The nurse who needed medical help to conquer severe pain that left her crying day and night
ROZ MABEY IS ENJOYING A NEW LEASE OF LIFE AFTER A DOUBLE HIP REPLACEMENT AT
AT not quite 50, Roz Mabey suffered severe hip pain trying to complete 10-hour shifts as a nurse in the minor injuries department at Neath Port Talbot Hospital.
After referring herself privately for physiotherapy earlier this year, she was recommended to get an opinion from consultant orthopaedic surgeon Phillip Thomas at Nuffield Health Cardiff and
Vale Hospitals. Since then she has enjoyed a whole new lease of life after having both hips replaced.
It was, says Roz, the best thing ever, and, not only has she taken up daily sea swimming, she and her husband have joined the Nuffield Health gym at Bridgend and are back to walking their dogs together. And helping her mum, who has a disability and who also lives with them, is a lot easier.
Roz has even had a career move and is now a development professional lead, working with young people who wish to pursue a career in healthcare for the Royal College of Nursing Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet Scheme.
She has recently returned to university to complete her teaching certificate, replicating her two children who are also at university.
‘I WAS FEELING VERY DOWN’
“For a period of about 18 months there was a slow creep of deterioration, which nosedived in December last year, and I knew then that something had to be done about my severe osteoarthritis,” she said. “My matron was very supportive and I had to take time off work as the pain was so bad. I was crying both day and night. My weight went up by two stones and I was feeling very down.” “My GP said I was too young to be offered a hip replacement but my physio said I should get an opinion from a hip specialist. In January I had an x-ray and a consultation with Mr Thomas who said he would be able to help me. I liked his down to earth approach and he really gave me hope.”
“He reassured me that I wasn’t the youngest patient he had performed a hip replacement on and told me that the pain would go. He was so positive and optimistic, putting me at ease the whole time.
His secretary Ginny was also very helpful and on hand.”
‘NO PAIN AND I FEEL LIKE A NEW PERSON’
Roz started the treatment process expecting just to have one hip replaced, but it quickly became apparent that the sensible option was to replace the other one as well.
“The plan was just to have my worst hip replaced but whilst recuperating, my recovery and rehabilitation were hampered by the problems with the other hip, she said. ” “We decided the only thing to do was to get the other hip sorted.”
“My experience at the Vale Hospital was outstanding. Despite being very busy with the huge demand for people going private, the nurses, the physios and even the cleaner seemed to have all the time in the world for me and nothing was too much trouble. They were just too lovely for words. I can’t recommend Nuffield enough. Nurses usually make the worst patients but they were very patient with me. It was so worth it. The pain has gone and I feel like a new person.”
“I am now really well and the difference my two new hips have made is just amazing! I am so grateful to my family, who rallied around to help with the costs of the first hip in March and, for the second one in June, I approached Barts Hospital (St Bartholomew’s Hospital) in London where I trained. They have a benevolent fund for nurses who need assistance. It has worked out so well for me. I am just thrilled. I put on weight during the pandemic and
I am really planning to lose that, now that I am able to be very active again.”
MORE YOUNGER PATIENTS ARE BEING TREATED
Roz’s surgeon Phillip Thomas said it had been a pleasure to treat her.
“She has done really well, despite the setback of having to have the second hip replaced as well,” she said. “Her physios say she is really motivated to do well and she will be having a handover to the trainers at the Nuffield gym to keep up the good work.”
He also revealed that the age range of patients was widening.
“We are treating more and more younger patients so that they can get back to having active lives and being able to enjoy full mobility,” said Mr Thomas.
For more information on Nuffield Health Cardiff and Vale Hospitals, visit the website www.nuffieldhealth.com/ hospitals/cardiff-and-vale