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Did anyone go to Rehab?

Posted , 11 users are following.

cindy48619
cindy48619

Hi friends - One of the big decisions is whether to to go rehab or go home from the hospital. I live alone and there are 6 steps into my house and then 15 more to get into my apartment. I am worried about being home alone alot if I go straight home. What if I wake up in the night and have a problem getting out of bed or moving about.

What are your thoughts?

5 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • joyce49985
    joyce49985 cindy48619

    Posted

    I was told to go home if there is someone to help you. Otherwise, rehab is best. I had someone at home and think it would be difficult if you are alone, certainly for the first week or so.
    • cindy48619
      cindy48619 joyce49985

      Posted

      Thank you so much Joyce. I sometimes thing I am superwoman and can do everything alone. I need some support here to do the right thing. Thank you for helping me smile  smile I don't want to be home and find out that I actually need help.
    • joyce49985
      joyce49985 cindy48619

      Posted

      You're very welcome. It's a big deal and we often feel we should be able to handle things by ourselves. By the way, it was a LONG time before I could get my socks on by myself! Keep a sense of humor!
  • francines
    francines cindy48619

    Posted

    Cindy, I have the same question.  But, how long and wonder how much is it to go to rehab for a week?  Do you know more.  I haven't made arrangements yet for any surgery.  I am just trying to find out all of the information before making the decision.
    • cindy48619
      cindy48619 francines

      Posted

      Hi Francine. Since I haven't had the surgery yet we can both benefit from our fellow hippies on this site. I am pretty sure that my insurance will cover rehab. When I went to the pre-op class at the hospital they told me to call the rehab and reserve a bed and I can cancel it if needed. I meet with my surgeon on March 9th for my pre-op meeting. I will ask him what he thinks will be best. Lets keep in touch
    • joyce49985
      joyce49985 francines

      Posted

      It usually a week or 2 depending on your progress. I am in the U.S. And my insurance would cover it just as it covered in-home rehab.
    • cindy48619
      cindy48619 joyce49985

      Posted

      Thank you Joyce. I am in the US also and I think my insurance will cover it. If not, maybe the insurance from the person who was responsible for the car accident that woke this whole thing up.
    • joyce49985
      joyce49985 cindy48619

      Posted

      Sorry to hear that. Get better soon. It just takes time and patience.
  • francines
    francines cindy48619

    Posted

    Were you recommended to stay in rehab for a week?  Yes please lets keep in touch because that would help me so much because I am alone as well.
    • cindy48619
      cindy48619 francines

      Posted

      I don't know for sure. During my initail appointment with my doctor seemed to be willing to have me go to rehab if I was comfortable with it. I will talk with him more specifically on March 9th. Write anytime Francine, we can help each other through. I work during the day but will write back at night smile
  • valleyregirl
    valleyregirl cindy48619

    Posted

    Hi, I would definately say go to a rehab if you don't have help! The 1st week is difficult to be by yourself I think. Even getting food & drinks is hard by yourself.
    • cindy48619
      cindy48619 valleyregirl

      Posted

      Thank you valleyregirl. The truth is I just wouldn't know this if all of you didn't share your experience with me. The class I went to at the hospital seemed to encourage going home. Of course that said that on a very general basis. I am going to speak with my doctor. I want to be safe during my recovery. I only want to do this once!  smile - Cindy
  • francines
    francines cindy48619

    Posted

    I will look forward to your comments after your pre op with your surgeon on March 9th.  Thanks for your comments and help.  It is a little scary.
  • AnnieK
    AnnieK cindy48619

    Posted

    I am 68 and if I were alone, without my husband to help me, I would definitely have gone to rehab until I was sure that I could handle it on my own. Many people are able to go it alone, but I wouldn't have been able to do it. I was still fairly shaky getting around even using the walker, and needed someone to watch over me while ambulating to and from the bathroom, etc, for the first few days. I was way too fatigued to even think about going to the kitchen for food for those first days. I needed help to swing my legs up onto my bed at first, too. I had PT and a visiting nurse starting on the second day home, and I needed someone (my sister) to go to the door to let them in and out! While on those strong pain pills at first it is easy to get confused with things like multiple medications, and help is good to have with that.

    You will never know before hand whether you could handle it or not by yourself, so, in my opinion, rehab is a wonderful thing if you are alone.

    • cindy48619
      cindy48619 AnnieK

      Posted

      Annie!!!  Thank you so very much for your thoughtful response. Putting my question out here has really helped me. I appreciate the examples of why you would go to rehab. I am pretty sure that I am going to go that route after the responses to my question. Wow... I am so grateful  for your kindness - Cindy

       

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK cindy48619

      Posted

      For sure, Cindy! This is a huge surgery and we need all the help we can get. You will find everyone here is so kind and helpful! I had not discovered hip replacement forums before my THR 7 months ago, and thought I was well-prepared. Ha ha! The ONE good thing I did beforehand was to make sure that I had my husband to help me at night and on weekends and my sister to help me during the day on weekdays (she lives next door). Since I had those two to support me, I was able to get all of my needs taken care of, since they could run to the food store, the pharmacy, and other stores to get supplies that it turned out I needed, as well as to drive me to doctor's appointments, since I couldn't drive until 6 weeks post-op.

      I hope you will read around this forum for loads of other good advice to help you to properly prepare, especially since you will be on your own after rehab (if you go). I so wish I had found this forum pre-op!

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