Where I have been?

[mets82]

I'll tell you where I've been. I've been taking care of my mother because she still has to have double hip surgery, plus I'm in the process of selling my home to I'm getting that together and its been really hot so I havent been able to get to a computer. Even I when I have, I dont have the time to go to this site. With that being said, I want to tell you guys that I'm ok and not to worry because I havent posted in a while.

[Bonniegirl]

Hi Mets82! Always nice to hear from you. Hope your Mom gets well soon!

[Retro4Life]

Take care, mets. You're doing a great thing by helping out your mom;there are many today who wouldn't be equal to that challenge, sadly. Good for you, my friend.

Be well and we'll leave the light on for you.

[Marvo301]

Thanks for checking in mets82! Best wishes and prayers to your Mom on her surgery. And best wishes on the sale of your house as well!

[mets82]

Thank you guys. Much appreciated.

[biffbronson]

Hi Mets82

Here are some things I picked up from the experience of my mom's half-hip replacement in 2012:

If not done already, your mom may be tested quite a bit with additional scans, eeg/ekg, all sorts of tests to make sure she is a good surgery candidate. Your doctor or surgeon may mention her eventual need to use a cane, etc. but don't be overly concerned -- they're just required to alert family as to what could be needed. My mom now gets around fine, no cane.

See that she gets as much sleep as possible -- the blood sample takers in the hospitals come at all hours of the night when ordered, waking up the patients.

Always have a list with you of any prescription meds your mom currently takes. You will also likely be asked a lot about her past medical history, especially past operations.

These operations can take quite a while -- don't worry about the relatively long wait. If your mom's operation's all done and the doctors say it's okay for her to eat, you might want to have some food handy that she likes -- especially if it's late and you don't have access to a cafeteria, etc. My family sent me to get a sandwich for my mom, she was starved!

It's possible your mom will need some blood transfusions as she recovers. Something I had no idea would be necessary.

She will likely have a rack over her bed. It's a good idea to check that the connections are tight. Also likely: a machine that uses air pressure to squeeze her legs, for blood circulation. It's good to know how to hook up the cables and pads for that. Later, when your mom's able to get up to go to the bathroom, you may be able to disconnect it yourself, saving her from delay.

They will likely give her a big foam pad, like for between the legs, and also air-filled "waffle" cushions for lot of sitting. Be sure to take these home later, for use there (one of my mom's waffles was nearly thrown away). The bigger pads can sometimes be used in leg exercises.

Her surgeon or other doctor/nurses will change her big surgery site bandages regularly. My mom's scar is so minimal, you can hardly see where the incision was made.

The doctors will have her go through physical therapy, including getting in and out of a car, and will give her exercise lists for later at home. Also very importantly, she will have temporary restrictions to follow: crossing her legs will not be permitted, bending to reach something on the floor, etc. Keep the list of those handy later on.

It's important that ice packs be placed on her incision areas, so you will want to be sure they're changed as soon as they're no longer cool. There will probably be a freezer on the same floor as your mom, where the big gel packs are kept -- ask the nurses if they'll allow you (or other family member) to change them out, instead of having to wait too long for someone to come do it.

If your mom will be having visiting nurses at home, you might be able to do some paperwork for that ahead of time -- maybe something to ask about. Also find out where her physical therapy will take place. They may give you a list of outpatient places to choose from. You might also want to try to get recommendations from friends as to where the best outpatient phys. therapy places are.

Also, if she has a physical therapist come to her home, you might ask the doctor to also prescribe a bath aide -- another woman, who's trained to help the patient with her bathing.

The hospital or surgery center will likely have an office where you can pick up paperwork, like related to directives. When you're not busy, it might be good to visit and talk to people working in there -- they can give you some helpful blank forms.

Try to meet with a social worker, if one is available, to help with your mom's transition following her hospital stay. They can be helpful.

I hope a couple of these things might help just a little, and of course very best wishes. I know it sounds overwhelming, but you'll be fine if you just take things a little at a time, maybe keeping some notes of questions that may pop up.

[mets82]

Biff, thank you for taking the time to post. Thanks for the help too. I'll let everybody know when she's going in and when my home will be sold.