Alone after surgery, What can I prepare for ahead of time to make things easier?

[Cavyslave]

I am scheduled for decompression surgery with duraplasty and cauterizing  the cerebellum tonsil herniation on November 24th. I live alone and after my 2 week follow up I will be at home by myself for the rest of my recovery. I will have a little help with my guinea pig but thats about it. What are things around my apartment that I can set up now that will make things easier for me when I get home. I am  having surgery at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati which is 4 hours away from me. For the 2 weeks after surgery til my follow up at the Mayfield Chiari Center I will be going home with my mom to TN, 5 hours in the opposite direction. I have already gotten a shower seat, shower head with a hose and working with the local Ability center to put in bars in my shower for free. I'm still working on some kind of medical aide with my insurance  to help with things like laundry but that may take well into recovery to make happen. What are other things I can do now to my apartment to prepare for when I get home again? Also to skip one area, I don't have a bed, I sleep on my couch. My living room is the only room I can get dark enough where the light from outside doesn't hurt my eyes and give me headaches.

[Elisaandbucky]

Today is Thanksgiving and I remember that your surgery was scheduled for Monday the 24th. I don't know if you are home yet and I was thinking about your surgery. I hope you are well as I write this. Please post when you are able to tell all of us how you are.

[Nellan12]

Sounds like you know some alternative and other natural methods that can help you ..good luck with everything and be very careful take it slow and rest as much as you need to ..your body heals better when you listen to it ... God Bless

[Cavyslave]

Thank you for the warm welcome. There is a few reasons why I can't stay longer with my mom, one being we don't always get along in person, but also being away from my apartment for a long period of time causes issues with my housing. I live in subsidized housing for people with mental illnesses. Being away from your apartment for an extended period of time without say being in a medical facility can cause issues with rent. I have never acted or felt my age lol. right now I need surgery on 2 other areas of my body.The problem with probiotics is that its difficult to find ones that are vegan and that I can afford. I may try the treatment I use for my guinea pig's bloat on me. Dandelions are a digestive aid, he gets fresh and dried  cut leaves,  so there are dandelion teas for humans. I have a mom and daughter who are going to help me clean my guinea pig's cage. Thankfully I will be able to take him with my when I have my surgery and go home with my mom. The hotel is allowing him with a letter in writing stating he is an emotion support animal.He's not a huge cuddler but will when he knows when I need it.

[Nellan12]

Hi and welcome, you have found the best support groud & friends online you will ever find!!! I can only say that Selma has given you all the best advice you can get,but if there is any way you can stay with you mom for at least a few weeks longer than just the 2 it will make a world of a difference!! I had my first decompression in 2011,and I know everyone reacts different and heals different, you have your age in you favor "according to my doctor when your in your 20's  it much easier that when your in your 50's like I am" but last time I was bed ridden for 3 weeks unable to move because the headace were so bad after surgery...then they got much better byb the 4th week I started to take care of my self completely!! also regarding some of your stomach issues, I had stomach surgery almost 10 yrs ago and can't take certain meds,otherwise I get very bad pain to the point I will start to vomit blood .. But I started to see a natural pathic doctor who put me on Probiotic Dailey and that helped tremendously with the pain..it's been 6yrs now and I still take them..now only when needed for pain but that is something to think about about ..if you can find a good all natural health food store and pick up a bottle..all it does is puts back the good bacteria in your stomach ...IT REALLY REALLY HELPS and make sure that it say Ultra Strength 20 million probiotic..

[Elisaandbucky]

Hello, I am reading this thread and so wishing that I lived close to you. No one should be alone after such a surgery. Have you told your doctor about having no one to watch over your recovery? I wonder if he/she can make some suggestion about contacting social services to arrange for some physical assistance. But, the best thing to consider is what Selma suggested about contacting a local high school or church. I will think about your situation and pray that you will find a source of relief. And, incidentally, loving a pet can heal some of the most significant pain.

[selmaS]

   How  about  getting one  of those  folding  carts  that you  can  just  push,  I  know  no  pushing, but  it is better  then  lifting  in my  book....especially  since you  can stop  and you  are not straining to continue to hold  the  items....just  a thought.

Also,  check  with  your  local church  or high  school....most require  senior   students  to do  community  service  to  graduate,. maybe  they  can  set  you  up  with  one to  do  chores  like  that for you....

[Cavyslave]

I'm pretty used to constant headaches. My preventative meds helps a little but I still end up eating otc pain meds like candy. I'm extremely light sensitive so that is usually what starts my headaches. I already have  IBS and alot of stomach problems that cause alot of extra pain  so my new gastro doc has me on a regular regiment of miralax. I have to take a it 3 times a day. So far it has helped with stopping ibs attacks where I have no control over the straining. My muscles just cramp up on their own. I didn't think of a pill organizer like that. I might be able to get that free from one of my doctors. I forget now if I've taken my meds or not so I'm sure my memory with meds will be much worse after surgery. I use rice filled hospital socks, those terry clothe like ones, for heating pads. They work well for both cold and hot so I think I'll make a few more up. I really have no choice in the matter of some things that are straining. Since I can't drive I have to take the bus to get groceries. I have to carry just about every thing I take anywhere and there really is no alternative.

[selmaS]

   Keep  in  mind  to  not  strain  now  either....get  someone  to  help  move  the recliner...and other  things  that may  be  too  much  even  b4  surgery....

  Straining  can  cause  headaches  to  flare....oh  speaking  of  which,  get  some  stool softeners  in  for  post op....as  you  do  not  want  to strain that  way  either.

  I  also  used  heat  to  help loosen  the neck  muscles.....ice  packs  for  swelling  etc...

  A  week  pill  organizer  that  has  times  thru out  the day to  put  your  meds  in  as  we  can  get  forgetful  as  to  did  we  take  them  and post  op  you  need  to  keep  on  top  of  the meds other wise  the pain  will win....take  meds  on  a schedule, using  an  alarm  clock  to  wake  to  take  them....

  Sorry  you  do  not  have  someone  close  that can help....can  you  stay  with your  mom  a few  more  weeks  b4  heading  home  alone?

[Cavyslave]

Thank you Selma. This does Help.  I do already walk with a cane so I know I will be using that to move around my apartment. I do have an old recliner that now is a coat holder lol but I can clear that off. It's right next to my door so I'll put moving it on my list of to-do's before I leave. I don't really have a choice in help after the 2 weeks. I've asked my few friends and only one was willing to come by in a scheduled ahead to of time way. Unfortunately if I ask for help from the people in my building I will be taken advantage of very easily. The one that will jump at the chance and who I will likely have to report for harassment is my abusive ex who lives just upstairs. Most of my recovery I'm going to have to be on the defensive. I can't drive so I'm going to be limited to my building  halls for walking around.I didn't think a whole lot about pulling and pushing. I'm guessing this means I'm going to need to find someone to walk the grocery store with me?
Thank you again Selma, making lists and preparing is how I'm keeping my mind off my worries about the surgery.

[selmaS]

  Hi  and welcome to the  Chiari  forum.

Congratulations  on your  surgery  date, if  you  would like  a prayer  thread  please  post  your surgery date  in the surgery  date  thread.

  Do you  have  a recliner? I found  being in  a recliner  post op  was  better  for me  and a few  others  have  agreed....

If  you  have  throw  rugs  move them  out of the  way....anything you  may get tangled  in....many of us  are  instructed  to use  a walker  for  the first  few  weeks  and  how  many  weeks will  depend  on  you  and  how  you  heal....

Have  easy  meals  prepared  and  frozen  for  easy  heat ups....

  And do  try  to  have  someone there...as you  will still need help  past  the 2  week  point  with  things  you  may   feel  up  to  trying...but  they  can cause  set backs....so  take  your  time  and  do  not  rush  to do  too much,,,,so  no  lifting, pulling, pushing, bending,.....so  basically  do  walking  and  post op  neck  exercises  but  rest ,rest  and rest  some more.,

   Look  for  pillows  to  help get  comfy post  op....this tends  to  be an issue  and we  all like  a different type of  pillow and position  when we  sleep....so, be  prepared  to try  a few  different options.

  Hope  this helps.