Day 22

Day 5 at home.

Similar to in Rehab the days take on a certain regularity with pshysio exercises and pool sessions.

On Monday we meet with the local hospital Physio of whom I have heard many good things, and with the aid of x-rays from 99 to current and other photographs and diagrams of my journey to this day Annie got a clear and accurate picture of my orthopaedic history and what needs to be corrected with her skills.

This first appointment was well over an hour but set a good foundation for the physical work. So with Tracy sitting Shotgun and directing I complete the original exercises I was discharged from Calvary with and another 4 from Annie.

There was no pool session on Wednesday as I had attended an education event at work for the first of my Continuing Professional Development hours as part of Paramedics now being a registered Medical Professional, nor will there be one on Friday. We have lost one of our own from a neighbouring station to Rust (Cancer) and I will be attending his funeral with peers.

On the up side after suffering some fatigue and cramps from the increased exercises on Thursday I completed a morning session followed by the pool and later an afternoon session.


Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One! 


Taz

Day 17

Day 2 at home, Saturday 8th. Boof was disturbed overnight and barking, there were vehicles coming and going down on the road and the high beam lights on the trees had him going. Tracy was deep in her slumber so I got up for him and we went outside to ease his distress.

Exercises during the morning and the 10 laps of the house before we went off to the pool for my first session. Not as comfortable as Calvary's but  I spent 45 minutes running through my exercises and then we had hot chips and potato cakes while my togs and towel dried.

On returning home there was a message from Dad, he had called a few times and hadn't heard back and was concerned. After talking to him and Mum and a recuperative snooze another set of laps before the PM exercises and dinner.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!


Taz

Day 16

First day at home. I can't do anything, can't go walking around the property because I don't have any footwear, I can't potter around in my shed, I can't drive my tractor!

So do my gym exercises in different parts of the house. Go for walks around the verandah 10 laps in the morning and 10 in the afternoon.

Contacted the hospital and have an appointment in three days for my first physio therapy and an appointment with my GP a few hours before that for a review and referral.

Later Tracy and I went to the pool and signed up for three months family membership to the heated pool section so I can continue hydrotherapy. 

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One! 

Taz

Day 15

My last day in rehab. Another 6 minutes walk test to see if I have increased my stamina and endurance then straight into the gym and 90 minutes there before changing and into the pool for 45 minutes there before another change and into the dining room for the last time. 

This morning at breakfast the occupational therapy team put me through my paces in the kitchen to observe, correct or comment on my ability to operate safely in that environment. Rather than the normal cereal, toast and fruit the selected participants cook themselves bacon and eggs.

Having already observed this with another group on my first morning in the unit I passed without comment.

Tracy was a little late and I was positioned on the back seat of her Nissan Tiida for the journey home but I think I will move to the front for any subsequent trips as the door is wider for getting my legs in.


Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One! 

Taz

Day 14

Day and a half left to get as much instruction as I can.

90 minutes in the gym and 45 in the pool before lunch.

45 minutes in the gym and another hour in the pool.

Knackered, totally shagged by the end of that and Tracy's come down for a visit.

The ward is noisy tonight not getting much sleep tonight.
  

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One! 

Taz

Day 13

Not that any of this has been easy, but physical hard work starts today.

Shower, Breakfast then the gym for a little over 90 minutes, get changed and hydrotherapy pool for 30 minutes then room shower take some ice on the hip then lunch.

Back to the gym for about 80 minutes then a consult with the Occupational Therapist for about 20 then another 20 back in the gym. Back to the room via the icepak fridge and even took 40 winks before having dinner.

Returned a phone call from one of my shooting buddies and rang Mum and Dad to bring them up to speed with my time here which will end midday Day 15.

This the lounge room at the end of our hallway. As we all have televisions in our rooms it doesn't appear to get used in the evenings.

This the common kitchen area where meals are taken by those able to get out of bed. Tuesdays and Thursdays selected patients display their ability to operate safely in a kitchen. 

 From the kitchen this is the shot of our hallway off which are our rooms.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

Day 12

The move is on. after a shower, breakfast and a short session with the ward physio, nursing staff get me to put everything on my bed and just wheeled the whole lot, including me, down to Rehab.

By the time I unpacked it was close to lunch which can be had in your room or jointly in a communal dining room, I opted the latter and went to meet some of the other inmates.

Around 2 PM I had my 1st assessment and session for about 3/4 of an hour focusing on;
The direction of my feet when walking and standing. 
Keeping a wider stance and distribution of my weight.
Don't pop my non-weight bearing hip forward when just talking.
Isometric exercises for Gluts and Quads.
Being conscious of my straightness when sitting down and getting up, a mirror in front of me is very handy for this because I can see myself drift and favour one side!

So this my room from the doorway. 

And the bathroom 

 This was dinner tonight.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One! 

Taz

Day 10 and 11.

The best description of these is,

I inhabited a twin room on an orthopaedic ward. While there, I was seen briefly by the ward physio who did a cursory assessment (I won't be staying here under is care).

Gave me some clues to improving my general rehabilitation, SLOW DOWN, take SMALLER STEPS all things that I was over doing and pointed me in the right direction with physio contact in Temora for when I return home.

And that is it, there were no major developments, just me killing time until I get into the rehab unit.
 

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

Day 9

Goodbye Sydney.

This morning when 0400 obs had a purpose (alarm clock) to get ready for my alleged 0530 collection nobody came!
Never mind as an active operational officer I self woke at 0405. Shower, shave (been practising so they went without a hitch) and by now a head has popped in and asked if I would like a couple pieces of toast.

0515 The crew turn up, Tayla and I didn't catch the other's name. They're from Ryde and I'm their last job for the shift. Apart from being from the station at which my friend and classmate is the Duty Operations Manager, Tayla is a UTAS graduate (I tutored for them, before her time.) she is also from Devonport, Tasmania.

A couple of familiar faces at Mascot asking the same thing, why am I here and why on a Stryker stretcher? Meet the other patient and her husband on my flight, they're returning to Young and after one delay of being bumped for an urgent retrieval we are ready to get going.

What was really a cocked up picture turns out to be a little arty!

Before the others get on and I can't take a photo. They could, but because I'm an employee it would be breaking confidentiality.

Now if I was clever I would add the soundtrack from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Frank's last song, 'I'm Going Home'! but I'm not so I didn't.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

Day 8

Pretty much the same start as yesterday except I didn't wash and condition the hair just wet it before throwing in a braid. The long acting analgesia hasn't really shown it's worth yet but that's not unusual.

Tracy arrives we have a coffee and then do the halls again  together with the exercises and I had shorts on today rather than the track pant of yesterday and it was easier for Tracy to correct posture and dropped pelvis which the best was to describe how I walked. I have even started to try walking without a single crutch to but that is just pushing a little to far right now.

The compression socks were not on yesterday but I got her to put them on me before all this today because my leg is still swollen and after this it could be seen to have continued. I decided to walk her down to her car when she was ready to leave the hospital and Sydney but that turned out to be wishful thinking and I only made it far as the paying station.

Apart from lunch, a few DS9 episodes and a nana nap, it's been an icebag and elevation.


Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

Day 7

Significant progress today, well I thought so.

Pain control was a problem from before dawn. Paracetamol at 0400 Endone later around 0600.
Breakfast done then a shower. Without assistance, standing, wash and condition the hair and shave with the ol' safety razor. Completed without having to pause or sit in the shower chair, altered stance to left leg and nearly successful at putting full weight on it and straighten it.

Went for a stroll do the corridors and did the exercises before returning to my room and breifly waited for Tracy to arrive.

Mid-morning we strolled down to the visitors lounge and watched TV while sitting together on a couch.

Returned to the room for lunch and afterwards another hall walk with exercises. Mid-afternoon I left the ward for the main foyer and the cafe where Tracy and I enjoyed an Ice Coffee each before returning to the room and dinner.

After dinner we did the hall walk again and the exercises which sometimes are  easier and others not. A conversation with this afternoons RN about my concerns with the inadequacies of dose and frequency saw her arrange for me to go onto Targin 10/5. We'll give that a try and I'm giving the wound and knee a real workin' over with the ice bag.

Dr Boyle dropped by before Tracy left so I gave him a show. He's happy.
   

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

Day 6

Got a late call from the receiving rehab hospital they won't have a bed for another three days so really I just linger here, do my exercises work on the pain and flown out on Friday.

So I alternate the crutch movement, sometimes both when the left leg is down, sometimes the opposing crutch to leg. Right arm with left leg, left arm with right leg.
I have some side stepping exercises while facing a wall, I'm pretty much not holding on to the handrail. Then there are toe lifts with both feet and on the other side of that short squats.

 
So it's wet and raining outside, Tracy is not going to drive solo home today and has been able to arrange a single bed room at the Greenwich Inn.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

Day 5

Well I seem to be impressing on the Tallboy walker, why don't I have a crack on Canada crutches.
Well lucky for me I spent months learning years ago.

Last of my Oxycontin today and I need to manage the pain with Endone alone. I only get it every 6-8 hr and it's lasting only for the 1st 3 hrs ,,,,hmmmmmm.

Everything is now an inch crooked and twisted. The replacement of  an arthritic hip generally returns the patient to normal, I however have not been in this shape since 1975 and it's going to take a very long time to change what has been normal for me over the last 43 years 

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

Day 4

We have a visitor today.

Aunty Val and a long time friend Cecily will visit for a half hour just after lunch.
The visit lasted nearly an hour and was wonderful both for Val and us.

We discussed options for discharge after they had left with Gabby from physio and she and the ward staff are happy to look into rehab in Calvary Wagga, they'll make calls tomorrow during normal office hours to investigate.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

Day 3

The only really interesting thing I'm told about today was that my pain was going to get a whole lot worse.
This I'm told will be as a result of the accumulated drugs from the epidural, anaesthesia and daily dose's evening themselves out, being eliminated and the body hurts everywhere and from everything.
The bruising has started to show, I had a sponge wash while sitting in the bathroom.

Slept some and enjoyed another meal with my caring wife.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

 Taz

Day 2

Slept on poor Tracy for several long periods today, but I did warn her on that.
Staff and significant others are harping at me to be more regular with my pain meds, Twice daily Oxycontin 10mg and then 4/24 Endone 5mg.
Cracked a fever overnight and started to feel shit all day. I'm told it's the last of the anaesthetic drugs leaving my system.

My the end of the day staff are bringing in my meds and waking me to take them and had dinner with the wife in my room.

The surgeon dropped in and he is happy with my progress, getting to go home will depend on the physio's plan.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

 Taz

Day 1

Up early to have 4 glasses of water at 4 am then Nil by Mouth.
Hospital advised to be there at 10 but why wait in the motel room so got there early.
Admitted at 10 am anyway and lay in waiting area till 1 pm and then off to surgery.

An epidural was administered with good effect and they bombed me before pushing me into the theatre. One thing that did leave me a little perplexed was there were two different sound tracks playing, one from the anaesthetics bay and a different one in the theatre!

I remember looking at the clock in recovery at 5pm. 

Taa Daa

Hahahahahaha

No the prosthetic

A mostly a sleepless night with hourly obs and fluids, the epidural has a prolonged effect on your BP.


Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

 Taz

Day -1

Tracy and I departed Wednesday 22nd, the day before the planned surgery.
Tracy did it all herself and you could imagine what  joy it was to be back in Sydney.

Google got her to the motel in one go and it even did it the way I had planned. Clean but small Tracy should be there comfortably by herself here and it is 300 meters from the hospital.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

 Taz

Some things are repeating.

Back in 1975 after the first two operation installing the pins I was put on show at a lecture by my surgeon. That was the first and only time that I saw the placement of the pins. I didn't know you could ask for a copy of them.

Roll the calendar to current day. I had a phone call from an orthopaedic surgeon at RPA hospital who had been directed by my surgeon to to contact me for approval to use my latest x-rays during a lecture to junior surgeons and discuss my hips. He even asked if I was in Sydney and would be able to attend, of course I'm not.

Funny how life will repeat itself.
 

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

 Taz

Counting down till the knife!

Well 22nd of November it is then.

We will travel to Sydney (I'm not allowed to go by myself, hospital doesn't scare me,,,wonder why?) before then and he expects me to only be an inpatient for 4-5 day then discharged to home and rehab. There are perfectly adequate facilities and trained staff and both the hospital and private here and being back home is always a better setting to recover.

Initially just over seven weeks from operation to review and I would expect him to provide some estimate of return to work then.

So not as soon as I would have accepted, but as the Musical Director of the Temora Town Band there will be no extra pressure for tonights performance after the Warbirds Downunder airshow here in Temora and neither will there be for the celebration of Armistice Day on the 11th of November when the Temora Sub-Branch of the Return Services League together with the Temora Aviation Museum will be flying a Australian WWII Hudson bomber over our War Memorial at 11am and dropping just over 6,000 silk red poppies (1 for ever 10 Australians who perished during the conflict). My jobs as Parade Marshal and the Bandmaster will be my last until Australia Day on January 26th.


Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!


 Taz

From High School to now!

4 years of High School came and went.
I followed a musical pathway as I couldn't do sport and even join the Australian Army Reserve, Army Band Tasmania on Tuba for nearly 9 years. Hobart City Band, Derwent Valley Concert Band, Huon Valley Concert, Adult Education Concert and Big Band, Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music Huge Band to name a few that I have played with.

I discovered Para-medicine and move to NSW to train. The plan was to move back but well that just didn't happen. The move to Temora was one of our better decisions.

All these years I have never let the hip and arthritis hold me down and strove to be as active and I wanted to but as time passed it got worse.

I struggled to find a Dr who understood the issue till this year. Dr Kurtzer was my choice after my last one moved to Sydney.

Tracy came with me to my annual checkup to ensure I didn't skip over the pain and increasing disability. He ordered some x-rays and you saw that in the first post.

He consulted with others and a referral was sent for a consultation with a surgeon.

It's done and now we wait for a date in either November or hopefully October but after the Temora Town Band's next big gig at the Warbirds Downunder 'Music from the Wartime Era's'.
   


Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

Taz

1976 - 2nd Year High School

My parents managed to persuade my school to keep me with my original year so I didn't lose one.  I started the year on crutches then walking sticks before being able to walk unaided. That brought me to the attention of everyone, staff and students (the good the bad and ugly)

I couldn't do sport anymore, no physical impact allowed on the hip and after a few sessions in the library I started to hang around the Music block, leading to my lifelong involvement with performance.

I was young and with the first pair of built up shoes drawing the wrong attention I didn't get a second pair and took up the variation in leg length in my spine. I'm an inch short on the left.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!


Taz

Later in 1975.

A fortnight before my birthday I make my first hospital stay since infancy and get put into traction to dislocate my left hip without trauma prior to Mr Binns operating in installing the larger two fixture in the photos.

I don't have photos of my cast but here a diagram.

And that is how I spent four months of the year before they cut me out and operated a week later installing the three other fixtures in that configuration and then discharged on Christmas Eve.   

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

 Taz

1975

Started well, High School wasn't as traumatic as the movies tell you and that's where I discovered music, my music.

Then my knee started to hurt again.

Dr couldn't find anything but the pain got worse. Back then a lot of doctors still thought they knew it all and our local GP belittled my Mum as neurotic and I was a hypochondriac.

Eventually he gave us a referral and like modern times we had to wait for an appointment. My smooth talking father got us in months earlier. That was a lucky turn because by then I could barely walk.

Mr Binns (Fred) informed us after a very brief examination that I was going to hospital for an operation on my HIP!

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!

 Taz

It begins

The prequel in 1974 saw me diagnosed with Osgood Schlatters Disease.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in growing adolescents. It is an inflammation of the area just below the knee where the tendon from the kneecap (patellar tendon) attaches to the shinbone (tibia).

 Osgood-Schlatter disease most often occurs during growth spurts, when bones, muscles, tendons, and other structures are changing rapidly. Because physical activity puts additional stress on bones and muscles, children who participate in athletics — especially running and jumping sports - are at an increased risk for this condition.

However, less active adolescents may also experience this problem. In most cases of Osgood-Schlatter disease, simple measures like rest, over-the-counter medication, and stretching and strengthening exercises will relieve pain and allow a return to daily activities.

All I know is, I took a course of little red pills and and got on with grade 6 and eventually getting back to playing hockey (which could have contributed to it) at school and thinking of new year approaching and High School.

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One!


 Taz

What's Up?

It's been five years since the move from Sydney to Temora. 

Never have we looked back and thought we made a mistake. 

Some things have not got better with the move. That being my arthritic hip. 

Things are starting to move toward having that fixed and I think that is a journey I can post about. 

If you read this, be willing to view medical images, they will be mine, posted by me. You have been warned of possible offensive content do not complain, it's my story. 

So 'Why do I walk so badly?'

You are looking at an image taken at the beginning of the month. You don't need to have any experience with anatomy to see that these two hips look different. 

My new GP, who ordered these after Tracy came with me when I went for my annual appointment, sent a text that night asking how I managed to walk, let alone operate in the profession I do with this!

Next post will go back to 1975 where it first began. 

Be Excellent to Each Other and See You at the Big One! 

 Taz