What stage did household chores resume!

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Morning everyone, I understand it's different for those living alone, but what stage did everyone start to 'do a bit' around the house? I've just been hanging my washing out & thinking to myself 'will I be able to do this post-op if I use my grabber' x

2

Hello. I am 16 days post op and now using one crutch. I reckon the hanging of washing is entirely possible using a grabber but you will have to come up with a way of transporting said washing to the washing line... Also be careful turning from washing pile to washing line etc. I find the grabber to be really useful and would recommend having one upstairs and another downstairs if this applies to you.

3

Hi fern lady..

I'm 7 weeks today and have been able to load and unload the washing machine for around 3 weeks, I collect the washing in a bag upstairs of noone is home and literally throw it downstairs.. load and unload machine with the aid of grabber if needed and peg out with the use of my stick but it does take time to do it , I managed to clean bathroom yesterday and I'm gaining confidence in doing a bit more each day, it's just about listening to your body really, if I can't do something I yell help Haha

Hope this helps

Xxx

4

It's the ironing afterwards that will be the problem!

5

Haha very true!

First time I ironed I sat on my perching stool that the ot's loaned me and done it that way, but on the whole I find ironing painful whether I'm fighting fit or not 😂

Xxx

6

Hello, my original theory was that my OH would do the dusting - well you can imagine what happened - so I got so fed up of looking at dust I used my grabber with the duster on the end and skimmed the suface, I suppose that was about 3 weeks, I was cautious. I am 6 weeks still on restrictions but I vacuum - I have a high up plug, if you've not get some one to put you an extention lead high up - I then use the attachments - for about 2 weeks I have done the golfers bend to go a bit lower, just occasionally though still a bit worried until I see the surgeon.  Just do a little and rest, rest, rest.

7

Hi fernlady, 

I live alone - after 1st THR my friend came to do laundry - I did the dishes myself - everything was at waist level though - so no bending or stretching putting things away - another friend did some hoovering and wiped the bathroom until I could do it myself, albeit very careful not to break 90 degree rule - and oh, do not pivot!

I had a hard time with this, to be honest - 

In the middle of all this and while awaiting my 2nd THR I had to move .... very long and painful story - 

Anyway, I moved to a bungalow in a bungalowpark surrounded by trees - this time I asked the Manager if I could get some help - so a wonderful woman came and cleaned for me - worth every penny - 

if you have OH please ask him to do these chores ....seriously - might not be the way you want it, but hey ... it is done ...

it is more challenging than you think - 

angel blessings

renee

 

8

Thanks Renee, I'm not planning on doing anything too soon as my husband can pretty much do most things - put an iron in his hand though & that's a different story! X

9

Have to agree with Steph - the grabber is invaluable ! I did chores more or less straight away but slowly and carefully ! Used grabber to sort washing and put it on bed - picked it up and dropped it over the bannister so didnt have to carry it - then used grabber to load/ unload  washing machine . Waited for other half to come home to carry it back upstairs to drying room and used grabber to load drier. I didnt beforehand and still dont do hoovering - other half does - i mopped downstairs wood floors sitting on a chair from about two weeks ( we have dog/ cat so floors get messy) i made our bed by walking from side to side to minimise bending . Was ok standing in kitchen washing up and cooking but you can get a kitchen stool .not everyones comfortable standing  Made pan fried meals etc so wasnt bending to oven. My biggest problems now and after previous hip surgeries ? ? - teenagers leaving bathroom floor wet , family leaving stuff on the stairs to take up later , dog leaving trip hazards everywhere , dog jumping on me in bed ( ouch!) trying to feed dog - bowl too heavy for grabber , and me being unreasonably stroppy if people helping put the wrong cushion on the wrong sofa etc . I did dusting at waist height and above . I didnt clean bathroom - too much bending but can do now at ten weeks - Everyone is so different and its all normal - so much depends on how active you were able to be pre op etc - hope this is helpful at least xxx

10

Thanks Bini, that's really helpful & I am quite active now. I know when I've done too much though & have to sit down with this blasted OA pain! I'm currently into my 2nd hour of ironing & thinking what time I can have my next painkillers! We're away on holiday the week before my op so I've got to do it! We also have a dog & wooden floors & it's my husband's job to Hoover but if I see a ball of fluff rolling like tumbleweed I don't think I'll lose to much sleep! X

11

Never - if you play your cards right 😂😂😂😂

12

Good answer! X

13

Coffee, cooking and dishes are the easiest to start with. A bit of light sweeping, etc.

At post-op when our landlord complainted that our front curtains weren't "white enough". My daughter helped me move a small table near the window, I climbed onto a very sturdy chair and then the table and got them down. My daughter washed them, but they didn't go back up for more than a week. Got sick of waiting for help, so I did it myself... I paid for it a bit the next day with pain.

14

rolleyes oh belle, I remember that - what an awful man - 

15

Oh no, that's awful x

16

I am sure I typed 9 weeks post-op and it's not there... 

17

Bini, love your reference to "unreasonably stroppy". That was so me for the first week or so and, what's more, I didn't care! Now on day 16 things are so much easier and calmer. Don't feel the mountain that needs climbing is quite so high now. Fernlady, plan ahead as much as possible and, as is said over and over again by others who have been there before us, listen to your body. I have to say that I am very conscientious about taking a proper on the bed afternoon rest and I find that really helps. Good luck.

18

Hi there! I am now at almost 2 weeks post op and had to make my mind up to put my recovery first and my home second. It was very hard because I am the spotless type. These adjustments in my thinking are important because I DO NOT want to go back to the hospital! Ever! I know it's tempting to try to do a little here and there but please follow all of your Dr.s orders. I promise your house will still be there after you have passed your milestones in recovery and are confident that your operation has healed! Best of luck for a healthy recovery!

19

Thank you. I wasn't planning on a proper afternoon 'nap' in bed but if that's what I need then I will x

20

Thanks Cindy. It won't be hard to leave the house as my husband will do most things but I was just wondering if I could 'potter' about a bit. Hanging the washing out is quite a simple task that involves walking up the garden (i.e.a bit of exercise) x