Got a date

[SirenMoonBee]

I rung the sec this morning and she says i'm pencilled in for 11th Nov so i'm dead excited now, and i need any tips and hints on what to pack etc.... Hopefully this appointment date wont change, as i feel like i need it now, hence why i was calling in the first place as i was willing to beg for the next available appointment.

[oscarsmum]

WooHoo Thats great news!!!

Whats even better is although still on crutches you will be well enough to enjoy Christmas too-so best start your shopping now !( or do it all online when you are bored post-op).

Really pleased for you that you have a date to work to, don't go too mad with the items for hospital shopping, most of what I bought was a complete waste of money.
Kate x

[hotchickie]

Congratulations on a surgery date. I know that it must feel good to have a set plan and now you are able to look forward to getting some of your issues all fixed up. I hope that your wait for Nov 11th isn't too painful that you. Sending happy hip thoughts your way

[SirenMoonBee]

Thanks girls, i will bear in mind not to buy too much. Shall i ring occupational health now and what do i ask for? Bath shelf? raised toilet seat? perch for bathroom? Not sure what you need or where you go to be honest as no-one at the hospital seems to say when you ask. Oh i so excited, i'm glad i'd been working out too as i've lost a stone nearly and my strength is way better than it ever was too, so thats gotta help some. xx

[oscarsmum]

Wow! Well done on the weight loss!

I was only given a raised toilet seat, which I used because it was there but would have managed fine without one. That was all I was given, and the hospital arranged it all at the pre-op appointment. I also bought a small stool for the shower (we have a separate cubicle) which I was glad of, I would have needed a bath shelf if we hadn't had the separate shower. I hired a wheelchair from the red cross but didn't really need it,it was good to help with the train journey home but apart from that I wouldn't bother with one next time,although I used it a lot as a tray wheeling meals and drinks around from the kitchen to the lounge,lol.
It depends on your surgeons post-op restrictions to how much you will need, Witt doesn't bother with the 90degree rule, says its only necessary for a THR- I was shaving my legs and painting toes at two weeks post-op !
Next time I would just make sure I had a backpack for carrying stuff, a travel mug for drinks, a fleece and dressing gown for hospital, and a couple of nighties ( I bought 10- one for each day and spent most of the time in hospital gowns). Comfy jogging bottoms for during the day at home and travelling home ( I got a size bigger) and some baby wipes to frehgen up, moisturiser. Wouldn't bother with books, long handled sponge, grabber ( but you have got that anyway,lol) hand gel, dry shampoo, perfume, body spray and all the other rubbish I took in to hospital.
Hope this helps
Kate x

Ps Actually the grabber was good in hospital because you could easily get things that were out of your reach (including the buzzer when some thoughtless nurse put it back on the wall,lol)

[Spam1]

Yay Debbie!! The countdown begins! Not too long to wait as well!

Hospital wise, just take a dressing gown, slippers (but not slip on type), wet wipes, orange squash, trackie bottoms x 2, tshirts x 3, nighties x 3, and some big pants. My parents brought me in magazines when I was up to reading a bit, but not worth taking a book. Any snacks which you enjoy are good, as I felt so sick constantly that it was nice to have something I could snack on inbetween meals, even if its just simple plain biscuits to settle the stomach. I also took heat pads and found them very useful to put on my back post op so I could actually sleep.

I would definitely get a wheelchair from the red cross, I have both times and used them loads. Its so nice just to be able to get out of the house once you come home from hospital, even if its short trips at first, saves using the crutches. The one thing I would also ask for is a 4inch cushion for the wheelchair, as this more evenly distributes your bum so its much comfier! I had strict 90 degree rules, so had to have a toilet seat raiser and perching stool too, and not sit on any chairs where my knees would be above my hip, so I had to go around measuring the chairs before hand and working out where I could sit etc. Used a cushion in the car too.

I got given a grabber, used it a bit, more for playing with pulling things - works great to get someone else's socks off while they arent looking! I also keep getting given a shoe horn but have never used it as I had help dressing lol.

xxx

[SirenMoonBee]

Who do i speak too for hiring this stuff? They really should say at the hospital i think. I've got the grabber and crutches (thanks Kate!) and i'll need something over my bath as i have no separate shower to climb into. The clothes list is really helpful as it's hard to judge what you will or wont fit into, and what may rub the incision and what wont. It's funny that everyone has said about not taking a book, which puzzles me, as i would of thought it would be a perfect time to crack one open?? I am a serious book worm, if that changes things. Why do you all say no book, is it from being too tired? too busy etc??

Sam when is your date, aren't you around the same time?

[dreamwalker]

My surgery probably wasn't as extensive as what you are having, but I was planning for my classes the next morning. I had taken one of the textbooks and a pad of paper. I had notes for three essays before I left later that day.

[SirenMoonBee]

Wow thats good work! Maybe i could carry on my herbal course while i'm in as i'm up to my ears with course work and assignments. I've bought some books especially for my recovery as i'll get bored otherwise at home, i don't mind not reading at the hospital, as i'll do it more at home i'm sure! xx

[jodieh]

Excellent news! Fingers crossed the date stays the same - in terms of Occ Health, you'll probably be admitted the day before and you'll be visited by Occ Health then who suggest & ask what equipment you'd like - if you're having your pre-op tests done at ROH it's probably worth asking then as well, because I live so far away I have my pre-op tests done by my GP, worth considering if you're not local - just contact the pre-op clinic. For what to take in, you'll be so tired from the surgery and the meds, and there is always something going on - meal rounds, tea rounds, drug rounds, physio, plus other patients (most wards have four beds in the bays) so you'll be swapping stories too. You're allowed to use your mobiles on the wards too.
xx