I had an epidural

I had an epidural for my hip operation - Hanne Heide (60 years) has a new hip.

The day I had surgery, I was driven to the hospital and Allan said goodbye to me, and then I waited. I didn't know exactly what time it was, but I was told that I was no. 2 in the queue. Then I had to get ready and was rolled down to surgery at some point.

I was going to have an epidural rather than going under general anaesthesia. I knew that because we had spoken about it. I could choose to listen to some music during, so I couldn't hear too much of what was going on. I chose to listen to the Beatles, because I found them nice and relaxing to listen to.

I was put in position, stabilised, prepared and anesthetised. I had considered whether it hurt, but I really don't think it did. They were super good at it, so the anaesthesia didn't hurt. Thereafter I got stabilised and they got started.

Luckily I couldn't feel anything, but I could hear a bit, which I found that uncomfortable. I could hear as they banged the new hip in, and at the end I could also feel how my body moved. During the operation I did feel that I would like them to stop soon - but it didn't hurt in any way, it was just unpleasant to hear the banging and feel the jerking of the body.

I don't know exactly how long it took - 1 - 1½ hours maybe, and then it was over.