OT: waiting on a call... hoping for the best...

[drj130]

I wish her all the luck in the world. She sounds just like my mother in her need to do things no matter what. She should recover fast, as long as she does the Physical therpy. As the saying goes, things happen so don't blame yourself.

David

[Paul56]

Oh... I feel so silly here and I'm also a bit of an emotional wreck.

I just got another call... it seems they have now decided it would be safe to proceed with the surgery sometime late this evening. I suppose there are medications they can use to thicken blood when waiting is not an option nor desirable.

From what I understand they gave her something earlier so I guess the latest blood test suggested surgery was a go for today.

Gawd, this thing of family members living far apart from each other is for the birds. I was supposed to be moving to San Antonio to work at the headquarters of my company but I will delay that given this situation. I am anxious for the surgery to be over so she can get started down the road to recovery. I also know it is possible she may never be the same in terms of mobility and being able to get around as she was and that may limit her ability to stay in her own house, but if I was there that would not be an issue.

[Fredman]

Oh... I feel so silly here and I'm also a bit of an emotional wreck.

I just got another call... it seems they have now decided it would be safe to proceed with the surgery sometime late this evening. I suppose there are medications they can use to thicken blood when waiting is not an option nor desirable.

From what I understand they gave her something earlier so I guess the latest blood test suggested surgery was a go for today.

Gawd, this thing of family members living far apart from each other is for the birds. I was supposed to be moving to San Antonio to work at the headquarters of my company but I will delay that given this situation. I am anxious for the surgery to be over so she can get started down the road to recovery. I also know it is possible she may never be the same in terms of mobility and being able to get around as she was and that may limit her ability to stay in her own house, but if I was there that would not be an issue.

My thoughts are with your mom and you. As a parent of four grown boys, I would not want them to worry about me, but would understand their worry and yes even feeling guilty...if by chance we lived far apart. You obviously love your mother and she knows it and that means so much to her. I often think about the separation of family members by distance, how physically they are apart but spiritually never! I know that the positive thoughts and prayers are a comfort for you and your mother. Thanks for the updates Paul.

[Muse-Inc]

Paul, you and your mom are in my prayers for courage, patience, and strength during this challenge. As you find time, keep letting us know how all is going...we care.

[Hawthorne]

Paul - you need to take one step at a time. The surgery is the current step. The next step will be her recovery. No one knows, at this point, how long that will take. No one knows what her mobility might or might not be when the rehab is finished. Decisions do not have to be made now until these things have happened.

Right now she will have surgery. If it takes place tonight, then tomorrow or the next day she will begin recovery and rehab. The time frame for that is uncertain but usually it is 6 to 8 weeks, sometimes more depending on the extent of the damage done by the fall. As she nears the end of that, it will become evident what the next stage will be. She will need a lot of help during that time. Sometimes people are admitted to a rehab facility if they live alone so that they can have 24 hour a day help. The physiotherapy is often done at such a facility.

Take it one day at a time. For now we are all thinking of her and you, as she has her surgery.

[DyannaK]

I am so sorry to hear this news Paul... Both your mother and you will be in my prayers... huggs, Dyanna

[Paul56]

I have good news...

The surgery is over and it went extremely well. Apparently they installed a pin.

She was not put to sleep but instead given a local anesthetic that "froze" the hip area and a sedative to make her relax.

The nurse checked on her before the call and found her doing fine and smiling. I will be able to talk to her tomorrow afternoon.

Not sure at this point when they will transfer her back to her hometown hospital... perhaps late tomorrow or Monday.

I am so relieved the surgery went well... now the recovery process begins.

[Muse-Inc]

Oh, Paul, that's wonderful news! You must be so relieved .

[sleepyprm]

Sending good thoughts and prayers to you and your dear mom.

[Fredman]

Good Stuff!!!!

[birdshell]

GREAT NEWS, PAUL!!!

I am so glad to hear that the surgery went well, and that it came off a bit sooner. That somehow seems to be a positive sign!

My own grandmother had a stroke at 86 and had some paralysis and speech affected by the brain damage. She very much had a positive attitude, and rather surprisingly (if you did not know her, that is) went on to live alone and care for herself again. She did have to give up bowling with her 16 lb. ball, but that is partly because she also gave up driving. Other than that, she was quite independent.

I think it is that independent spirit that keeps such people going, and it sounds to me as if you have a mother with a great deal of that spirit! Best wishes to her, and to you, and I certainly am not alone in hoping for the best for her and for you.

Sincerely,
Karen,
Who hopes to be independent in her 80's and beyond

[preemiern]

Paul--Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and your mom and keeping her in my prayers for a quick recovery. One thought I had...If the hospital where she is at right now specializes in bone repair, would it be better for her to remain there to start rehab where they probably have better knowledge and routines for rehabbing broken hips? Just a thought...
anyway-just wanted you to know you are both in my thoughts and prayers. How blessed your mom is to have such a loving and caring son!! I'm sure you are a great source of joy to your mom, and your love for her will speed the healing process!!
Cindy

[SleepyNoMore]

I have good news...

The surgery is over and it went extremely well. Apparently they installed a pin.

She was not put to sleep but instead given a local anesthetic that "froze" the hip area and a sedative to make her relax.

The nurse checked on her before the call and found her doing fine and smiling. I will be able to talk to her tomorrow afternoon.

Not sure at this point when they will transfer her back to her hometown hospital... perhaps late tomorrow or Monday.

I am so relieved the surgery went well... now the recovery process begins.

Paul & Sweet little Momma,
I am so relieved this is over for the both of you!

Yes, now the healing process begins...
My hubby just had a birmingham hip replacement 3 months ago & is finally doing well enough to get back to work, the reason it has taken him so long to recover is that he has osteoporosis (very soft bone) in his hips so bad and he had polio in the other leg when he was 7 years old so, it took much longer for it to start healing.

My nephew is 28 years old and had to have a pin put in his hip when he broke it at age 26 and hes doing great so your Mom will be fine providing she stays off of it and does exactly what the doctor tells her to do, "Mom's" can be a bit head strong at times but seriously, it sounds like you have a super MOM that's really strong so I will pray for her speedy recovery and please don't feel like it was your fault because it wasn't.

Please Wish Mom a "QUICK GET WELL & RECOVERY" from me and the Best to both of you, please keep us posted

Sleep Well,
SleepyNoMore

[Paul56]

I just got off the phone with mom.

She said that yesterday she was a little confused and unsure of where she was. She also got a little upset when the surgery was not happening and raised a fuss. The doc came down and reassured her that they had not forgotten about her.

She was a little unsure of what day today was so I went over the events of the past couple of days and engaged her in some discussion. She was able to tell me the details of what actually happened.

Initially I was concerned over the confusion but... for her to recognize it herself and be able to discuss the details means she is doing fine. We all get confused from time to time and it is very understandable for her to get a little confused in this situation.

She had been doing a fair amount of walking around in the previous couple of days. When the break happened she was actually running in the house to catch the phone before the call went to voice mail. She had entered her bedroom and just turned the corner when she felt a very severe pain and then tumbled to the floor. She figured the bone broke and that is what caused the fall. Apparently she screamed out with the pain and Molly, our cat, came running to see what was up.

Mom says she has never felt pain like that before... that pain is enough to distract anyone and get them a little confused. Then she had to endure a bumpy and subsequently painful 1 hour ambulance ride to the bone & surgery center yesterday morning.

Today, they have been giving her some meals and are encouraging her to drink lots of water. She says she does not have much of an appetite, also understandable, but has had something to eat. They have had her sitting up in bed for the meals but as yet... have not attempted to have her walk or stand up at all... about 16 hours now post-op. Apparently they want to give the hip a little time to settle down and start healing. She says she feels no pain in the joint anymore. No morphine pump but apparently they are giving her pain killers of some sort.

There are a few things up there that need sorting out...

The phone for one... I will be changing it to ring more than 3 times before dumping to voice mail and I will be replacing her phone in the hall that was broken. She was having to run all the way into the bedroom to answer the phone. No more running to answer the phone!

There are some scatter rugs around that need to be removed... one in particular I find slippery myself so it has to go.

There needs to be a railing installed for the stairs going down to the basement. I don't think she will be attempting stairs for a while but this still needs to be done.


I thought perhaps she sounded a little weak but I think that is the pain medication and stress of the last 2 days. Heck, I would be out of sorts too and I'm only in my 50's.

[Muse-Inc]

All in all sounds great Paul!

All those fix-it/make the house safer things gotta be done, esp now. We only have a few area rugs and all of them have non-slip backing. We put bathroom rugs with non-slip backing outside each of the showers, on the kitchen floor where spills might occur, inside the front and porch doors, add outside leading up to the front door. I fussed at my mom to quit wearing backless shoes and those with smooth bottoms. We put an LED-type of night light in the hallway, utility room, and in the open living area to make sure if we get up in the night, there's some light. These run all the time so even with stormy/overcast weather, these areas have some light. When we have guests, we put one in the hall bath so no one has to turn the overhead lights on and be blasted by bright light. Oh, and flashlights everywhere in case the power goes out...no fumblingin the dark for one or a candle.

What relief it must have been to talk to her.