Pain

I made this video Pre-Op, when I was experiencing intense hip pain.

Another night without sleep

I don't know why, but when I am lying in bed, my leg with the new hip, feels as though it weighs a ton, and i just cannot relax. That feeling along with the fact that I am only allowed to sleep on my back, is making bed my enemy. I hope this changes very soon.

First day trying without painkillers

Big mistake, wasn't able to do much at all, even had to go back to bed for 2 hours.

Made it through to 3:30 and had to take some. I think tomorrow I will stay on them, so that I can function properly and get my exercise done.

What I would give for 8 hours sleep

...it seems the best i can do is 3-4 hours, then pain in my lower back is all consuming!

Day 16 after hip surgery.

My hip is doing well. The constant grinding pain of bone on bone that had been with me everyday for the past few years has gone (of course) and has been replace by a very weird dull ache of having metal in me...i especially feel the stem that is now down inside my thigh bone...i also have a real sense of a 'spike' of some sort in my groin....all these sensations are unpleasant to say the least, but nowhere near the pain i had endured for over 3 years, while my natural joint disintergrated.
I have also gone from taking up to 12 heavy duty pain killers per day (Codalgin) to 2 Oxycontins and 4 Panadeine in a 24 hour period, this has made my gut feel a lot better.
Mentally it is a very weird headspace, having a prosthesis, i often find myself 'mourning' the loss of my natural self, the bone that i was born with having been sawn off and thrown out, sometimes that makes me feel sad.
But all in all I am positive.
I am one one walking stick and over the past 3 days have been walking an average of 1.5 kilometres....it is hard work, and very tiring but rewarding.
And... some GREAT news, today I was able to get into our bath to have a shower!!!!....first shower in 10 or so days!!!...I feel human!...it took some careful manoeuvering but I got there!!!!....I can't tell you how great it feels.

Day 14

Had dressing from surgery wound removed today, all looking good.
Have also walked approx 1.5 kilometres today, think I might have pushed too far, feeling very tired and aching.

Day 13

Day 13 after the hip replacement. First full day off the walking frame and using one walking stick.

12 Days since hip replacement surgery

and the foot on my operated side, is still swollen and uncomfortable. My new hip is also very tight, hopefully that will ease as the post surgery trauma subsides.

One good thing is that the excruciating bone on bone pain of my old hip has gone, and has been replaced with more of a dull ache inside the hip and thigh, I say a good thing, because this new pain seems to be controlled with less drugs.

I have been exercising everyday, mainly walking, but also gentle leg swings, and knee lifts.

I am determined to be able to travel to Italy in October, for a long anticipated project.

The smallest things mean a lot.

I received a text message from niece Sarah.

"The sky tonight in Melbourne, looks like you painted it" xxx

1 week on

Just over one week since the hip replacement, and after a roller-coaster ride of health issues and emotions things finally seem to be settling down.

The swelling in my left leg, is easing, slowly...and thanks to constant nursing by darling Lorraine

I am feeling stronger day by day.

One thing I have noticed is, although there is no pain from the actual wound of the incision. the pain in my thigh, where the stem has been inserted is very painful, a dull sickening ache all of the time. I am sure that again with time this will get better too.

I am missing the studio, and being able to work.

Yesterday I went out there, and just stood and looked, and sniffed the turpentine scented air!

Pain is merely weakness leaving the body.

Hip replacement

My hip surgery was last Friday, and had a few complications, which i wont go into...but things got a bit grim. Thank god for my darling Lorraine, who has been nursing me, through all this, all the time dealing with her own illness, she really is an angel.
I was discharged back home 2 days ago (wed) and found myself back in hospital that night, after yet another setback. It is going to be a longer road back, thank i thought...but i will get there.

Apart from the trauma of the operation and subsequent pain and setback, I was appalled at the state of our public health system, and in particular the state of the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

My god the are I was in should be torn down and rebuilt ASAP.

Any government should be mandated to make health, education, and police priorities while in office, in fact we should have a constitution that these three areas get money regardless of economic shortfalls, or vote grabbing 'glamour' projects.

Who needs football stadia, or wine centres when we can't get the basics right!

just got the call from the hospital

...admission at 7.30am tomorrow (Friday) surgery scheduled for 11.00am.