Feeling very alone and scared

Hi Glyn,  I don't know where you live, but I live in Vancouver Canada and they don't let us home to be by ourselves for the first few days.  Usually re-hab until they can see you can cope.  Would this be possible for you ?  Everyone seems to have a different recovery, I was lucky stopped all medication on my 5th day home, didn't need them.  I also started cooking at that point because I didn't like my husbands cooking !!!!!  If I had to do it again I would have prepared more meals in advance.  I was worried about stairs, the first couple of days I was wobbly but then got the hang of them.  For me the surgery was a miracle, I hope it is for you as well.  Keep us posted and good luck.

Hi Glyn,

I had a left THR last Wednesday & honestly there is nothing to be scared of.

Make sure the nursing team know you will not have anyone at home as this can be difficult. I am lucky as I have 2 daughters that are sharing to stay with me so would be good if someone could even just pop in to cook you a meal or even for a chat.

I now need further advise from others on this site.

 

Hi Glyn

After you leave hospital, you will be mobile on crutches but make sure you do not have to carry out any ackward tasks and climb stairs including having everything near you that you need (food, clothes etc) to make life that much easier

Keep smiling and I am sure you will manage

Hello Glyn,

I too live alone, 61 in UK.  I was kept in an extra day (a) as I live alone(b) my BP kept flooring and they were worried it would "happen at home alone".  In fact it did but thankful to helpful village postman, I managed to stagger to door and he helped me to my bed! Thereafter he checked to make sure I was OK.  It was a warning do NOT try and do too much too soon!  But apart from that I was fine.  Just have food in freezer.  Never had frozen veg before but was converted! The worse part was thinking things were going wrong - odd pains etc. but GP was good and did a home visit for reassurance.

Please dont feel scared! fully inderstand how you feel,but get yourself prepared get ready meals that you can put in your freezer,get yourself a grabber,you willbe surprised how much you will need it and it will help you enormously,occupational health will deliver to you a trolley which will be invaluable to push items from a-b example your food and you can support yourself with this when moving items and any other items you may need.and other items which will help you too ask help from everyone you know,you will be surprised how much help you will get! As for the op,i promise it wont be any where as bad as you expect and you will get so much support while you are in hospital...and the start of a new life! Good luckx

Hi Glyn, I also live alone on a farm cottage 6 miles from the nearest village.  I spent 3.5 days in the operating hospital (Raigmore, Inverness) & another 3.5 in a community hospital on the way home.  If you let the NHS know you're alone at home they may well do the same for you ~ but I had to ask for it.  Once home I had absolutley no problems; in spite of my toilet & bedroom being upstairs.  Climbing them as taught was dead simple.  I was offerred the use of a wee trolley to take food & drink from the kitchen to the chair in the sitting room ~ but didn't need it, as I found I could carry anything in 1 hand & move the short distance using just 1 NHS walking stick.  I can also highly recommend using your supermarket of choice's online ordering & delivery service.  I got everything I wanted to eat or drink delivered & carried into the kitchen; even included the Radio Times.  I was offered to have some home help come around to check on me, but declined, with thanks, as I didn't need it.  Hope all goes equally well with you.  Good luck, & don't worry.  Cheers, John

Glyn if there is anyone that can come and stay with you just for a few days then please ask them, I live alone and my sister came to stay for 5 days but I came out of hospital after 3 days. You will need that support initially unless you stay in for longer, they will ask you at pre admission if you have anyone to help. There are lots of little things that you don't realise till after the event eg everything has to be at mid height, no reaching or bending, or lifting. you will need to work out how you can wash unless you have a walk in shower. You will as previously said need to have easy meals as you will be tired at first. If you have stairs they will also be a bit dodgy at first. You will need to ensure all your clothes and washing equipment at mid height where you can reach them. Even things like cleaning your teeth need working out how you can do this without twisting.Your movements are limited to prevent dislocation. I was fine after 5 days but this time enabled me to get everything in the right place ready. However don't be scared, we are all frightened of having the op as its a major op and they have to tell us the downside as well, but the alternative is not being able to walk. If you are in Uk Red Cross can provide help for you at home initially, so it may be a good idea to google where your closest red cross is. Hope this helps and good luck with your op.

Hi Glyn

I'm due to have my first hip replacement surgery soon. I'm so looking forward to being rid of the pain and the hope of increased mobility. I guess most of us are a bit apprehensive or scared of doing something new and having hip replacement surgery for the first time is a new experience and challenge. I'm pleased to hear that you have been reassured about living on your own after the op. There are very kind people in the world and you may be surprised just how many of them offer to lend you a helping hand once you are back at home after the op. I'm going to channel my energy and time into getting my home as prepared as possible for after the op before I go into hospital. Meals in the freezer, as many things as possible at eye level rather than in low cupboards and a "Helping Hand" tool at the ready. If I keep busy it helps me not to worry!

I wish you all the best for your surgery and a speedy recovery.     

Hi Glyn

I am assuming you are in the UK?

It's normal to be scared even if you are not on your own but the majority of hospitals will make sure you are OK before going home.

The stairs should be no proplem.

They tell ylou how to go up and down.

The first THR I had I was told........hold the bannister, and then the good leg {not operated one} goes up to heaven....so it goes first, then the, bad leg {op one} goes to hell. The bad one is always the one that comes last.. You end up with both feet on one stair then again and so on.

I sounds more complicated than it is.

2nd THR I was told.....GBS  ??? I queried it.....George Bernard Shaw  ??

As has been said before......organise before you go in.....everything you need at mid height....no stretching or bending....eg....if my husband was out, i kept the milk on the bench....not in the fridge where I would have to bend. I dont know where you are if its the UK no problem  lOL if its somewhere hot put it in ice water in a saucepan or something

Buy  ready meals to freeze or cook a lot of ready meals to freeze....frozen veg in the freezer to make a meal.

You will need some help .....KI could wash my top part but from knees down to feet my husband washed......thats all that happened with me for 6 weeks....a full wash.

Get your hair cut/trimmed before going in.

Toe nails cut....you wont be able to cut those for a while.

I got loads of equipment that was delivered before i got home.

2 toilet seats...raised......the first THR I didnt have a chair just 2 settees and they didnt like those so delivered a chair for 6 weeks.

A grabber {thats a life line} a thing to help you with socks. They show you in hospital how to pull up loose trousers and pants with a grabber.

I also got a trolley. I found that great and you will on your own...if they dont offer it ask for it.

It meant when my husband was working I could push it into the kitchen, make a cup of tea and sandwich and push it back to the living room and sit down and enjoy it.  If anyone came I went and made the coffee....made me feel more independent.

Sorry I've rambled on but if you think of anything just ask

Oh yes...take any help thats offered and ask.... if there is any one you can ask...forget pride.....it goes out the window for at least 6 weeks

Love

Eileen  UK