Progress

Finally the decorator has left, the bedroom is looking great, just got to finish the floor, the lights, buy a bed and move in. Been receiving all my bits and pieces through the post so got nearly all the Christmas shopping done now, and am getting about much easier too - finding that I am using the crutches more to steady me than support, and I am not taking as many painkillers now either.

All I need to do now is step up the exercise a bit once I am properly back on my feet to lose the wee bit of tummy that appears to have been transplanted as part of the operation!

Family First came today to pick up the dining room table so that is now out of the way, we have ordered a new one and we will probably decorate the room next.

Been getting up with Hub every morning, so knackered - looking forward to a couple of days off now that the decorator has gone. It gets tiring to have someone in the house all the time, as can never really relax, so looking forward to being able to enjoy my privacy.

anyone know a good plasterer?

Had my stitches out on Tuesday. Thought it might hurt but didn't a bit! Lots of little clips, probably 20 - 25 in total. Swelling virtually gone now, although knee still quite bad, making it difficult to bend, and also my foot is hard to keep warm - remembered the hot water bottle yesterday so hope to have solved that one. Nice scar though - looks a little bit like I've had an encounter with a great white off the barrier reef, this will be the story to tell at parties anyway!

Was expecting the plasterer yesterday. Got up with Hub - he had a trip to Darlington meaning we were out of bed at 5am - haven't had a lie in yet. Plasterer was due to come but he phoned us on the Tuesday evening to say he is running behind with his jobs, can he come Thursday instead. So I waited this morning, no show! The decorator is coming on Monday so we need to get it sorted with enough time for the plaster to dry, so not sure what we can do now.

Have left many messages but he hasn't got back to us yet.

Still, have had lots of presents delivered from E bay, great fun. Also had to wrap the Hub's pressie yesterday before he came home - quite a feat on crutches when I can't lift anything, let alone a great big box, but managed it! Also got a great skirt, and have my eye on a couple of suits - well, more than a couple actually, going up market shabby chic! - but will allow me to create a different image when I get back to work.

Wonder if we'll ever get the bedroom done?

anyone know a good plumber?

This weekend has seen Hub finishing off the ceiling in the bedroom ready for the plasterer to come on Wednesday. Bearing in mind that this was necessary due to the cold water tank leaking while we were on holiday last Christmas and that the ceiling in the dining room is still showing the effects, the idea that we could get the bedroom finished has been really exciting. Plasterer this week, decorator next week, bit of finishing of light fittings etc from Hub, then the floor going down and we will be back in the room by Christmas, 20 months after we first moved out to decorate it!

So you can imagine my horror when I got up to go to the loo this morning at 3 am, only to hear water dripping somewhere! It appears the hot water tank is leaking and it has brought down the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs! So my task of the day, if I can stay off E bay long enough (!) is to try to get a plumber in who won't cost an arm or a leg!

Poor Hub went off to work this morning muttering, "I hate this house!"

Three steps forward and nineteen back, as always!

hip ops - the new body piercing!

Getting better in leaps and bounds, although I can't do any leaps and bounds as yet! Had the dressing changed yesterday by the district nurse. She says it is healing very nicely. and the whole process took about 2 minutes. Filling in all the forms she had to complete afterwards took about 10 minutes!

Also had an E Mail from Laurel the Marketer - I spoke to him at length prior to going into hospital as he has been thinking of having the op - he is younger than me and has been suffering for about three years, and although it is not as bad as I was, he is on that downward path. Anyway, he has decided to go ahead and has his op on the 5th December! Got an E mail from Stoney saying that obviously it is all catching on, I have started a trend in body piercing plus - had to laugh, wish I had thought of that line!

Got some flowers from work yesterday too, at last, I thought they had forgotten me!

Had a lie in this morning, and had to confess to Hub that I have been out in the garden - bless him, I don't think he realises just what I can do - and just what I can't! Can make a coffee but can't carry it, can put clothes in the washing machine, but can't carry them once they are on clothes hangers! Can't feed the cats, or shave my legs, but can make the bed!

Need Hub to do the bedroom ceiling tomorrow as we have the plasterer coming on Wednesday. It's his last chance! That is one thing I don't regret not being able to help with!

Right, back to E Bay now, to check on my Christmas presents, and then X Factor, I regret to say we are both addicted!

Last few days

On Friday they put me on crutches, and showed me some exercises to start stretching my muscles - I still stand quite twisted due to the amount of time I was in pain before the operation. Really started to feel confident in moving in and out of bed, and walking around although still a bit concerned about overdoing it.

Saturday was even better - I had a shower and washed my hair, and attacked the wine list with my dinner - Hub and Big Girl came to see me, so we all raised a glass to the ongoing success of the op.

Sunday I came home! It knocked me up a bit actually, the trip in the car was quite strange because you become aware of every single shift in gravity and weight as you are travelling.

Monday I had another shower, this time in the cubicle that Hub has built while I have been in hospital. Bless him, he hovers like a mother hen at the moment and keeps threatening to take away my crutches. This morning, Tuesday, for example, we were in the bathroom where is is putting in a handgrab at the side of the loo, and he caught me cleaning the sink and tile surround - this is the sort of thing I can do on one leg so can't see the problem, and it is good for me to be on my feet and busy, within reason. Still, he is back to work tomorrow which gives me a bit of leeway.

Had an E mail from Little Boss to tell me that Big Boss has gone, left the company! Damn, and I missed it! Must get the inside info now! What a time to have off work, when it is all kicking off.

Thursday - two days after hip surgery and getting much better

"Had my morphine drip taken out yesterday evening and the paracetemol as well because the canula was hurting. However have felt so much better - been out of bed today - got a bit shaky at first so they pooped me back in bed for an hour, my blood pressure is low.

The pain is much better today, much more manageable, been for an enormous poo just now which has also helped. Can't believe the difference 24 hours have made, was on rock bottom and in tears this time yesterday but today have been up, to the loo - rolled there on a commode chair but walked back and have moved all my bits - bladder, bowels and legs. The swelling is going down a bit" (I obviously didn't know then what I know now!) "however I haven't managed to wash the black arrow off my leg yet." They put this on to make sure they operate on the correct leg, and it is still there after two showers!

"Seems strange but really yesterday I couldn't lift myself onto a bedpan, then suddenly got all gymnastic and could lift myself to the point where the nurses could move things around underneath me really easily, and now I have been out of bed!

Black Wednesday 8th November

Transcribed as written on day.

"God, what a day. Didn't sleep very well at all - they changed my dressing twice and it took till 2am before I managed to use the bedpan. Then they had to change the dressing and the bed again. Finally got to sleep about 3 only for Margaret Doo Lally to wake us all up at 4.45. Bless her, she's 90 and had a hip replacement a couple of weeks ago and then fell and fractured her hip so she's in a lot of pain. But when she is banging on her table and shouting "hello" over and over it's enough to send you round the bend yourself. Still, she's off to a nursing home today.

Things were not good today though - been very sleepy most of the day. Had a bit of a nap this morning but also felt very weepy at one point. The nurse told me that I have to remember I've had major surgery and that it's understandable but I don't like losing control like that! I had more I/V paracetemol at 11 then they came to give me a bedbath. Being pushed and pulled all over the place, then I had a wee and wet myself, there was too much for the bedpan. So they had to change me again. Pain was considerable. Then they wanted to do an X ray so I had to go down on the bed again back towards theatre. They lifted me up and down onto the x ray plate, and then up and off it, ouch ouch, and the morphine in my Patient Controlled Analgesia (hit-a-button-when-it-hurts machine) had run out just at the wrong moment. No morphine left! So had a shock when I got back to the room and discovered the zimmer frame and two physios waiting to get me "up on my feet!" They wanted me out of bed! I just cried, sobbed really. So didn't have to today! They were very understanding! But I will have to get up tomorrow.

Now I have been to the loo several times, Hub has been in, spoke to Mum and the consultant is pleased with my progress, and finally it doesn't hurt. Roll on tomorrow!

Swelling times

Just a brief note to anyone out there who is about to have a hip replacement/resurfacing - look out for the swelling! Had mine done 6 days ago and I have one thigh which is a Mini, one which is a Mercedes and oh, I see you, my ass is like a Renault Megane.

Tuesday 7th - post op

Transcribed as written - except that there is no font called spidery morphine!

"Well, I'm bionic! Wasn't too bad except for the paper pants I had to put on under a robe which would sleep 6.

They wheeled me in the bed down to have the spinal - had one dodgy moment as he started to do that as I was sitting up and it made me feel faint - I told them that it would and had asked them if I could lie down for it! Had a bit of a panic as they lay me down, then they started again with me lying down. That'll teach em!

They gave me a shot in the back of the hand and I woke up in the recovery room 2 hours later.

I have an oxygen pipe up my nose which itches, and a canula - I've had antibiotics and saline in addition to IV paracetemol, and the morphine of course.

I am lying flat on my back for the first time in at least five years - I always had to raise my left leg/knee before. I am a bit uncomfortable though - it aches and I want to wee but although they have put me on the pot twice I just can't go - effectively it would be like wetting the bed and I just can't seem to switch the right controls on. Each time it makes my wound bleed - interesting does not quite sum up the pain!

Hub came along and fed me a bit of smoked salmon salad and I had icecream but I can't sleep at present. I am getting good with the mirror in my compact and the grabby thing - bearing in mind I am flat on my back. So far I have sorted out the morphine pump when it fell on the floor, getting my book, this pad etc. All very well but I can't wee! Ho hum!

Hope I sleep in a bit. Hub is in Darlington tomorrow so I won't see him till late evening but at least he will have phoned Mum to let her know I am OK.

Must admit, when he was putting in the lumbar I said the Lord's Prayer! It worked, as I am still here - unless hell is not being able to wee for the rest of your life. I am quite proud of myself - haven't wimped out and it can only get better from here!"

Tuesday 7th - Pre Op

Very strange night - the bed was very hard although they have changed the mattress now, and my arms kept going numb and waking me up. Had a strange moment of dread at one point too, just after midnight, where I felt I was trying to wake up and someone was in the room behind me.

Loony Tunes is at it again this morning. I have had a nap as they woke me up at 6 for a cup of what they call tea. Then at 7 for some toast, and coffee - this was not even an attempt to make it look or smell like coffee, it was just coloured water.

Think her name is Margaret, she has a very high sing song voice - must be a bit doo lally but she sure gets some attention from it!

I will go down to theatre at 2!

Pre Op day, Monday 6th November

Written and then transcribed:

Well, here I am at the hospital. Hub has just gone home - he didn't want to leave me but off he went eventually. We have had a laugh - there's a wine list! Fantastic - having boeuf bourgignon tonight but no wine as don't need a hangover tomorrow! Am in private room with en suite, tv which gets certain Sky channels, it is a bit like a hotel except for the call button, the bed (single and very noisy) and the blood pressure monitor on the wall. Noisier than a hotel too.

Very tired - I really could go to sleep right now, I suppose it is the slow wind up to being here and although I had a lie in this morning I could have slept the clock round. I will probably change and get into bed after I've eaten, watch Eastenders and Spooks, and then drift off.

I think my op is 2pm tomorrow and Hub is coming to see me at 11.30. He will go for some lunch in the afternoon once I am in theatre and then we'll see.

Later - absolutely stuffed, the meal was great and I couldn't eatanother morsel. On iron rations tomorrow so maybe it's as well.

Today - Sunday 11th. Back home, very swollen, very hard to get comfortable.

hospital tomorrow

Wow

Just listening to Chris Moyles on Listen again on BBC Radio 1 - love this, as even though I will be getting up after 7 from now on, I can listen to him after I have had breakfast at 10 ish! At least for tomorrow. I don't imagine that I can log into broadband tomorrow in hospital - may be wrong but doubt it. Not even sure if I can get Sky tv.

Anyway, will write my blog in longhand! Then put it up as it happens.

Will be interesting to edit once have had morphine anyway!

last day for three months

Last day at work today - although have been working to this for the last six weeks it is still a huge wrench when it happens.

So many E mails that I think, I'll deal with that on Monday... oh, wait a moment, can't because won't be here. My team is fantastic, they really make me proud, but I am really worried because the vultures are gathering, rumours such as the QA team will be working for x next week, the pre sales are trying to set up meetings with production and the production boss blocks them - I ask them to set things up, he agrees, then cancels at the last moment. He sent me an E mail offering his support saying he knows we don't always see eye to eye, but I know the moment I disappear he will be tricking around. I have brought home my laptop and archive anyway, so let him try. I think he doesn't realise that I have faced this sort of thing throughout my entire career, so bring it on, small fry!

When I get back - if I go back, rather than buying a B & B, ......

On another matter. Sent an E mail today pointing out to my boss and the HR person that for me to have a male member of staff earning more than me, when he reports to me, could be seen as discrimination under the Equal Opportunities Commission legislation. He has been earning £6,500 per year more than me over the last two years, surely this is grounds for me to get a) equal money b) oh, he reports to me, more money c) compensation or back pay. I have given 18 years of my life to this company, so it is about time they pay me what I am worth, if only measured against my staff!

I have never been in a situation before though when I have several months ahead of me to think things through on my own, without any interference, well, except decorators and plasterers! whatever. If we win £85 million tonight - this blog will go very quiet for a while followed by references to Yves, Via Condotti and 5th Avenue!

Anyway, last weekend before hip op - I could die, so maybe the last weekend ever - spooky feeling. And after that, lots of time to read, watch tv, write blogs and play games - PS2 is always good! Don't know if I can finish Res Evil on my own though!

Not sure if I can take my laptop to hospital but if so, will be filling you in on events once the cut has been made.

situational leadership

Been on a two day training course over the last two (doh) days.

www.kenblanchard.com is the link if you are interested. Good, and nice group to work with, but they brought something to my attention - when I mentioned that one of my (male) staff gets paid more than I do even though he reports to me, they said I could have a case under the Equal Opportunities Commission.

Course was very interesting - apparently the feedback from my staff shows that I cover all 4 of the leadership styles, which puts me in 1% of the management population!

Lots has happened over the last couple of days. We got a quote to get the bedroom decorated - it is the chap that did the front of the house this year, he will come on the 27th November. Hub may be able to take the day off because we don' know how mobile I will be.

Secondly we are going to sort out the bathroom to deal with the fact that I won't be able to step into a bath - Hub is going to take out the existing tub and out in a tray and cubicle arrangement. That should be done this weekend. Hub's dad should be round to help.

Also bought a chair today that operates by motor but which reclines and tips forward which will mean that I can sit in the right position, relax when I need to and also can tip to the optimum position to be able to get out of the chair.

Also I phoned a plasterer and we had the ironing picked up. All this on top of a usual working day!

Had our last Spanish lesson for a while yesterday - as we don't know how long it will be before we go back, it is not fair for Max to be unable to take on extra people if we can't go for a while.

Last day tomorrow for some time, three months at least probably. Be interesting to see how much of the job is left to me by the time I get back.

Hope we have a go weekend, then into hospital we go.