My To Do list 3 days before Surgery

Foot care
1

in case this would be of use to anybody - any comments would be appreciated - I realize I will be bed in pain at the start - just trying to do things while I still have 2 working feet (no wt. bearing on left foot for 2 weeks):

TO DO

Change bedsheets and make beds

Wash coloreds and towels in baths, kitchen

Make LC Cheesecake

Make Chili in crock pot to freeze

Make chicken soup in crock pot to freeze

Stockpile groceries and sundries at store

ON NEARBY LARGE TABLE

Pill packs of daily meds

Nerve cream to put on foot

Hand creams, other cream

Pile of books to read

Ideas for movies on Netflix to stream

Netflix DVDs

Schedule book with calendar

Recliner pockets filled

Hanging organizer filled

Bell for Jim

Clinique, cotton, face cleaner

Wash cloths to wet

Towels

Several nightgowns washed & ready

Slippers ready

Glass of water, toothbrush, toothpaste

Small bowel of water and wet wipes

Cell & home phone

Books to read

Cross stitch projects (have Rubbermaid tub handy)

Laptop computer with mouse

Wooden laptop desk

Writing paper or notebook

Cooler with fresh ice packs & food

Drinking glass with water

Deodorant, perfume, nasal spray, face wipes

Dental floss

Knee walker handy

Two TV tables

Serving tray

2

You seem pretty covered to me Susan x

Will you have crutches to get around on too?

Should think your be able hop places...lil distance x

And have someone help look after you?

Best of luck and hope recovery go ok x

3

Wow Susan you are well prepared, specially the most important Cheesecake .

Yuuuummmmy.

Good luck and keep us posted.

4

okay, Star, thanks...LOL - have already added to the above list.

5

My surgeon wants me just on my knee walker - I'll have a half cast on the back of my leg and foot dressings - no boot until at least 2 weeks after.  My husband will be able to look after me about 3pm until bedtime every day - the other hours?  I have two emergency contacts to phone to come quickly if needed and then of couse, you guys for support...Thank you, Jessica...

6

A cast....what are you having done?

My feet are in bandages and have boots and crutches...was heel weight baring straight after surgery as soon as able.

Funny how much it varies from one person to the next x

But yes your surgeons word is the bible.

You have all that you need.and I'm sure your be resting a great deal the morning xx

7

Sat at 12:30 pm CT USA time - scarf bunionectomy (arthritis in big toes - cutting wedge low on toe),  plus hammer toe cutting & pinning next toe over and and cutting the top of my Achilles on the back of my leg to bring it down so my heel hits the floor first when I walk.  Elevation of left leg, iced for 24 hours a day, for 2 weeks, NO weight bearing for that whole time.  thanks, Jessica.

8

Thermos flask? You can be sure there's no one around when you fancy a hot drink. As I live on my own I also found it handy to have a large tupperware box (plastic food box) with a few goodies in. In mine I have separate containers for carrot sticks, nuts, fruit, biscuits and the odd chocci or two!

Good luck with the op and here's wishing you a speedy recovery : )

9

Lol, you see like you have everything.

Washing all the sheets, towel and cloths is good.

Netflix movies for those late night pain spells. The movies help forget.

Vitamins! You forgot vitamins. Vitamins B especially

Good luck

10

Thanks, Jennifer.  Vitamins are in my Pill pack with other meds- set up by each day - you are reminding me, though, I should set that up for 2 weeks worth...

11

Stella, LOL - I scanned this quickly and I thought you meant a flask for liquor...yes a thermos with warm coffee would be nice.  Plus I like your food box ideas - I will add that...Thanks so much.

12

Don't forget the Chargers, and maybe don't use the bell too often unless your hubby has loads of patience.  Mine was brilliant I didn't have to ask for a thing, he was really thoughtful.  Oh and maybe a bottle water container rather than glass tumbler then you can keep sipping thought the day.  You seem well prepar d.  My dressing came off today, I've posted before and after photos on another discussion.

13

The bell for my husband is basically a joke (no voice inflection so how would you know?)...My husband is a full time professor of piano (we are a two piano team), with high stress level, past retirement age but still working, and plays the pipe organ on the weekends and we are writing a book together.  It's difficult with all that for him to have patience with me, BUT, I think he will do his best from 3pm on until bedtime...Yes - I will add chargers, bottled water...I'll check out your photos.  Thanks, Barbara...

14

yes, set up for 2weeks for sure. Your funny. I don't think you forgot anything. There is not much you can do but read and watch movies. I actually got caught up on my daughter photo album/ scrapbooking, which took up at least a week.

And remember, we're all here if you need us. This forum help me tremendously

15

Ha! Hot drinks are sooo yesterday - a flask for liquor is an excellent idea - am now on week 4 post op and looking for diversion! x

16

Jennifer, thanks...this forum (all of your help) helps me greatly, also...Most people have NO idea what we face in the surgery and recovery; we all have different procedures, age, feet, health, etc. BUT to me, we learn from each other and I do not think this is just "a walk in the park", as it might seem to many people...and I guess that's understandable for the general population to have no idea, but it helps me to have you guys who know exactly what it is like...

17

You've probably already covered this, but think about how you're going to elevate your foot, both in bed and using your recliner - could mean using a wedge, buying extra pillows and maybe raising the bottom of the mattress from underneath.  

Sort out a comfy shoe or sandal with an inch or so heel that you can use instead of a slipper once you're into the heel weight-bearing shoe.  A slipper is too flat and will quickly give you backache because of walking unevenly.

if you have a spare bed, make it up just in case Jim needs to use it temporarily.  You may find you're restless at night and he will need his beauty sleep so that he can answer that bell quickly!

Now's the time to sort out any wide-legged extra-comfy trousers, ones that will go over your foot easily.

i hope all goes well.  Judy x

18

Thanks, Judy.  I have the Ortho wedge that someone on here mentioned, although my surgeon said it's okay to sleep without it, as long as the leg is level with the heart and groin...But I'm going to use it...good suggestion about the "good foot" type of shoe - I have a surgical sandal with wedge heel (from when I broke my little toe) that would be perfect for that...yes, I'm making up the guest bed also, and during the day will be stationed in a recliner with a neck pillow, throw blanket and all my "stuff".  Yes, I'm going to get those outfits at the front of my closet or even in my suitcase because I am looking at this like a 2 week trip...vacations are good...this will be painful, etc.  BUT it does break up the routine of every day life and changes perspective, IMO.

19

Last thing to do - relax! As another poster said, it varies for all of us, but many have found it easier than expected so given that you seem so well prepared, just make sure you are thinking positively about the surgery and its benefits. I had a general anaesthetic and slept a huge amount for the first few days until it was out of my system; a friend suggested audio books as a change. Good luck!

20

Good luck for tomorrow, hope it goes well for you.  I'm gradually moving over to normal shoes this week. So things looking good and speeding up now at three and half weeks. biggrin