Getting ready to join the exciting band of new hippies on 24th. I attended an excellent 2 hour course at our local hospital St. Albans Hertfordshire.
The nurse finished the talk by saying pack like you are going on holiday. Sun screen, swim suit, flip flops. May be not! But I was wondering would it be helpful to take in a grabber, long handled shoehorn and v pillow? My daughter who had a baby 3 weeks ago was advised to take in her v pillow when she went in to have her.
Can I share too? That was my first grand daughter, beautiful of course! Then my other daughter surprised me last night by telling me she is pregnant, due August. Bit like buses, wait for ages then 2 come along. Sorry but had to tell someone and it's a secret at the moment
Lynn, congrats on becoming a grandmum, you will be needing that new hip to run after them eh. I was only in hospital for 4 days including operation, the royal free in hampstead, took in stuff but never wore it. Remember you dont have that much space around your bed, maybe wait till you go in and ask then, and get some one to bring it in. I just lived in a night dress for two days, then got dressed to come home. Good luck anyway hun, just keep thinking of running around with your grand babies that will keep you going.
There were about 15 of us plus carers. Lovely nurse explain operation, what to expect in hospital and passed round actual new joint. Told us about after care, teds, injections, even passed round injections for us to see. Then talk by physio and print out of post of exercises. Any questions session. Very relaxed, funny in places, informative and positive.
Ahh i see. Sounds interesting. I take it everyone in the group was getting a new hip? I might die of embarrassment if im the youngest person there again as most people look at me funny haha. But i suppose its good to have loads of info. Im quite excited to go now
Hahaha anybody in there 20s? I went on a medical course for trainee doctors to study interesting and different disabilities. I walked into the room with the other patients anf i was round 50 years young than most. I got some serious odd looks haha. But it wad a great experiances and would certainly do it again
Well no I must admit not that young. But then you may get extra special attention. Neither of my daughters have stomachs, removed because of genetic stomach cancer. They always get lots of attention at anything medical not related to the cancer.
Im not sure id want extra attention, that makes me uncomfortable id just like to meet someone near my age or whose easy to talk to hahaha. Someone who i could talk to and maybe even meet on the ward haha. It would be nice to get to know some people 😊
Congratulations, your little secret is safe with us !!!!
Didn't take any bits in the first time around.
Second time I took in my shoehorn, but never used it. Grabber, didn't take it, didn't need it - that's what visitors are for. Nurses/porters/staff are usually brilliant and will pick up anything you need.
V Pillows - oh no, how would the nurses cope with changing the bed? My pillows and sheets were changed daily. Mind you, it was a private hospital, but still on the NHS.
There is a list of things to take in the 'Admission' section of my website - the website address is in my personal information at
Congrats on granbabies i know the feeling we started with 1 nine years ago and now we have 9 grandchildren lol
They are spead out over the globe but all very precious.
I did pack a few things but only used bathroom supplies and crutches after the zimmer frame they supplied in hospital but better safe thsn sorry i always say.
How exciting !! and definitely a great incentive to get you up and going ...
what a great pre-op session you had - mine was a powerpoint presentation done by P.A. - so overwhelming I came away with fear: the words : dislocation and (fatal) infection, were imbedded !
The hospital provided me with a small v-shaped cushion for 1st post-op night - I wished I could have one for the remaining days -
We had to be "dressed" during the day - so t-shirts and sweat pants is what I had with me - Dropped things all the time and 2nd time around wished I had brought my grabber with me - oh, snacks and your favorite beverage !
have a look at Graham's website - so many good tips there -
Of course you can share the wonderful news about your grandbaby and the one to come! Congtatulations, Lynn!
I brought a grabber with me to hospital, but never used it. I didn't do a whole lot of moving around, except when required to. No V pillow either. The hospital beds go up and down behind your back and under your knees and are in your control, and I was able to request additional pillows as needed.
The only 5 things I brought that I used were fresh underwear for each day, a really comfy bra, warm stretchy socks, my cell phone and things to charge it with. I never put on regular clothes until it was time to go home. Brought books -- ha ha! -- couldn't read them. Hospital supplied toothbrush and paste.