Rehab after surgery

[Guest guest]

and Bahadreama,

that is interesting how different revisions require different post

surgical regimins. It would be nice to go straight home one week after

but if they recommend rehab, I will definitely do it.

Do most people hire a private nurse for the first day or 2 of a

hospital stay or is the nurses on staff enough?

Do you need a private nurse once you get home or are family members

just as able to fill that need for home care?

Thanks

Carol

> > > OOps,

> > > Burke MT is in Vermont. I guess I have vacationing on my mind.

> LOL!

> > >

> > > I am sure you meant Burke rehab in White plains.

> > >

> > > I am wondering how many people need rehab after revision

> surgery.? How

> > > long does rehab take? and what type of things do they do there?

> > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Carol,

I didn't feel the need for a private nurse, but it would definately

have been nice to have a close friend or family member stay for a

little bit. They can advocate for you if you aren't up to doing it

yourself - i.e. if pain control isn't cutting it, or if you get a " dud "

nurse. If you have the money for a private duty nurse, it would

probably be nice, but I myself didn't feel the need for one.

As far as help when coming home - before I went in for my surgery, I

tried to make sure things were set up so that I'd be able to reach/use

them when I got home. I was gone for 6 weeks, so my husband had

rearranged most of it before I got back home, but it still wasn't too

bad. I had him set things out for me in the morning before he left for

work - like a bowl, cup, plate, etc. so that I didn't have to try to

stand and reach up in the cupboard. If you don't already have a

reacher, I'd highly recommend one. They may likely give you one in the

hospital too if you ask. Then you don't have to bend over or bend down

to reach things. There are quite a few different styles if you google

them, each working well for one task and not-so-well for another.

When I came home, things were a little scary at first, but I was fine.

By the second week of being home, I was back to taking care of my two

preschoolers fulltime while my husband was at work. It was exhausting,

but doable. Unless there are complications, I honestly cannot see the

need for a private duty nurse at home when you get released. Perhaps a

cleaning lady would be nice though I didn't shower while home alone

for probably a good month, so that was a pain - waiting until someone

was around to supervise and to make sure I didn't get stuck in there by

accident.

I don't remember how far you're traveling for your surgery, but I found

that for the first several months, the car was incredibly uncomfortable

unless I had a small flat pillow behind my back. I also heard the tip

of putting a garbage bag down on the seat before sitting, to make

swiveling much easier. Otherwise it's hard to get in/out of the car

without twisting. That worked well for me.

>

> and Bahadreama,

> that is interesting how different revisions require different post

> surgical regimins. It would be nice to go straight home one week

after

> but if they recommend rehab, I will definitely do it.

>

> Do most people hire a private nurse for the first day or 2 of a

> hospital stay or is the nurses on staff enough?

>

> Do you need a private nurse once you get home or are family members

> just as able to fill that need for home care?

> Thanks

> Carol

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

I was glad my husband arranged for a private duty nurse for me in the

hospital, even though it was expensive. The one I had anticipated my

every need, and it was wonderful. Whether or not you need one really

depends on a lot of factors that unfortunately can't be predicted in

advance (how busy the nurses are those days, how often your family

can/is allowed to be with you there, etc.). If you do decide to

arrange for one, make sure you tell the agency that you want someone

very experienced and confident in doing in-hospital care of someone

who just had extremely major surgery.

I think that once you are feeling good enough to be released from the

hospital, you probably don't need one at home, if you have family

members there who can help you.

Best wishes and good luck,

loriann

P.S. I sent you an email today asking if you wanted me to put your

surgery date on the Feisty calendar.

>

> and Bahadreama,

> that is interesting how different revisions require different post

> surgical regimins. It would be nice to go straight home one week after

> but if they recommend rehab, I will definitely do it.

>

> Do most people hire a private nurse for the first day or 2 of a

> hospital stay or is the nurses on staff enough?

>

> Do you need a private nurse once you get home or are family members

> just as able to fill that need for home care?

> Thanks

> Carol

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Loriann,

It is so good to hear from you. You and I go back a long way on the

Feisty site. I hope you are feeling a little better since your

revision. Thanks for the private nurse/rehab info. I think my husband

will take off from work some of the days. He isn't really big on

nurturing though,LOL!~ Who knows, maybe he will surprise me. ?

I think he should be able to do some of the basics. We'll see.

He cooks a little, can run the dishwasher,vacuum(maybe), and feed my

livestock of house animals(2 kittens and one elderly dog). And

chauffer my 16 year old daughter to and from work and school

activities. My elderly house bound parents will need some help too.

I mostly have them on a delivery schedule for groceries etc. But they

still need to get to and from doctor visits as well.

My 21 year old daughter lives at home here and commutes to college.

She offered to help me too. Now she is an outstanding cook. She has a

busy life but she said she really wants to help me. I have other

relatives that might be able to pitch in a little here and there. .

But I am mostly counting on my family that lives with me. I really

hate to put people out like this but this surgery is so intense. I

don't really have a choice. Sometimes it is so hard to accept help

when you are used to being so independent most of your life. We have to

receive graciously the help that is offered. They all seem more than

willing to do it. And I am very grateful for that. This is definitely

a humbling experience for sure.

I can't believe I am finally getting my revision surgery.! Sometimes

I get butterflies in my stomach when I think about it. Then I distract

myself and think about other things. For the most part, I am in a

positive state of mind. I feel confident in my doctors abilities and

plan for my surgery. I believe

that is half the battle right their.! I am so glad to get this

thing done and over with. It has been like a black cloud hanging over

me for a long time now. It is such a big decision. But when it is made

the doctors chosen, and the surgery date finalized, it is

actually a relief . I know their can be more bumps

along the road, but getting past the revision surgery is the biggest

as far as I am concerned. I haven't had any surgery at all since my

original scoliosis surgery back in 1974. So this has weighed heavy on

my mind.

Speaking of surgery dates, can you please enter mine on the Feisty

calender? That would be great. (It is February 27th). I am still not

entirely computer literate yet. But I am getting their. Thanks

Loriann. And thanks to all who have contributed information about

whether to hire private duty nurses or not, info about rehab

facilities, etc. All of your input is

very important to me at this time. I want you all to know how much I

appreciate it.

This site is so helpful. I am looking into the things to bring for my

hospital stay now. Thanks again to everyone for all of your good advice.

God Bless you all.

Carol

PS. I will definitely look into private nurses just to have all the

info ready in case I find that I do need it.

> >

> > and Bahadreama,

> > that is interesting how different revisions require different post

> > surgical regimins. It would be nice to go straight home one week

after

> > but if they recommend rehab, I will definitely do it.

> >

> > Do most people hire a private nurse for the first day or 2 of a

> > hospital stay or is the nurses on staff enough?

> >

> > Do you need a private nurse once you get home or are family members

> > just as able to fill that need for home care?

> > Thanks

> > Carol

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

Thank you so much for your wonderful post. I believe you've summed up

what many of us who have faced a flatback revision think and feel as

the date approaches.

I hope it's comforting to know that we are all pulling for you, and

that with all the planning you have done, your family will surely be

able to manage things for a while while you are recovering.

I know was amazed and pleased that my nurturing-challenged husband and

my 16 year old teen who needed endless chauferring around and my

elderly parents who needed help with their numerous doctor appts.

managed to make it through my surgery and beyond!

Best, best wishes to you for a successful surgery,

Your (old-time) friend,

loriann

>

> Hi Loriann,

> It is so good to hear from you. You and I go back a long way on the

> Feisty site. I hope you are feeling a little better since your

> revision. Thanks for the private nurse/rehab info. I think my husband

> will take off from work some of the days. He isn't really big on

> nurturing though,LOL!~ Who knows, maybe he will surprise me. ?

> I think he should be able to do some of the basics. We'll see.

> He cooks a little, can run the dishwasher,vacuum(maybe), and feed my

> livestock of house animals(2 kittens and one elderly dog). And

> chauffer my 16 year old daughter to and from work and school

> activities. My elderly house bound parents will need some help too.

> I mostly have them on a delivery schedule for groceries etc. But they

> still need to get to and from doctor visits as well.

>

> My 21 year old daughter lives at home here and commutes to college.

> She offered to help me too. Now she is an outstanding cook. She has a

> busy life but she said she really wants to help me. I have other

> relatives that might be able to pitch in a little here and there. .

> But I am mostly counting on my family that lives with me. I really

> hate to put people out like this but this surgery is so intense. I

> don't really have a choice. Sometimes it is so hard to accept help

> when you are used to being so independent most of your life. We have to

> receive graciously the help that is offered. They all seem more than

> willing to do it. And I am very grateful for that. This is definitely

> a humbling experience for sure.

>

> I can't believe I am finally getting my revision surgery.! Sometimes

> I get butterflies in my stomach when I think about it. Then I distract

> myself and think about other things. For the most part, I am in a

> positive state of mind. I feel confident in my doctors abilities and

> plan for my surgery. I believe

> that is half the battle right their.! I am so glad to get this

> thing done and over with. It has been like a black cloud hanging over

> me for a long time now. It is such a big decision. But when it is made

> the doctors chosen, and the surgery date finalized, it is

> actually a relief . I know their can be more bumps

> along the road, but getting past the revision surgery is the biggest

> as far as I am concerned. I haven't had any surgery at all since my

> original scoliosis surgery back in 1974. So this has weighed heavy on

> my mind.

>

> Speaking of surgery dates, can you please enter mine on the Feisty

> calender? That would be great. (It is February 27th). I am still not

> entirely computer literate yet. But I am getting their. Thanks

> Loriann. And thanks to all who have contributed information about

> whether to hire private duty nurses or not, info about rehab

> facilities, etc. All of your input is

> very important to me at this time. I want you all to know how much I

> appreciate it.

>

> This site is so helpful. I am looking into the things to bring for my

> hospital stay now. Thanks again to everyone for all of your good

advice.

> God Bless you all.

> Carol

>

> PS. I will definitely look into private nurses just to have all the

> info ready in case I find that I do need it.

[Guest guest]

Deb H . Gave a great answer and asked for in put from Cochlear product users.

I use the Freedom processor, but have the internal N24 for coming up 15 years.

While I do not yet have the N5 with the remote I believe some things I can share

are universal to all CI newbies.

I was pleased to see Deb mention the free Cochlear phone practice. It has many

options for use and the list and readings change daily. I know this would have

helped me so much when I threw myself to the wolves so to speak as I began using

the phone. (I should mention I did this immediately after hook up, which was

really pushing myself hard) At work my back up was two line voice carry over

thru the the WI relay. A second line was " conferenced " into the TTY and a relay

operator typed what was said. Now the current technology is CapTel which has

this capability on a single phone. States have programs to help make this

affordable. It might be a starting point, but my experience was due to the

slowness of visual text behind what I heard I only watched it when there was a

word that dropped out. Again this depends on you situation if it is worth

exploring. The advent of a processor with a tele coil was a huge improvement,

but in my experience direct connect to the phone was the absolute best phone

listening. It also was not as user friendly as the easy switch to tele coil

mode. Strides have been made to give one many tele coil options (mix ratios)

that we the user now can change ourselves on the N5 remote.

There is nothing certain in our individual CI journey except that the more work

we put in to exposing our ears to sound the sooner we improve and come to

comprehend speech and other sounds.

Cochlear does offer other products for practice which can be purchased online.

I have many of them and continue to use Sound and Way Beyond. This has many

listening modules and you move up the difficulty ratings. It also makes a

progress report you can take to your audiologist. As you progress there are eve

more materials for you to use to appreciate music.

My best advice is to practice all you can. Be Patient, Persevere thru not so

good sounds and keep a Positive attitude!

if you keep these things in mind, you will be amazed the difference it makes. I

wish you all the best!

Warmly, Carol in WI

To answer his question about how I use CI with phone, I have AB Harmony and use

either tmic, tcoil or patch into phone with direct connect--it is good to

practice with all of these as I think the variations all train the ear. My job

involves important health information communication so I use the best most fail

proof system for me which is direct connect with high quality land line along

with a CI program with 70% input (with a second program that will input 100%

phone in case I need to eliminate background noise on my end or to maximize

input on speaker's end).

Getting rehabbed to this point takes time and a lot of practice for most CI

users, and even though almost all CI users hear way better post rehab (which can

continue to effect improvement for years), there are no guarantees as to how any

one person will do.

Sent from my iPad