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Lovely Hippies I need your advice about christmas please.... :0

Posted , 16 users are following.

rose0000
rose0000

I have a dilemma....please advise if you have a moment...

My consultant has said I can have my hip replacement at the beginning of Dec (as my three month wait is up after the steroid injections) but will it completely ruin any chances of me enjoying my christmas with my baby girls? I will be approx 3 weeks into it all, so not sure how I will be. Every christmas is precious when they are young... but I will have plenty of support over christmas from my husband will be home and friends and family who will all be on holiday and around (thus making it easier)

Or

Do I keep taking the morphine, even though it isn't working so well this week and I am back to being up alot in the night and now need to increase my dosage. I am worried the pain relief after the operation won't work as well if I need to keep taking more and more morphine now. I will have the op in Jan, but won't have the same level of support....

What would you do?

 

1 like, 100 replies

100 Replies

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  • TJ007
    TJ007 rose0000

    Posted

    Hi Rose,

    my my left hip replacement is booked for 7th December and like you I had reservations at first about accepting the appointment. I have two children & Christmas has always been a big event for them and I didn't want to spoil it in any way.

    After a day of consideration I accepted the date, Christmas wasn't going to be much fun for anyone with me being in severe pain & hardly being able to move. Whatever stage of recovery I'm at by Christmas has to be better than I am now.

    Getting a little bit stressed as I haven't started Christmas shopping yet, but most of this will be done by mail order and I've given myself a target to do a little bit towards Christmas everyday starting tomorrow.

    part of me is actually looking forward to being able to sit down and watch loads of Christmas tv with my husband & children. my husband works shifts and the date in December works well as he's got 2 weeks shift leave and the children being off school will also be a big help.

    i wish you well in making the decision that's right for you.

    TJ x

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK TJ007

      Posted

      Good for you TJ, I have watched so much TV, now into jigsaw solving.

      Sounds like it all lines up well for you.

      Take it easy, as a lady it is so easy to overdo it by just 'doing a bit of washing, cleaning, making dinner'. It's much easier for us men to ignore a bit of cleaning etc.  Let the family take the strain.

      Best wishes for a good outcome and speedy recovery

      Graham

    • rose0000
      rose0000 TJ007

      Posted

      Hi TJ, I am sorry I must have missed your post.

      We are in the same boat lovely!

      I have booked my operation, in the end after reading all of the posts, my morphine patches are really not working very well, I think I am getting used to it. Reflecting on the fact I can't actually do anything now, I can't drink, go shopping, stand still, dance or do anything at the moment as it is, there is no much to be gained by NOT having the operation. I may, god willing, be in a better place by christmas even. I completely agree with you, it is not going to be any fun like this anyway! 

      I feel a little bit stressed looking at my to do list too, we have a lot to do, and this time of year is full on at the best of times, but it is nothing a few nights of on line shopping and christmas wrapping can't put right. And, in a strange way we might enjoy chrismtas all the more for NOT rushing around, but simply enjoying the quiet magic and having time to enjoy it. Watching lovely christmas films together, we can still do christmas crafts with the children, baking if we are sitting down.

      I have researched lots of christmassy events this weekend and next to take the children to, so we can enjoy seeing father christmas together still. Provided there is no a queue and I don't need to walk far! And I am decorating the tree next Sunday so it is ready! I even thought about laying the christmas table! But my husband said it will be covered in dust by then! But I am still thinking I will....

      I am sure it will be okay, lets keep in touch and see how we are doing. We should start a new thread of the christmas things to be enjoyed sitting down!! smile x

       

    • Gaby21
      Gaby21 rose0000

      Posted

      Honestly you'll wonder why you waited so long!! You won't realise till after the op HOW MUCH your life has been on hold and miserable with pain!!

      I love with pain all the time for one reason or other, and when a new one comes along I just seem to think " oh more pain, oh well" not realising that my whole personality etc changes! In May whilst on first day of our holiday something just went pop in my groin. Thought it was a muscle pull. Couldn't walk, hardly move, ruined the holiday, came home got worse! Wouldn't see my Dr. Got a bit better, went away again and so it went on ! Saw my Dr he said it was my Bursitis that I have suffered with for years in both bum cheeks, I knew it wasn't, had Physio, no good,got stuck in my car ended up in A&E they said unstable Pelvis, I knew it wasn't, just got worse & worse argued with my hubby, wracked with pain & in the end went to see a consultant and was in having the op 6 days later, my hip was on a scale of 1-10 an 8.

      I'm now nearly 3 weeks PO. No Pain, or any of the referred pain back, neck, bum etc. Yes I'm washed out , weak, emotional etc BUT I know I'm gonna be sooooooooo much better!!!

      Had the same Scenario two years ago with my knee and had a full knee replacement!!

      I wait too long trying to be a hero and put up with hellish pain!!! WHY goodness knows!!

      Be brave, be well, be Happy & pain Free!!xx

    • TJ007
      TJ007 rose0000

      Posted

      Hi Rose,

      I'm so pleased you have decided to go ahead with your op before Christmas. You will almost certainly feel better than you do now by Cheistmas Day.

      Enjoy your weekend of Christmasy events with your girls.

      We'll both get through this and have the support of this fantastic group to help us too.

      I'm going to start a post soon, keep in touch.

      TJ X

  • shirley17649
    shirley17649 rose0000

    Posted

    Hi Rose,

    Hope you are feeling positive. I was rushed yesterday so gave a quick post.

    Here are a few reasons why you should go for the op as soon as you can.

    The medication is bad for your body

    You only need the op done once. Once it's done, it's done.

    I you have it done in December you will be better in time for the spring when you can take the kids out and about more,

    As long as the children know Father Christmas has been they don't bother much about fine dining. Provided they get fed, that is.

    Hope you make the right decision for you and your family.

    You know best, in the end.

    Hugs,

    Shirley

    • rose0000
      rose0000 shirley17649

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your post Shirley. I was in a dilemma yesterday, but the morphine patches are now WEARING OFF! I can't believe it! I guess your body gets used to it. And now the same pain and relentless aching is taking hold I am not much use to anyone like this anyway!

      So now it is booked, for the 1st of Dec and I am frantically wrapping presents and ordering christmas food shopping now! So much to do before I can go...

      Thank you for your kind words and your support. I noticed you were very kind to me last time as well, I really appreciate it. I am scared, I am worried but I am hopeful it will all be better soon.... smile

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK rose0000

      Posted

      Rose,

      Don't be scared, the whole forum is here for you 24x7.

      We are all apprehensive before any major surgery, but this has turned out so well for so many people. I am sure you won't regret it.

      Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a good Christmas.

      Graham

    • shirley17649
      shirley17649 rose0000

      Posted

      Hi rose,

      I am so thrilled that you have taken the initiative and booked the op.

      It will be a learning curve for you and your family, but you will all emerge from it stronger than you were before. And fitter too! You will be able to do stuff with the children that they haven't seen you do before.

      I am not surprised about the morphine patches wearing off. Your body gets used to everything eventually.

      If you need help with planning for the 1st December just let us know.

      Have you prepared the kids for a bit of disruption? They need a bit of support beforehand  but will be very resilient when it comes to the actual event.

      Keep your chin up,Shirley

    • rose0000
      rose0000 shirley17649

      Posted

      What kind of disruption shall I prepare them for? I am not sure how to prepare them as I am not completely sure what to expect in reality.....despite being on this forum forever and a day. Not in detail anyway!

      Any help with planning, tips would be great thank you.

      I have told the girls I will be in hospital for a few days, and when I come out i will be on crutches with a new leg! I will be in bed for a few weeks but then I will be brand new and eventually able to run around and enjoy playing again. I have asked them to help Daddy and not to forget to feed our animals.

      Not sure what else to say...if you can suggest anything else I need to include. 

    • shirley17649
      shirley17649 rose0000

      Posted

      Yes, that sounds good, except you may not be in bed at home much. I was up and sitting in the chair from the start. But you will need to have a rest too, probably in the middle of the day/afternoon.

      You willl be tired and sore. Bruising takes a few days to wear off.

      The children will be able to pick things up for you as you can't bend.

      They need to make sure they don't leave their toys/clothes on the floor where you might trip over them. Just basic stuff like that really.

    • Hailea
      Hailea rose0000

      Posted

      Hi Rose

      I am so glad to see you have taken the step. I promise you won't regret it. This time next year you will be almost back to normal & you will be able to enjoy christmas like you should

      I wish you luck for 1st December. x

    • Hailea
      Hailea rose0000

      Posted

      Rose

      It is best not to stay in bed all the time.

      It is better to walk about even in the house a little more every day.Rest when you need to but stay mobile. Don't go on floors that are slippy or have a chance of being wet. Don't go on shiney floors with your crutches you could fall if they slip.

      Take up all rugs and anythi8ng else that may be a trip  / slip hazzard.

    • rose0000
      rose0000 shirley17649

      Posted

      I think I may stay in bed for a while even just to rest, the minute I get involved with family life I will be expected to pick up where I left off...so maybe a rest will be good for the first day or two. Really hoping to be well for christmas though! x

      Thanks for your post.

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK rose0000

      Posted

      Yes, and the rest is most important, I had afternoon naps in the spare room in the first week - not a bad habit to get into - reminds the family that you need your rest.

      It is very easy to 'overdo it' when you start feeling better, I did it out walking too far, ladies are prone to do too much housework and cooking.   Learning not to do too much is hard, but I am sure that you will do it at some time wink, we all do.

      Best wishes

      Graham

       

    • Paganalley
      Paganalley rose0000

      Posted

      Depending on the re-build area, once it's set, you may be up quicker than you think! It's not as straight forward as just a new hip BUT Drs want us up and moving as soon as possible. Which helps with circulation, pain,  healing and makes you feel a bit more human xxxxxx
    • shirley17649
      shirley17649 rose0000

      Posted

      Hi rose,

      Just catching up on this thread. Yes, by all means have naps.

      I spent my days in the lounge on a reclining chair so that I was accessible yet could nod off whenever I felt like it. My children are older of course, 17 year old twin girls, so it is a different situation from yours.

      They still like to come and get advice on which teabags to use and where the sugar is (where it has been for the last five years)

      Lots of love,

      Shirley

    • Kikeena
      Kikeena rose0000

      Posted

      Yes, Stay in bed and keep on two crutches when up. I really understand how they can just let it slip into normal mode when you're anything but normal. Exaggerate the limp, stay seated when up and generally give as many visual clues that you're not back to normal as possible.

      And I too think you've made the right decision to have it before Christmas. It was never going to be the best Christmas ever, so it may as well be a healing one rather than one where you're dreading the surgery to come. And I think you'll be in less pain then than you are now! Amazing to think.

      Kikeena

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK Kikeena

      Posted

      Rose,

      Kikeena is right, do not minimise your pain/discomfort or be over confident, you should feel right before being let out, and if necessary exaggerate the limp or how you feel.  I was not 100% sure when they got me to do the stairs as I had an upset stomach from the anti inflamatories, so I made sure they knew I was unsteady on the 'stairs test'.  I was in for one extra night, and I  was very glad as I had to go to the loo with the stomach problem every hour that night.

      Hope you get a speedy recovery, and a fabulous Christmas.

      Graham

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