Back in A&E

Another overnight stay in A&E with my ninth hip dislocation, this time caused by trying to get up from the sofa. I now have a thick foam cushion which I hope will prevent a recurrence. This dislocation was notable for the fact that when I dialled 999 for an ambulance I was told that a dislocated hip wasn't a life-threatening condition and that I should phone NHS 24 instead, and they would discuss treatment options with me. Well, there is only one treatment option, which is to go to hospital by ambulance and get the hip put back in. I eventually got the ambulance but I lost about an hour by having to go via NHS 24, and it was about a four-hour wait for the ambulance altogether. 

It was then a long wait overnight to have it put back in but at least this time it wasn't desperately painful once I'd had some morphine, which made a real difference. And it wasn't nearly as painful afterwards either. In this photo I've got a leg brace on but it didn't stay on for long - it's impossible to get in a car or go up or down stairs wearing it and I think I would be in danger of falling over in my flat if I kept in on. 

J helped me out again while I was waiting for the ambulance and then brought me home afterwards, bless her. It was J's birthday and we were back in time to watch the coronation as planned.