need comfort, getting scared

constable
constable Member Posts: 2,115
edited 4. May 2011, 15:39 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi all,

My THR is this thursday, and I am becoming really scared. I don't know whether it will be full general or spinal block until the day. I think I am more scared about being in hospiital and not at home, about leaving the girls and hubby and when I get home I will be useless to them. I should have 2 special chairs coming and they need to highten the settee, if not another chair for the front room. I am giving up smoking tomorrow, apparently 2 clear days before, and the chest wont have started to block.

Please can I have pocket duties for that day. Just to reassure me a little.

Karen xx
Karen xx
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Comments

  • kate3
    kate3 Member Posts: 28
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen
    You will be glad to get in and get it sorted.
    Am sure Hubby and Girls will be fine,( remember that advert,Dad giving the children Choc ice and chips!!!!)LOL!!!
    Try not to worry(easier said than done), but the calmer you can be the better for your body, to start recovering.
    It is amazing how quickly you will be up and about,and the aids that they give you really do help.
    Follow any info that you have been given, and remember,although, a first for you,the surgeon and staff, have done this many, many times.
    Have Trust and Faith.
    Only a few days to go.
    Dont worry you will be so occupied with Physio and usual Hospital regime,you will be home in no time.
    Lots of Good Luck.
    Kate
  • coco67
    coco67 Member Posts: 2,374
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Karen,
    you can count on me for pocket duties, just to make sure i will hop in now. i now you are getting really nervous but it will all be ok and well worth it in the end. do as kate says and follow what your told and you will be fine.
    hubby and the kids will manage and so what if they have choc ice and chips :wink::lol: , seriously im sure hubby will manage and they are looking forward to the new improved mobility you will gain from this.

    holding your hand xxx
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen

    First of all a massive hug for you((((((()))))))
    I can imagine your apprehension of going into hospital.....I always feel the same. I hate being away from home.
    I will be in your pocket on thursday
    Take care
    love juliepf x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,821
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Karen

    you are a brave brave girl!!!

    You WILL be ok and you will manage away from home and teh girls will miss you but love you all tyhe ore for you having been away for a bit. They will wait on you and treat you like a princess.

    This l can promise...l had back surgery when my two girls were 5 and 8. After about 5 days recuperating l looked after them (or was that the other way round???) on my own (was a single parent at the time).

    They were great. I think they enjoyed 'helping' me wash my hair most :lol:

    Don't be frightened Karen, they will be lovely to you there and they are so used to that type of operation...you are the best kind of patient for them - one who is motivated to get home.

    100% always available for pocket duties :grin:

    Love and hugs(((((((((((((())))))))))))))

    Toni xx
  • bertyboy
    bertyboy Member Posts: 1,860
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI Karen wil be reporting for pocket duty , as i know how important is is to not feel alone , wishing you well and i am sure every thing will fall into place x
    I know i am a lady ,all life is a journey xx MAY xx
  • Poppyg1rl
    Poppyg1rl Member Posts: 1,245
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen,
    Will be with you for pocket duties and sending buckets of hugs your way (((((()))))) thinking of you xxx
    'grá agus solas'
    'Love and Light' translated from Irish. X
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen

    It is perfectly normal to be nervous. You are not alone there. The anaesthetist will more than likely be the one to decide which way to go ie spinal block or GA. The waiting is the worst, I have found. I am sure your family understand that you will need time to recuperate. They will cope without you being there too. Don't worry about that! If you do as you are told by the medics you will be fine. :smile: There are many people on here who have had a THR and they will all be here for you to answer any questions you may have post op.

    I wish you well and look forward to hearing from you after the op.

    Look after yourself,

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • Pherstun
    Pherstun Member Posts: 96
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Will be with you from now until Thursday and then after.

    Take care. (((((((((( ))))))))))

    Debbie
  • constable
    constable Member Posts: 2,115
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks to all of you, I am so glad that I joined this forum, you are all great people, I really do appreciate all of you, I am so thankful for you all, speaking to me and advised me, it means everything to me. :smile:

    Karen xx
    Karen xx
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen

    Just adding to the good wishes here and hoping the next few days go quickly for you. When my time comes, and it will :shock: I will be quite literally terrified so you do have my sympathy.
    Hope you can find some distractions over the next few days and can focus on the how much more mobile and pain free you will be.
    I will be there for pocket duty and in the mean time leave some courage and hugs ((( )))
    Chris
  • kathbee
    kathbee Member Posts: 934
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen

    You are bound to be nervous, its a natural reaction.

    The surgeon and anaesthetist will decide what is best for you.
    I personally was glad to have had the spinal block but there
    are other peeps who prefer to be zonked out.

    I'm sure your family will be ok, they may even surprise you
    by how well they managed. You will be back with them in
    a short time and just think - that dreadful pain will be gone
    and you will be a new woman. :smile:
    The difference is immeasurable.

    Any questions you have, dont hesitate to ask.

    Will be thinking of you
    on thursday, and whilst I will be away from Friday for a
    couple of weeks, I will be looking to see how you are getting
    along.

    Love Kath
  • madwestie
    madwestie Member Posts: 383
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Karen, i will be there bright(well sort of ) and early for pocket duty on Thursday. can i bring Maddie with me she will be quiet and works as a good stress relief, put you hand in your pocket and stroke a furry body( :oops: ooh that sounds a bit kinky, she is a westie)
    You will be back home before you know it and hubby and girls will be fine the girls will be bossing dad around and loving every minute of it.
    just think of it as the first step to a new pain free hip and think of all the things you will be able to do once you are fully healed.
    I have a friend who is 82 and has had both hips replaced in the last 3 years and she is walking fine and can beat me easily, she was out of hospital in no time and recovered really quick she says it is the best thing she has had done.

    Good Luck

    Tracey
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen,

    Also signing up for pocket duties and really hope you feeling a little less panicked today>? I think its natural to be feeling fear, anticipation and then the recovery all being there in a circle in your head but just think of how much this will help you. Its going to be ok and they will look after you and after wards you will be so much better for having it done.

    Will bring a hammock for the pocket and sneak in Wednesday night cus bright and early... not always so good at that. Kick me if I snore and leaving a (((( )))) and such a big hope for you. Cris xx
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen
    I really feel for you, it is natural to be scared...somewhere down the line I will be facing the same, but like the others have said the waiting is the worse, it will be other before you know it, and they dont keep you in very long these days, I am sure your OH and family will survive, and enjoy looking after you when you get home.
    I will be in pocket duties, and I wish you well with all
    Love
    Barbara xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen,
    I can well understand you being nervous, I would be too. Hope you have some patches to put on to ease the craving flower. :wink:
    To think by this weekend it will all be over and your road to recovery will have started. Nothing wrong with a few takeaways and a pair of headphones so you don’t have to listen to the breakages. :lol:

    Seriously, I am sure the girls will love to be able to look after you, hang on in there Karen we will be with all the way.
    Hugs from,
    Ix
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 9,108
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen.
    try not to worry to much it will change your life you will be able to walk without the pain you have now.
    i have had mine 16 years and its still going strong.
    i will be there on thursday following you around.
    take care and try nt to worry. joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen,
    Count me in for pocket duty. You'll be fine and so will hubby and the kids.....you'll be surprised at how they will muddle through....admittedly mine had left home when I had my THR....the things they give you to help will make a great difference. OK you cant bend down to put your shoes and socks on. but you'll have sticks /crutches and you'll soon be able to manage around the house....I had a trolly so that if I was on my own I could push this into the kitchen and make a cup of tea or lunch and push it back again......The mind boggles at me trying to do this with one stick and the cup in my hand :lol::lol:
    Love
    Hileena
  • magenta
    magenta Member Posts: 1,604
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen,
    I'll be there too! Everything will be fine and as others have said, your girls (and hubby) will look after you well. Good luck with giving up the ciggies too!
    Take care,
    Eileen xxx
  • tonesp
    tonesp Member Posts: 844
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Don't be scared I had mine here in Spain with a spinal block The time whizzed by and it was quite exciting 7 months on life is great No more pain back to normal :wink::wink::wink::wink:
  • coco67
    coco67 Member Posts: 2,374
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    just dropped by to leave you a hug (((((((((((()))))))))))))
  • caterina57
    caterina57 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen
    Of course you are going to be scared - who wouldn't be? But we are all with you. will be jumping into your pocket on Thurs and holding your hand all the way!
    Cath
  • prefabkid47
    prefabkid47 Member Posts: 1,316
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen

    You had better get big pockets it's going to be very crowded there.Count me in for pocket duty,I know what you are going through.Am waiting for ankle replacement any time now (just waiting for the 'phone call!)

    Ron
    ''Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy''. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
  • jilly
    jilly Member Posts: 503
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen , i am here for you on pocket duty ,I know how fightening it is before you go in i was the same , try to look forward to feeling better and enjoying life again .....................jillyxx
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen, I think nearly everyone will admit to getting even alittle nervous about going to hospital, I know I still do! I am sure the chairs and the blocks under settee you will find a blessing. I will be ready and willing for pocket duty on Thursday! Will squeeze in somewhere with a flask and a sausage roll! not a chicken sausage!! LOL!! And here is a big hug to calm those nerves ((())). Amanda, (bubbadog).
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hells bells girl, of course you are feeling a bit wobbly, it's a very big deal and all rather unsettling. I can think of nothing clever or wise to say, apart from focus on the benefit: the aim is enhanced mobility and a deal less pain and that can only be a good thing for you and your family. Things may well get a little worse or a little more painful before they start getting better but you will come through with flying colours, of that I am sure, and the goal is so worth-while. We will be with you in spirit on Thursday - get back to us as soon as you can after and let us know how you are getting on! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben