Im having THR & My Huband just had accident

lazicat

Im having THR on 13th July & Im now really worried. My husband had a fall from a stepladder at the weekend & hurt his sholuder, he had xray monday & follow up appointment today. They think he has a Rotary Cuff Tear & is now having urgent MRI to see how much damage, but has been told it will probably require surgery. I cant believe it , dont know how we are going to manage, we havent any family to help us. Dont know what to do , lifes a struggle as Im so poorly & restricted & he has to work. Im now worried sick & dont know what to do.

dreamdaisy

Oh lazicat, what a blow for him and you, no wonder you are worried and I can understand why. I don't know what to suggest but maybe it's best to wait and see what treatment he will need first before you go making any decisions about what is best to do. Is this your first THR? DD

stickywicket

I’m so sorry to hear about your poor husband, lazicat. It must have come as a shock to both of you. I hope he gets the verdict from the MRI scan quickly so that you can decide what are your best options.

I’m afraid I can’t remember how badly you are affected by your arthritis – is it just the hip? People who live alone do manage after THRs though, obviously, it will not be easy for you. Occupational Therapy, at the hospital, will help before sending you home. When do you have your pre-op tests? The nurses there might help.

However, right now you need to know what will happen with your husband. Do you know when you will find out? Your own op is about 4 weeks away which gives you some leeway. I hope the news is as good as it can be. Take care.

julie47

Hi Lazicat

I haven't any advice, I just wanted to wish both you and your husband well.

Love Julie Pf x

lazicat

Thanks everyone. After alot of phone calls & asking consultants etc to liaise with each other finally getting somewhere.
My husband is having his MRI Scan 11th July & my THR is 13th July. So we are hoping that he will actually know how bad he is on the day & then we can decide if my operation is going ahead or not. It will all depend on if he can wait or if surgery needs to be urgently. So its cutting it a bit fine , but at least we are getting there.
So in the meantime, my first pre op appointment is tomorrow & then Ive go a few others before the big day. All I can do is go to them & have my hospital bag packed ready.

fowls48

lazicat wrote:

Im having THR on 13th July & Im now really worried. My husband had a fall from a stepladder at the weekend & hurt his sholuder, he had xray monday & follow up appointment today. They think he has a Rotary Cuff Tear & is now having urgent MRI to see how much damage, but has been told it will probably require surgery. I cant believe it , dont know how we are going to manage, we havent any family to help us. Dont know what to do , lifes a struggle as Im so poorly & restricted & he has to work. Im now worried sick & dont know what to do.

You should be able to get nurses and social services to come in and help try not to worry to much .xx

hileena111

Hi
Well I said kin your other thread i would be in your pocket tomorrow...pleae dont neglect that appt.
Can they not get the MRI any quicker than that....usually it only takes about a week at the most before the consultant gets it......a bit longer before he might get an appt????
It's true ...people that do live on their own have had THR's before and managed. I understand.....I had my husband. needed him to help me to get the bottom part of me dressed because i wasnt allowed to bend but they'll sort that out for you....district nurse or something to come and help you.
Keep us up to date please
Love
Hileena

lazicat

Thanks everyone.
My husband is having his MRI Scan on 11th July , 2 days before my THR is scheduled, so we should know the same day if mine can go ahead or if he has to be delt with first. What a pair we are - lol !!

Colin1

Wow Lazicat your having a bad run hear and so is your other half gosh i hope hes ok, try not to worry to much as this will make you feel worse.
everything will turn out ok
Once again take care
Colin

lazicat

My husband just saw the consultant & now has to have an operation for Rotary Cuff Tear in 4 - 6 weeks , not sure how we are going to manage as Im having THR this Friday !! He's gutted that this has happened at this time.

elnafinn

Hi Lazicat

I am sorry that your hubby has to have the rotator cuff tear op especially as your op is looming too.

I must admit that I am a tad jealous though because I went down for a rotator cuff tear op a good few years ago now and when I came round the surgeon had only been able to give me a "washout" as the tear was massive and unfortunately nothing there to knit together. :shock: So I just get on with it and cope fairly well actually, so I have been told!

I wish you both well,

Elna x

stickywicket

Well, your timing might just be spot on He can look after you when you get out and, by the time he goes in, you'll be more moblie. However, lazicat, the person to deal with this is the Occupational Therapist when you are in hospital. Make sure that she is fully aware of the circumstances and how it will be for you once your husband has his op. Don't let them wriggle out of taking responsibility just because he'll not be in hospital when you actually leave.

lincolnshirelass

Hi Lazicat,
What rotten timing!

I've had a THR on both hips within the last 18 months so will give you a few pointers as to how you can manage!

If you're having the op on 13th (today!) you should be out of hospital on 18th as about 5 days stay is normal & it'll be probably 3-5 weeks before your hubby goes in for his surgery. Normally you only need someone to help you after a THR for about 7-10 days whilst you get used to managing around the house on your own. My hubby stayed off work for 10 days (including Xmas holiday) after my 1st op & only 7 days after the 2nd op.

You'll probably still be on crutches until your 6 week check-up appt, and you have to accept you're not going to be doing much housework (maybe a little light dusting or washing up a cup or two but definately not hoovering, making beds, mopping floors etc!) Take your pain killers regularly & get plenty of rest as you will get very tired very quickly - don't try to be a martyr & carry on as normal, you'll only make life difficult & delay your recovery (I've been there, done that & got the T-shirt!!!)

When you're hubby's in hospital you will need to either get someone to drive you to visit or get a taxi as you won't be driving yourself until after you get the OK to do so at your 6 week check. If you try to drive before your consultant says so your insurance will be invalid as you won't be able to do an emergency stop (one of the things they test at the check-up is your muscle strength in the legs)

Do a big on-line shop before he goes into hospital with your normal supermarket, the delivery driver will even take the bags into the kitchen for you. Milk can be frozen, so no need to run out of that.

Put things you need regularly at the right height for you to reach them in the kitchen - better to have things in wall units rather than floor units as you won't be able to bend down for quite a while.
Contact the Occ Health at the hospital you are having your op in, to get the loan of some aids to help you manage
Have plenty of entertainment to hand, DVD's, library books, crosswords etc - you'll need it to help pass the time.
Have a small table (a camping table etc) near to the chair you sit in & keep the phone, a bottle of cold drink (water, juice!), books, tissues etc on it.

Have a look at website Bonesmart.org which is specifically for Hip & Knee replacement support & advice - it was a great help to me, before & after the ops.

Accept any help that's offered - don't be too proud!

When hubbys home from his op just relax & take things easy, look on it as a convalescence rather than a problem & watch all the films & read all the books that you've never got round to doing 'cos you've been too busy!

All the best for a speedy recovery!

hileena111

Hi Agree with Lincolnshirelass on most things
Its a couple of years since I had my THR
I think it must depend on what area you are in. I went in on Fri and was out on Mon which is normal for here {{3 days}
I was told to try and get rid of one stick when I could and then just use one for the rest of the 6 weeks.
Your own hospital will tell you.
Everything else is spot on.....I bought a small folding {plastic} table. Just a cheap one to eat my meals off because you are not allowed to bend {90 degree rule } I aso had a smallish trolly that I kept paperwork on and i cleared that beforehand and used that for phone, tissues, water etc and bits and pieces.
Our physio dept have a mock kitchen and mock bathroom and they take you round it beforehand to see what you might need.

One of the things that was a blessing was a trolly.....not to pile things on but to use instead of my sticks if OH wasnt about.......push it into kitchen, make coffee and a sandwich and push it back again.

Then the usual ....raised toilet seat with bars at the side to push yourself up, a chair at the right height, {we only had 2 settees} etc etc
One of the things I needed my OH for at the beginning was to sort my medication out......I was "fuzzy" and couldnt keep track of them but thats just me and the particular medicine I was on.
Things will work out....you'll see

Love
Hileena

lazicat

Really appriciate all the advice, Just over 2 weeks since my operation & doing ok, Bit sore but nothing like the awful pain I had before, I was in hospital for 4 days & my surgeon said there was nothing left of my hip joint , so I had made the right decision. The operation went well , had THR under epidural with sedation, wasnt aware of anything at all, just as I wanted, the surgeon & staff were great. I could of gone home a day earlier but couldnt because my blood pressure was low & I fainted 3 times, so physio progress was slower.
Anyway Im home, my husband has been looking after me really well. he's going back to work Wednesday. Im a bit apprehensive about that, as IM nervous on the stairs & get very tired, otherwise lm coping well.
He should be having his op in 3-4 weeks , havent got date yet, Im sure we will muddle through, Im much more positive now.
Thanks again everyone for your advice & support,

dreamdaisy

Wow, I am pleased to hear that you have been 'done' and that your husband is able to look after you for a little while longer. Don't push yourself too hard, take things gently and I am sure all will be well. DD

GraceB

Hi,
Firstly I'm sorry to hear of your troubles but glad to know your TRK has gone well. Make sure you give yourself time to heal.
When your hubby goes into hospital, ask the ward staff to organise "Enablement Care" for him on discharge. Here in Kent this is provided via Social Services free of charge for 6 weeks whilst you get back to normal. The very first visit will include an assessment of his needs and it's all about getting him back to being able to do everything for himself as soon as possible. Be wary though and check the times for the visits if you do this - it can vary wildly!
If you need any further info please PM me - as I may be able to provide you with more information due to who I work for.
Take care of yourself and enjoy your reading, etc.
GraceB