Is it normal to feel a bit overwhelmed?

Mommabear

I am due to have a new hip in the next few months, andI have a pre op assessment next month.

Before I go for the assessment, I have a batch of health forms to fill in, and also a questionnaire about my home, and how suitable it will be for after the surgery.

Since I started to fill in these forms today, I am now feeling a bit overabout what is to come. Does anyone else feel like this, and if so how did you get through it?

Olly33

hi mommabear!
How you’re feeling sounds totally normal to me! am now 6 weeks post op.. and totally remember those worries. All those packs of info and forms I was given completely blew my mind! I don’t think I got a full nights sleep for a whole month before… worrying about everything from the height of my bed/ the at sink washes/ how would I ever get dressed! From my personal experience I can say that the reality has been much much better than how I had imagined! In fact on the day of my op the physio dispelled most of my fears straight away!! Good luck - all will be fine!

Ellen

Hi @Mommabear have you read any of the threads by our many 'hippies' here? @Janlyn @Trish9556 @alwayssewing and @Wobblylegs (currently recovering from her 2nd op) to name but a few? They should offer you lots of reassurance.

You have had a lovely reply really helpful from @Olly33 here. I hope you don't mind if I just offer a quick welcome to @Olly33 on behalf of the moderating team? It's always good to see someone's first post supporting someone else 😊I wish you well with your own recovery.

Best wishes to you both

Ellen.

Trish9556

Hi @Mommabear

Try not to overthink what the forms are asking you, you will be fine. The forms are a guide to what aids you might need when you go hime after surgery and if you are to be home alone or if you will have help.

There are a lot of members who have had new hips, me included, some have had both replaced. Some have had no help at home and some have had. The most important thing is we have all survived and recovered, you are not alone.

There is a wonderful thread in hints and tips on stuff you may or may not find helpful. Personally I didn't have, want or need a toilet seat for many reasons. I had a second stair rail fitted before surgery which meant I didn't need to use crutches either to walk around with or for the stairs.

We are however all different and all recovered in different time times. Read some of the threads and see them as inspiration and understanding.

You are not alone, ask any questions you need to and keep a positive mental attitude in your recovery.

Remember, there us no such word as can't as my late parents told me when recovering from thousands if seizures as a child. I use the same in managing my pain today.

Love n hugs

Trish xx

Janlyn

@Mommabear I understand entirely how overwhelmed you feel - I was the same - but now 14 months since my hip replacement I have never felt better and most of my worries were unfounded. As @Trish9556 says the forms are a guide to what you might need. I found I needed very little - I didn't use a raised toilet seat, and sat on my normal chairs without a problem. I did find it difficult to get in and out of bed for a few days but in the grand scheme of things the first few days were the worst but definitely not as bad as I had been expecting.

I would recommend you coming on here to tell us about how you are doing and we can answer from our experience and hopefully help you.

@Olly33 welcome and thank you for telling your reassuring story too - well done!