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Post by pondgardener on Dec 27, 2018 17:00:50 GMT -5
My wife fell a few weeks ago and after numerous doctor visits and continued pain, it was determined that she tore some ligaments and/or tendons away from the bone requiring surgery of her left foot. And she has severe arthritis in that foot, which may be taken care of while the inside is exposed. One of the problems she is facing, as well as myself as caregiver, is her weight(about 280#) and height(about 5'-5"). After surgery she has to be non-weight bearing on the injured foot for at least 6 or more weeks, probably more. Our home is a small, ranch style floor plan with a few stairs for entry, but all living is done on one level with the exception of the laundry, which I can take care of in the basement.
So what I am asking for is any feedback regarding hints, tips and suggestions regarding mobility issues with a non-weight bearing limb. I have already altered the stairs going outside to accommodate using a walker to traverse one section of steps at a time. I have purchased a knee roller to be used especially for longer walks to doctor visits, and a wider heavy duty walker with small basket, if the knee roller is impractical for use in the house. We are looking at an extended height riser for the bathroom toilet and grab bars were already installed on both sides after her two previous knee surgeries. I am also trying to figure out kitchen chair and other furniture issues regarding getting into and out without her foot touching the ground. None of our chairs have arms to help support her if she tries to stand or sit. I am looking at building a platform to raise the couch higher and possibly using risers on a kitchen chair. My wife is a former CNA, who worked in a hospital here taking care of orthopedic patients, so she has some knowledge of how to help someone cope with their surgery. But ever since she was diagnosed with leukemia 2 years ago, that battle has taken away a lot of her mobility. Since I am quite a bit taller and about 60# lighter, I sometimes am not cognizant with certain mobility issues she experiences. We are starting to watch some of the videos on You Tube that have been some help in using a walker in getting around and up and down stairs.
I am going to post this message on a few other forums, so some of you may see it more than once. We have a pre-op consultation with the doctor tomorrow, so I may have more questions later.
Thank you in advance for any help you may have. And of course, prayers are always welcome.
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Post by meandtk on Dec 27, 2018 17:27:22 GMT -5
I’ve no advice, asI’m relatively ignorant; but I am glad she has your care and concern.
I will pray for you both.
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Post by brownrexx on Dec 27, 2018 17:34:42 GMT -5
I would have recommended the knee roller but you have already gotten that. It sounds like you have already thought of almost everything. I do know that Home Depot sells those raised toilet seat things and also toilet seats with handles. I looked at them when I had my knee surgery. They also sell grab bars with suction cups for in the shower.
Good luck to you both.
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Post by Laura_in_FL on Dec 27, 2018 18:05:12 GMT -5
I will pray for your wife, but I am afraid I don't have any advice. You have already put a lot of thought into this.
The only thing I will say is to be careful when you are helping her, so that you don't hurt yourself. Both of you need for you to stay healthy.
Oh, wait...have you considered how to handle showers/baths? Hopefully you have a standalone shower that you can install a shower seat and grab bars in. A handheld shower head (with a clip at waist height in the shower so she can reach it from the seat) will allow her be independent inside the shower. If you only have a tub, it is going to be very difficult to get her in and out unless you have one of those zero-height entry tubs (the kind with a door). Don't forget a good non-slip mat at the shower entrance.
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Dec 27, 2018 18:05:47 GMT -5
Maybe a ramp up the steps so she can maneuver into and out of the house. A golf cart is wonderful for getting around outside. The knee scooter works great inside the house and going to Dr appointments, physical therapy, etc.
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Post by spike on Dec 27, 2018 18:23:53 GMT -5
I have no helpful advice so I will send healing prayer instead!!
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Post by aftermidnight on Dec 27, 2018 18:50:37 GMT -5
When I broke my ankle I had to have metal plates and screws put in. No cast and had to stay off that ankle for six weeks. I opted for a wheelchair and rolled myself around. While sitting watching tv, feet flat on the floor I wheeled myself back and forth as far as I could exercising my leg muscles. When I was allowed to put weight back on that ankle I walked into the doctor's office with barely a limp.
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Post by pondgardener on Dec 27, 2018 20:11:36 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for your comments and prayers. The surgery is still about 10 days away and for my wife it can't get here too soon. brownrexx , we don't need a toilet seat with handles as the toilet area has walls on three sides with left and right hand grab bars. But I think the raised toilet seat is great. I showed my wife a video of one of the products listed and she did like the fact that a regular seat is affixed to the riser and they all can be lifted up. hairymooseknuckles , I had previously built a heavy duty ramp for my father to get him and his electric wheelchair into his home, so I had suggested that to my wife, but she is dead set against it, associating that with being handicapped. But if she was confined to a wheelchair, there would be no alternative. Laura_in_FL , when we moved here 14 years ago, I tore out the bathtub and installed a shower with a seated area, so there would be a slight step to get into. And a removable shower chair would definitely be of use when she feels comfortable about transferring into the shower. For now though, she insists on doing what she refers to as a "PTA" when the time comes. (I would rather not elaborate any further...) But when she gets tired of that, I think the shower will be put into use. And I worry about, if she fell, how I could get her back up again, without causing further injury to her or myself. Which may be why she insists on her own ideas of hygiene to minimize that possibility. And she does have a gait belt which I could use to assist her in getting up from the seated position. aftermidnight , a wheelchair would certainly work in some ways, but our home has a few tight turns and the path to the bathroom is wide enough to allow a wheelchair in but not to turn around. Fortunately when I tore out the bathtub years ago, I also replaced the 24" wide door with a 30", so at least a walker can get in there with no trouble. And like the ramp, my wife doesn't want to be in a wheelchair, so I am going to do everything I can to make that happen. meandtk , spike ,...thank you for your offer of prayer and positive thoughts. My wife is already spending restless nights worrying about what would happen if she can't do the non-weight bearing routine, rather on the probability of doing fine. So positive thinking is definitely a plus... |
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Post by pondgardener on Dec 27, 2018 22:42:13 GMT -5
Laura_in_FL, I thought some more about the shower suggestion and I think I may remove the custom shower doors and top frame, install a shower rod and curtain, which would almost double the access area, ensuring a safer way to move her in and out. She would miss her daily shower, so this idea can hopefully be put into place and used.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Dec 27, 2018 23:16:43 GMT -5
So sorry to hear about this, pondgardener. I have been dealing with this broken/torn knee for over a year now, and in the beginning, I could not put any weight on it for a few months. Everyone here has suggested everything that I could have mentioned, and a few more, as well! Good luck, and I hope that your wife's healing goes smoothly and quickly. |
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Post by brownrexx on Dec 28, 2018 6:22:52 GMT -5
pondgardener, depending o your age and medical benefits your wife may qualify for a few days in a rehab facility where nurses will take care of her. I have a friend who did this after his double knee replacement and his wife was not able to take care of him. His bedroom was on the 2nd floor.
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Post by ahntjudy on Dec 28, 2018 19:31:57 GMT -5
pondgardener...You are way ahead on doing everything right... I'm a caregiver and one thing I would definitely do would be have a conversation with my patient, even if it's family, and put my foot down about the reluctant in-house wheelchair use for a couple reasons... First and foremost is safety...Both for her and you...And fortunately this is a temporary situation... Then there's just plain old mobility... Six weeks is a long time to be non-weight bearing and the use of a wheelchair in these circumstances can be very beneficial... There's nothing wrong with the knee roller to get around, but if she can spend some time in the chair then she has the freedom to come and go where and when she pleases, and be as independent as she can be during her recuperative period, which is also important to an ambulatorally (is that a word? ha ha) challenged patient... Just a few weeks ago, I had my boy friend move in here for 2 weeks following a surgery and due to mobility issues he already has... His first words were, "I'm not using a wheelchair."... I said, "Oh yes you are." The wheelchair got used... It was a safety issue... I also told him, as that was his problem, that there is no shame in using a wheelchair and to be thankful that it was a temporary need... So, not saying that works with every patient, but I'm a stubborn one and standing my ground works for me... I also insisted on the use of the chair on the long walks to and from the post Dr. visits...again, a safety issue... The proverbial better safe than sorry... Another thing is if your wife is home alone for periods of time, and if she cannot get up and to the knee roller on her own, and quickly, she should consider being in the wheelchair then for the event of an emergency... She needs mobility under these circumstances... Another vote for the use of the chair... I also recommend rearranging furniture/tables/chairs, easy to knock over stuff, out of the way as maneuvering walkers, rollers and wheelchairs is much easier the more space you have to turn around...and safer for the patient... Sorry if this is too much information, but one other helpful thing was after my boyfriend would 'do his thing' on the toilet, (I also had the toilet height extension which was great), I had a walker in front of him as he stood up so he could lean on that while I got him cleaned up...That worked well... Also, you may already have one but a hand held shower head is best for obvious reasons... Good luck with everything...I hope and pray that all goes well... We're here for ya...
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Post by pondgardener on Dec 28, 2018 21:29:02 GMT -5
ahntjudy , there can never be such a thing with me as too much information. Whether it is my engineering background and/or previous work experiences...the more information one has is beneficial to thinking up new ideas or expanding on old ones. And thanks to all of you for providing just that information in assisting me with this upcoming situation. There will be probably some unexpected hurdles to deal with but I am sure a workable solution will be made. Just like in all of our gardening endeavors...if something doesn't work out right, you just try something else. We went to the hospital for pre-op instructions, they had a hard time getting blood drawn because of her rolling veins but after calling for reinforcements, they eventually got a sample. Following that, we had a consultation with the office doing the surgery and found out that she may not have to stay over night unless they find something unexpected or she has pain management issues. They recommended that she take a pain pill before surgery and I asked for an additional prescription that will be filled prior to surgery to avoid the waiting afterwards for it to be filled. And there is a chance that she would only have to be on non-weight bearing orders for 4 weeks if everything goes well. And I am going to do everything possible to hopefully make that happen. We also found at one of the local furniture stores, an oversized 24" bar stool with arms and ballbearing swivel mechanism which will be ideal for doing things at the kitchen counter and providing additional height from our 18" kitchen chairs allowing easy access to and exit from the dining table. My wife initially didn't like the idea until she sat in the chair and saw the possibilities. With the swivel stool, she doesn't have to lift herself up to get out of the chair to transfer to the walker or knee roller. I will continue to post any new developments and if anyone has any more suggestions or feedback let me know. Surgery is slated for the 7th of January, so there is still time for us to work out any new obstacles.
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Post by ahntjudy on Dec 29, 2018 10:29:10 GMT -5
The big barstool...An excellent and efficient find!!...
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Post by coppice on Jan 13, 2019 15:38:57 GMT -5
Safety, first last and always. Wide enough aisles and pass-throughs, that fit her ride.
I say ride because even a push behind walker has at least two wheels on it. Roll or tamp flat roll-able aisles. Customize hand tools that can be used from her ride. (often that means shorter vs longer handles).
I never liked beds taller than about 8 inches. YMMV
They do make fairly robust electric scooters. If you are wealthy they also make tracked inva-cars in electric and deisel. That are frankly piss-my-pants run to run.
I would also add at least one haul-up, out of 1-1/2" threaded iron pipe. Think a waist high cloths line in upside down "U" shape. Needs to be rugged enough to take a full persons weight.
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Post by spike on Jan 14, 2019 10:37:18 GMT -5
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Post by pondgardener on Jan 15, 2019 0:06:06 GMT -5
spike,She came home Wednesday and was just transported back to a different hospital's ER to evaluate low oxygen levels after her physical therapist became alarmed. Subsequent blood tests are indicating high creatinine levels and they are looking for blood clots. She was admitted to the hospital tonight and I just left her a few minutes ago. I have been remiss in not updating all of you about this and I will try to remedy that in the coming days. This has been a difficult time to say the least...
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Post by spike on Jan 15, 2019 0:48:16 GMT -5
pondgardener I have you both tucked safely in my heart and prayers.
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Post by brownrexx on Jan 15, 2019 9:35:59 GMT -5
pondgardener, I was glad to see an update but sorry to hear the details. I know how scary that kind of thing can be. I hope it works out well. Kudos to the therapist for discovering this quickly and getting her taken care of.
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Post by Laura_in_FL on Jan 15, 2019 14:18:53 GMT -5
pondgardener, I will be praying for your wife and for you. It's good that her therapist caught this so she could be taken care of, though I know it's really hard having her back in the hospital. Hopefully they can dissolve that clot and get her recovery back on track quickly. I know you're worried about her and you're staying with her as much as possible. But do take care of yourself as well; your wife needs you to stay healthy.
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Post by spike on Jan 15, 2019 14:52:07 GMT -5
I know you're worried about her and you're staying with her as much as possible. But do take care of yourself as well; your wife needs you to stay healthy. she makes a very good point!! If you don't take care of yourself you will be useless to your wife. |
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Post by ahntjudy on Jan 15, 2019 19:01:59 GMT -5
I hope things improved today...
Thinking of you both...
Prayers...
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Post by pondgardener on Jan 15, 2019 21:22:17 GMT -5
My wife is resting comfortably and may come home on Wednesday. She has a UTI and they are still searching for a blood clot. She is getting blood thinner injections and the orthopedic surgeon is supposed to make an appearance tomorrow. We have a scheduled appointment with the same guy on Thursday, so not sure if that will take place.
Last night was probably the first uninterrupted night of sleep in over a week. So I am getting recharged a little at a time. Still not over this cold and it sure hit at a bad time.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers...
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Post by Laura_in_FL on Jan 16, 2019 10:51:14 GMT -5
That sounds encouraging, pondgardener. I'm glad you got some sleep last night.  I hope you feel better soon, and that your wife's recovery goes smoothly from here - my thoughts and prayers are still with you both. |
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Post by pondgardener on Jan 17, 2019 18:23:58 GMT -5
Well, it looks like she has to spend another night in the hospital. They were going to release her to come home with oxygen but insurance company is balking at that, insisting on more evidence of pulmonary edema, which requires additional scanning and another overnight stay. They have really stepped up on giving her something to really clear her bowels, thinking that may be a cause of her low oxygen levels because of the concentration of pain medicine that she was taking pretty heavily early on. And oddly enough, since they stopped giving her Percoset and Benadryl, she has been able to get by with an occasional Tylenol. Hospitalist doctor was suggesting that she should go to a rehab center, thinking that they could take better care of her than what she could receive at home. But neither one of us would be happy with that. I think we are set up enough to take care of most issues that could come up.
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Post by spike on Jan 17, 2019 18:38:49 GMT -5
Sounds like things are looking up and she will be home soon! There is no place like home. That is wonderful!!
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Post by carolyn on Jan 17, 2019 19:17:29 GMT -5
Prayers that she feels better soon. been there done that several times now with my inlaws. I would encourage you to purchase a pulse oximeter? as a tool for your selfcare just like having a home blood pressure cuff. My MIL just a couple weeks ago needed checked and I had my daughter stop over at her house to check her O2 level. it was 89. that is not good. I sent her to the hospital with grandma. She had pneumonia. usually she puts us off going and since it was holiday weekend AND we were far far away she went willingly to be checked. she only had to stay overnight this time. usually its a week stay for her. a couple times it has been bloodclots. so the oximeter is very helpful.
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Post by pondgardener on Jan 17, 2019 20:17:17 GMT -5
carolyn, at the first hospital that did the surgery, she was having some difficulty maintaining a 89 O2 count, and they sent her home anyway, attributing it to one of their machines malfunctioning. The home care physical therapist came to the house on the following Monday, noticed she had a count of 78, called her regular physician, and she was then transported by ambulance to the other hospital in town. My wife used to work at the second hospital as a CNA and is definitely more comfortable there. I think the purchase of an oximeter sounds like a good idea.
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Post by carolyn on Jan 17, 2019 20:27:28 GMT -5
Oh my! that is terrible. why not go get another machine to check that? idiots. that is negligent.
these little things are relatively inexpensive too. like maybe 30.00.
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Post by ahntjudy on Jan 18, 2019 0:51:11 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about the continuing complications...And the pulse ox of 78 certainly explains some of her symptoms...
I hope things are improving...
The pulse oximeter is a good thing to have on hand...I have one here from Mom...
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