A new Chance

The end of a year is always a time of reflection and sometimes there are regrets and sometimes there is the feeling of accomplishment.  2010 has been a hurry up and wait kind of year for my husband and I.  First there was a scare that his cancer might have returned, so we hurried to get his blood work, only to wait on the results and specialist appointments. And we had good news, changes to the lab reporting system and changes to the labs were responsible for the changes in the numbers.  A big sigh of relief.

And then the phone call to tell me my hip operation was scheduled.  I had waited so long that I think I had forgotten there would actually be an operation. The feeling of relief to be within days of the operation was off set by the concerns of what could and might go wrong.  Feelings of doubt and almost panic. But the sense of reason returned and off to the hospital I went and I had the operation in late September.  I have mended well. With the help of a physiotherapist my walk is almost acceptable to my surgeon and I am feeling stronger and more confident every day.  And no pain in the hip joint.

Now I wait for the knee replacement surgery that will probably take another 16 to 18 months for me to make my way up the waiting list.

This fall has been especially sad with the passing of several friends, relatives and neighbours.  In the space of four short months, eight people that we knew or knew of passed away.  Some were almost expected, although that doesn't make it easier for those left to mourn, some were shocks and completely unexpected.  Unfortunately two were friends from our days in Manitoba so we didn't get the chance to pay our respects although our thoughts are with their families.

With the new year just hours away, I am filled with a feeling of anticipation.  Much like a writer feels when looking at a blank piece of paper or a blank computer screen. A clean slate that I can control what goes on it and what gets left off.

Our health care system is still limping along.  There has been an announcement by the Provincial Govt that there will be changes to the ER's throughout the province.  Early days yet, but hopefully the changes will increase the access to health care professionals which is so badly needed. 

I have started another blog: http://toptensforbusinesses.blogspot.com/  It deals with lists of tips and pointers for small business owners or managers.  Hopefully, it will be useful and informative.

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2011.

Three month Check Up

On Dec 22 I had my three month followup appointment following my hip replacement surgery. And as much as I have complained about the physiotherapy it has done its job, I am walking much better and usually without my cane. I got a good report re the hip joint and don't need to go for another appointment until late March. Life may be getting back to normal.

I really appreciate having access to a walker and other items during my recovery through the Red Cross. They have a branch office in Bridgewater and we were able to pick the items up there and return them three months later. And the cost was a voluntary donation to the Red Cross. A really great service.

No pain in the left hip and only occasionally in the right knee. I had an injection in the knee while I wait to work my way up another waiting list.

Everything Takes Time

The last three months have been a physical and emotional rollercoaster for me. I had been on a waiting list for hip replacement surgery for what seemed like forever. But it was actually 20 months, a normal wait time here in Nova Scotia. Is that acceptable? Not when you are suffering pain everyday with everything you do. But that is the fact 20 to 24 months.

The good news...I finally got the phone call saying I was scheduled for surgery. The very first feeling was relief and then trepidation. What would be the outcome. Of course friends and business associates had all shared the horror stories of people that had chosen the operation only to have it fail miserably. But I knew that I could not continue as I was. In pain and slowly deteriorating, my physical activities decreasing and my attitude feeling the pain as well.

The operation way Sept 29th, a success, I was home on Oct 2nd. The next few weeks were a strain on my limited patience. I wanted to be out and about and doing and my body was demanding time to heal. Six weeks passed and I went to my appointment for the post op checkup. I was so proud of myself, getting around with only the use of a cane and feeling no pain.

I was very surprised to learn that the muscles on the outsides of my legs needed physiotherapy because they were so weak they were not supporting my hips properly.

Physiotherapy started five days later. I was very fortunate to get into our local hospital that quickly, often there are waiting periods of several weeks. And I have been getting up at 5:30 am to shower, dress and drive the 40 minutes to a 7:00 am appointment every Tuesday for the past four weeks. Am I improving? Yes! Am I improving at the rate I should be? Who knows, not me.

I will be visiting my surgeon again on Wed Dec 22nd and his assessment of my progress will be interesting...I am eager to hear what he has to say.

Oh, I am on another list. For a knee replacement. That will probably be in a little less than two years from now.