Advice please - Scan results in!

[rubyred]

Mr T's secretary rung me today asking if I would like a cancellation slot..... next Thursday!!! I'm so not prepared!! Help! What do I need to take, what do I need to have at home for afterwards?!?!

[David]

Awesome Ruby...
Most helpful for me were:
In hospital, slippery basketball type shorts and slip on Croc type shoes.
At home, several gel type ice packs and a raised toilet seat for the first two weeks.
Most importantly, an extremely large box of prunes, painkillers messed with my regularity.
All the best...
David  :)

[hernanu]

Great Ruby - if you can get family to be with you the first week, more for moral support than anything, that's very good.

• Pre cook some meals, simple to just jam in the microwave
• make sure all of the important things are up front and elevated in the refrigerator, you won't want to bend too much for things that you like.
• 
  Put all of your chargers (cell phone, remote controls, etc.) on a counter (I used the kitchen counter) for easy access, to avoid bending and dropped items.
• 
  I walked my place and moved anything that would interfere with easy double crutch access. 
• 
  My PT cleared out my bathroom carpets, as they can apparently become dangerous with walking aids.
• 
  Get or find out if you get from the hospital a sock putter onner, something to pick up dropped stuff with
  
• lots of loose clothing that you can put on and take off easily.
• 
  You should drink lots of water, so a good container that will be easy for you to handle.
• 
  Look for a good spot to sit which will give you plenty of support as you stand up and sit down.
• 
  Vitamins (talk to your surgeon about these),
• 
  scope out an area outside of your home where you can walk with confidence that is flat and can give you about a quarter of a mile (or more) length for your walks.
  

I'm sure there's more, but that's a start.  Great news!

[rubyred]

Thank you guys, lots of helpful info there  :)

My biggest concern I think is navigating the stairs in our house and showering. We have a bath tub with a shower attatched so getting in and out may prove tricky.

[Woodstock Hippy]

Make sure you bring an iPad or laptop to the hospital, so you can tell us how great you are feeling.

[Mike D]

Hi Ruby-  Just caught up with your great news-what a great piece of news for you to get the cancellation slot.
I'm getting done by Mr Treacy at the ROH next Wednesday, so I might see you in there!

Well done Sal as well-not long for you now.

Anna- you're next! Look forward to reading about your progress soon, fingers crossed for you.

Anyone heard from Danny? He sounds really down - hope he's ok.

[rubyred]

I was wondering where Danny, Anna and co. have gone :( I hope they're all ok.

Mike, I may well see you in there! If you see a chubby red head shuffling about, it's probably me LOL!!

[hernanu]

Thank you guys, lots of helpful info there  :)

My biggest concern I think is navigating the stairs in our house and showering. We have a bath tub with a shower attatched so getting in and out may prove tricky.

Is there a wall that you can lean on next to it, or is it free standing? You may want to talk it over with an occupational therapist in the hospital so you can learn how to properly negotiate that. My occupational therapist needed to sign off on things like this before I could be released from the hospital.

[rubyred]

Thank you guys, lots of helpful info there  :)

My biggest concern I think is navigating the stairs in our house and showering. We have a bath tub with a shower attatched so getting in and out may prove tricky.

Is there a wall that you can lean on next to it, or is it free standing? You may want to talk it over with an occupational therapist in the hospital so you can learn how to properly negotiate that. My occupational therapist needed to sign off on things like this before I could be released from the hospital.

There is a wall to lean against, it's mainly the getting in and out as I have to climb in the tub to get under the shower. I'll make sure someone at the hospital knows all of this when I go in.

[hernanu]

Try this procedure (lifted from a good site), which is very similar to what I did:

• Support yourself with crutches as you stand beside the tub. Stand with your good leg next to the tub.
  
• Set the crutch on your good side in the tub. Lean your weight on this crutch and step into the tub with your good leg. Balance on both crutches. (I actually used only the crutch on the operated side and balanced with my good leg hand on the wall, but who knows, this may be better).
  
• Bend the weaker leg back at the knee. Don't bend your hip too far and don't try to swing your leg forward over the tub.
  
• With your leg bent, scoot over and bring your other crutch into the tub.
  
• Steady yourself with your crutches.(I put the crutches outside after this, since I felt I could manage showering without them for support, just the walls).
  
• Shower - I leaned on the wall for movement, etc (crutches were leaning on outside wall, but if you use a shower chair, or install a bar for support, that may work well too. I moved minimally to shower and the soap, etc. were on a ledge, so that worked for me.
  
• Turn off the water. Stand with the aid of your crutches.
  
• Put the crutch on your weak side on the floor outside of the tub. Bend your knee and scoot over until your leg is out of the tub and you can lower your foot to the floor. Keep most of your weight on your good leg.
  
• Balance your weight on your crutches and lift your good leg out of the tub onto the floor.
• Stand with your weight on your good leg and lift the crutch on that side out of the tub and onto the floor.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/264599-how-to-shower-after-hip-replacement-surgery/#ixzz22KMyprB3

Some folks may do well with a handheld shower nozzle installed, I had no problem with the regular shower nozzle. A grab bar installed on the shower may also help to move around inside the shower. I'd stay away from the temporary suction kind and install a real one if you're going to do that.

Hope this helps.

[Spanielsal]

Hi Ruby, that is Great News!!  my date has also been brought forward to Tuesday..... we'll be recovering together!  I was looking at Sue Ryder webpage last night, the Red Cross loaned me grabbers, raised toilet seats etc last time.  the Red Cross in Scotland doesn't lend anything except commodes or wheelchairs!  English ones do though, my parents have snuck over the border to borrow from NEwcastle Red Cross!  anyway, i digress... bath seats were where i was heading with that.  You may be able to borrow them or buy from Sue Ryder.  I'm taking dresses to my op, easy over the head, no grabbing and minimal rubbing.  Ebay had some fab ones in the size up.  they'll go nicely with the TED stockings!  hope you are feeling good, it isn't long until you have a new BHR inside you.  You will look 10years younger without the pain and healing will be a whole lot different to struggling around as you are.  we will be doing our baby steps together!  good luck!  xx

[Woodstock Hippy]

Good luck, Red, it's going to go great!

[Anna]

Heeeeeeey,

Im not dead. Just have no news for you all ... still waiting  :(

Wow! Sal on Tuesday, Mike on wednesday and Ruby on thursday!!!!!! This news has topped off the excellent day I have had (Im still hyper after bouncing round my living room screaming at the telly watching Wiggo win the time trial! - Sorry Americans but you have to give us one medal!)

Well I cant say im not jealous but I hope it goes well for you all. Please keep us updated as I will be thinking of you.

... and dont worry about Danny. I think he is a little down but hes away at the min enjoying himself hense the no posts I think . ... he says he back tomorrow  ;D

[Spanielsal]

Missed Mike on Wednesday when I was reading that... Excellent news, you two will be hobbling round together! Good luck Mike!  Praying for the postie Anna... Xx

[rubyred]

It's all very scary now it's happening. I've never had big surgery before, my parents are unable to stay in Birmingham and will be unable to visit at this point in time, so will be up there on my own not really knowing how i'm going to feel or be. I know i'm in the best possible hands with Mr T and believe me i'm so happy this is finally being done, but the 'not knowing' is a big thing.

Sal, i've just taken a look at the Red Cross website and we don't have a branch anywhere in Essex it seems! Hereford is the closest and I really can't see my father going there however much he loves me lol. We're going to have a word with our local doctors and see if Social Services provide such things temporarily.

[Spanielsal]

Ruby, are your parents taking you up there and will they wait until you come round?  Once that bit is over you will be very busy with physio and resting after physio followed by mealtimes ... And I'm convinced you 'll meet mike too, whilst you might not know his face you've met on here and you can cheer each other on. The nurses will be lovely too.

Try this number for red cross, there's
0844 412 2830 Chelmsford
0844 412 2772 Harlow

British Red Cross - 
www.redcross.org.uk - Equipment Loan Service/49A Mill Rd, Maldon - 01621 855 277

Get the a frame toilet seats, grabbers and they might have bath boards. Good luck! Xx
y

[SteveJ]

Hello Ruby! I'm 7 weeks post Op at the ROH, I was in Ward 12 for the recovery, don't worry too much, you will be well looked after. The Physio team will go through what aids you will need post op. Toilet seat raisers, grabbers, sock aids and raised chairs are available. It sounds like you live quite a way from the ROH; I live in Ipswich. This makes getting the kit delivered to your home a bit more complicated for the Physios' to arrange but they will sort it out for you. In my case all I have found essential is a raised toilet seat and a grabber. I didn't bother with socks and lived in Crocs! The Physios are reluctant to let you go home without being confident you have everything you need to cope, in my case their was a delay getting a toilet raiser so, to ensure I was released, I bought my own (£40 off amazon for the same model used by the ROH). I could have got a raised chair, but I just doubled up the cushions on my sofa. Blocks to raise beds are also available - as I said, the physios will go through it all with you so don't worry too much. I was daunted by the stairs, the physios said don't worry it's easy; they were correct and will teach you how to tackle them. Because you are more than 25 miles from the ROH they won't be able to take your stitches/staples out, they arranged me an appointment at the local health centre. The ROH staff wre great and went through things I hadn't even thought of. 7 weeks post op I am back to work and wishing I had done this sooner!

Showering is awkward for a bit, I spent 3 weeks leaning over the bath to wash my hair, I then worked out how to get in the bath to shower - it will depend how you get on as to when you can manage it, I had my wife there the first few times in case anything went wrong. It doesn't pay to take risks with slipping. 

Good Luck and if you can think of any other questions fire away!   

Steve. 

[hernanu]

Ruby, I was on my own for both, the first time I got a ride from my ex and wish I hadn't, the second I arranged for a taxi to the hospital and got a ride from my parents back.

You can do it by yourself, it is helpful but mostly for moral support to have others there. The second time in particular, my surgeon used a silver infused bandage which I didn't have to change, and I could shower with (without directly pouring water on it), so I was pretty self sufficient even early on.

You're moving pretty early (I forced myself to cook from the second day on) and exercising, walking as much as is possible and sleeping / icing, so you'll be quite busy. My folks did stay for five days the first time and three the second, but after that, I was very self sufficient and I think could easily have been on my own.

As to the moral support, line up friends that you can talk to during the day, the first few weeks you'll need them, as at some point you will get a bit blue every now and then. Use us, but there's no substitute for friends either dropping by or calling / texting. My cousin was my texting buddy, I spoke with my parents a lot, others were a call away.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that you should be busy - the exercises, walking, resting and icing / treatment will suck up your time. Once two or three weeks have elapsed, you'll be a lot more comfortable and ready to get away from the walking aids (your surgeon willing) and be a lot more mobile. It's all good - nothing is insurmountable and I'm sure you'll be able to deal with it well.

[rubyred]

Had my pre-op today. All went well. The bed manager tried to get me in the night before as i'm on the morning list and will have to be at the ROH by 7.15, but alas no beds available... I'm not quite sure what the difference is between Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning...

The pre-op nurse called the occupational therapy team whilst I was there and they said that i'll have no restrictions following surgery.... that can't be right can it??

[Mike D]

Ruby-they said the same thing to me a couple of weeks ago when I went for pre-op.
There was only one other guy who was having resurfacing and the phisio said " any of Mr Treacys resurfacing patients can ignore this next bit about restrictions"
I was surprised as well. She went on to say he's never had a resurfacing dislocation!
I'm staying over Tuesday night-there's a decent B&B called The Madeira Hotel in Northfield, one mile from the ROH.
Hope to see you there!