Two weeks Today
I’m 2 weeks post op from my hip replacement.
The last two weeks have been painful, emotional and exhausting and that’s an understatement.
I’ve cried more in the last two weeks than I have all year – safe to say it’s been a journey!
It’s a journey however, that has been made possible by the kindness of family, friends and complete strangers
Once you are in hospital you feel isolated and turn your fear and worries inwards. The thought that you must keep emotions under control, put a brave face on, kick in but it’s too much to hold it together and by the time you walk into theatre to have your spinal block it’s just crumpled, evaporated and the shakes begin.
You sit on a gurney and bend over a cushion shaking uncontrollably with tears streaming down your face. A nurse quietly kneels on a stool infront of you, locks eyes with you and holds out her hands. Squeeze these, I’ve got you, you can do this.
I remember being wheeled into theatre, turned on my side and some sort of tarpaulin placed over me, I heard staples being put in and came to in recovery. Calmness, kindness, wiping away tears I didn’t know were there, more pain meds and hand holding literally as well as metaphorically.
The two days I spent in hospital are a blur of pain meds, injections, blood pressure monitor beeps, physio visits and pain. I was so frightened, being totally reliant on strangers when you are in so much pain and being surrounded by care and kindness is humbling.
Following hip replacement surgery the physio will only discharge you if you complete the dreaded stairs test. Never has something I’d previously taken for granted become so important and seemingly beyond my reach. It took time, encouragement, stops for water, holding on until lightheadedness passed but eventually I made it to the top of the stairs and the chair placed there for me to rest. 
Obviously the delirium is quickly replaced by the fact that you now have to get back down the stairs!
Following X-rays, discharge papers and packs of medications you are allowed home, complete with a sick bowl on your knee – which was needed – they’d obviously done this before!
The first week was horrendous, Tony a pillar of strength, so many tears, so many different types of pain and constant wails of ‘ I wish I’d never done this..’
Two weeks in, still exhausted, sleeping on my back is alien to me and adds to the pressure but gradually each day it gets a little easier. Friends call in, ( and my mother in law who has no filter and totally ignored me when I said I wasn’t ready for visitors early on) the windowsills are decked with flowers, I speak to Flo on FaceTime at least 3 times a day, I can walk reasonably well with crutches now and have even managed a sort of shower with help.
The fear of being helpless, knowing you have to entrust your well being to others is a wake up call. On a rock bottom day I made a list of all of the positives in my life which gave me some perspective- I am incredibly lucky and now add to this or re read when the tears come back.
October is LimbBo Foundation FUNraiser month and my aim is to walk a little more each day to raise funds – our children are awesome and my inspiration- any support you can give,however small would be greatly appreciated.
My next challenge is having the staples in my thigh removed on Friday – I am beginning to realise how much of a worrier I am but as Dad always said ‘it is what it is love’ and I need to just get on with it.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me x
Jane Hewitt 
Hi Jane. Emotional highs and depression are normal after surgery, I’ve been told. I’m 1 month post op for back surgery, so I completely understand.
The loss of some of my independence has been a tough pill to swallow. I’ve been on my own since my husband passed away 29 years ago, and I’m used to doing most things for myself. I now can’t make my bed, pick up things from the floor, and now shower sitting on a shower chair. I wear a back brace at all times except for showering and being in bed.
The hope here is at 3 months, the brace comes off and I can return to a normal life. Have to wait and see.
I’m very thankful my sister lives next door, and helps me.
Hang in there Jane, hope springs eternal!
Hi Linda, you sound to be making good progress- I hope all goes well for you Jane