[*Beth*]

On April 7th I'll be having surgery to fix my right achilles tendon. The recovery will take all summer and into the autumn. I'm glad to have the surgery in spring, though, since autumn is always the time when I crash into depression.

I'm relieved to be having the surgery because I am so, so weary of being in pain for the past almost 3 years. I'm anxious, too, of course. This will be the fifth surgery in my life...for some strange reason the older I get the more apprehensive I become about life stuff.

One of the reasons I feel uptight is because this is the only surgery I've had when I'm living alone. My husband lives a mile from me, but it's a long mile if I'm not able to do things and he's asleep in front of the TV, not hearing his phone. I have no one else local to rely on for even a small favor. A scary feeling, but I just have to turn on some rock and roll and make it through.

[Moose72]

May I ask why your husband lives a mile away?

Can you get a visiting nurse or a caretaker? Surely there are other people your age who have no one to help them when they are released from surgery, so I would imagine that it's possible to get a visiting nurse or caregiver. If not that, then rehab is an option. Lots of people go to physical rehab after surgeries.

But if you say you have no one to help you out (since you live alone, I assume), then the hospital will probably try to be accommodating by getting you a nurse or caregiver.

[unaluna]

I wonder if you will get one of those knee scooters? Or will they just give you crutches?

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Moose72

May I ask why your husband lives a mile away?

yes...of course you can ask.

We've been married for over 30 years. At about the same time our youngest child left for college, my husband's parents went to live in a senior facility. I stayed in the city we had lived in to remain at my job and we decided that he should move into the family home.

Our marriage had worn thin. Once he moved out we became much better friends. When I retired from my job I moved to the town where my husband was living. I did move in with him initially, but it was just too stressful. He has a serious case of OCD and hoards. I also have major anxiety stuff, but I'm not a hoarder. When we were living together my BP was not in a good place.

Anyway...you get the general idea.

So I live in my own apartment 1 mile from him. Not my first choice, but it works.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Can you get a visiting nurse or a caretaker? Surely there are other people your age who have no one to help them when they are released from surgery, so I would imagine that it's possible to get a visiting nurse or caregiver. If not that, then rehab is an option. Lots of people go to physical rehab after surgeries.

But if you say you have no one to help you out (since you live alone, I assume), then the hospital will probably try to be accommodating by getting you a nurse or caregiver.

I have zero $ for a home care person, unfortunately. I'm in the middle of an SSDI application, but it's sooo slow.

I don't want to go to physical rehab because of my cats.

I didn't know the hospital would do anything to help me. Thanks, blue...I will definitely inquire!

Fortunately, my apartment is tiny so it's not like I have a large space to navigate. I do live upstairs, though.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by unaluna

I wonder if you will get one of those knee scooters? Or will they just give you crutches?

I wondered about that, too. The MD told me that I'll have a cast for a month, then have to wear a surgical "boot" for several months. If I recall correctly, he mentioned crutches, too. I have a pre-op appointment in a couple of weeks & I will get specifics then.

You know what I keep worrying about? It's so silly, but for some reason my anxiety is stuck on it. I have gel polish on my toenails and on my fingernails. I know that it used to be necessary to have gel polish removed prior to surgery. But I don't know if that's still a necessity. Will I need to have the gel on my toes removed? Or can I just leave it and let it grow out on its own? Should I plan on having my finger nails done in 2 weeks as usual, or should I have the gel on them removed altogether? And, as usual and of course, I'm going overboard worrying about my cats while I'm in surgery and afterwards. My anxious BP mind is exhausting.

[~Christina]

I’m glad that you will get on the other side of this surgery and physical therapy and be able to go back to life with out non stop pain.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

I’m glad that you will get on the other side of this surgery and physical therapy and be able to go back to life with out non stop pain.

Thank you, Christina. And thank you so much for all the support you've given to me about this pain issue. I will never forget how kind you've been.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I had ankle reconstruction surgery about 5 years ago. It's not the same but there are some similarities. My doctor is extremely conservative so I was actually casted for 10 weeks, booted for 12 more, then braced 3 months. So I"m glad you don't have to deal with that.

Since you live alone I would recommend getting a walker with a tray for inside your house. That way you can move around more easily and carry food and stuff where you need/want it. Crutches are good outside but a walker is better inside. Medicare and I think most insurances cover a walker. Insurance does not cover the knee scooters usually. I'm sure some insurance somewhere does but not typically. My surgeon's office gave me information on renting one but I never did. My house is only 600 sq feet so the walker was sufficient and when I went out it was never too long for crutches since I was supposed to be on bedrest for 6 weeks so any stops were fast after a therapist appointment. I did rent a wheelchair to go to the fair (after bedrest) and that was a good thing.

Ask your dr's office but usually they just want one fingernail free of polish so they can put a probe on it. But I don't think everyone even enforces that. Your pedicure should be fine.

I have various recommendations and expeirences both as a patient and occupational therapist. If you are interested let me know and I'll share.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by BethRags

Thank you, Christina. And thank you so much for all the support you've given to me about this pain issue. I will never forget how kind you've been.

Your welcome I’m always around

[Rick7892]

Originally Posted by BethRags

... . I do live upstairs, though.

I worry about your going up and down the stairs because of the risk of falls. It seems doubtful to me to be able to safely go up and down stairs in a cast or with a knee scooter, walker, or wheelchair. Crutches are very iffy to do safely up and down stairs for a long time.

Would it be possible to temporarily move just what you really need to the ground floor, and live there until you can safely go up and down stairs?

How about getting a walking boot or a fake cast before the surgery so you can test wearing them and moving around your apartment to see what problems you have and to work them out in advance?

Sending good thoughts your way!

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

I had ankle reconstruction surgery about 5 years ago. It's not the same but there are some similarities. My doctor is extremely conservative so I was actually casted for 10 weeks, booted for 12 more, then braced 3 months. So I"m glad you don't have to deal with that.

Since you live alone I would recommend getting a walker with a tray for inside your house. That way you can move around more easily and carry food and stuff where you need/want it. Crutches are good outside but a walker is better inside. Medicare and I think most insurances cover a walker. Insurance does not cover the knee scooters usually. I'm sure some insurance somewhere does but not typically. My surgeon's office gave me information on renting one but I never did. My house is only 600 sq feet so the walker was sufficient and when I went out it was never too long for crutches since I was supposed to be on bedrest for 6 weeks so any stops were fast after a therapist appointment. I did rent a wheelchair to go to the fair (after bedrest) and that was a good thing.

Ask your dr's office but usually they just want one fingernail free of polish so they can put a probe on it. But I don't think everyone even enforces that. Your pedicure should be fine.

I have various recommendations and expeirences both as a patient and occupational therapist. If you are interested let me know and I'll share.

Thank you so much, Rainbow. If I have any questions I'll definitely send them your way. I have the pre-op appt. in 2 weeks, so I might ask you to share some experiences then, when I have a better idea of exactly what I'm facing.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Rick7892

I worry about your going up and down the stairs because of the risk of falls. It seems doubtful to me to be able to safely go up and down stairs in a cast or with a knee scooter, walker, or wheelchair. Crutches are very iffy to do safely up and down stairs for a long time.

Would it be possible to temporarily move just what you really need to the ground floor, and live there until you can safely go up and down stairs?

How about getting a walking boot or a fake cast before the surgery so you can test wearing them and moving around your apartment to see what problems you have and to work them out in advance?

Sending good thoughts your way!

Hi Rick, Thank you for your well wishes

I know...I'm really nervous about the stairs. There are never any apartments available in my complex 'cause housing is in such a shortage here. But I really like your idea of giving a fake cast or boot a try - that's smart.

[fern46]

Originally Posted by BethRags

Hi Rick, Thank you for your well wishes

I know...I'm really nervous about the stairs. There are never any apartments available in my complex 'cause housing is in such a shortage here. But I really like your idea of giving a fake cast or boot a try - that's smart.

Hey Beth, I am happy you're having this addressed. Try to be prepared, but not worry too much. You want to face something like this with an attitude it will all go as well as it possibly can.

As for the stairs, if it were me and I struggled with the crutches going up, I'd sit down backwards and go up that way and take my foot out of the mix. You can use your arms and good leg to push your way up. You'd need to hold onto your crutches, bit it could be done. Whatever you decide, you will be a pro at it in no time. Just stay focused and go slow.

Also, it might be a good idea to get a small backpack if you normally carry a purse. It will be easier to handle and won't slip off your arm.

Much love to you and well wishes for a wonderful outcome!

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by fern46

Hey Beth, I am happy you're having this addressed. Try to be prepared, but not worry too much. You want to face something like this with an attitude it will all go as well as it possibly can.

As for the stairs, if it were me and I struggled with the crutches going up, I'd sit down backwards and go up that way and take my foot out of the mix. You can use your arms and good leg to push your way up. You'd need to hold onto your crutches, bit it could be done. Whatever you decide, you will be a pro at it in no time. Just stay focused and go slow.

Also, it might be a good idea to get a small backpack if you normally carry a purse. It will be easier to handle and won't slip off your arm.

Much love to you and well wishes for a wonderful outcome!

fern, your support means so much to me. And what an outstanding idea, about going up the stairs sitting down and backwards! That would so reduce the possibility of falling. I do carry a bag (purse?) that I wrap around my body...similar to a back-pack. So that's a good thing.

Thank you! Much love to you, too!