9th day

 12th August

 I've been badgered by both Ian and Colin to stay off that leg! And I'm trying, but gosh, the boredom is setting in. I have another paint by numbers to do, but I can't get the stool and my leg under the table, so until I can keep the leg down, it won't get started. Instead, reading and playing a fishing game on my phone is all I have to keep me occupied. Even the TV is out because of our son not having a TV licence!

Another milestone achieved, I no longer reliant on the crutch. In fact, when walking, only a slight limp is obvious. The ice packs are used regularly, and I have come off the painkillers all together. I still haven't achieved the 90 degree bend yet, although not that far off, and what I do manage is held in that position for 20 seconds.

 I'm on my own today, well Toffee and the boys are around but Iwona and Colin are at work. Ian has had to go back to Langley Mill. We had a mattress delivered here at Milton Keynes last week, all wrapped and vacuumed packed for easy handling, but it must be allowed to expand within 2 weeks. I would like to have gone too but felt keeping my leg in one position for the 90-minute journey would be too much. So without my nurse Ian, I have had to remember timings for the ice pack and my Aspirin. This I take as a blood thinner and must do so until Friday. Of course, I forgot!!! Suddenly realised 40 minutes later it had been forgotten. Hopefully no damage done!

One week later

 Day 7

 I managed that walk to the pub, it is roughly 500yds from Colin's gate with only an extra painkiller 'just in case'. A grassy slope was the only obstacle, went up okay but dreaded the coming back down later. Anyway, one glass of alcohol-free 0 Heineken was drunk because no wine has touched my lips since the first night home. Two glasses were had then, the multitude of the painkiller leaflets were read first to make sure it was okay (only said if you felt drowsy then not to drink alcohol) and deemed it safe. But that night, OMG, 2 am and I woke with palpitations, hot sweats and really feeling not quite right. It soon cleared, but that was the moment I said no more alcohol until I finished the painkillers! Dinner was also ordered, lasagna and chips. Hmmm, I should have remembered that my appetite has been poor of late and that the stomach has shrunk on my lettuce and water diet, so unfortunately I left almost half the lasagna, ate three chips and Ian finished the rest for me! Then the walk back down that slope was taken VERY slowly and holding VERY tightly to Ian's arm. Didn't fancy another fall, even though Colin was around to help pick me up. 

The walk must have done me good because the next morning I managed the exercises before I had painkillers. Lifted the leg by the amount required on the exercise sheet. The only downside was the amount of swelling there was around the knee, which has now spread down to my ankle. 

 

Having our daughter Christine and family over on day 8 was a lovely distraction. Our son did a BBQ, but I prepared the salad stuff, felt fine whilst making it, but all that standing did me no favours. The knee felt tight and the exercise difficult to do. It's very swollen now and am slightly concerned about why it's not going down. Maybe it is to be expected, after all it was major surgery. I'm seeing the practice nurse here at Shenley Church End on the 14th, for a dressing change, so will ask her then. I will also see if she has anything to remove these marks. Made by those pads for monitoring your heart, no amount of scrubbing has removed them!

 

A good outcome.

 9th August

Oh dear, last night I had a fall! Well, it was more like a slide off the sofa with a derrière landing! You see the sofa is wide and to get comfortable you have to sit right back. My legs were unable to reach the ground, Ian would place a stool with a cushion on top for the bad leg to rest on. It got to 10 pm and, feeling tired, said I wanted to get to bed. So I slid myself forward, placed the good foot to the ground, Ian went to pull me up but because I was wearing slippers and the floor was of a slippery wood rather than carpet, the foot slid forward which unbalanced Ian, and he ended up falling toward me. Thankfully it was only the good leg that had bent beyond 90 degrees, I somehow managed to twist the bad leg forward and toward me. So there was I on the floor wondering how on earth I was to get up! Our son was out for the evening, so no help there, and although Ian is strong, I doubted if he would manage the lift. In the end, by placing the small occasional table by my side, and with me using my elbows on the table and edge of the sofa, managed to achieve sufficient height for Ian to then get me up the rest of the way. 

It all sounds quite horrific, and I suppose the outcome could have had some detrimental effects but in actual fact the opposite happened. As I started the walk to the bedroom, I became aware that no pain was felt. And trying to get onto the bed, I lifted the leg with ease! Also, that exercise of lifting the leg of the bed was performed without trouble. In fact, both of us were amazed! Did my twisting of the leg at the fall help the muscle to stretch in some way, or was the mental block I had of lifting the leg been what was troubling me all along? I don't suppose I will ever know.

I woke the next morning wondering if I would still be able to lift the leg and yeah.... I could. Not only that, I even managed to get out of bed and walk without a crutch to the bathroom. I have also tried taking Panadol instead of the Oramorph and so far what pain I have had is minimal. With today being just one week from the op, I'm feeling even more positive than before. I may even walk the 500yds to the pub tonight!

Knee op recovery going well

 So Marilyn (ex Waka Huia) has asked if I would continue to blog on my progress. Apparently helpful to those still awaiting a knee replacement and gives an idea what to expect. Of course, we are all different and my recovery may be either longer or shorter than someone else, but a rough idea of what one will go through could be beneficial. So here goes,

On the 8th August, I managed to lift my leg about half an inch off the bed. In my mind, this had become a task I had to achieve to progress further. I can also slide my leg, bending the knee, to about a 30-degree angle. This must be worked on, as a 90-degree angle is expected when I next see the consultant. So religiously, 4 times a day I do the exercises. The worst of the pain is around the kneecap, but I also have a sensitive spot at the back of my knee. To date, that hasn't got any better. It's also very important to do the exercise for Deep Vein Thrombosis. I can do this on the bed or sitting down and this is one of the most regular exercise I do.

 

THESE FOR PREVENTING DVT

IT WAS THE TOP EXERCISE I HAD TROUBLE WITH

 One thing I found right from the start was to forget about wearing trousers. The knee will be very swollen, so even loose fitting trousers will be tight. Also, trying to get an ice pack on under trousers every 2 hours for twenty minutes is a pain. With me only possessing one skirt and dress, today Ian drove me to Tesco and another skirt and dress were bought. Tesco clothes are usually on the first floor, which is accessed by escalator. OMG. I stood at the bottom watching the speed at which it was going up and thought, no way! There had to be a lift. Oh, there was alright, but right at the back of the store. I certainly got my steps in today, even though I had been told to walk short distances for the first two weeks only!

The only bit of excitement later was the interloper in the garden. Quite why a duck had decided to land in it was a mystery. It did make me smile, though, watching Ian and Colin trying to catch the thing. Toffee was frantically running from one window to the other, hoping to get out and help.  In the end, Colin managed to shoo it through the gate, up the road and back to where the pond was by the pub. 

 

Making progress

The physio phoned me for an update, I was very impressed.  The worry of not being able to lift the leg was mentioned, she told me not to try rushing it, all in good time. So long as I could complete the other exercises, lifting the leg would come, so she was not worried.

The bruising is coming out now, tightness around the site and back of the knee. First thing in the morning I struggle to walk, the leg has been kept in one place throughout the night and is really stiff. I'm totally reliant on Ian to lift the leg out of bed and to also place in a raised position on a stool when sitting down. Painkillers do help when it's time to exercise, no way can I even attempt them without! With this being day 5 I have noticed more movement, and I'm also getting around with just the one crutch. All very positive and heading in the right direction.

 Today I made it upstairs! Stood at the bottom looking up and thought, that's one hell of a mountain to climb! There was a possibility of having a shower in the garden, Colin put it in so it could be used before getting into the hot tub (how the other half live, eh), but I didn't fancy standing naked for all the world to see so gave it the thumbs down.

 

Hot and cold running water!

So the stairs it was, and Ian never strayed from being behind me, ready to catch if I fell. Hmmm, I wonder who would come off worse. Somehow I think I would have fared better, a soft landing on my part! But it was easier than I thought, in fact too easy. I mustn't get complacent and think I can do it by myself...not yet, anyway! So a shower was had, gosh it was nice to feel refreshed, and I even got to see the progress Colin had made with the family bathroom. Ongoing since March this year, apart from finishing the tiling, putting in the loo and hand basin, it's about done! This did mean I had to use our grandson Ollie's bathroom for a shower. OMG...typical teenager...nothing put away or cleaned! And as for the loo...don't even go there! Our son and daughter-in-law's opinion is if they want to live in a pigsty, so be it!

Coming back down was okay too, I felt real progress had been made, now if only the pain would subside..... 

The next week or so will be roughly the same as now. The only difference will be a trip to the Doctors here in Milton Keynes on 14th August for a dressing change, and unless anything untoward happens, this will be my last post for a while.

I have the bed and Ian the sofa where the orange sleeping bag is.

 

 

 

Start of recovery

 August 3rd

I reckon 4 hours sleep was all I got last night. 6 am came around too soon, the nurse appeared armed with a concoction of drugs. Obs done again and thumbs up given. By 7 am, the consultant/surgeon, Mr Hosan Matar, arrived. Breezed in, said good morning and how was I, looked at the dressing and felt my leg for heat, and then breezed out again with the comment "See you in Clinic". Talk about seen one minute, gone the next! The staff all call him Mr Speedy, everything is done in double quick time, but his praises are sung by all. He also doesn't believe in stitches any more. Glue is the way to go so it seems!  Good for me because I don't need to head back to Nottingham for stitch removal. I will be staying with our son Colin for 5 weeks, he has a massive house, a lounge downstairs for me and Ian to sleep in and no stairs to climb until I'm ready. A downstairs loo and wash basin will be my own personal bathroom for the foreseeable future. Anyway, I'm heading off track, so to continue. 

8.30 am breakfast arrived. Wow, more than I have eaten in weeks. No way could I finish it, although I did ask for more tea. 

 

The physio arrived by 10 am, as did Ian. He wanted to keep me company…bless. It was suggested I had a shower while they were around to keep an eye on me, the last thing they wanted was for me to have a fall. It took a bit of getting used to with the crutches, especially trying to sit down. The bad leg had to be stretched out in front while the good leg took the weight. The dressing was also waterproof and would stay on for two weeks. I also gave them a lesson in conserving water! They looked amazed when I turned the tap off to apply the soap and then back on to rinse. A lot of water would be saved by practicing this. It's something us boaters have drummed into us from the beginning. There is only so much water held in a tank. Then I was taken by wheelchair to try the steps, shown how to ascend and descend safely, a smiley face with halo was put on my sheet. 😇I had passed with flying colours.

A discharge letter was given, as well as loads of tablets and by 1 pm I had been wheeled to the car, shown how to get in, and we left for Milton Keynes.

Two stops were needed. Keeping the knee down in one position made it ache, and I had been told for the first two weeks to keep the leg elevated whenever I was sitting. So we practiced the getting in and out of the car, not easy, especially with a car parked next to you. My next worry was Toffee. She adores us, knows the car well and as soon as we pull up, goes wappy. She had to be restrained, but as I got out with the crutches, she took off in the other direction. What is it with her and walking sticks? Wouldn't come near me until I had sat down and those scary crutches stowed away! Still, if they help to keep her away, so be it.

 The rest of the day was trying to settle in, I did struggle massively with getting on and off the toilet. Seemed a bit low but there again, the ones at the hospital were high. The concoction of tablets also made me feel sick. Appetite has completely gone, not a bad thing in my book.

 

 The night was restless too. I just can't seem to lift the leg from the bed, it worries me. Am I doing something wrong? Maybe a phone call to the physio is in order.

 

Knee op day 1

 The night before the big day and apprehension had set in. Not about the op, but that blooming epidural! No matter how many told me I wouldn't feel a thing, it still played on m mind. At 9 pm I was advised to have a carbohydrate snack, something to do with preparing the body for the shock it would receive, somehow I got it down, but I really didn't want to eat! Bed at 10 pm and took an age to get to sleep, and then woke intermittently with the worry that the alarm wouldn't go off, and I would miss the 7 am deadline to be admitted. Of course it went off at 5 30 am, the heater then switched on for the water and 15 minutes later had a tepid shower using that special antibacterial soap. No breakfast or tea allowed, just water.

Ian got me to the private hospital in plenty of time. That hour of the morning, hardly a soul about! I was shown to my room, had its own private ensuite, wow, this was better than going into a hospital ward full of beds and people. Thanks go to the NHS, for sending me private. On the bed was a hospital gown, one of those that do up at the back, and a pair of knickers!

 

OMG... I'm never going to get in those!!!! Well actually I did, they stretch to an enormous size, definitely a bonus for my ample proportions! After a three-hour wait, Ian stayed with me the whole time, (another perk of going to a private hospital) I was wheeled up to the theatre at 10.30 am.

So my irrational fear of the epidural was unfounded, the anaesthetist was amazing, showed the size of the needle and the tiny catheter that would remain in during surgery. I wasn't sure what to expect when the drug was administered, thought it would feel strange with all sensation leaving my lower limbs. In fact, I was hardly aware the legs had gone numb! I was also given a sedative, assured that this would make me sleep during the procedure, but I did keep waking, heard the electric saw and the drill, really weird feeling when I felt my body move as the surgeon manipulated the leg. And if truth be told, it did feel more like a dream than the actual op. Anyway, into recovery, and of course I had to ask how long the op had taken. When I was told just 50 minutes, gosh that was quick! All in all, from leaving for the op and my return to the room, 2 hours had passed. Ian was still there, had gone to the canteen for a spot of lunch (fish and chips) and then my first very welcome cup of tea and slice of toast arrived. 

Every 20 minutes my obs were done, blood pressure, temperature and heart rate. At one point my beats fell to 44, slight panic from the nurse but doing them another three times, was relived to see the heart rate back to 66 BPM. 

I was attached to a cryo machine, which every two hours for 30 minutes would start pumping ice water around the operation site. It felt lovely and helped with the pain, but when you have that machine beeping away all night...it could have been wished further! 

At first, painkillers and antibiotics were frequently administered through the catheter in my hand, but soon that was replaced by tablets. Probably a good job because the physio arrived to see if I could get out of bed and, being attached to a catheter, would have made it a little awkward!  Unfortunately, I failed my first walk! Not because my mind wasn't willing, but because the epidural was still in my system, making me wobbly as hell! So that was abandoned for now, it was rescheduled for tomorrow morning.

Pain was ever present during the night and my call button was pressed regularly. I must say the staff were lovely, never a tut or a scowl, only sympathy and the painkillers. The bedpan also arrived, I hadn't realised I wanted to go until cramps started in the bladder region. Every part of the brain was screaming, DO NOT WEE IN THE BED. It's strange, you know you want to go, but it felt all wrong. I did eventually get going, nearly a ltr of urine was measured, and once started, wondered if I would ever stop! So the first night not a lot of sleep was had, and it was 6 am when the rounds started and day 2 had begun.

 

Countdown to the Op!

 July 29th

Gulp....4 days to go. I'm starting to feel a tad apprehensive. I had the Pre-op, (blood pressure, blood tests, MRSA swab and of course weight) on the 21st with a thumbs up from the nurse. (Covid test no longer required.) Certainly made it real and brought it home to me that it really was going to happen. Even the junior doctor strike hasn't effected the date, probably because I'm going to a private hospital under the NHS. So to get ready for the op, 5 days before the day I must shower every day with Octenisan wash lotion, put on clean clothes and then spread a small amount of the tube Octenisan gel up each nostril twice daily. Today is day 2!

 

I have also managed to lose 12lb so far, just 2lb to reach my goal of a stone. With only 4 days left, I may have to skip one of my meals, or make it even smaller to achieve that! 

Exercising for thirty minutes a day has also been on the agenda. Mostly sitting down, but the Joe Wicks program certainly gets the heart rate going! And then there are the physio exercises, predominantly targeted at getting the muscles stronger around the knee, gosh the pain when I'm doing them.... but needs must and determination on a speedy recovery is my aim.

Had a welcome visitor on Pentland yesterday. Posed while I took the photo through the window.

 

Final day and a gem of a place.

 July 15th

The weather has certainly changed, wet and windy, not a great day to go visiting a reservoir. If only Nidderdale Museum opened in the morning, we could have gone straight there. But opening hours were from 13.30, so a morning had to be filled. The news has been full of drought conditions, how low the reservoirs were, so we thought we would go and see for ourselves, and the one we chose was about 10 miles from Pateley Bridge.  

It took well over 90 minutes to reach Scar House reservoir. We took a wrong turning a few times and had to try to find somewhere to turn, never easy with a motorhome. We arrived in a downpour, hardly ideal walking conditions but with no let up in the weather, we may as well just head out.

It wasn't that far to walk, plenty of strong painkillers taken, and Ian's steadying arm was always welcome. The NE news were not wrong, the levels were low.

 

 

The hose pipe ban has been in place for a while, and more rain is needed to fill the reservoir. Today's rain was just a mere drop in the ocean.

Car parking is always difficult in a motorhome. With my disability at the moment, parking far from an attraction could make me think twice about going. Such was the case at Pateley Bridge. A coach park on the edge of town was where we were advised to park. Pateley Bridge is on a very steep hill and sods law said the museum was right at the top! It was! There was no way I could have managed that length of hill, so Ian decided to find somewhere closer. Very narrow streets and sharp turns did my blood pressure no good. I was all for saying "You go, I'll stay behind" when a short stay car park came into view. It was a good way up the hill, and fingers were crossed a space big enough for the Beast could be found. There was...phew! So armed with stick, waterproofs (it was still raining) and Ian's arm, made it to the museum and was I glad I did. Talk about a hidden gem. There was a large collection of items, illustrating all aspects of Dale’s life in the past. It's packed to the rafters with everything imaginable, and the exhibits are very well done. The museum has been open for 50 years, collecting had been going on in all that time. Do go and look, and for £5 per adult one could easily be there for a couple of hours. 

 

 

The walk back to the car park was very slow going. Going down hill was agony, more pressure on the joints and never so pleased to get back to the Beast, I can tell you. A Caravan and Camping club site field was nearby and decided that £14 for staying the night was worth it. Saved Ian trying to find somewhere to wild camp. Tomorrow we head home, shame really, but at least it gave us a break. Roll on the 2nd August, my knee op and hopefully the start to a new me.

Yorkshire part 3

 July 14th

The heat wave has broken! Rain overnight and I woke feeling chilly. Having slept on top of the bedding for days, I was glad to pull the blanket over me! Today we had to leave this site and our initial plan was to travel to Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in the UK at 1,732 feet (528m) above sea level. But just down the road at Elvington was a residential home park. For a while now our thoughts have turned toward leaving the water, the ageing process has crept up on us too rapidly and Ian's strength is not what it used to be. Winding paddles and opening gates is becoming hard work. Living in a narrow environment with dodgy joints is also challenging! So we went to have a look at the homes. Wow, they are smart, and the owner showed two which are for sale at the moment. The site is still in the development stage and various plots could be chosen.  To say we were tempted is an understatement. But head ruled heart, and we came away with many a brochure and the invitation to attend an exhibition in York, in September. Needless to say, having spent nearly two hours chatting and viewing the site, Tan Hill was put on hold for now. That will be for another year.

One of the homes on site.

 

There is Nidderdale Museum which looks well worth a visit. In the blurb on the website, it read,

Housed in an imposing Victorian Workhouse and with over 30,000 exhibits arranged over 13 exhibition spaces, it immerses you in the rich heritage of the dales. Feel history come to life as you sit in an old schoolroom or a pub snug, visit a complete Cobbler's shop or a general store, walk through a Victorian parlour set for tea or through a mine tunnel! 

 It's a good alternative to the pub, especially as Tuesday is set to be wet! We decided to drive half way and then stop. We drove through Reeth and I noticed as we sped past a field that motor homes were parked and, what looked like, an honesty box by the gate. Our initial plan was to go towards Bleaberry Gill Ford, located on the road between Low Row and Langthwaite in Swaledale, for an overnight stop. It's the ford James Herriot drove through on the opening sequence of 'All Creatures Great and Small' it's a lovely spot to stay. But as the signpost directing us off the main road came up, it was obvious we wouldn't make it! A very sharp right-hand turn, almost coming back on yourself and with the tarmac raised at one side, I knew what would happen! Ian, though, thought otherwise. As he tried to turn onto it, the high point of the tarmac scraped the bottom of the beast, the wheels started spinning, we were going nowhere! Stuck half onto that lane and half on the main road was a little worrying to say the least! Nothing came along, thank goodness, how embarrassing would that have been! Although he tried several times to drive forward onto the lane, the wheels spun each time, and finally had to admit defeat and reverse back onto the main road, scraping the beast undercarriage on the way back too. 

 

Main road on the right of the photo. Ian had got out here to see what could be done!

So it was back to Reeth we went, found the field with the honesty box and for £3 could stay overnight. Result.

 Onwards tomorrow to a Reservoir at Scar House before heading off to Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale Museum.

Yorkshire part 2

 July 13th

Having had a really lazy day on Saturday, we felt we should do something on Sunday. Weather was perfect with temperatures near the 30s. But what to do?  We had pretty well done everything in the vicinity and beyond, this being our third visit. We looked through the internet, got out the English Heritage and NT books and in the end decided on going back to Beningbrough Hall, a NT property.

Back in June 2021 we visited the Hall, but then the only thing open inside was the art gallery. This time several rooms inside the house were open, and as NT members, it solved our dilemma of where to go. We arrived late, the place had been open for two hours, so parking this beast in their car park was impossible. A designated area was available for motorhomes, but the 4 that were already there had parked in such a way to make it impossible for another to fit in. So we were shown to a grassy area right outside the hall. Great, I thought, less walking to do. Unfortunately the double gates where I thought we could get in were padlocked so it meant a bit of a walk after all.

 LAUNDRY

Beautiful parquetry staircase

 THE GARDENS

 

A late lunch was had, so much yummy hot food on offer and not a lettuce leaf in sight.  Ian went for the 3 sausage, mashed potato and peas option. I was starving, the smell making my mouth water. In the end, I chose Harrasa and white bean hotpot, only 250 calories. It came with bread, that was given to Ian!

 

 Having been on my feet for several hours, I was beginning to struggle. Time to head back to the site. For dinner, I had a slice of toast with a sliver of cheese. I'm starting to become paranoid about eating. The thought of not having lost any weight when we get back to FS is constantly on my mind. Hopefully, that lunch, when I don't usually have any, won't pile on the pounds again!

 

Plenty of ladybirds about at Beningbrough as well as butterflies.

 

 

Yorkshire part 1

 July 11th

A pit stop to Tesco before heading North toward Yorkshire wasn't planned, but Ian had forgotten to top up the motor home diesel tank. Driving up to the pump, crikey, he was that dismayed in seeing just how much diesel had gone up! She's a thirsty beast, our motorhome, and it seemed to take an age to fill, The pounds kept creeping up! Anyway, our first stop was at Brigg, it's a garden center about the halfway point. They do wonderful breakfasts, we have stayed twice before and each time enjoyed them immensely. Because of my lettuce leaf diet, it would be most unfair if Ian had gone without me, so I persuaded told him he had to make do with cereal instead.

We left before 11am and, for lunch, stopped at a viewing area near the Humber bridge. A café was nearby, not too far for me to hobble. I ordered ordinary tea and Ian a green tea, then went to find a table. I was not amused when he arrived back with a slice of chocolate Malteser cake. Seeing my indignation, offered to cut me a small piece as a taster. The look I gave him said it all!

Goose trying his luck

 

On route, a 'road closed ahead' sign stopped our progress as we neared York. A fire had broken out near a farm, we saw the smoke from way off but hadn't realised it would cause us any problems. Well, the Sat Nav kept telling us to make a U-Turn, couldn't find another route through, and so with no diversions in place, Ian had to follow his nose. He's very good at that, his sense of direction is amazing. As for me, forget it. I still get my lefts and rights wrong!

Prospect Farm camp ground is what we call a 'hideaway' site. We have stayed many times and are now on first name terms with the owner. With only two caravans parked toward the back of a massive field, we could choose where we wanted to go. A water tap was nearby, and we chose a spot near to that. It's also fairly near to the elsan point, not so far for Ian to walk to do the deed. An awning went up, creating a lovely shady place to sit and while away the afternoon. 

 

The decision was made to stay until Monday, just chill out for a few days and enjoy the good weather. It's hot, about 27 deg, plenty of insects flying around as well. Ladybirds are plentiful, and we heard on the news today that they have become a bit of a nuisance, even stopping the cricket at Lords for a while. Not seen anything like those numbers, but hover flies are as bad as flies here. Ian fished several out of his beer yesterday.

 And seen at Humber bridge