Re: Help starting to panic!!!!!!

May 10, 2004

Cheryl peganc2@...> wrote :

> 1. How long till you can shower.

Generally when incision closed, although some docs give you waterproof wrap to

put over it and have people showering right away.

> 2. Will I be able to manage stairs as I don't have downstairs toilet.

They generally won't release you from the hospital until you can do stairs if

you need to.

> 3. Will I be able to manage to wear pyjamas!!!

I did. I also wore shorts and sweats, all my regular size.

> 4. When can I drive.

It varies. I think the UK requires a longer time before you can drive...6

weeks? I was driving after 9 days.

> 5. When can I sleep on my side.

I was told I could as soon as it was comfortable. I remember it finally (!)

being comfortable a few days before I went in for the next one, then was

consigned to my back again...sigh....

> 6. Will I have to have a catheter.

Probably--this is NOT a big deal.

> 7. Why am I going in the day before????

You must not be covered by an HMO--the rest of us go in an hour or two ahead of

time...

> 8. What happens at pre admission clinic.

They did a final physical exam, and I had a lengthy interview with a nurse to be

sure that my house was sufficiently hip-ready and that I had care set up for

afterwards.

> 9. Do they shave you?

They shaved my outer thigh and hip area from knee to waist. They didn't shave

where I suspect you are asking about. I rather enjoyed that--nice hot towel on

my aching hip...

Feel free to keep asking questions...that's what we're here for.

Cindy

C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01

___________________________________

NOCC, http://nocc.sourceforge.net

May 10, 2004

Cheryl peganc2@...> wrote :

> 1. How long till you can shower.

Generally when incision closed, although some docs give you waterproof wrap to

put over it and have people showering right away.

> 2. Will I be able to manage stairs as I don't have downstairs toilet.

They generally won't release you from the hospital until you can do stairs if

you need to.

> 3. Will I be able to manage to wear pyjamas!!!

I did. I also wore shorts and sweats, all my regular size.

> 4. When can I drive.

It varies. I think the UK requires a longer time before you can drive...6

weeks? I was driving after 9 days.

> 5. When can I sleep on my side.

I was told I could as soon as it was comfortable. I remember it finally (!)

being comfortable a few days before I went in for the next one, then was

consigned to my back again...sigh....

> 6. Will I have to have a catheter.

Probably--this is NOT a big deal.

> 7. Why am I going in the day before????

You must not be covered by an HMO--the rest of us go in an hour or two ahead of

time...

> 8. What happens at pre admission clinic.

They did a final physical exam, and I had a lengthy interview with a nurse to be

sure that my house was sufficiently hip-ready and that I had care set up for

afterwards.

> 9. Do they shave you?

They shaved my outer thigh and hip area from knee to waist. They didn't shave

where I suspect you are asking about. I rather enjoyed that--nice hot towel on

my aching hip...

Feel free to keep asking questions...that's what we're here for.

Cindy

C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01

___________________________________

NOCC, http://nocc.sourceforge.net

May 10, 2004

Cheryl peganc2@...> wrote :

> 1. How long till you can shower.

Generally when incision closed, although some docs give you waterproof wrap to

put over it and have people showering right away.

> 2. Will I be able to manage stairs as I don't have downstairs toilet.

They generally won't release you from the hospital until you can do stairs if

you need to.

> 3. Will I be able to manage to wear pyjamas!!!

I did. I also wore shorts and sweats, all my regular size.

> 4. When can I drive.

It varies. I think the UK requires a longer time before you can drive...6

weeks? I was driving after 9 days.

> 5. When can I sleep on my side.

I was told I could as soon as it was comfortable. I remember it finally (!)

being comfortable a few days before I went in for the next one, then was

consigned to my back again...sigh....

> 6. Will I have to have a catheter.

Probably--this is NOT a big deal.

> 7. Why am I going in the day before????

You must not be covered by an HMO--the rest of us go in an hour or two ahead of

time...

> 8. What happens at pre admission clinic.

They did a final physical exam, and I had a lengthy interview with a nurse to be

sure that my house was sufficiently hip-ready and that I had care set up for

afterwards.

> 9. Do they shave you?

They shaved my outer thigh and hip area from knee to waist. They didn't shave

where I suspect you are asking about. I rather enjoyed that--nice hot towel on

my aching hip...

Feel free to keep asking questions...that's what we're here for.

Cindy

C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01

___________________________________

NOCC, http://nocc.sourceforge.net

May 10, 2004

Hi Cheryl

It's so natural to worry (read panic!!). I was beside myself and

didn't think I could do it - a number of chums on this board kept me

sane and helped get me to the hospital on time (that would lend

itself to a song). I was so freaked out that I drove myself to the

hospital and parked the car in sight of the room in case I need to

escape at any time.

And now I have had both hips done.

The experience from every op is different (even between my two sides)

but overall I am what this board calls a 'turtle': ie a slow healer.

1. We showered daily from day two (no option) without waterproof

dressing

2.They won't let you out until you can (but do plan for a bucket

under your bed for the first two weeks at home): in both my post-op

experinces I had to visit the loo four or five times a night and

would have been exhausted if I hadn't had a loo near to my room

3. I couldn't wear any form of trousers after both ops for more than

six weeks

4. Six weeks after the first, three after the second

5. The hospital said 2 days. I managed at 6 weeks after the first and

two weeks after the second, but greatly helped with a pillow between

the legs

6. I wasn't offered one in either case as they wanted me to be mobile

asap

7. To have tests (eg: EGC, and to make sure you are without food and

ready the next day!!

8. Don't know - we didn't have one

9. No.

Try deep breathing and visualise two months out when its all over and

you are well on your recovery. Every time you panic focus on

the 'afterwards'.

Regards

ine

> Have finally got a date to go in Hospital on the 1st June to have

op

> on 2nd. Am really starting to panic big time. Have so many silly

> worries! I have heard so many scary stories -thats if I even get

the

> op as they seem to cancel more ops than go ahead in Maidstone!

> 1. How long till you can shower.

> 2. Will I be able to manage stairs as I don't have downstairs

toilet.

> 3. Will I be able to manage to wear pyjamas!!!

> 4. When can I drive.

> 5. When can I sleep on my side.

> 6. Will I have to have a catheter.

> 7. Why am I going in the day before????

> 8. What happens at pre admission clinic.

> 9. Do they shave you?

> And hundreds more too. Yes I am a blonde!!!!!!

> Cheryl ever so wimpy.

May 10, 2004

Hi Cheryl

It's so natural to worry (read panic!!). I was beside myself and

didn't think I could do it - a number of chums on this board kept me

sane and helped get me to the hospital on time (that would lend

itself to a song). I was so freaked out that I drove myself to the

hospital and parked the car in sight of the room in case I need to

escape at any time.

And now I have had both hips done.

The experience from every op is different (even between my two sides)

but overall I am what this board calls a 'turtle': ie a slow healer.

1. We showered daily from day two (no option) without waterproof

dressing

2.They won't let you out until you can (but do plan for a bucket

under your bed for the first two weeks at home): in both my post-op

experinces I had to visit the loo four or five times a night and

would have been exhausted if I hadn't had a loo near to my room

3. I couldn't wear any form of trousers after both ops for more than

six weeks

4. Six weeks after the first, three after the second

5. The hospital said 2 days. I managed at 6 weeks after the first and

two weeks after the second, but greatly helped with a pillow between

the legs

6. I wasn't offered one in either case as they wanted me to be mobile

asap

7. To have tests (eg: EGC, and to make sure you are without food and

ready the next day!!

8. Don't know - we didn't have one

9. No.

Try deep breathing and visualise two months out when its all over and

you are well on your recovery. Every time you panic focus on

the 'afterwards'.

Regards

ine

> Have finally got a date to go in Hospital on the 1st June to have

op

> on 2nd. Am really starting to panic big time. Have so many silly

> worries! I have heard so many scary stories -thats if I even get

the

> op as they seem to cancel more ops than go ahead in Maidstone!

> 1. How long till you can shower.

> 2. Will I be able to manage stairs as I don't have downstairs

toilet.

> 3. Will I be able to manage to wear pyjamas!!!

> 4. When can I drive.

> 5. When can I sleep on my side.

> 6. Will I have to have a catheter.

> 7. Why am I going in the day before????

> 8. What happens at pre admission clinic.

> 9. Do they shave you?

> And hundreds more too. Yes I am a blonde!!!!!!

> Cheryl ever so wimpy.

May 10, 2004

Hi Cheryl

It's so natural to worry (read panic!!). I was beside myself and

didn't think I could do it - a number of chums on this board kept me

sane and helped get me to the hospital on time (that would lend

itself to a song). I was so freaked out that I drove myself to the

hospital and parked the car in sight of the room in case I need to

escape at any time.

And now I have had both hips done.

The experience from every op is different (even between my two sides)

but overall I am what this board calls a 'turtle': ie a slow healer.

1. We showered daily from day two (no option) without waterproof

dressing

2.They won't let you out until you can (but do plan for a bucket

under your bed for the first two weeks at home): in both my post-op

experinces I had to visit the loo four or five times a night and

would have been exhausted if I hadn't had a loo near to my room

3. I couldn't wear any form of trousers after both ops for more than

six weeks

4. Six weeks after the first, three after the second

5. The hospital said 2 days. I managed at 6 weeks after the first and

two weeks after the second, but greatly helped with a pillow between

the legs

6. I wasn't offered one in either case as they wanted me to be mobile

asap

7. To have tests (eg: EGC, and to make sure you are without food and

ready the next day!!

8. Don't know - we didn't have one

9. No.

Try deep breathing and visualise two months out when its all over and

you are well on your recovery. Every time you panic focus on

the 'afterwards'.

Regards

ine

> Have finally got a date to go in Hospital on the 1st June to have

op

> on 2nd. Am really starting to panic big time. Have so many silly

> worries! I have heard so many scary stories -thats if I even get

the

> op as they seem to cancel more ops than go ahead in Maidstone!

> 1. How long till you can shower.

> 2. Will I be able to manage stairs as I don't have downstairs

toilet.

> 3. Will I be able to manage to wear pyjamas!!!

> 4. When can I drive.

> 5. When can I sleep on my side.

> 6. Will I have to have a catheter.

> 7. Why am I going in the day before????

> 8. What happens at pre admission clinic.

> 9. Do they shave you?

> And hundreds more too. Yes I am a blonde!!!!!!

> Cheryl ever so wimpy.

May 10, 2004

cheryl

i am ten months post op and was operated on in Middlesbrough. You

will be fine. All of these things are completely natural to worry

about and if your hip was giving you as much as stick as mine gave me

pre-op you will soon be wishing you`d had it done years ago.

My mum wrapped my hip in clingfilm so I could shower, I drove after 6

weeks thats the law here in england, the reason you go in the day

before is so they can cross match your blood, check observations,

i.e. blood pressure etc. I laid on my side after a couple of weeks

when it felt comfortable. please email me again if you want to ask

any more. I am running a ten kilometre race this weekend and that is

something i never thought i would do.........it really is worth it

sarah-lou

ps when is your date?

May 10, 2004