BHR D-Day Is Nearly Here

I suppose this is a blog/history up to this point.
I have always loved sport. Through the majority of my 53 years on this planet, I’ve played football, cricket, hockey, golf, squash, tennis & cycled. You name it I’d give it a try, well apart from swimming as I’ve got the ability to float like a house brick!
Just after my 50th birthday I fractured my wrist whilst playing football. My consultant informed that I couldn’t play again for at least 3 months. What to do now to keep fit in the meantime? I thought I’d go for long walks but on my first attempt after about 5 minutes I got bored, so jogged a little & then walked again. I was an ok sprinter in my youth but anything over 200 metres wasn’t for me. Too much like hard work I thought. My excursions out walking, developed into longer periods of running, until I could run 5k, albeit not very quickly.
How have I done that? I hate running? But only now I didn’t! I was addicted, got the bug, hook, line & sinker. I kept training trying to run faster or longer. I got a buzz from my slow improvement. I was now a runner! I steered clear of races, scared of embarrassing myself, always been a bit self conscious. Then an illness in the family changed my mind. One of my close relatives was diagnosed with Myeloma. I decided to raise money for their charity and in October 2015 ran my first 5k race at the Bournemouth Running Festival (UK). I absolutely loved every second. The support from the crowd & encouragement from other runners was amazing.
I was now obsessed, scouring the internet to find other races to run. I found myself running regular 10k races, it was an achievement just for me to finish but I noticed my times were slowly improving. I decided to push myself and entered the Norwich Half Marathon in April 2017 running for MacMillan Cancer.
During my training its then I noticed I had a problem. I’d got to about 7-8 miles in my build up when I started getting pain in my left buttock. I recall one cold winter night having to hobble 2-3 miles back home as I couldn’t run. At the same time, I and others noticed I was limping when I walked. I went to see a physio and they thought it was piriformis syndrome. From this time I was having regular treatment to stretch the muscle & spent many an hour rocking backwards & forwards on an tennis ball. The pain didn’t improve but I could still run but I noticed my limp was getting worse. I even had some acupuncture session which seemed to help. I managed to complete the half marathon in a very slow and painful time. I decided to see my GP as I’d now had this pain for 6 months plus, with no sign of improvement. I was duly sent off for an x-ray. At the start of May 2017 I got the news I had advanced OA in my left hip & the right was quite worn as well. I was devastated, quite selfishly really, as in the great scheme of life it is insignificant. I carried on running, though I was conscious I was eroding my hip even more. Naproxen followed with limited success. Getting in & out of my car I looked like an inactive 90 year old, only improving to an inactive 85 year old when walking.
I got referred to my local hospital who offered me a hip replacement which meant no more running for me. I’d heard about BHR and managed to get a second opinion with a Mr Nolan in Norwich in October 2017. He said I was a good candidate for the procedure, relatively young & fit, so I went on the waiting list. He was amazed I was still running with condition my hip was in. He was right, after seeing him, I only ran once more, an interval session that nearly killed me. I hung up my running shoes, hopefully temporarily. So whilst being on the waiting list I’ve turned my attention to my exercise & road bike. I’ve grown to love them, though they are a running substitute. I’ve been working hard on my core strength in the hope it will help in my recovery.
I now sit here five days before my procedure. I am going to exercise right up until the day. In fact I’ve managed to squeeze in a 25 mile cycle event two days before the op  😉
I know the recovery will be difficult and frustrating because I know I’ll want to do more than my body will allow me.
I’ll try and keep you updated with my progress. I would like to end by wishing everyone on here good luck and best wishes on their individual journeys. Much love Graham

Day 1
Here I lay in hospital with my left hip resurfaced. Had a spinal and heavy sedation which I would highly recommend. Don’t remember anything after going into the anesthetis room. Wound is a bit sore but everything seems to be ‘a ok’, then again I haven’t got out of bed yet ? Not sure if I’ll be doing a 10k at the weekend ? I’m glad I kept fit right up to the op. I did the Diss Cyclathon 25 miles on Sunday and core strengthening Monday. Will let you all know when the nurses get me on my feet. Take care
Up on my feet at 12pm. Walked about 5 metres with a zimmer and then back with crutches. Hip feels good but the site of the operation is another thing. My blood pressure must have dropped because straight afterwards I felt faint and came out in a dripping sweat. The physio’s were pleased with my walking.
Day 2
Did three laps of the Ward on my crutches. Felt good to be moving again. Still no pain from the hip. Leg is swollen and the wound is uncomfortable but no way is it unbearable.
Day 3
Slept like a log last night. Felt like a Zombie and struggled to come round this morning. After breakfast the physios got me to negotiate stairs. After feeling a bit light headed initially I surprisingly found it quite easy, he says as he falls head first down the stairs! ? I celebrated by doing laps of the Ward again for 10 minutes, generating a pace of 18:54 minutes per mile and free styling on one crutch. Medical staff are pleased with my progress, though I do feel knackered. Did another 10 minute walk and was then discharged from hospital. The journey home was eventful as I was violently sick twice, probably down to motion sickness and emptying the contents of the drugs cabinet at the hospital ? Was good to get home, had a shower, did my PT, feasted on bread & butter, then bed.
Day 4
Slept reasonably well. Then had to endure getting my bowels working again. All I can say was that was like being between a rock and a hard place! Done my PT but have been feeling very tired and wound is sore, saying that though no hip pain at all ?
Managed to go on my first outside walk. Did just over one mile with both crutches. No hip pain, just operative ?
Day 5
Again managed to get outside for a walk for 30 minutes. Combination of one & two crutches and short periods of unaided walking. I’m pleased with my progress. The down side is the swelling of my operative leg and an increase in pain.
Day 6
A reality check. Slept really badly last night so today I have felt exhausted, light headed and emotionally quite down. Feel grouchy and just want to sleep. May try a short walk later but ‘may’ is the operative word.
Managed a 35 minute walk and felt both physically and mentally better for it.
Day 7
Insomnia ? Awake until 3am. Therefore tired and a little light headed during the day. Left my walk until late in the evening. Glad I did as I really enjoyed it and there was a lovely breeze. Feel calm and hoping for a goodnights sleep. Leg feels comfortable other than the wound area. Though half of my butt now resembles Kim Kardashians ?