Hip stuff - again!

I borrowed blocks to raise my bed from my neighbour who had had two hips replaced. I needed a new chair, so bought a recliner which was a bit higher than my sofa and a friend lent me a memory foam pillow to sit on. A footstool was recommended. I also borrowed a raised loo seat which I didn't need for very long. I was given a sedative along with the spinal anaesthetic and was only occasionally aware of what was going on. Mostly I was snoozing. I am also very badly affected by anaesthetics; however, it was the morphine that made me sick. Can't win! My son and DiL brought the children up to see me after a couple of weeks by which time I was reasonably mobile and there were no incidents involving small people trying to climb on me. Social Services provided me with a trolley on which to put meals and I already had an over-bed table which could be used with my chair.

My sister phoned me up today, having just come home from having her second hip op.
She was telling me that she thought she might have to ask the Red Cross for some equipment that she might need such as toilet frames, but there was an old people's home closing so she could take her pick of new ones. So you could ring up the Red Cross to see if they can help.
One tip she told me about the stockings. They do not provide the frames for putting them on - her husband has difficulty using his hands. However, if you put a plastic bag over your leg, the stocking will slide on easily. Then you just pull the bag out through the toe hole.

Good luck for next week.

mishap a relative of mine and a friend have both recently had this operation and managed very well indeed - I think that it is a very successful op. They were both attended by occupational therapists before going in and they supplied all sorts of stuff needed which was later returned. The female managed better than the male (naturally) largely because she was a dragon at her exercises and simply insisted on keeping moving as much as she could, so that may be the secret.
Best of luck just think this time next year you will be running!!!! well at least walking properly.

Wishing you well for your surgery.
All will fall into place getting ready for discharge and coping at home.
I do understand the crossing of more bridges than will be needed.... you are trying to be prepared for all eventualities.

Good luck Mishap and try not to worry too much

They will get you walking up and downstairs before discharge Mishap, I managed to stop with the pain relief after about a week. The hospital gave me raised toilet seat, a grabber (so I could pick up stuff without bending), good advise about getting your bed raised.

I came home walking with just one stick but everyone is different, you will be given excercises to do the day after the op and the more you can manage them the better, they give you some standing ones and some to do while lying on the bed. You also have to sleep on your back for the first couple of weeks I found it very uncomfortable. I had my grandchildren round a couple of times but made sure I was lying on the bed when they were here I wouldn't want them running around while I was trying to walk about. I got a high stool for using in the kitchen so I could manage to make a cuppa or a sandwich for myself after about a week but I definately needed help with food and dressing for a couple of weeks.

Good luck hope all goes well

Low armchairs and sofas are no- nos. Could you borrow an armchair? Re a dining room chair, it would be better if it had arms so that you can get up more easily. It also should not be low.

Re your bed, you should get help from the Occupational Therapist at the hospital but mention it asap as the work will have to be done before you are discharged.

You should also be given a raised loo seat at the hospital. I do not know if you have a loo upstairs and down but that is something to consider because some hospitals will only lend one.

You will be taught how to "do" stairs before you leave. Have you got somebody who can cook for you and also bring a tea or coffee to your armchair because you may be discharged using crutches.

I hope that this helps!

A friend of mine had this done, and she got some sort of special blocks to put under the legs of her chair (and maybe the bed) to raise it to a better height - came from the local disability supplies shop. I wish you well with the op, and a speedy recovery.

Mishap, no advice I'm afraid, not something I know anything about but would just like to send you my best wishes and I hope that all goes well. P.S. seem to remember jolly old Craig Revel Horwood was twirling away merrily a month or so after his op......so do plan for a few complications but, you may well be pleasantly surprised. X