So I wanted to address the general topic of a question from "Mugs"....pre surgical stuff to consider. First and most important is who will bring and take you to the hospital and take care of you once you get home. Always have a back up if you can because whoever lives with you or takes care of you needs a break. There is a website where people can sign up for meals or other things you might need.
If your surgery affects your mobility a lot, get a raised toilet seat cover and rearrange things so that what you need the most is above waist level. I can' begin to tell you how frustrating it is when the leftovers are in the bottom drawer of the fridg and I can't bend to open it or get to the contents.
Those were good additions and I did several of those such as catching up on bills and having others stock the fridg. For whatever reason, people do not seem that concerned that I have food prepared or easy to reach....
These are excellent suggestions and ppl honestly don't think about how difficult it might be for you to do something they may take for granted....thank you
I realized what you meant, Faye. I was saying that with my recent surgery, that no one seemed concerned that I had food or food that I could reach. I've been going through a fairly large shock over here - In another note, I posted how awful my mom and sister were to me (awful in that they were demanding and totally ignored that I was n pain and just had surgery). Took me until today to realize that regardless of what them might be mad at ME for (which should be nothing), that they haven't got to kindness to even call and check on how I've been doing (since Xmas!!!). Very sad...
On the plus side, the doctor said I am healing well and I got pretty new pictures to show everyone why it hurts!
Sorry for being late on replying to your discussion and i do hope you recover well but if you don't mind me saying what a discusting attitude regarding your mom and sister and it's like you've been left in a right position to manage on your own.
Faye gave off some excellent advice and i hope it helps you well.
My biggest suggestion is to ask lots of questions before hand, don't be afraid to ask what to expect post op. It is second nature to them, and I should have asked more. My husband had just taken a vacation day for my surgery. I was sent home with a cooling pack that had to be turned on for two hours and off for two hours repeatedly for 72 hours. I was also taking vicadin every four and then a tramadol every for alternately. So, while I was out of it mostly, my poor husband was up for three days. He called his boss as soon as we got home, and explained the situation and took the rest of the week off. He was the exhausted one.
Once I was home, we quickly realized that I couldn't get up off the toilet by myself, I couldn't get up from anything too low by myself, and was unsteady hobbling around on one foot and a walker. I almost fell in the bathroom and fortunately my husband caught me or I could have messed up my whole surgery.
A portable potty chair is invaluable after surgery. Because of the arms on the side, it makes it easier to get up. (My husband and sister insisted on it. I've had friend who refuse to use such a thing; however, I have learned ...give up the pride and do what you have to do! After knee or hip, foot, or back surgery, it take less time than struggling to get to the bathroom...so it safer in those early days....and takes less effort and you can do it alone.
A reacher tool to keep from having to bend...
Remove small rugs that could cause a trip.
A tablet to keep track of when you take your meds...or put them in divided organizer so you don't forget if you've taken them.
Water - glass or bottled & some crackers nearby. Staying hydrated is important when taking meds.
Why don't you have a commode chair in the bedroom by your bed...you can buy them with a seat lid ontop as i had one when i had my strokes, you was lucky Tommy caught you.
Trisha are you still on Tramdol now my friend as they're quite addictive.
That's soooooooooooo TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Always have someone on stand by- just in case .And i've arranged the fridg so that i don't have to bend down . It's hard at times but we will make it through this , "LIVING with LUPUS "stuff!!!! wish you well , talk with you later... Beverly L.
Portable potty chair is an excellent idea. Mine is raised and also sits over the regular toilet which makes it much simpler to get up and down to with back surgery. A bath seat was also useful the first surgery and we ALL should have a grab bar in our showers/bath. Even if you don't need it, it can be used to hold drying washcloths!
I'm interested in what you state Terri about Tramadol. I was not under the impression that it was very addictive but almost any pain med can be. I think that's why my pain meds have to come from a pain mgt doctor. I'm sure he is really good at picking out who gets what. My impression of pain medicines is that if they take care of the pain only partially that it's going to be difficul to get addicted to them. There's no "feel good" to take from it at all and you are just working on keeping the pain under control. I have no idea - is there a medications/pain link on this site?
My dr. said (and I also read) that Tramadol is an opiate, so it might be adictive.
I live in Florida, USA. Here, the hospitals have social workers that discuss with the patient all these issues before leaving the hospital. They deal with the doctors for referrals and health insurances to cover the costs. In cases where the insurances do not cover it, they refer you to private organizations that help. In my case, they sent a nurse to see me every three days, and even speech therapists home to assist me with my breathing.
I have learned that a good network of family and friends is vital to have. I have many people to call over if I need help. Even my neighbors keep an eye on me. This way I never have to rely on just one person to help. Churches are a great idea too, like Faye says. I have had friends who moved in with me for a few days.
Meals? We have the Meals-on-Wheels, where you pay $6 per meal and the hospital delivers to your door a hot meal with all the trimmings. If you want more than one, the accomodate. You pay monthly. There might be other organizations in your area that can assist.
If you own your home, the County government can install holding bars and ramps.
My health insurance has this program where they appoint a nurse/social worker to a chronic ill patient who checks monthly with me to assist with any need I may have. They refer me to local agencies that can help. This nurse is but a phone call away. They have other nurses 24/7.
I have those chairs that lift you to stand up, and a position bed to assist me when I need it, as well as equipment very close by to help me on those days I even have trouble existing.
I am not rich, I am quite poor. I just use the resources available to me here.
One thing I went through, as I used a walker to get around was the increase in pain in my shoulders and elbows and wrists. Don't be silly like I was and think you can take care of yourself. I almost fell my first 24 hours - fortunately my husband was there to catch me! My arms were weaker, and I wasn't steady due to the vicadin. I was restricted to bed rest for two weeks, and my family made sure I followed that. I am now using a knee walker on a limited basis, because too much hurts my knee. But its nice to be able to get around and do a few things now.
Hi, yes we do need someone to help us at times !!! Thank god you didn't fall and that your husband was there !!! There was a time when i would fall and laugh at myself - just standing and lose my balance , that would scare me sooooo bad , but now i just stand still before i move ... hope that this pass for you , take care -talk with you later...Beverly L.
Hugs & kisses Terri xxx