14 days til revision surgery

[Guest guest]

14 days....14 cows.... oh and about the cows, I wish I had a really

interesting story to go with it. However, the truth is, a while back

my ID thing got screwed up and I had to come up with another

one, and for whatever reason, fourteencows jumped into my head. Yes,

I suppose that classifies me as " weird " !! 14 was both of my

brothers' dirtbike racing # when we were kids. It's been my favorite

# since then. Oh, and I love cows....I love animals of all

kinds....definitely an animal person. So, I suppose it couldve just

as easily been 14lizards, monkeys, goats, snakes, etc....

Cam, I have taken you up on the idea of clearing out my closet for my

upcoming everyday clothes. Never been one to hang my t-shirts, but

now's the time!. I'm also moving out my dresser and in with a long

waist high table. And I found a good office type chair. It's old as

the hills, which also means it's good and sturdy. I haven't used a

chair in years, simply b/c sitting is so uncomfortable with my

current back. I either sit on my knees on the floor or lie on my

bed. It's hard to imagine being able to sit w/o pain. Wow.

, thanx for the snack idea. I'm all about some snacks! I never

leave home without water and snacks. I try to do healthy ones, but I

must admit I'm a full-fledged sugar addict. I also love fruits and

nuts and veggies. And fortunately, I love jello, so maybe that'll be

a plus for me in the hospital!

Peggy, I hope I get a room with an extra bed, cuz my aunt is planning

to stay with me. My goal will be not to worry whether she's getting

enough rest:), still fighting those codependent tendencies. I'd much

prefer to be the caregiver than the patient. Gotta learn to do

that " receiving " thing.

And Bonnie, I'm glad you liked the CDD label. I heard it somewhere

and it cracked me up and just seemed so appropriate for my

pops!....among others. Sounds like your mom definitely qualifies!!

Well, again, thank you all and bless us all.

Oh and Cam, thanx for all the resources.

camille

[Guest guest]

Alrighty Miz 14 Cows!

I just thought of a couple of other things that may be of help (they were to me) and most of them I learned from other veterans.

, hopefully you'll read this too when you're back on your computer.

1. Might not hurt to have a bell (cow bell?) beside the bed - just in case you need something and don't feel like raising your voice if your assist person is out of close range hearing distance.

2. Nylon or silk pajamas - or something slick textured like that to sleep in for a while after surgery. It will help your ability to move around in the bed immensely.

3. Have your walker and bedside commode right by the bed so if/when you wake up and need to get up for something, they will be right there.

4. Be sure, when you get up, to allow yourself a few seconds to stable yourself before taking steps.

5. I used the Ponds facial cleansing wipes for washing my face. You don't have to fuss with soap & water getting all over you while you're reclined in bed or worry about having to be near a sink, etc. They worked out perfectly for me and are actually pretty good at getting the face clean I used them before and still do lots of times.

6. There is "dry shampoo" that you can use for your hair until you can get it shampoo-ed (wonder how you spell that)?

7. I don't know how bendable/flexible you are now as far as reaching your toes - but I recommend clipping those toenails or getting them done before hand. Of course it doesn't hurt anything if they grow out some, but I clipped mine before I went to the hospital and was glad - I've since learned how to clip them post-revision but not to a level that I'd want to bragg about. One day soon I'm going to get a good pedicure so I won't have to mess with that for a while.

But I think you'll pretty much figure out how to do things as you start feeling better. And, the occupational therapists can show you how to do a lot of things as well.

When I'm lying in bed, resting, not sleeping, what makes me most comfortable is a layer of pillows - the first one I place is one of those pillow type things with the arms - I think some people call them "husbands". I place a big, thick pillow against that (pillow stand up position, not sideways), then put a third, smaller pillow across (sideways) the bottom so when I get in my position, I've got great support and wonderful comfort. I do that and it releives any back fatigue. I either read, watch tv, do some crafting - or snoozing. That position in the bed, then lying down to sleep, and sitting in my cool orthopedic type chair that feels like it is custom contoured for my back are my "mainstays". This is important to me because being able to get comfortable was something I was pretty concerned about after my revision - since it is permanent!

Wow, so much for a "quick" post!

G

[ ] 14 days til revision surgery

14 days....14 cows.... oh and about the cows, I wish I had a really interesting story to go with it. However, the truth is, a while back my ID thing got screwed up and I had to come up with another one, and for whatever reason, fourteencows jumped into my head. Yes, I suppose that classifies me as "weird"!! 14 was both of my brothers' dirtbike racing # when we were kids. It's been my favorite # since then. Oh, and I love cows....I love animals of all kinds....definitely an animal person. So, I suppose it couldve just as easily been 14lizards, monkeys, goats, snakes, etc....Cam, I have taken you up on the idea of clearing out my closet for my upcoming everyday clothes. Never been one to hang my t-shirts, but now's the time!. I'm also moving out my dresser and in with a long waist high table. And I found a good office type chair. It's old as the hills, which also means it's good and sturdy. I haven't used a chair in years, simply b/c sitting is so uncomfortable with my current back. I either sit on my knees on the floor or lie on my bed. It's hard to imagine being able to sit w/o pain. Wow., thanx for the snack idea. I'm all about some snacks! I never leave home without water and snacks. I try to do healthy ones, but I must admit I'm a full-fledged sugar addict. I also love fruits and nuts and veggies. And fortunately, I love jello, so maybe that'll be a plus for me in the hospital!Peggy, I hope I get a room with an extra bed, cuz my aunt is planning to stay with me. My goal will be not to worry whether she's getting enough rest:), still fighting those codependent tendencies. I'd much prefer to be the caregiver than the patient. Gotta learn to do that "receiving" thing.And Bonnie, I'm glad you liked the CDD label. I heard it somewhere and it cracked me up and just seemed so appropriate for my pops!....among others. Sounds like your mom definitely qualifies!!Well, again, thank you all and bless us all.Oh and Cam, thanx for all the resources.camille

[Guest guest]

Dear Camille,

I have a few things to add to Cam and 's suggestions, all theirs were right on the mark, now here's mine.

Grabbers, I have many, and different styles, I too love my Arcmate ones, but I also have two that I really love, I got at the local medical supply, they are Pik Stik brand, I like more for laundry, getting stuff out of the back of the dryer.

My best purchase after my revision was Tennis shoes that have the heal area removed so they just slide on. I suggest going out and buying a new pair before surgery, as many of us find we walk differently after surgery, and our old shoes hurt and are not comfortable afterwards. My wear pattern before surgery was I walked off the sides of the tread on my shoes, after revision I no longer do that. Keep in mind it's tough to get at laces, so slip on will be your best friend.

Also if you are braced, and my daughter and I both were, she loved to wear under hers men's type tank top tee shirts, they are especially nice since they are extreamly long and go over the hip area very well. You get the in the packaged tee shirts in like Walmart or Target.

Take a good long look at how your kitchen is set up, and you may have to reverse things, have things in upper cabinets that you use daily, and move things you don't down to the lower ones. Practice if you have to reach or bend to get it, it needs to be moved. I have a lot of stuff on my counters, cluttered looking, well yes, but it's practical for me, and since I make almost every meal we eat, my comfort is utmost. This is easier to do now, than afterwards.

I'll think on this some more and see if I can think of anything else.

[ ] Re: 14 days til revision surgery

Camille,Glad to be able to help! While you are deciding which clothes you want to have readily available be thinking that fairly loose, easy to put on clothing whcih will be your mainstay, probably for 4-8 weeks while you are not going out of the house too much. You may find it difficult to raise your arms up at first, so be sure to put a few things with either buttons or front zippers so you don't have to maneuver too much. And as says, the silky jammie bottoms really help you move in bed. I still use my bottoms. I purchased mine at www.intimo.com and I can honestly say they wash and wear like iron. I even brought them to the hospital and used them once my cathter was out.I am glad you have found a good chair. For whatever reason, most of us have found that for a good long while any chair or sofa that is cushy is just not an option for sitting in... and is impossible to get out of. The only other household item you will surely want a few of are assorted throw pillows. You will find you use them in just about any position you are in, at home and in the car. I liked having a few in each room so I could just grab them instead of carrying them from room to room.Have you ordered one of the the Arcmate grabbers? I know it was my main tool after surgery and while you may get a smaller one from the hospital, the Arcmate deluxe one is fairly universal in what it can do, from moving wet laundy to picking up that little peice of sock lint on the carpet that is driving you crazy! (there is a link in the adaptive aids section). I love mine still.Happy rearranging.Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi

I don't know if you have the Preparing for Surgery CD, but I have found

my copy and I would be happy to burn you a copy and mail if off to you.

Even if you only got a week of listening in, its very relaxing and

helpful.

Just let me know!

my email: mrstrem @