Please say a prayer for my dear mother, she fell and broke a hip tonight!

General
61

Thank you SK for the update about your mother. I have been thinking of her and wondering how the surgery went. I would say that you have a very concerned and thorough surgeon to tell you that the surgery took longer because all the instruments had to be sterilized. WOW

I have also been wondering about you. Two trips to the hospital today would really wear you out. I'm glad that your husband is understanding and drove you to the hospital both times. That would help you.

Now it is indeed time for you to rest and take care of you!

It seems that your mother has other family members who care about her. That is good for her and helpful for you. Of course she will feel closest to you because she has been living with you, but if the others are rotating their visits then that helps you. Remember to use your phone and save your body from the drive which always aggravates your pain level. And have the nurses dial your number if your mother has problems doing that for the first day or two. Then I hope that your mother will be able to phone you on her own. That way you won't be calling when she is having a nap. If they are getting her up tomorrow that will be a very tiring process for your mother because of the pain and soreness.......breakthrough pain so she will likely sleep when she gets back to her bed.

It sounds like a caring place where your mother is so that should be a comfort to you.

Love and hugs

Rachel

62

Hi Rachel and Sheila,

Yes, I made it clear to call me ANYTIME that I am needed, and I'll be there, just like my Mom was always there when any of us needed her.

I was shocked that the surgeon would give me that kind of information, it made me glad to know that he looks things over so thoroughy, however it's frightening to think that those responsible for cleaning and sterilizing everything didn't care enough to do it right the first time! As nice as he seemed, I'll bet there was hell to pay for that, as there should be! That said, I have seen the hospitals in third world countries, and I'll tell you, I've seen cleaner gas stations! We just don't always know just how fortunate we are! She is in a brand new hospital, all are private rooms with private baths and showers, and she is fortunate enough to be at the end of the hallway, away from the activity of being near the nurses station or elevators. But this hospital is so quiet, efficient, and at ease in comparison to the previous one.

I discussed rehabilitation/nursing homes with a day nurse, and she said the one right beside the hospital has the highest success rate, as they work with the patients much more often each day than the one in our small town, and in turn they recover, and return home much faster. I guess it all depends on insurance. It's a much longer drive, but I want the best we can get for her, so I'm willing to make the trip if the results are that significant. Of course there is major road construction in several places, I mean what else could I expect? Ha!

I plan on a long sleep tonight and tomorrow, but hope to go in sometime. Just trying to unwind and to turn off my mind right now. Still thinking about those surgical instruments not being clean, wondering if they are going to take her temp throughout the night.

I really can rest easy as I know one of our Doctors have been in to check on her, they are a husband and wife team that we have been going to for many years, and I'm sure they are watching everything carefully. I know they have been in to check her since I left. I also know the surgeon will be in to see her in the morning, and she also has a house Doctor who makes rounds.

The young man in the next room is in jeopardy of losing an arm, was hit by a truck, while he was trying to get into his truck, his arm was injured, and they said he has some kind of flesh eating bacteria. Good God he has 6 children counting on him! He called out to my husband as he was passing by, said he was worried about my Mom, and they struck up a friendship. His name is Bobby, I've added him to my prayers.

Again, thanks a thousand for the care and concern, and allowing me to discuss this.

With love,

Susan

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Thank you, Pam! BTW, what about your rest, do you ever get 8 hours? I slept like a brick last night, hope I sleep for 12 tonight!

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I'll be praying for for Bobby too. How awful. Well thank haeven that the Dr. somehow realized that the instruments were not all sterile and had them redone. The rehab place sounds excellent. Sounds like God's looking out for her. Praying for your strength too Susan. I sure understand the stress you're under.

Love, Sheila

65

Hello SK,

I haven't had time to read some e-mails I received in the last few days, until today. I say prayers and Rosary every night before sleep, and Patricia will be in them. Just to give you a bit of encouragement, in one of my volunteer groups is a 91 yr. old lady, she looks very frail, but is otherwise pretty healthy. She needed surgery and was afraid of anesthesia, but, surprise, she came through with flying colors, recovered quickly, and is very happy with the outcome. Your Mom sounds healthy enough, her age should not hamper her, they will, of course, test all her organs to make sure they are OK, so, everything will be just fine. I really trust to that, and my prayers. Just today I had a prayer answered, so it does happen.

Take care of YOURSELF, you must be strong at this time, you are needed by an important other.

Hope you will keep us informed of Patricia's progress, as time allows.

Lots of HUGS, Violette

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Thank you, Violet, my Mom is very health, she takes no meds what so ever, and the x-rays showed her bones were in pretty good shape, good enough to hold rods and screws!

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Oh before they took her to surgery, she was telling me that if it was her 'time to leave this world' that she was ready! Tore me up!

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Hello again Susan, morning here in NZ. So pleased surgery went so well. Have added Bobby to prayer list along with Patricia. You will be resting as I write this. I know the hell of needing to use morphine for pain, I’m able to drive after taking it as fortunately for me I don’t suffer the fog that goes with this and I take the long acting on a permanent basis and short acting for break through pain. Take care lindy

69

They got her up and she had PT today. Were asking her about Rehab, she does NOT want to be pushed hard, and for 81, I cannot blame her. If she is in the nursing home near me, I can make sure they are working with her, but my brother brought up a good point that they may not work too hard if they think they can get a permanent resident out of this. I told them NOT to let them push her into deciding or especially signing ANYTHING, to tell them she needs to talk to her children and her Doctors, as they can just show up at anytime, where we cannot be there 24/7.

It's not like they don't know how to reach us!

She said she has to walk with her heel down first (like the military teaches soldiers to walk) then to curl her toes like she's walking on an egg? Now that's a new one on me, but I guess they are trying to engage certain muscles and tendons.

I took a day off since my brother and his wife and kids are in there with her. She says she never gets to sleep or rest for long anyway. Said they started giving her shots in her stomach for blood clots. Oh my, always something to worry you!

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Hi Susan, they say you can never get enough of being told you are loved. I’m in awe of your mum and her ability to assert herself with what she wants and how she wants to map her recovery. We could learn a lot from her. Often times we do what the PTs tell us to do when we are really the best people to say how much is too much. I’m about to undergo hydrotherapy and was assessed today. I’m in a lot of pain tonight and have been thinking about your mothers decision not to be pushed hard with rehab. I will be telling my PT on Monday when I start in the pool that I don’t want to do as much as I had to do today for the assessment as it created a lot of pain. So all the way over the seas your mother has taught me something today, to be the master of my own recovery journey. So thank her for me please! I’m definitely thinking of you with much aroha (love). Lindy.

71

SK,

I wrote to you on the moderator's board, so I pray you saw my message there earlier.

I've been praying for your mom. She's been so good for you. And I'm sorry that she missed those last few steps; that's such a scary experience!

I'm presuming that she's already had her surgery and I'll put in another prayer that it went well and that rehab will too. As I've said, I've only seen very positive results on that end. Seniors seem to really get maximum benefit from PT after a fall.

I hope and pray that she's going to PT soon and can start her recovery. But you're right, that will be hard on you. Can you get a private nurse? Would the government pay for it? Or how about a caretaker for a few weeks, to get her up and washed and dressed.

Please keep us updated, SK. And please take care of yourself too.

PS: My mother's name is also Patricia!

I didn't even think about the hardware question, so I'm glad she's got good bones for the hardware!

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She's right, the pace is extremely grueling, especially for an elder. But it seems that they get used to it by week two and then seem to get better and better after that.

I don't think the nursing home will be in a rush to make her a full time resident as they now make more money from the government for short-stay rehab patients, so that's what they want at their facility.

I think she'll get through this very well, SK. But what's this about blood clots? Did the nursing home mention them to you? Or did they discuss the treatment with you? You might want to talk to the Director of Nursing to find out what's what.

Good luck!!!

73

When I broke my ankle in 2001, the nurses instructed me to give these needle injections in my tummy and sent me home after physio with enough needles to last for another week. It's not a big deal, but your mother may not wish to do it to herself. In which case I would expect the nursing staff would do it for her both in the hospital and in the nursing home.

This is routine now after surgery. It's not a big deal.........nothing to be upset about.

I'm sure you are not upset by it SK. Did the nurse explain it to you?

Gentle hugs

Rachel

74

I still have all the hardware in my ankle from my surgery in 2001. Normally it doesn't bother me at all. However sometimes in bed when I lay one leg partially on the other one it sends me a sharp pain. I asked my doctor if he would x-ray it a year ago to see how the hardware was doing. They are still as straight as an arrow. What is bothering me in bed and also when I am sitting in my recliner is the fact that the hardware follows the main nerve to the under part of my foot. He suggested that I massage my feet with my hands which might help. It's not a big deal. However some of my friends who have had their surgeries done in the city closest to us and they just could not stand the hardware so they had it removed. I figure that it reinforces my outer leg and my foot so I plan to leave mine in if it continues to not bother me very much.

75

Hi SK, just been scanning all the discussions and glad to see things are proceeding in the right direction. If you’re concerned about your Mom signing anything you may want to see if she will give you power of attorney while she is inn rehab. MY Mom did that when she was on massive doses of morphine when she was very ill so I could ensure that bills were paid and they had to talk to me before getting her to sign anything. You’re both in my heart and I’m sending good thoughts your way.

Lots of hugs
B2chi

76

I am so glad to hear your mom came through ok and what a relief the surgeon was so careful about the instruments.I hope every day finds her more and more improved.

Sending prayers from England for your mom, Bobby and you. Make sure you get some rest where you can to help keep your pain levels down.

Hugs

Kanga

77

Hi everyone,

I went to see my Mom this morning as spent several hours with her, was fortunate enough to be there to see her Ortho Surgeon again, I left to see my Doctor at 3:30 and got a call from her nurse that they were moving her to the nursing home this evening between 6:00 and 7:00.

Fortunately we were able to get her into a Nursing Home/Physical Rehab 5 minutes away, so I will meet her there. My sister in law then called, she and my brother were concerned as Mom had called them upset about being moved. Mom and I have the same Doctor, so I was able to speak to him at that very moment, and he said she is ready and will be getting better PT there, that they have a special wing just for hip/knee replacements and surgeries.

So progress is being made. Thank you all for your prayers. Now I want to post about a new med...

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I hope she does good SK I worry all the time about mom falling and breaking something.

79

Thanks for the update SK. As she is now only 5 minutes away you won't have such a long grueling ride to see her. It sounds as though she is progressing well since her surgery.

I can understand your mother phoning your brother. She knew that you were going to a doctor's appointment so she couldn't contact you. I wonder if it wasn't more of a surprise for your mother. Obviously she didn't know about the move when you were with her earlier today. Sometimes Hospitals makes changes and moves and the patient is the last one to find out so there is little warning so it can be upsetting.

80

Well, they took her off the Morphine, but she is still pretty doped up on Percocet, and did not remember that her surgeon was in and told her she was 'ready to go'.

I know about taking narcotics, the same drug can affect you differently each time you take it. Sometimes I feel well enough to get up and get things done, noticing no change except a reduction in pain, then other times it just wipes me out, I slur my words, and don't remember things, those times I go to bed!

Well, I just got the call, so down to the nursing home I go for hours of paperwork and information, I can hardly wait, but it's just all part of it. I'm glad to do it for her, I'd do anything to have her in this world with me!