Hip stuff - again!

janerowena a friend is able to get some help with grabhandles and things to help her stay in her own home , not sure but I think you qualify if you are on certain benefits.. if not you have to pay something towards it.

No, my friend works part time. No benefits. Unless it is because she is officially an oap?

I would be surprised if the NHS was fitting grab handles and other aids for your friend janerowena. This is usually a function of Adult Services Dept of the local council. As for the things I needed after the hip op. I wasn't given anything. Adult Services assessed what I needed (on loan) which wasn't much as my neighbour had lent me a grabber, bath seat and loo seat.

Can't add much to the excellent advice already given, but want to wish you good luck and hope your op is as successful as mine was. I had both hips done about 15 years ago and the relief of being pain free was life changing.
I was lucky enough to have lots of equipment on loan from the NHS, but things might have changed since then. I still find a stool really useful in the kitchen.
I used to help in the Red Cross medical loans shop and they can be really useful and only ask for a donation for loaned equipment.The have all sorts of useful gadgets.
All the best and good luck.

Lots of thanks.

I have been to the Red Cross today and brought back a toilet surround and some chair raisers. Then to the hospital for my pre-op appointment, which lasted 2 and a half hours, with very little of that time spent waiting. They were very thorough, except for the doc, who listened to my chest (well the very top bit only - just enough to establish that I have lungs!) and felt one ankle! Money for old rope!

Complication is that I have broken a tooth in half today! - and am seeing the dentist tomorrow. I have been told that it will be necessary for me to have antibiotics to be sure that the tooth does not create a focus of infection to be spread to the hip. I suspect they may have to take it out, as the while of the back section has fallen off. It is such a nuisance as I had tomorrow earmarked to get everything ready for hospital. I am to ring the hospital and let them know what antibiotic I am on. I could have done without this!

OH's PD and ticker far worse the last few days - I am thinking I might ask one of the girls to stay here while I am in hospital.

What awful luck for you, Mishap! Doesn't it always seem like complications arise when you really need status quo for a bit? I expect your surgery and recovery will go well, as you have a great attitude and humor.

Thanks Mari - I seem to have lots of bits of paper and equipment lined up now and hope that this "dental blip" will be solved fairly easily.

OH is more of a problem as both his PD and ticker have been playing up - I may try and arrange for one of the girls to stay here for a few days while I am in hospital, as they do not have room for him to go there. The trouble is that they come as a "job lot" with a pack of noisy (but loveable) children! One problem is that he no longer gets the sensation of thirst and needs reminding to drink!

Still it is good in a way to have him to worry about as it takes my mind off the surgery a bit!

Mishap Nothing is ever easy for you is it, I really wish you'd change your name to Lucky!

I hope it all goes well for you, and your OH is ok too

Lona!

Good luck. And also re your OH, I suspect he is worried about you.

I saw my friend last night, I must remember to ask her how she came to be eligible for grab handles. I do wonder if it's because she has no-one living with her, although I suspect we may have to go on a sleepover rota for a while.

Been to dentist who has removed back of tooth and temporarily packed it. I have an appointment for 8 weeks time after the hip surgery to have it removed completely - what fills the gap I do not know. He said an antibiotic not needed, which was the opposite of what I was told yesterday! Rang the hospital and they talked to the anaesthetist - he says OK without antibiotic. Wouldn't life be easy if professionals did not contradict each other!!? Let us hope that he is right!

OH is not great at all at present - heart unstable and PD worse. I do not need this!! He is very anxious about it all and sits looking sad. here is little that I can do.

Mishap...dentists do seem to be often in two minds about antibiotics ...
when teeth fall apart....have had this happen to me.
I always forget that the good old fashioned cure of a salt water rinse is excellent at keeping mouth infections at bay. I've got a bit of an erosion/low gum problem that can become the site of an infection from time to time. The dentist recommended an expensive gel to use when it flares up, but good old salt and water always does a better job. The hygienist always swears by it.

Op is tomorrow - gulp! If nothing else the anticipation is resulting in a good intestinal clear-out! I am first on the list so will get it over with quickly - let's hope the surgeon and the anaesthetist are awake!

I am dreading all the post-op pain and puking and can't wait for that bit to be over with.

All the very, very best for tomorrow. Great that you are first on the list, get it over and done with. Tell the anaesthetist that you puke post operatively and he may be able to sort that out pre op.

The pain following a hip replacement is nothing like after a knee replacement - I think that you will be pleasantly surprised.

Good luck.

Best of luck for tomorrow Mishap I hope all goes well and you are swiftly home again

Keep us posted as to how you get on, and remember we're always here to answe any questions.

Best of luck tomorrow, Mishap.
(Just think, here in France a trip to the dentist is compulsory before surgery)....

Thinking of you Mishap.

You go for it, Mishap! It transformed DH's life. You can take a seat cushion, or even two, from a settee or another chair, and put it in an armchair to raise the height.

Odd about where to get aids etc - at the pre op session with the physios we took along a form on which was recorded measurements - height of bed, loo etc, and then give a prescription for aids which we took along to a shop which provided them all free.

Oh, and good luck for tomorrow!

mishap I hope all goes well for you.

Early morning and about to go to the hospital. But..........I started with a croaky throat at about 9.30 pm yesterday and I hoped it would go away, but it is still there this morning. I just do not know what to do now. I would have rung them yesterday but it was so late and I did not think there would be anyone around to make a decision. I may try ringing them now.

Good luck today Mishap.

Good luck Mishap

Dear Mishap just sending you lots of good and positive thoughts. These are allowed in your hospital room.

Could it be nerves Mishap? Or the start of a cold? Wishing you fortitude with whatever the day may bring anyway. Sending positive vibes and recommend Fishermans' Friends to help the throat!