Visit to Doctor

Ok, my head is buzzing with information from the doctor and his nurse. I have a HUGE packet of material to read. I haven’t processed all I was told this afternoon yett. So, it is being offered here in little blobs just as it occurs to me:

the thing that surprised me the most is that I was offered the option of stockpiling two pints of my own blood in case it is needed during the surgery. I have a form to take to the Red Cross for just that purpose. I was surprised because I wasn’t offered that option the last time I had surgery {2000 for endometrial cancer} I didn’t think to ask about it then or now–it was the nurse who brought it up! I know my sister was somewhat of a fanatic on the point that she would NEVER accept any blood but her own, and apparently, in England, they wouldn’t let her stockpile.
I will be in hospital 2 to 3 days not including the day of the surgery
I have already been given a list of what I need to do after the surgery in order to get sent home and it is much more than poop and pee sucessfully! I have to be able to stand up, walk a few steps and have been instructed how to go up and down stairs and get out of bed the proper way!
When I get home, a physical therapy person will come to the house couple of times a week for, I think, four weeks and then I go back to the doctor. If it is necessary, I can go out to physical therapy after that.
Driving will be after four to six weeks or when the doctor says I can.
A nurse is going to call me about anesthesia before the surgery. I always want to throw up after general anesthesia. Sometimes I do…
The doctor called me Pat. I corrected him.

I didn’t eat lunch before I went to this appointment so went to MCDonald’s for a cheeseburger and small order of fries after the appointment.

Now, I am off to say goodnight to Fred and to bed to read a bit before sleeping.

QUOTATION: If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to it!

Jonathan Winters

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Pat

May 10, 2007

If it is anything like my MIL’s hip replacement, the actual incision is amazingly small. She was 91 when she had her surgery and she was mobile really soon after her surgery.

lehper

My wife had both hips replaced. They do not bother her at all. Now it is the knees. 🙂 – – – –

Desert Sage

My dad had a hip replaced in his mid-fifties. A few years ago he had the other replaced, and then had to have the first one redone/replaced as it was wearing out. He did remarkably well. i’m sure (hopeful!) that you will too!

Bullwinkle6

My MIL had her hip replaced about 3 years ago. It was remarkably easy, she said (tiny incision, too). She did the blood stockpiling, too. My thoughts will be with you.

Sounds much like the recovery of Es’ surgery. I know you’ll be relieved when it’s over, just because it’s over and also because you know that you will be back on your way to walking again. Hugs, M

Violet

My FIL did blood stockpiling for his, and it was many years ago. Sounds like they have an excellent plan for you. Ask about massage therapy. I’m sure Beth’s healing hands will help with the recovery as well. 🙂

Telynor

Whew! That is a lot. But focus on how much better you will be once you heal up. And there is Italy waiting for you!

yes, a lot of information to take in and digest. but … mostly positive – four weeks is manageable I think and really incredibly quick when you think that breaks usually take six weeks to heal. when I broke my leg I was very envious as they initially told me three months for my leg and the lady I was with in hospital would be better after four weeks and had the neatest of scars. My grandfather had his hip done and was like a spring chicken. His regret? He hadn’t done it sooner. Stockpiling – oh yes, fantastic idea. I was given someone else’s blood without my knowledge and later it turned out that it was the source of my ME. Infection of the plasma. Could have been my blood fighting the blood I was given. Definitely, stock pile if you can. After that I refused blood at all for my second op.

TheWoodsprite

May 11, 2007

Wow, I’m surprised that you might be able to drive as soon as four weeks after surgery! That’s cool! Also, I don’t think doctors should address patients by their first names at all without asking. We rarely call them by their first names, and even though they get paid a lot for what they do, they ARE “public servants.” hugs, Weesprite

Ginger Rogers

I think it’s great that you have all the information before you go into the hospital.

That is wonderful having all that information. I think it is smart to save your own blood for the surgery….it is coming up fast…….

VeronicaCorningstone

It sounds like you learned quite a lot. It’s good that the doctor was so willing to share information and that all of the news was pretty positive. 🙂

Vermonter57

Wow…stockpiling blood, huh? That’s really something! Never heard of it myself. You’re so outgoing already I’m sure your recovery time will be short 😉

Green Goddess