Case study: Mrs Mary Chamberlain

A passion rekindled thanks to Exeter Hip

Former patient Mary Chamberlain was first seen at The Horder Centre when she was recommended to have an Exeter Hip replacement. I couldn't believe it says Mary, a retired nurse, the day after surgery I didn't have any pain. I know that's difficult to believe but it's true. Four months after her operation, Mary was able to return to work.

Prior to her surgery, she had great difficulty getting in and out of her car, I was heading for a wheelchair which was a disaster as sailing is my biggest passion recalls Mary. I wept when I realised that if I didn't do something soon, there might be no turning back. When asked why she had not taken action sooner Mary explained that she considered herself 'too young to have hip replacements' she was 55 at the time. Mary recognises that fear is the biggest hurdle to overcome even when the pain becomes unbearable and sleep is only possible for a few hours at a time.

As is often the way, it isn't just the patient's life that is affected; loved ones are faced with the daily hurdles too, not just in terms of day to day mobility, but watching a loved one struggle in pain. It upset me that there were certain things my husband had to do for me remembers Mary, and that I couldn't lift up my grandchildren or play with them, although they are getting a bit too big for that now.

Following her first hip operation Mary wasted no time reclaiming her active lifestyle. She and her husband Tony not only kept their promise of a visit to friends in Argentina, but they also enjoyed a canal boat holiday followed by a 'Round the Isle of Wight' race where they came 27th out of 700 entrants. So when Mary's second hip was replaced a year later, her dream of taking a trip to Nepal and India became a reality.

I can't begin to express what a fantastic feeling it was to actually realise this ambition recalls Mary it was as though I'd been given a second chance to take back my life and live it to the full. Mary's new hips were tested further still when she and her husband sailed their new boat back from Finland last year.

When asked what advice Mary would give to others thinking about having a hip replacement, she had two suggestions: to overcome the fear and to do the physiotherapy, no matter how boring it might be. Then Mary quickly adds, and of course, to come to The Horder Centre. It's a wonderful place to be, everyone is calm and relaxed and the atmosphere is harmonious. Mary also speaks very fondly of her consultant Mr Paul Skinner, I am very grateful to Paul Skinner, he and the Centre staff have made such a difference. I know because when I hear others talk about their experiences, I realise my own has been so different. Mary goes on to say if 'Oscars' were awarded for the best hospital I would definitely want The Horder Centre to have one.

Case study: Mrs Shirley Olivier

Knee patient steps up to charity event

Shirley Olivier, 78, underwent a full knee replacement at The Horder Centre and only two and a half weeks later, she was taking part in a Tudor re-enactment at Kentwell Hall, Suffolk. "Thanks to my surgeon's skill and the wonderful care I received from the nursing staff, my recovery was a speedy one and I was thrilled to be able to take part in this event."

And, as if this wasn't challenging enough, Shirley Olivier found herself back at Kentwell Hall just over two months later warming up for a 10km sponsored walk. "I kept thinking I shall be exhausted before I've even started but my knee held up magnificently with no discomfort at all."