theolderdaughter
new member
Hi, First I just want to say that I'm here to get info to help my mom out. So, if it's inappropriate for me to be here in place of someone else, please say so
My mom, age 73, will be having a total hip replacement on May 1st. She had been having hip pain for quite awhile, but due to her total distrust of doctors (which is partly due to schizophrenia, but she is now on meds for that condition), she would not go to a physician to have it looked at. When she finally got bad enough that she had to ask me to do all her shopping for her, she agreed to go to a doctor. Her doctor has told us that hers is the worst hip he's ever seen and can't believe she can even walk the few steps she can-he called it "a square peg in a round hole-literally!"
The biggest obstacle is her allergy/sensitivity issue to everything. She can not be in contact with polyester or any other man-made fiber (wears all cotton clothing and has no upholstered furniture in her home) and also has problems with some metals-nickel we know, for sure, and others that are not known.
So, of course, this is causing issues regarding her acceptance of a hip replacement. Her doc at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (the first doc, who was local, didn't work out, as he apparently doesn't believe that allergies are real) has said that he thinks a titanium/ceramic replacement will work. Anyone have one of these?
She's also very worried about her time in the hospital. She's planning on taking her own sheets and can not use pillows(stuffed with man-made fibers).
She lives on her own, but I live about 1/2 hour away. My sister is planning to come for the week of the surgery, but is unavailable the rest of the time. Mom can not live in our house, due to man-made fibers (beds, carpet, & furniture) and stairs to all the bathrooms (I hate it too, but we're stuck here for now).
She does have a couple chairs and we found cushions to boost her hips up (she covers them with cotton towels to minimize exposure) and an organic cotton/organic latex bed (don't even ask how much that cost!).
She will have access to home-health care and therapy and I can be there some of the time, even sleeping over if needed.
The booklet she received said many people are ready to drive about 3 weeks after surgery, but I'm not sure she'll be one of those, as her lack of mobility now is causing body weakness. How soon are most people able to get out of bed on their own and get to the bathroom, etc?
I know this is a lot of info and many questions, but I really appreciate any and all guidance you all can give me!
Her next appointment is this Friday (March 23) for pre-op physical and continuing consultation with the surgeon.
Thank you so much!
My mom, age 73, will be having a total hip replacement on May 1st. She had been having hip pain for quite awhile, but due to her total distrust of doctors (which is partly due to schizophrenia, but she is now on meds for that condition), she would not go to a physician to have it looked at. When she finally got bad enough that she had to ask me to do all her shopping for her, she agreed to go to a doctor. Her doctor has told us that hers is the worst hip he's ever seen and can't believe she can even walk the few steps she can-he called it "a square peg in a round hole-literally!"
The biggest obstacle is her allergy/sensitivity issue to everything. She can not be in contact with polyester or any other man-made fiber (wears all cotton clothing and has no upholstered furniture in her home) and also has problems with some metals-nickel we know, for sure, and others that are not known.
So, of course, this is causing issues regarding her acceptance of a hip replacement. Her doc at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (the first doc, who was local, didn't work out, as he apparently doesn't believe that allergies are real) has said that he thinks a titanium/ceramic replacement will work. Anyone have one of these?
She's also very worried about her time in the hospital. She's planning on taking her own sheets and can not use pillows(stuffed with man-made fibers).
She lives on her own, but I live about 1/2 hour away. My sister is planning to come for the week of the surgery, but is unavailable the rest of the time. Mom can not live in our house, due to man-made fibers (beds, carpet, & furniture) and stairs to all the bathrooms (I hate it too, but we're stuck here for now).
She does have a couple chairs and we found cushions to boost her hips up (she covers them with cotton towels to minimize exposure) and an organic cotton/organic latex bed (don't even ask how much that cost!).
She will have access to home-health care and therapy and I can be there some of the time, even sleeping over if needed.
The booklet she received said many people are ready to drive about 3 weeks after surgery, but I'm not sure she'll be one of those, as her lack of mobility now is causing body weakness. How soon are most people able to get out of bed on their own and get to the bathroom, etc?
I know this is a lot of info and many questions, but I really appreciate any and all guidance you all can give me!
Her next appointment is this Friday (March 23) for pre-op physical and continuing consultation with the surgeon.
Thank you so much!