- Osteonecrosis
- Interviews
Bella's interview
How did all start?
I had a fall from hospital bed after coming out of a coma for 2 and half weeks.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
No, I had an x-ray after the fall, which just showed tissue damage at that stage. Over some time later (many months) I started developing pain in the hip which worsend over time. I kept complaining to my gp, she didn't do anything apart from procribe co-codmol, which obviously didn't work. I kept complaining and she referred me to pysio- which didn't work. Eventually, my hematolgist (as I have Sickle Cell Animea) requested an MRI and X-ray, which showed it was AVN!
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Hot baths before bed is my pain management, with bath salts for joint and muscle pain.
Also sleeping with a pillow between my legs.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Everything as I have a 2 year old disabled child aswel! So it's been alful having to deal with this and try and care for him. But overall, just trying to complete daily tasks that you wouldn't even need to think about before, just a very hard struggle. Even sitting on my sofa (which is now too low), sitting on toilet seat, raising leg to get in bath..I could go on..
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
Yes, I cannot attend any occasions, missed out on so much as unable to walk/monuvior without pain, birthdays, hen party, weddings etc.
What things have you stopped doing?
Having a social life as it's near impossible to do so, given the pain. It's affecting my personal life with partner, let alone family as have a young son.
What do you think about the future?
Being able to take care of him without pain. Being able to walk without pain. Being able to sleep without pain! Being able to enjoy life again, and the focus not being of how I am going to be able to do this or that as the pain is a physical and emotional battle on a daily basis.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
Before all these health issues started. I used to enjoy and live my life. University, going out with friends and family just being care-free really. Working, contributing to society!
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
All of the above! Live life again! Not be so down and depressed! A victim of circumstance, as I wasn't that person before!
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Worthless
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Make sure if you are in pain like the way I was, you insist on MRI/X-ray, don't be pushed away- you know your body and if something is wrong!
Have the hip-replaced! Was the only thing that worked for me!
