, and my insides feel less bloated. So it’s a win for me even though the weight isn’t coming off.

My ehlers danlos syndrome is playing havoc this weekend, because it’s THAT time. So ankles, hands, elbows and shoulders are super loose, painful and feeling extra awful. But with rest it should feel better. But I’m starting to hate rest days, my brain complains.

Week 25 post #hipreplacement

I can’t believe how fast this time has gone, we are also halfway through the year, it’s been a real roller coaster of success and failure. Both hips and other joints, as one fixes others are breaking down.

I’ve made an appointment to see MiCats for steroid injection, but the assessment appointment isn’t until Sept so I’m looking at another 2 months of hand pain and swellings.

Testing the abilities and accepting some limitations for now. But overall I’m pleased with how it’s going. It’s not as fast as others, but I now know why and how to combat it as best as I can.

I’ve switched up my exercises for this week. Not too different but enough to challenge the muscle groups.

This week I’ve done

• Hip flexion ankle weighted 20reps x 1
• Hip abduction ankle weighted 20reps x 1
• Hip extension forwards ankle weighted 20reps x 1
• Hip extension backwards ankle weighted 20reps x 1
• Heel to butt ankle weighted 20reps x 1
• Ball squeezes ankles 20reps x 1
• Ball squeezes knees 20reps x 1
• Ball squeeze hip bridges 20reps x 1
• Traditional side clam raise green band 20reps x 1 (omg this is so hard)
• Duck walking green band 20reps x 1
• Lunge walking ankle weighted 20reps x 1
• Prone knee raise ankle weighted 20reps x 1
• Prone heel to butt ankle weighted 20reps x 1

Somehow this really kicked my butt!! I felt so strong last week, but switching it up has activated muscles in different ways. So it’s all good but very very tiring.

Ive increased my water intake, started to think about foods more, and just have a more positive outlook on weight, life and health. Probably helps that the sun has been shining this week too. Love summer!!

Day 48 Post Op Appointment

I’ll be the first to say I’m disappointed I’m not one of ‘those’ who get to walk into their post op appointment walking unaided, as I’d wrongfully assumed.

And I am wholeheartedly disappointed, but I can’t focus on the negative. I need to accept what will be will be. At least pains I had pre surgery are subsiding, though at times I couldn’t ever imagine that, Especially groin pain and knee pains.

My strength is returning, I just need consistent physio exercises and do them regular. And hope I finally rid myself of the Trendelenburg gait. I’ve had for 10years.

Obviously I’m wearing my Tragically Hip tee you can buy here it’s now my tradition to wear a tee to all my appointments. I also have this one

Now I need to find a bionic one really don’t I?

I saw a Registrar of McBryde which I haven’t seen before. No real check up or needed x-rays, (this disappointed me as I wanted to spy on them) but he did pull up an x-ray so I could take a photo of it.

I will say he seemed mighty impressed I have a custom made implant. He explained that because it’s custom and I’m complex a revision one will be extremely difficult, so sports that involves falling, and impact aren’t recommended. To try and preserve the joint for as long as possible.

So with that I may have to forever hang up my snowboard, and just accept it, or accept the high risks that come with it. This and jogging too. Though not jogging won’t hurt half as much.

Luckily there’s lots I can do, and want to do, which are hiking, cycling and swimming, so it’s not all bad.

He’s the second surgeon to say preserve it as much as possible, and also to be realistic about being totally pain free, I understand for some people that’s not what they want to hear, but I’d rather know the truth than skirt around it.

He says my ‘staple’ is possibly a stitch in the muscle underneath, (but I heard all this last time they did it, all the denials until a had another surgery and they found it!!)

Well that’s me apparently for a whole YEAR, he wants both hips x-rayed next year, I think they would like to keep an eye on the other hip. I can ring up and be seen earlier if I need to.