Day 141 (89) to Day 148 (96)

A fairly quiet week although I did go backwards (not unexpected I think) for about four days. There was a really sharp pain at the top of my thigh but as of the time of writing it seems to be going - thank goodness.

Most of the week I have been battling a chest infection - really quite tiring but I think I have that licked.

My last NHS physio this coming week. I have to be honest and say I don't think the NHS have delivered subsequent to the outstanding clinical care they provided.  I understand they are overwhelmed but to my mind they spoil the ship for that hap'worth of tar. I don't know where I'd be without the commitment and dedication of Liz at Working Bodies in Towcester. She has challenged me every time I have seen her event to the extent of calling me a waddling fat duck early on  - so I went home and thought 'She's not going to call me that again'!

Stamina is still the issue - some days it is good and others not quite so good.

Day 133 (82) to Day 140 (87)

Not bad bad week at all - still perishingly cold for March but had a very good session with Liz, my physio, who says I am doing very well.  She's given me what I call my 'ASBO' which is a 2lb weight I strap around my right ankle which in turn makes it quite difficult to walk - that's what it is meant to do and it is there really to try and increase my stamina.

I did make a formal complaint to NGH on 27-December because I thought they should be aware as to how they are perceived.   There's a link here to some information and some more here. We are now into a second period of extended time (10 working days each time) because it is (to quote) so complex to sort out. But in reality it is because the person handling my complaint is going on holiday for the second time - not good enough in my view.

I have a nasty head cold at the moment so the best thing is to stay away and let me get over it I think!

Day 125 (75) to Day 132 (81)

A pretty good week all-in-all.  Another visit to the Doc because they think my kidney function is not quite right. Why it is not quite right, why it wasn't picked up in hospital and is it connected to the broken hip is a mystery to me at the moment but the essence of it all is that they are concerned; all I can do at the moment is what they ask.  I'll need to get a bit serious with them soon. Results of the previous 'starvation' blood and urine test on Monday 14th.  14-March @ 20:50 - We have a result - all my blood and urine tests are 'normal' - what - me declared normal finally.  In all seriousness I am very relieved that everything has now returned to 'normal'.

A delightful call from 'Irish Pat' in the Ward (Abington) I was on asking how I was doing.  She seemed genuinely surprised how well I said I was doing - I can even now balance on my right leg alone now - it takes a bit of preparation and a lot of concentration but the old adage 'from little acorns oak trees grow' is probably worth remembering.

A number of people have asked me why I am not as quick to return to normal walking as someone is who has had a replacement hip - I have gleaned a few facts:

• After four days of doing 'nothing' muscle wastage sets in
• For every day of doing 'nothing' it takes 7 days to recover the muscle tone and strength
• After a replacement hip you are up and walking either the same day or the day after so there's no opportunity for muscle wastage to set in and as it is usually a planned operation you can exercise before hand to build up muscle tone - if you fall over and stupidly break your hip there's no opportunity to 'plan'
• I spent 7 weeks doing 'nothing' with my right leg so it's taking a bit of time to recover the muscle tone - my physio, Liz, says encouragingly that my thighs are now the same size again!

I have gone out a couple of times forgetting my walking stick (I don't even think of it around the house) which shows how well things are going - I do take it with me when going out because I don't think I could bear the shame of returning to A&E having fallen over and not having the walking stick with me. I imagine it will be my companion for a few more months.

Day 117 (70) to Day 124 (74)

It's the camera that's on the
slant not the bathroom!

Just a quick review of the week I think as things really are getting better with the occasional backward step. On Monday I checked the results of my blood test and was summoned to see the Doctor on Wednesday - something very complicated to do with kidney function (which I am taking seriously) and I now have another appointment for a 'starvation' blood and urine test next Wednesday - oh what fun.

The shower with the fold-down seat

Jim and Dave finished off the bathroom on Tuesday - it is great - I could dance in the shower but I am 100% sure that the underfloor heating isn't working as it should - time will tell.

Back to my private physio (Liz) on Friday - she says my thighs are back to almost the same size on each leg - I find it quite amazing how quickly one's muscles degenerate when not being used - there's a lesson there as we get older to keep going.

Still bitterly cold - well below March averages - let's hope it gets a bit warmer soon.