Bionic brilliance (in pictures)

So I went for a physio appointment today. The lady was very pleased with my progress. She said I no longer need to wear any bandages and gave me a few extra exercises to do. She also let me see my x-rays, shared here for your viewing pleasure. I am a bionic woman now.

Before surgery.
Notice the weird angles of my knees.

After surgery. Two visuals of right knee.
Knee is so much straighter. I just can't quite believe how much metal is in there!

I'm guessing the weird fork things were part of the temporary cage. Nice clean break.

Like something off X-files.

Here are the latest externals...

Under my kneecap.

Outside of my thigh.

So this bit really hurts, it's just above the thigh wound. There is something under the skin that is really taut and pulls like crazy. Physio lady is going to ask Prof what it is.

Bruising and swelling going down great.

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Operation observations

So it's now my 'day three' (operation day being day zero) and I'm almost back to normal. Sort of. The day of the operation went perfectly. I was in the OR at 9 am and settled in quote 'the best room in the whole hospital' with sweet and sour chicken by about 5pm (I think). I have been really privileged to have a private corner room with two huge windows and my own bathroom. The mixture of anaesthetic and morphine and who knows what else meant that day zero was pretty easy. As soon as I was in the recovery room in my delirious state I was put on a physio machine that kept my knee moving and I had that all night and most of day one and over night. It kept me awake quite a lot, not because it was particularly painful but because my leg kept jumping off it (rebelling) and I had to keep readjusting. And it was noisy and quite annoying as is the call bell. It was much easier using the machine than trying to bend my knee manually though. Even now I can only be...

Ella

Dear Ella. I'm so sorry. Sorry that we didn't know about the cancer sooner that ended your two biggest loves: eating and catching toys. Sorry that we rushed the decision to put you to sleep, sorry that we didn't give you a little more time in the sun. Sorry that I didn't think to take you to the toilet before we went into that awful sterile room for the last time. However, I'm not sorry for all the years we had with you. Yes, you were very dog reactive and so strong in your younger years that you pulled me over more than once. But the twelve years of love you gave us all, with your head butts, kisses and games we played will bring us joy forever. Ziggy is being so brave, but daddy and I are not. I can hardly see to write this through my tears, but I needed to say goodbye properly. You were such a beautiful girl. I don't think we'll ever know someone so clever, stubborn and pretty. Your independent radar ears and your silly smiles. Your singing ...

Good and not so good

Positive news Just over ten weeks post-operation and I'm doing really well physically. Since late last week I've been driving again and I even walked the dogs (with mum's help - big up my mum for being my live-in nurse for nine weeks) over the weekend. I'm on a phased return to work as still can't sit in an office chair all day yet and work have been brilliant about it. I still get the occasional spasm in my knee cap and I'm utterly exhausted and aching at the end of each day, but I've ditched the Zimmer frame in favour of crutches that I only really need outside the house now. Stairs are still hard work but I don't have to ascend on my bum anymore so that's a plus! Literally the worst thing about the operation was the in-the-tummy anti-DVT injections, I was so pleased on week six when they were over, they hurt something rotten and I looked like a bruised pin cushion! I've really started to notice how much longer my right leg is now, ...

Mustn't grumble

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