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

 

Another short break

 July 10th

We are away again, managed to grab a short break while we could, because since my last post, things have moved at a pace. My appointment with the consultant/surgeon at the private hospital on July 1st was for 9 am, which meant an early start to get there. Sat Nav said 30 minutes, but was that with the rush hour traffic? Anyway, we left nearly 50 minutes before I was due at the hospital and needless to say, Sat Nav was right, so we had a bit of a wait when we arrived.  Walking through the doors, wow, talk about a posh reception area. We were met by one of the receptionists, very pleasant and welcoming and, in our opinion, would not have been a stranger at a model agency. In fact, all the staff, including the nurses, were just as glamorous. 

Dead on 9 am, the consultant came out, shook our hands and showed us to the consulting room. Looking over the physio notes and x-ray agreed my knee was pretty bad. Out came his diary and said would August 2nd for a total knee replacement be okay. Good grief, I never expected it to be so soon. Of course, I agreed, he pencilled it in, then explained all the things that could go wrong with this type of op, including death! "Oh eck" I thought, sounds drastic, but I expect it's what's told to everyone having an anaesthetic. As we left, he took me to one side. "You must try and lose some weight before the op, and I recommend a lettuce leaf and water diet from now on"! "Crikey, that's a bit harsh", thought I. I did ask if it was alright to have a tomato with it. He thought for a moment and said, "Just the one"!

As for Ian, we are still waiting on blood test results, his weight has remained stable, and he feels very well in himself. An appointment has been made to see yet another consultant mid-August, hopefully, if I'm walking okay, I can go with him.

So that is why we decided to take a break before the 'Big Day', and so Yorkshire was the chosen destination. To date, I have lost 7lbs, that's a lb a day. The diet consists of fruit for breakfast, no lunch and a small side plate of salad with either salmon or prawns to help ease the hunger. Also, chair aerobics has become the norm, a 30-minute workout every morning. It certainly gets the heart rate up! I know the diet is drastic, but I'm determined to lose a stone before the op. The way I'm going, that does seem achievable.  Fingers crossed anyway.

A short break

June 25th 

 We did manage to get away, not to Yorkshire, but 'down south' to Dorset. We had good news last week, all clear with Ian's scan. Oh, actually, that's not strictly true because a small nodule was found on his adrenal gland. Now, this nodule was present on a scan way back in 2015, the consultant then was not concerned, so why worry about it now? Anyway, an appointment was made at city hospital for mid-August, I'm sure the NHS are determined not to let him go!

As for my knee situation, I have an appointment at a private hospital on the 1st July. Fingers crossed I won't have to long to wait for the op.

 It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, then, to get away for 4 days. I found a site near to Lyme Regis, looked lovely and quiet and had a fully serviced hard-standing site available. (water and grey water disposal) And yes it was everything the website had described, dog friendly, electric hookup, 2 fishing ponds, good walks, pub nearby but what was not mentioned was the roads leading to the site. Nearly three miles of narrow lanes with the occasional passing place. When the hedges started touching both sides of the motorhome, it was a little worrying! I often wonder how these sites are allowed to open when getting to them is so bad. Plenty of caravans as well, must have been a nightmare for them if they had met another vehicle. We were lucky, only had to reverse twice, so the decision was made to spend a very quiet few days not moving off site, so plenty of card games played, and I walked the best I could with my stick whilst hanging on to Ian's arm. The journey back wasn't quite as stressful, as we found a slightly shorter route back to the main road. Still bad enough though, and we felt lucky not to meet anything, apart, that is, the dustcart and that was going our way!

And once back on FS, a new family of ducklings emerged. More food for the Pike!