Hi All,
Its finally happened, hip resurfaced yesterday by Prof Meek in Glasgow.
2.5 years of going from Surgeon to surgeon getting passed from here to there. Finally all over..
For anyone reading not in the UK the NHS is a wonderful institution but sadly its on its knees. I kept asking my GP for a resurfacing referral, 3 times I got passed to a consultant who couldn't do it. Just THR on offer. !! At 44 yrs old, no thanks. I also found discussing resurfacing with these THR guys very difficult. Very closed to the idea, no interest in keeping up with the latest developments in their supposed area of speciality.
Anyways, I hit the end of the road in June when I had to give up everything due to pain. Everything was starting to hurt, not just my hip. All by doing very little, my once busy life had become so small. I went from being an international level volleyball player, to sitting on the couch. Simply existing is not living in my book.
I sold, begged and borrowed to make an appointment with Mr Mcminn, all was looking up Surgery on my right hip was booked for the 15th October. However I got a phone call start of september to say Mr McMinn has damaged his back and my surgery would need to be cancelled... I was devastated, had got my head into the space of its happening, its finally happening. I was advised to call Mr Treacy who was taking on some of McMinns patients, however by the time I had discussed possible dates with my partner he was full up untill December.
I was told Mr Dominc Meek in Glasgow was an excellent surgeon who was trained by Mr McMinn.
So I called and surgery was booked for the 28th Sept...
That was yesterday...
1 day post op.... So far so good.... But its been a crazy run in, mentally as much as physically its been draining. The anxiety i had the week or so leading up to this was at times almost unbearable, a million what if's going through my mind do I really need this. What if this goes wrong, what if I'm worse off than I am now. The mind can be a real pain in the ass at times. I must have drove my partner mad at times.. However I am so grateful she held my hand through all of this, watching me lose my sporting life and having to live with the grumpy, fat person I became hasn't been fun for her.
Like everyone else going through the end stage of Hip OA, I read everything, watched every surgery video, studied every outcome of every device. I could probably do a resurfacing myself.. !!
Anyways, its all over. I got fitted with the Adept prothesis (can't remember the size) yesterday lunchtime. Opted for the spinal block and sedation, the spinal meant I had trouble going for a pee afterwards and had to have a catheter fitted for 12 hrs. But there was less of a chance of nausea and stomach issues.
I Got up on my crutches today, felt amazing not to have that arthritic pain. Yes its still sore but a very different sore. I spoke with my surgeon afterwards, turns out I had zero cartilage, complete bone on bone and quite a few boney growths
Its all over 2.5yrs of thinking and constant research, 2yrs of giving up everything I love, finally over. I'm looking forward to the challenge of recovery. Looking forwards to getting my life back.
A final message to anyone playing the waiting game... Its hard, its harder than going through surgery and anything else that follows. Waiting is by far the worst part of all of this journey. Nothing is guaranteed, not much will settle your thoughts on the lead up to surgery. But the weight lifted after surgery is enormous. Keep that in mind.. !!
Also to anyone in the UK unsure about surgeons. Prof Dominic Meek (Glasgow) is a fantastic surgeon. Very kind, approachable human being.
Onwards and upwards.
Frazer.