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Hannah was diagnosed with DDH at 18 months and has had a variety of treatments. Here you can read her recent diary about having an open reduction at the age of 13
My operation diary! By Hannah Kirk
Tuesday
I had a lie in this morning, can't believe I've got my operation later! Then I watched TV and had a long hot bath it was lovely and it was the last nit treatment (yippee) and we are finally free of nits!!!! So that means I can get my haircut!!!! I can't believe I don't feel worried about the operation I actually feel excited!!!!!!! Mum and me watched this cool programme called 'mums on strike' then we left at 2.30 which is totally weird cos I'm supposed to be there at 4.00 and its only in Norwich!
We got there at about exactly 4.00! And I had to put some bands on that said my name on then we had to talk to these 2 students - they were really nice! Then we went to a café and then a sort of presentation thing were they all looked at me and were talking about Wayne Rooney and if he would play in the world cup! After that me and mum just went back to Buxton ward (children's ward) and watched TV cos each bed has its own TV and it's free for under 16s! Then we went to a café before bed!
Wednesday
It's the op today!! I had to put this horribly revealing hospital gown on to go down to theatre. Till then I was excited but when I got there and I had to have the canula in my hand. Cos it really hurt, I started to freak out which I knew I would do but before I could do anything he had given me the drugs to put me to sleep and my mouth felt all watery and there was a horrible taste in my mouth!
Then I woke up about 4 hours later and guess what… I wasn't in a plaster!! I was totally shocked. Then after that I just kept waking up then going back to sleep again but when I woke up I threw up at the same time which wasn't very nice! When I did wake up I couldn't feel anything from my waist down cos I had an Epidural.
Thursday
I can't really feel much today but I stopped being sick at about 3.30, luckily! I met a totally cool nurse today called Angela - she is like the best she is my favourite nurse even though I've only had like 3!
I had to have my first bed bath today but the other nurses had to see me naked but I didn't really mind cos I was still covered up a bit and they've seen it all before. I have tubes in me all over the place! I have one in my hand (canula), my back (Epidural), my leg (Drain) and my bum (Catherter)! But I don't have to use a bedpan yet cos the tube in my bum empties my bladder for me!!! How cool is that!
Friday
I'm starting to feel my legs again now and I can have my right leg up a bit! It's my first night by myself at the hospital tonight and I am not happy about that!
But before mum went I had to have my drain out! It hurt sooooooo much it was horrible and my leg hurt for ages after it. It even hurt more that the actual operation!
I got to sleep at about 9.45 then I just slept through the night except when Katie (my night nurse) had to give me medicine.
Saturday
I can lift my right leg up all the way now and its much better cos my whole body doesn't hurt and much now cos I've got a bit of circulation.
It wasn't as easy to get to sleep tonight as it was last cos they've reduced my drugs. (But it was still easy)
Sunday
I had Kit (Nurse) today, she is really nice but not as nice as Angela!
Chelsea and Michelle came to see me in hospital today and Chelsea brought me a present, a book that looks really good, and Michelle made me a hammer bead thing that says 'good luck Hannah'. Daphne, Steve, Mum and Dad went to get a coffee while me, Chelsea and Michelle just messed about!
When they had gone I had to have the Catheter out!
It felt really weird, like a hurting pulling pain. But first they had to burst a balloon out inside me! And that really hurt (like loads).
Now I have to use a bedpan but it's not that bad cos all I have to do is lie down and pee! So it's not that hard!
I had a horrible night nurse tonight, she tried to shove my legs together (there not supposed to!) and she said do I normally use the toilet this much at home, but the only reason I had to use it loads was cos I had only just had the Catheter out.
Monday
I feel so, so depressed its horrible cos like the only thing I have to look forward to in this place is like nothing!!!!! And the nurse last night didn't help, I also have to have the epidural out today! And it is soooo going to hurt!
The epidural didn't actually hurt but the plaster coming off did a bit, cos it went all across my back!
Tuesday
Today went really well and I so don't feel depressed anymore! The doctor came to see me and said that he reckons I should be home by Saturday! I am like totally shocked cos I thought I would be here for 6 weeks and instead I'm here for 11days!
Wednesday (week 2)
Mr Tucker came to see me today and gave me a stretchy bandage thing and I have to wrap it round my foot once then pull my foot so my knee goes up, and he said that I have to get my knee up to 90 degrees then I can go in a wheelchair and use crutches!
Thursday (wk 2)
I've got my leg up 85 degrees! But the physio lady said that she would see if that is ok! I am actually in a wheelchair!!!
I can' t believe it, I felt sick when I first got in it cos I have been lying down for so long! But I think that the chair is too small for me cos the sides keep rubbing on my scars.
Tomorrow I go into crutches and I'm really worried!
Friday (wk 2)
Yippee!!! I'm going home tomorrow! I got on crutches and I can walk quite well on them but I am never, ever going up or down stairs cos it's horrible. I nearly fell down them when I tried at hospital.
I also put weight on my leg, which I'm not supposed to do!
Saturday (wk 2)
Yes, I'm going home today!!! I can't wait. Mum and Dad came to pick me up at about 10.00. Then I was home at 11.45. I am so glad to be home! But when we were going up one step in the wheelchair it was so scary cos u go back and u r sitting there but you're like backwards!
Marion came round and brought me another pressie which is like really nice cos she brought me the flowers as well, she must have spent a fortune!!! She got me a scrapbook, some ribbon and some like 3d sticker things.
We got fish and chips for tea and I thought it would be a great idea if I went with them to get it! I didn't get very far!!!! | 
