“I had one goal before my knee surgery – to celebrate my sister’s 90th birthday, a five-hour car journey away”
When knee pain became too much to bear for Jennifer Gill, 84 from Monkokehampton, Devon, she knew she simply had to do something about it. The thought of travelling some 250 miles to celebrate her sister Shirley’s 90th birthday a few months away, seemed an impossible goal for her, as sitting in a car for long periods was extremely uncomfortable and causing a great deal of pain. As her sister’s birthday grew nearer in her diary, Jennifer decided to take action and ‘stop putting it off any longer’.
Jennifer says: “I went to see my doctor about my knee pain, suspecting that I may need to have an operation as I’d had partial knee surgery on my other knee years ago in France and the pain was very similar beforehand. My right knee was becoming worse, and I was no longer enjoying my regular swimming and aqua fitness classes because of the pain. My doctor referred me for X-rays, and confirmed my suspicions – that my knee was in bad shape and I faced a wait of up to two years on the NHS for an operation.
“Seeing my disappointment, my doctor levelled with me and said that if I had a bit of money put away, it might be worth considering going private for a knee replacement operation to avoid the wait, and to give me a better chance of a quicker recovery. She advised that at my age, two years of persistent and increasing pain could become very distressing and that having a general anaesthetic in a few years’ time could take longer to recover from. She recommended I call Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group as she’d heard great things about them.
“I gave the Wellsoon team a call that day and they advised me that I could pop along to Practice Plus Group Hospital Plymouth the following week for a consultation with Mr Jan. As soon as I met him, I felt really at ease – he was so warm and caring and promised he would take good care of me! I felt instantly reassured. Having looked at my X-ray, Mr Jan confirmed that I would indeed need a knee replacement and referred me for an MRI scan to check all the surrounding tissues and ligaments before confirming if I was suitable for surgery.
“I faced a wait of up to two years for my knee replacement on the NHS…my doctor levelled with me and said it might be worth considering going private to avoid the wait.”
Jennifer Gill, total knee replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Plymouth
“When the MRI results were back, Mr Jan talked me through everything. He was so thorough and explained the full knee operation procedure with me. He asked me what I had hoped to get from the surgery and if I had any goals. I told him that I had only one goal in life and that was to celebrate my dear sister’s 90th birthday in June. I thought this might seem like a silly goal to him, but he simply said, “well, in that case, we must get you booked in by mid-May to make sure you have a full six weeks of recovery before the celebration, so you can make the journey to Surrey.” I was delighted with how quickly I was able to have a surgery appointment.
“Two weeks’ later, following a pre-op assessment and a reassuring call one evening from the anaesthetist about the spinal injection, I had my operation at Practice Plus Group Hospital Plymouth. The anaesthetic I was nervous about couldn’t have been better, and before I knew it, I was coming round following the operation. I was made so welcome at the hospital and the staff couldn’t do enough for me. Mr Jan regularly dropped by and checked in on me, which was wonderful and I truly felt in good hands.
“I was due to only stay one night, but didn’t feel quite ready to go home after. There was no pressure at all, and it was a total blessing being told I could stay as long as I needed to. I was well looked after for two more nights before I felt confident to return home to recover with my husband, Alan, on hand to help.
“I was made so welcome at the hospital and the staff couldn’t do enough for me. I truly felt in good hands.”
Jennifer Gill, total knee replacement patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Plymouth
“I’ve since had all 42 staples removed! Mr Jan has left a work of art – like a perfect ladder going up my leg. As I gradually recovered, I had the dress I’d planned to wear to the birthday party hanging on my wardrobe door as visual inspiration and a reminder of my goal. If ever I feel despondent about doing my physio exercises, I’d look at the outfit and it brought me back to my goal of recovering enough to make it to the party!
“My sister was thrilled that I was able to attend her 90th birthday so soon after my op – but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world! I wrote a poem to read at the celebration which described our wonderful times together as sisters instead of a traditional speech. She means the world to me as I have no children, so to celebrate at Denbies Vineyard Restaurant in Dorking with hers, and their children, was such a wonderful occasion.
“We had a lovely lunch, there was no dancing though, which was probably just as well; simply being there being there was enough. I have to admit that the long, five-hour car journey was a bit difficult and almost too much at times, but as I am a determined person I got on with it and then spent a few days resting at home afterwards.
“Since having the operation I feel my retirement has been re-set and I can now fully enjoy all of my favourite past-times again – pain free. I potter in my vegetable garden easily, as my husband had the foresight to plan raised beds some years ago. They are waist height, so it makes it easier for weeding and planting. I have also been able to sit and play the piano comfortably. I’m a classical pianist so its lovely to be able to sit and enjoy playing the music. Music is something I’ve loved all my life. I used to help organise pop stars’ tours back in the 60s – everyone from Elton John to Dusty Springfield and The Beatles! Whilst I’m not up to dancing just yet, I am now able to return to my local pool for my regular swims and we have booked a holiday to Madeira – which I couldn’t have imagined before the op.
“I’m so grateful to the team at Wellsoon in Plymouth and when I see the advert on TV now, I tell everyone “they are the people that did my knee!” Thanks to Mr Jan and his wonderful skills, I achieved my GOAL!”
Learn more about knee replacement surgery in Plymouth in our patient guide.
