Week 25 - 30

Wow it’s been a while! Very sorry I’ve neglected my blog for the last few weeks but my life has been very eventful and this is the first moment I’ve had some spare time!!

Firstly, let me give you the hip update. Last time I mentioned that I had Debs’ permission to attempt small bouts of run/walk intervals, and despite still having issues with my hamstring, I thought I’d give it a go. I did my usual cross-trainer and weights session to ensure I was fully warmed-up before approaching the treadmill. As I stepped on it felt like everyone was watching me, as this was the first time I’d gone near it let alone try to use it in the seven-weeks I’d been going. After pressing ‘Go’ I walked for 3 minutes before raising the speed. Although Debs had said no more than 60 seconds, I decided to err on the side of caution and stick to 30 seconds. Having worked as a running technique specialist for the last year, I am fully aware of how to run with reduced risk to my hip so with that in mind, I began increasing the pace. Once I reached 9.5km/hour I was successfully jogging at a gentle speed and my hip wasn’t feeling too bad. A couple of twinges here and there: especially after the 30 seconds when I reduced the speed to a walk again. I decided to walk for 60 seconds before my second attempt. Once again I managed the 30 seconds but I could feel my hip a little more than the first time. It was still hurting slightly during my 60 second recovery walk but I thought I would give it one last try to see if it was something I could “jog off!” It definitely wasn’t getting any easier so I had to stop. The pain wasn’t horrendous but I knew it would worsen if I continued. So I hopped onto the recumbent bike to cool-down before heading home feeling very deflated. I resigned myself to the fact that I probably wouldn’t be running or wearing heels until 2014 now and I’m not sure which upsets me most.

Some good news is that in the last week or so my hamstring strain has finally cleared up. I decided to save my money and not see Debs for treatment and thankfully Andy’s Step-Mum, Eli (who is an amazing massage therapist) offered to treat me. After seven-weeks of intermittent pain, two deep tissue massages and tonnes of stretching, my hamstring is virtually 100% again and ready just in time for my op next Monday! Speaking of which, I went to see Banksey two-weeks ago and the plan of action has changed once again but luckily we were on the same wave-length…

In the lead up to my appointment I was super organised and enquired about the NHS treatment and aftercare for PAO patients in Reading. I was extremely happy to hear that the Royal Berkshire Hospital (where I happened to be born, along with the Duchess of Cambridge might I add), have some experience. After a lovely chat with the head physiotherapist, I was satisfied that she knew what she was talking about and I requested that my doctor refer me now so I can be seen soon after surgery. She did however express her concerns about having left PAO surgery and right hip arthroscopy on the same day. We agreed that the only way it may work is if I had immediate access to hydrotherapy and get in the pool twice a day until I could fully weight-bear on my right side. Which, if I had private healthcare it wouldn’t be an issue.

This got me thinking and I decided to call Debs for her opinion before seeing Banksey. She echoed the other physio’s concerns and it was at that point I began questioning my initial decision. On one hand it is safer to have the ops separately as I’ll have a greater chance of a speedy recovery, but on the other, it means I will require a further two operations (left PAO and then to have screws removed), complete with two more general anaesthetics, and therefore it will prolong the overall road to recovery. One final thing that swayed my mind was that I currently have a choice regarding my left PAO. Up until last November I couldn’t walk easily so it was surgery or a wheelchair. Now, I am able to walk around relatively pain-free as my left hip is nowhere near as bad as my right was, so I would hate to agree to have surgery until I absolutely needed it, just in case something went wrong and I would forever blame myself.

So a few Fridays ago, there I was ready to explain my decision to Banksey, but when I arrived I was soon informed that he was on holiday (again!) and I had to see one of his minions. At first I was a little annoyed because I had so much to talk to the big cheese himself about, but very quickly my mind was put at ease. This new guy started by explaining that Banksey had discussed my case with him in great detail and that he had a change in opinion, to which I replied that I had too. We both felt that on the 1^st July he should only operate on the most painful hip; the right. In comparison to PAO surgery, the keyhole procedure to repair the torn labrum and remove the screws is a doddle, so only one night in hospital is required and usually no more than four weeks on crutches. We also discussed when I would realistically have my left PAO and the Doc asked how much pain I’m in currently and what restrictions I have. On hearing my response but without hearing my opinion, he stated I should probably wait until it was interfering with daily life (i.e. waking) and recommended that they keep me under observation until the time comes to put me on the waiting list. Obviously this will prolong everything further but in many ways this may be the best option. I struggled with walking for 18-months prior to the November surgery so I estimate that my left hip has at least that long before the wear and tear gets too much. It may even be three, four, five years until it’s unbearable, so why should I delay my life any further and run the risk of premature, nonessential surgery.

The last bit of hip-related news is that I attempted running again this week on the treadmill and it was a very different experience to last time. My hip has been feeling really good, with the only time I really feel it being first thing in the morning and when I’ve sat down for too long. Once again I completed my usual gym session before confidently approaching the treadmill and commenced my first walk interval. After 60 seconds I upped the speed to 9.5km/hour and began jogging. It was feeling absolutely fine so I stayed on for the whole 60 seconds before reducing the speed to a walk again. It felt amazing but until I’d successfully achieved more than one rep, I wasn’t going to get too excited. Second and third attempts were equally fine so I left it there for the day to finish on an absolute high! It was an indescribable feeling and I had to call Andy immediately to announce the good news. He was very proud and equally happy, and although a total of 3 minutes doesn’t sound like a big deal, let me tell you, it is! Four or five weeks ago I thought I wouldn’t be running until 2014, then I managed this a week before my next op. I even tried my running intervals again this morning at the gym and managed four 60 second runs. Chuffed to bits! I know it might sound strange that I’m six days away from more hip surgery and I’m running, but my hip couldn’t manage a lot more than what I’m doing, and let’s face it, it’s not very much. It’s all part of the rehab.

In six days’ time, these bad boy screws are coming out! I’ve heard Banksey asks whether you’d like to keep them afterwards and I’m not sure what I’ll say to be honest. I’ve also heard that sometimes the screws can snap off and you’re left with the bottom end of a screw in your pelvis. I’m definitely not going to take half a screw away with me.

Scar isn't looking too bad, even if it is wide

So that’s all the boring hip stuff. The exciting news is that 2013 has turned into a more exciting year than expected. I’ve said a few times that this year was a ‘write off’ and my life plans were on hold due to all the surgery and a severe lack of money after being off work for so long – which by the way, I am now officially unemployed. My boss and I discussed it a few times and we mutually decided it was time to part ways as I was unable to return to my usual duties, and it’s unlikely that I’ll be able to for a long while. Therefore, after the op next Monday, I will split my time between job hunting (I’m thinking desk-based work is more ‘hip-appropriate’) and wedding planning! That’s right, Andy proposed and we thought why wait when I’ve got all this free time, so we made a few enquiries and booked it for September this year! This was all decided before seeing Banksey so initially we thought I wouldn’t be walking down the aisle, but it’s almost certain that I will now. Obviously I wanted to get as much wedding prep sorted before surgery, hence why I’ve been so busy. I can confirm that we’ve bought or secured all the essentials so there are only little bits and bobs to finalise leading up to the big day.

We’d spoken about getting married over the last few years and always envisioned May 2014 would be our time. Despite knowing a proposal may be imminent, Andy still managed to completely surprise me when he took me to dinner at the OXO Tower for my Birthday. I burst into tears as he popped the question holding a little blue box, before sliding this absolute beauty onto my finger once I’d cried “Yes!”

Andy always maintained he wouldn’t propose in public OR on a day such as Christmas, Valentine’s or my Birthday, so never in a million years would I have predicted it. We were in our own private area on the terrace which was just perfect, and then our waiter insisted on taking a photo. Having just cried my eyes out I was quite reluctant, but when we returned to our seats we realised why. They presented us with a lovely OXO Tower card with a congratulatory message and our photo inside.

It’s literally been non-stop since then, but we did manage to squeeze in a last minute holiday to Abu Dhabi again for a little R&R. We got some cheap flights through Andy’s mum and stayed with Andy’s cousin so it wasn’t too costly and we had the most amazing time! Not that I didn’t have a great time before, but I had no issues with my hip whatsoever so I could completely enjoy myself.

It was so nice to spend a whole eight days with Andrew too as we’ve been living separately for almost three months now. It still seems like yesterday that we were saying “Goodbye” to our beautiful flat and it felt like I was taking a million steps backwards. Now, if everything goes to plan with the keyhole next week, we should be living together by September (as a married couple!!), and fingers crossed I will have a new job and one fully functioning hip. 2013 is definitely turned into a winner for me!