Surgery

I wanted to provide an update on my recovery from a revision of knee replacement surgery.

Having any surgery when you have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) carries with it a risk of increased pain and the spread of symptoms. This risk has been lessened by good management by my pain management specialist, the orthopaedic surgeon and the anaesthetist. Coupled with the excellent care I received in ICU there appears to have been no spread. The CRPS pain I am experiencing at the moment could have occurred without having undergone surgery.

As you know since having my left hip replacement in January I dislocated this joint twice. Both times carrying out very innocuous movements. I was also having trouble with mobility (much pain resulting in being able to only walk very short distances) which I was blaming on the CRPS. At one point a wheelchair was suggested but I dismissed this without too much thought as I think that would have given me an easy out.

I am my own worst enemy in this regard as any ache or pain affecting the left side of my body gets blamed on CRPS.

When I mentioned the increased pain and instability in my knee to the orthopaedic surgeon he did not dismiss my comments and started an investigation. He found that there were some issues (read concerning issues)with the alignment of the original knee replacement which resulted in the CRPS thirteen years ago. This misalignment was causing quite serious instability making mobilising somewhat difficult (read very painful) and some sort of issue with my patella.

So approaching surgery given what I had experienced in the last 13 years raised a degree of trepidation and fear.

So back to day 9 and the exaggerated level of pain. What I am experiencing is the post-operative pain of knee replacement surgery......even though they call it revision it involves opening up the original site, removing some bits, realigning some bits, replacing some bits and putting in new bits. So the pain is expected but nowhere near as bad as I experienced when the original knee replacement was carried out. Whilst the pain is elevated today and I have needed double painkillers I am confident that it will settle once the swelling and stiffness subsides. I am doing physiotherapy-managed exercises bearing in mind the need to be aware of the possibility of impact on the hip joint.....a little complex the physio said. lol

In terms of increased stability of the joint, I think this has been successful and I don't feel that my knee is about to collapse when I am walking as it was 10 days ago. I am hoping that what the surgeon has done will prevent any further dislocations....only time will tell. He said to me the day after surgery "I have done enough to stabilise what was a tricky joint" my response was "I hope you have because I am not certain I will let you have another go" He did remind me that my right knee was replaced some 20 years ago and we would talk about this in the future. I am not sure of life the expectancy of a knee replacement. As Miss Sophie says "Grandmother you will have to just google that"

Yesterday I did a fair bit of walking - up and down the verandahs and perhaps I have overdone it a bit who knows. I even was thinking that I would go to Book Club on Monday......reassessed that thought today and we will see what tomorrow brings. I have an appointment with the orthopaedic surgeon's nurse tomorrow morning to have the wound checked and hopefully all the dressings removed.

I wanted to explain all this to those who have been following the posts to let you know:

1. Yes I am in pain which is a mixture of post-surgical and CRPS pain

2. The stability in my knee has improved greatly at this point - I am thinking that with the physio intervention, it can only get better.

3. It is not hurting as much to mobilise as it was pre-surgery even considering point number 1 and it is only day 9

4. I am receiving absolutely A1 gold standard care from Terry

Thanks for all the wishes of love and support

Cheers Anne

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 Patrick Jennings

Patrick Jennings was born in Pitt Row, Newcastle New South Wales on  July 29th 1867 and was baptised a short time later on 11th August 1867 at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church Newcastle.

Patrick was the fifth son of Thomas and Bridget Jennings who had come to Newcastle aboard the Sirocco in 1864.  On the voyage, Thomas and Bridget were accompanied by their sons, Jeremiah (1858 - 1944), William(1860 – 1931) and John (1863 – 1911).  A fourth son Thomas was born when they arrived in the colony in 1865 but sadly did not survive infancy, passing away in 1866.  A sister Mary was born and died in 1869 and my great-grandfather Michael (1870-1943) completed the family.

Not much is known about Patrick’s childhood but it is known Thomas was arrested on many occasions and served custodial sentences for drunkenness but it would appear that he was always able to hold jobs as a labourer or a stone breaker.  At some time during his childhood, the family secured accommodation on Adamstown Commonage where we find Patrick at the time of his marriage.

Patrick married Annie Jane McNamara (1870 – 1959) on 10th December 1892 in the Roman Catholic Church at The Junction in Newcastle, New South Wales.     Annie was the daughter of Michael McNamara (1845 – 1905) and Mary Jane Brennan (1850 – 1883).  Together Patrick and Annie had 10 children.

John Patrick 1892 -1893

Mary Betrice 1894 - 1971 married Charles Nolan 1891 -1932

Cecil Bertram 1896 - 1987 married Rita M Collins 1894 - 1989

Katherine Ellen 1900 - 1975

Dorothy May 1901 - 1984 (worked as a housekeeper at the local presbytery for Father E McMahon)

Anastasia 1902 - 1902

Rita Ursula 1906 - 2001  

Iva Ursula 1913 - 1994  worked as a milliner: married John Bede Noel (Jack) Massey  

Patricia Joan 1915 - 1942 was a member of the order of Ursuline sisters - Mother Mary Edward.

It is reported in Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate on Thursday 15th May 1890 that Patrick took legal action against a man called James Flavey as it was alleged that Flavey having received 5 pound, one shilling and sixpence, from the Manager of Newcastle Coal Company, being wages due to Patrick and appropriating for his own use.  Flavey had been arrested on a warrant in Armidale.  Patrick withdrew the charges when it came before the court.   Of interest to note is that one of Patrick’s nephews, Frederick James Jennings 1881- 1971)  son of Jeremiah, married a woman called Anastasia Flavey, daughter of James Flavey.  Further research is necessary to prove or disprove this theory of connection.

In June 1900 Patrick met with a serious accident whilst working at the Newcastle Company pit. The newspaper report states that while working underground he tripped and fell heavily onto the socket end of a machine drill which entered the lower part of his body causing a terrible wound.  He was in the Royal Newcastle Hospital where he was very well cared for some weeks and unable to work for some time. To support Patrick and his family at this time a benefit concert was held with proceeds in excess of 30 pounds were handed over to Patrick (Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners Advocate, Monday 6th October 1900.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners Advocate Monday, March 4th 1907 provides a report of a fire in the home of Patrick and Annie to which the fire brigade attended and were able to bring the fire under control before any great damage was done. The cause of the fire was said to be caused by upsetting a lamp.

Patrick passed away at 10 Wallace Street, Hurlstone Park on 4th April 1940.  His death was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, Newcastle Herald and Miners’ Advocate and the Catholic Press.  Annie passed away on 30/09/1959 at the same address