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FiFi's Hip Replacement Journey... begins

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Hi @Josephine i sent a message through some one else re information I have seen on other peoples threads when they first start a link for things to read before opp but I didn't get a link I have read some but I can't find all the links now I hope this makes sense Fiona xx
 
Hi fifi,
Just read your thread - exciting, nervous anticipation! Loved the feel of being in Australia when I was reading it. It is quite a process to get through but get through it we all do - some quicker than others. You sound like you will be very prepared and organised. You wrote you had just had your pre op and I read it at 7am on a Monday morning - I find the across the world time differences fascinating, as well as the different seasons and weather!
 
Hi Fiona - how big is the wedge cushion? I think I might need to craftily make one or something like it, as Vinnies is out of stock (!) and I don't want to stump up for a new one...is it triangular? and how far apart does it keep your knees. Can't imagine sleeping very well.

My hip is bloody painful this week, after a working weekend and lots of walking - makes me very certain it is time.
cheers, Jan
 
Hi @Great Aunt Janet Thought I'd pop on to Fiona's thread and saw your post; the wedge cushion we're referring to is not the triangular shaped abductor pillow that you may have in hospital (I did - for one night, and you're right... it wasn't comfortable, but I slept anyway!) that is designed to keep your legs apart. This is a wedge shape cushion that you put under your butt when you sit on a chair to keep your hips higher than your knees; so the "high" part of the wedge sits at the back of your chair and the "low" or thin part sits at the front of your chair. You need a square piece of foam rubber the size of a chair (bit of room for manouvre there, just use the chair you use the most as a size guide) split diagonally to make a wedge. I found this pic with some dimensions that may help.
[Bonesmart.org] FiFi's Hip Replacement Journey... begins
 
Have you had your pre op app you should find out from the hospital if they give you a cushion they were going to give me mine to bring home from the hospital after the opp but I wanted to cover it as donna had trouble as with no cover you sort of stick to the foam if that makes sense as you have to use it in the car to . Hi @copsham it is a bit weird sometimes the time thing gets me more than the weather it's wonderful at the moment warm but not to hot 26deg martys building me a room so I wont have to struggle in the shed not much room hopefully the house comes next haha xxx
 
Hi @Great Aunt Janet they also measure from your foot to the knee that's the front of a chair then it has to angle up from front to back are you getting a nurse or physio to come to see you at home after the physio went through these with me yesterday as I was going to sit with the cushion in the lounge chair or dinning room chair but he said they have to have arms also lounge chairs are no good as they are to soft do you go for another app before opp
 
Hi @FiFi
On my first days home from op, in between sleeping, I was browsing the internet re future plan to visit Western Australia. Then emails to and fro from Craftdee I felt I had done a virtual tour. Now I am on a virtual tour to the Outback! Saw a documentary on TV recently re the helicopter ambulance service (updates my junior school information re the flying doctor service).

What ever position we are in, location or weather, seems to bring its own problems and joys re hip recovery.
 
FiFi said:
re information I have seen on other peoples threads when they first start for things to read before op. I didn't get a link I have read some but I can't find all the links now
Click to expand...
You mean these?

Score Chart: How bad is my arthritic hip?
Choosing a surgeon and a prosthesis
BMI Calculator - What to do if your surgeon says you're too heavy for joint replacement surgery
Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?

Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home
Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery
Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?

And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced hip, take a look at the posts and threads from other BoneSmarties provided in this link:
Stories of amazing hip recoveries

I'll also leave you the post-op articles -
First are the BoneSmart mantras ....
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
- be active as much as you need to be but not more than is necessary, meaning so much that you end up being in pain, exhausted or desperate to sit down or lay down!

Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery
Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Activity progression for THRs
Home physio (PT)
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?
 
Hi @FiFi - I don't go to the hospital again till the Op, but I am going to see my GP again this week (BP up, gotta get it sorted! stop worrying would help...) and will talk to her about physio - there isn't one based here but in a town about 100km away so I need to get plenty of instruction whilst in the hospital (and write it down :bricks:) so I can make sure I stick to what I need to do. Not the easiest, but I'm sure it has been done here many times before - I have found some others who have had THRs and they are being really helpful with kit etc. Good advice about chair height too, thanks!
 
Hi @Great Aunt Janet From what I have read most people say don't do too much physio anyway or you can do too much too soon and do more damage. I got a booklet about some of the physio stuff it was for quads and hamstring leg lifts getting in and out of bed not bending right over etc. I think this will be the same as you will get from the hospital.

Have you seen the anaesthetist or do you see him when you go in? I think Donna was saying for the first 6 weeks you don't do much if any physio. The one I saw the other day says your body is healing the wound first.

I'm sorry your BP is up, it is a bit hard not to stress. I didn't think I was but I'm getting no sleep. Not like me and headaches not like me either. Oh well.

My 3rd wall is going up hopefully it will finished or nearly when I go in xxxx
 
Hi @FiFi! Third wall, yay - is there a roof? You are such a pioneer!

Yes, I'm not sleeping well either, it isn't really surprising - we've put it off for so long because of fear (well, that was me) and now, having decided it is the best thing to get on with, it is still scary - and stressful. Ah well, in three months time we will be kicking our heels up eh? :walking:
 
Hi @Great Aunt Janet Walls have to go up first, hopefully roof goes on next week as long as it doesn't get to hot or wet. We need the rain as we use tanks. We haven't had much lately.

Yea you have 4weeks to go. I've got 5. Next week will be busy as we have Nick (4 yr old grandson) He's such a great kid. We have a box on the front of the quad where the dogs sit (chihuahua + jack Russell) Missy is 2kl, more teacup chihuahua, where as max is 8kl Jack Russell with small head, short legs but better personality. So when Nick is with us he sits in the box with the dogs while Marty takes them for a ride they love it. I used to take them but another thing I can't do is ride the quad. Maybe later in the year haha.

I think I'm at the stage where I want it done now. Oh we'll, I need my room so Marty has 4 weeks as I would like to get my things in before opp xxx
 
Hi @copsham I have been reading your thread. I'm not up to date yet but you sound like you're getting on really well. I'm hoping I find some patients somewhere as it's one of the constant things everyone says, you need.

I have over 5 weeks to go so I'm trying to get some things done that I won't be able to do after but it's always the same, you don't think of everything. I can't wait till my room's done. The weather is great here at the moment. Donna gets it hotter where she is. I'm further near Albany so it usually gets to 10-ish at night even when it's 40 s but nice 25s at the moment during the day xxx
 
Hello @FiFi
one of the many useful bits of advice that I read on Bonesmart is to get a tiny shoulder bag (or make one) so that you can keep your mobile phone with you at all times even if you are using a walker or canes.

Patience, patience, patience ... you cannot get away from it you are right! Life is easier when you give in to it all. Its hard to imagine, we are all so used to being strong and in control suddenly its .... be patient!!

Your weather sounds lovely. i actually know where Albany is as I have been reading all sorts of books about W Australia and flowers, planning for our Sept Oct visit.

Hope your room is done now and hope your waiting time goes by quickly X
 
Hi @copsham weather has changed rain for the next week so my rooms on hold I have 3walls no roof so it's all wet now what a pain we need the rain but the timing is not good yes I must make a bag I made one for my sister donna but it was the first one I had made so hopefully I can remember what to do haha it's weird going from 40deg to in the 20 s it's nice to be cooler . We are having nick my 4 yr old grandson for a week I was going to meet my daughter half way but Glenn ( son ) and Rachel ( daughter) are bringing him down with benn 10 yr old grand son they are coming today and going back tomorrow but it will be nice to see them oh well I better get up its cozy in bed but I have lots to do xxxx
 
Hi @FiFi It beyond my imagination that you have a three walled room, waiting for its roof to be put on! I just hope you have space post op in which to move! I have a four yr old grandson too, lovely age. He thought he could make my hip better by putting a sticky plaster on it. I wish!

You know it might have been your sister that originally said about the little bags - so this site is like chinese whispers! x
 
Hi @FiFi - bad news about your room, fingers crossed for fine weather for you and Marty - though the synoptic doesn't look so good. Send the rain over here, we need mud! I have got my crutches and grabber now (small practices, hard to get serious for some reason) and also the magic sock-putter-on-er - I wish I'd known about those before, it is really simple to use - well, pre-op anyway!
 
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