Tell me the story Leslie, going for the surgery 6/06/07.

Kiki.

Wellll... I was hesitant to post this, but.....  The very best 'gadget' is a
female urinal.  It can be used in any position from laying down to standing
and cost $8 at the local hospital supply store.  For those times when you
hurt too bad, the need is urgent or in the middle of the night when you are
too groggy to use the walker.

I am starting to develop pressure sores on my heels and a few other bony
joints/areas.  We paid $16 for some synthetic sheepskin (maybe 8 sq. in.
worth) which is cut into a 'T' shape with velcro to wear on my heels- bought
at the medical supply, also.  WalMart sells this sheepskin by the yard for a
few bucks- I could have made everything I needed for about $10.  Now, I also
need it for my elbows and buttocks.  Wish I had bought some and made the
pads myself.

Scooting around to the side of the bed on the sheets is tough- you tend to
stick more than glide .  I wish I had something like a quilted cotton
placemat with a vinyl backing- sized for 'my' butt, of course.  Again,
WalMart sells a product in the sewing section that is an iron-on vinyl.  It
would be handy for any accidents of any sort, too.  Gee, sheepskin with the
vinyl ironed-on to the back would be perfect.... wish I had thought of it!
When doing your PT exercises, put a plastic trash bag under your surgery leg
to help it glide across the sheets.  Use a smallish plastic gag over your
foot to put on your pressure hose, then pull the bag out thru the toe
opening.

Last time I had the hip done, I made a fabric carry-all that fit across the
front of my walker- it had dividers for a bottle of water, keys, phone, and
a larger pouch that could handle a sandwich or jar of soup- I drank the soup
from the quart jar.  I forgot to make one time around, so I took a plastic
WalMart bag (can you tell I live in a small town an WalMart is the ONLY
place???) and cut the handles in half and knotted it to the walker.  It
works, but..... my homemade job was much better.

I had no idea I would need a wheelchair.  If I had known, I would have
practiced maneuvering one around the house.  If you haven't used a walker
then practice with it.  Do not use hand lotion on your palms- they will slip
off the walker!  Lesson learned the hard way!

Get a plastic/vinyl bath bench- or bedside commode which will do double duty
in the shower.  Wear a sock on the surgery foot- much easier to slide the
leg out of the way when sitting down- assuming you have a slippery surface
like the bathroom floor.

www.drleonards.com sells a tray that fits over the top of a walker.  I just
ordered it, but expect to find it very useful when it arrives.  I think it
was an excellent investment for about $16.  They also sell a reacher tool
for a few bucks- very necessary when you cannot bend more than 90 degrees.
(tray is item #24731; reacher tool is #30140; female urinal is #28527,
raised toilet seats are # 35980, 36244, 29946)

Have a cordless phone to carry at all times.  Stock up on things you would
like to eat when you have the flu- your tummy may rebel on you and you may
need things like 7-Up and chicken noodle soup to survive on.  Get a plastic
tub and fill it with essentials to keep on the bed beside you- pen and
paper, a book, remotes and phone, Kleenex, hairbrush, munchies and
chocolate--- and, in my case, doggy treats.  You won't need to holler for
help when you need these things over and over again.

The hip replacement websites carry a lot of info, but these are things I
didn't see there.

My revision was due to an inept surgeon for the first replacement and my
recent hospital stay was a nightmare of neglect.  Facing another six weeks
of confinement is a dismal thought... may your surgeon be skilled and may
your nurses care.  Best of luck to all who have surgeries coming up.

Leslie

Leslie,

I'm sorry for your troubles.  I've just had my second thumb surgery -
first one didn't turn out good.

PING: JOAN CARTER

Joan I read where you are a wound care nurse.  Could you please send
me your e-mail address?  I have a question to ask concerning my
disabled daughter.  Well maybe more than one question.  LOL  Just take
the number 0 out of my listed address to get the correct one.  Thank
you.

debbie m.