14:00

X-Ray taken at hospital.

Diagnosis is osteoarthritis in left hip with almost complete loss of joint space superiorly (i.e. at the top of the joint surface).

Minimal right hip OA.

Follow-up appointment with my GP indicates I need to lose weight.

Current BMI is 40

Started on weight loss programme with the surgery nurse.

10:00

Appointment with my consultant, who decided I need an un-cemented Total Hip Replacement.

BMI down to 33.5

07:30

Arrived at the hospital, taken to a room where I had to fill in an admission question and answer sheet and a menu choice sheet. My BMI is down to 30.

I was asked to put on a hospital gown and a pair of tight knee-high elastic socks known as TEDs, to prevent blood clots.

The surgeon came in and discussed the operation, marked the leg to be operated on, and had me sign a consent form.

The anaesthetist came in and discussed anaesthetic choice and any allergies

9:30

Walked to the operating theatre prep room, leaving my wife behind me.

The anaesthetist's assistant asked me to sit on a trolley, and sprayed my back with some very cold sterilising mist.

The anaesthetist inserts a cannula into my hand to allow him to administer any sedative or other medicine.

He very carefully injected a solution into the spinal cavity and I lost feeling in my lower body.

10:00

Wheeled into the operating theatre, and many hands lifted me onto the operating table.

Having chosen a spinal anaesthetic with no sedation, I am able to hear the operation, but feel nothing.

11:00

The operation is over; I am transferred from the operating table onto a hospital bed and wheeled into recovery.

In recovery, a nurse keeps checking my blood pressure, temperature and talking to me to check that I am OK.

11:30

I was pushed up to my room where my wife was waiting for me.

I had a wound drain pipe strapped to my leg, with a bottle to collect the blood, and a pillow between my legs to help keep me in the correct position.

I was also connected to a pair of electric 'socks' that pumped and relaxed to help prevent blood clots.

The nursing staff take my blood pressure and temperature regularly, and keep my water jug topped up.

12:00

I had my light lunch of tuna sandwiches & coffee

15:30

I started getting some feeling back in my legs

17:00

The blood that was collected from the drain is transfused back into me. This is normal, as it is your blood, it is a perfect match for you. I was given a bottle to urinate into.

18:00

Dinner.

18:45

The blood that was collected from the drain and transfused back into me finishes.

19:40

A nice cup of coffee.

The first night passes, the staff checking my blood pressure every hour and administering painkillers and other medication as needed.

The staff continue to check on me regularly through the night, administering painkillers and other medication as necessary.

06:30

A welcome cup of tea or coffee

08:00

A blood sample was taken from the cannula.

08:30

More drugs and laxatives

08:35

Breakfast arrives - apple juice, bran flakes, toast, marmalade, coffee

09:00

My surgeon arrives, and is happy with my condition.

09:30

Have a wash

12:00

Wife arrives with fruit.

12:45

Dinner arrived.

14:30

The physiotherapist arrives with a walking frame and helps me practise the regular bed exercises, she helped me out of bed, and checked my ability to walk up and down the ward. I spend the day in a chair.

15:50

Had an X-ray taken to check the position of the new hip components

17:00

Went to the toilet on my own using the frame - this the first of many 'milestones'

18:00

Dinner arrived.

20:00

Got into bed to sleep, I was very tired.

21:00

More pills, blood pressure and temperature checks.

Urinating in a bottle nearly every hour during the night, pressing the button to call the nurses to dispose of the contents.

06:30

Lights on, time to wake, more blood pressure and temperature checks continue throughout the day.

08:20

Breakfast arrives, Bran flakes, orange juice, toast, marmalade, coffee

10:10

My surgeon arrived and is happy with my walking progress.

10:40

Given pain relief, plus rivaroxaban to prevent DVT.

11:00

Wound drain was removed, and a waterproof dressing put on.

11:45

Into my pyjamas at last (not possible with the wound drain).

12:00

The physiotherapist arrived and put me through my paces with standing exercises, then walking with two sticks up and down the ward

12:40

Lunch arrived

18:00

Tea arrived

19:45

Coffee and biscuits

22:00

Got into bed to sleep, I was very tired again.

22:15

More pills, blood pressure and temperature checks.

Up half the night, still going to urinate almost every hour.

06:30

Ward lights on.

06:55

More painkillers. Blood pressure and temperature checks.

08:20

Breakfast arrives, Bran flakes, orange juice, toast, marmalade, coffee

10:00

Physiotherapist arrived, and tested my walking up and down the stairs. I was still a bit wobbly.

10:40

Given pain relief, plus rivaroxaban to prevent DVT.

12:00

The physiotherapist arrived and put me through my paces with more exercises, and walking up and down the ward

12:40

Lunch arrived

18:00

Tea arrived

19:45

Coffee and biscuits

22:00

Got into bed to sleep, I was very tired again with all the walking.

22:15

More pills, blood pressure and temperature checks.

Up half the night, still going to urinate almost every hour.

06:30

Ward lights on.

06:55

More painkillers. Blood pressure and temperature checks.

08:20

Breakfast arrives, Bran flakes, orange juice, toast, marmalade, coffee

10:00

Physiotherapist arrived, and tested my walking up and down the stairs. I passed.

10:30

Preparing for discharge

11:30

Discharged, off home.