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.

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.

The surgeon came to see me, and informed me that he and another surgeon had failed to achieve the relocation of my ceramic insert!

11:30

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

I have 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 am also connected to a pair of electric 'socks' that pump and relax 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; Tomato soup, roll, cheese omelette, yoghurt, coffee.

18:10

The hospital manager looked in to check up on me.

18:45

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

19:40

A welcome cup of tea or coffee.

The first night passes, the staff checking on me regularly and administering painkillers and other medication.

22:00

I was unable to pass urine, so I have to ask for a catheter to be fitted to relieve the pressure in my bladder.

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

Blood is taken from the cannula.

08:30

More drugs & stool softener

08:35

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

09:00

My surgeon arrives, and we discussed the operation and next steps.

09:30

Have a wash

12:00

Wife arrives with fruit.

12:45

Dinner arrived - Broccoli & Cauliflower soup, roll, fish goujons, chips, yoghurt, coffee.

14:30

The physiotherapist arrives with a walking frame. She helps me with the regular bed exercises, helped me out of bed, and checked my ability to walk up the ward.

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 - soup, cheese omelette, vegetables and potatoes, fruit salad, coffee.

I left some of the dinner due to wind in stomach.

18:20

The hospital manager looked in to check up on me again.

19:30

Got into bed to sleep, I was very tired.

21:00

More pills, blood pressure and temperature checks.

Urinating in a bottle during the night, press the button to call the nurses to dispose of the contents.

06:30

Awake now, 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 we discussed the surgery and how I was progressing.

10:40

Given large pink ibuprofen and oxycontin for pain relief, plus a small pink 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 - juice, pork chop and vegetables, yoghurt, coffee

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 going to urinate almost every hour.

06:30

Ward lights on.

06:55

More painkillers. Blood pressure and temperature checks.

10:00

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

10:30

Preparing for discharge

13:50

Discharged