Hi,
I had my 2nd THR at the end of January so thats more than 6 months ago.
I had accepted that I couldnt get into the bat for 6 weeks {same as my first THR} but 4 weeks into recovery I fracture myr greater trochanter bone and was told there was nothing they could do, it would heal its self but would take a long time. They discovered I had osteoporosis and that is why it fractured so easily.
6 and a half months since my THR 5 and a half since the fracture and I'm finding it difficult to get into the bath {or more to the point to get out of it LOL}
I have a thing about showers.....do not like them and ours is very tiny so its always been a bath for me.
Any tips HELP PLEASE......The best I can do is sit on a bath board with feet and the lower part of my legs in the bath and do it from there.....it is not nearly as good as a soak.
The OT but a bar on the wall beside the bath but if I try to pull myself out my hand just slips down it.
Its my left hip bone that is so sore and being on crutches still I cant put a lot of weight on it so thats another problem getting out.
Sorry for the ramble but I'm so fed up with this and someone might have some ideas
Love
Eileen
So sorry to hear Eileen, Am not being able to have a bath from i had my THR in April i can only have showers i cannot get up if i sit in the bath,
Have you try sitting on the bath board and try to use the shower that way? ( only if you have an over bath shower) you can control the pressure of water you get from the shower that may help you but be careful you don't slip when getting in and out of the bath.
Use a good bath mat if got one.
Good Luck!
Hi Carmen
Will it be long before you can have a bath or are you not bothered.....are you happy showering.
We have an ensuite with a tiny shower but since I'm still on crutches its not ideal.
I do use the bath board, and was and then use the shower over the bath to rinse... but I really miss my soaks....they used to help my pain
Thanks for your reply
Love
Eileen
Yeah Eileen I do rather a shower anyday. I'll not risk getting into a bath and can't get out at this stage in my THR.
At least you can get in and out of the bath using the bath board. Better than having a strip was any day :-) you'll get there, i know i still have a long way to go myself.
Keep us posted on your progresss.
You'll get there one day am sure.
have you looked into those contrivances that lower you gently into the bath and then hoist you out again? usually they have a sort of wide plastic belt or a plastic seat and are operated electronically. My mum and dad got one after he couldn't get out of the bath one day and my mum had to get a neighbour in to help. I expect they are expensive, but perhaps OT could help with cost, or maybe there is a hire scheme in your area? I actually quite like showers (and they are cheaper, the water rates down here in Cornwall are extortionate) but only because I know I can have a bath if I want one, and was really happy after my THR to be able to have my first bath. You can't read in the shower!
Hi
I cant get out using the bath board.....I get no further than sitting on it.
I would love a good soak to help my aches and pains LOL
Love
Eileen
Hi Jean
I have vaguely thought about something like that......I must get in touch with the OT and see if she has any ideas.
I feel clausterphobic {spelling??} in our shower
Love
Eileen
Oh Eileen, so sorry you are in such a bind, but looking for help myself I can't give you any advice...hopefully someone here can...too bad the OT can't be move helpful....Patricia
Hi Patricia
The OT put a bar on the wall beside the bath. Its at an angle and is quite large. As soon as I grab it my hand slips down it. If it was smaller it would be better.
I'm going to try putting the sticky one back on the wall....dont know if you have them but its better I think. I will have to check it each time before getting in. Thats just a thought.....havent done it yet.
Love
Eileen
Hi eileen,
have you tried wrapping some sort of non-slip tape around it? not sure what, though. Your OT should be able to get you some Dycem to use though (it's a sort of rubbery stuff which comes in sheets or reels, it's washable too so should be fine in bath/shower).
Hi Jean
My husband has said he is going to have a go at the one the OT put up.....he's one of these men that have a shed that has everything in it LOL
Thanks for the help
Love
Eileen
Oh Eileen, I'm a worry wort, please don't use the sticky one, you may try it and it stays put but fromthe angle of sitting and pulling yourself up be too much for it and you will go down!!!! Sorry I don't have a better suggestion, but in my youth (hahaha) I worked with seniors (now me) and the biggest home accient was falls in the tub caused by those grab bars - even someitmes family members screwed them in but just put them throw the tile not a beam, and they gave way - and another fall...so be very carefull...Patricia
Thanks Patricia
I know when I used it before my husband used to come up and check it before I got into the bath and really pull on it but you are right about the angle
Lets hope i can find a safer way
Love
Eileen
I feel for you Eileen,
You'll know when you're ready it will take some time to get there but am sure you will one day, i know you wants to now! because of all that aches and pains. :-(
Hi Carmen
Thanks
I will listen to my body except i dont know what its telling me sometimes LOL
Patience is not my middle name but I will get there
Love
Eileen
Hi Patricia, what you say makes a lot of sense. Stay safe everybody!
Well I've managed to have a couple of baths IN THE BATH LOL since we last spoke.
I can get in OK. Sit on the shower board bring my legs into the bath, move the shower board out and prop it beside the bath were I can get it again lOL
I've put both of my forearms onto the side of the bath and lowered myself in. No problem.....getting out was more of a problem. Made sure my husband was about.
I dont quite know how I got out LOL......it was a bit of a scramble, holding on to the rail the OT put in and my other arm on the side of the bath and I managed it. I wouldnt like to try a full bath every day. I was shattered when I got out LOL but it was nice. I'll keep trying and hopefully will gradually get the hang of getting out.
Love
Eileen
Hey, Eileen, that's marvellous! I hope you didn't have that awful moment after you have lowered yourself in that you have left the soap or something just out of reach!
Jean
Hi Jean.......the few baths I've had {completely immersed I mean
} have been very successful......the rest have been on the bath board.
Still not up to having a proper one "every day". Going to give it another try tonight
Love
Eileen
Hi Eileen, I've joined the bathing club now....used the bench in the shower Friday night after l9 days no shower (or washing hair) and it felt GREAT!
Had to have my daughter close by as I felt kinda woosy even sitting (probably just the excitement of washing my hair haha)....my bench is a little wobbly so I'm having someone come over the make sure all the screws are tight and will try again tomorrow!!!! Its funny the things you take for granted by way of daily routines until you loose the independence of doing them for yourself! Take care Ladies...it is looking like a nice day here in Toronto, sunny though a little cool, I still can't go outside but it is better to see the sun instead of the dull, cool weather we have been having lately!