Guest guest Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 > > > Hi Stan, > > > > > > If I were in a rehab centre / nursing home etc here, I would > expect > > similar care. However, assuming (hoping) I shall come straight home: > > > I don't know if a nurse will be coming in every day after I come > > home. I would hope that one will come in at least occasionally, as > I > > won't be allowed to drive or even travel in passenger seat of a > car, > > so getting to the clinic will be a problem in the early stages. > > (However the clinic is very close to my home, so easy for them to > get > > to me.) The stitches (or staples?) will need to be removed after 12 > > days. Also they told us at the hospital that we will be getting > > injections of a drug called Klexan in the abdomen, to prevent blood- > > clots (anti-coagulant?) - these have to be done daily for one > month, > > and they promised they would show us how to inject ourselves (those > > who have no-one to do it for them.) I am not looking forward to > > injecting myself in the abdomen once a day! (Question to post-op > > hippies - did you have to do this? Are there alternatives I should > > enquire about?) > > > > > > Being aged 60 and a non-working pensioner with quite low income, > I > > *should* qualify for a home-help package of 15 hours a week of free > > home help (someone coming in daily to help me shower, dress, > prepare > > food...) (I can supplement this if I want to by paying extra > > privately, which shouldn't be too expensive - the going rate here > for > > home help is 30 shekels an hour = approx $7.) Also, I'll get home > > visits from the physiotherapist - but not every day (maybe 3 times > a > > week). Within a day or so after my surgery, the hospital will > notify > > the " continuing care " unit at my local health clinic - so the day I > > arrive home, I should get a visit from a little team of therapists > to > > assess my needs; and also from the company that provides the home- > > help I mentioned above - they will also install an emergency- button > > (an intercom device with a button you wear strapped to your wrist), > > which I'll have free for 3 months after the surgery (and can > continue > > afterwards if I want for small payment.) > > > > > > Regarding a rehab centre (or whatever) - they told us during the > > pre-surgery instruction session at Hadassah hospital that their > > policy is to discharge people directly home whenever possible - > they > > believe that patients recover best in their own home environment, > > both physically (less risk of picking up " foreign " infections in an > > institution) and psychologically. Only when there's some *medical* > > reason (for instance elderly patients with additional health > problems > > or risks) do they refer to a rehab centre. If they *did* refer me, > > the one I'd most likely be sent to is about one-and-a-half hours > > drive from the hospital. I haven't visited it - it's about 2 hours > > from here - but I made some phone enquiries from people who know > the > > place - and I don't feel I would want to go there!! It is actually > a > > rehab hospital - largely for more elderly / incapacitated patients - > > > 8 beds to a ward, no single / private rooms available... . > (However, > > it would be free under my health-fund coverage.) My other option > > would be to go to a private rehab place - but that would be *very* > > expensive, and not covered by my insurance - so having limited > > financial resources, I want to avoid that if possible. (If I were > > hospitalised for at least 7 days, my insurance would cover *part* > of > > the cost of a private stay in a rehab place of my choice for up to > 10 > > days - but Hadassah generally discharges hip-patients after 5 days. > > However, there may be room for negotiation ..... I'll find out once > > I'm in there!) > > > > > > They told us at Hadassah that, during the 3 days or so following > > the surgery, they get us standing on our feet on day 1, and that by > > the time we're discharged we will be able to get ourselves from bed > > to bathroom (with a walking frame), and to go up and down steps. > If > > I can persuade them to let me have a few extra days in the in- > > hospital rehab unit (in view of the long distance from my home and > > the fact that I live alone), I wouldn't mind doing that... but I > > don't particularly want to be trundled from one institution to > > another, especially such great distances apart. But my strong > > preference is to come straight home (despite the 3-hour ambulance > > ride). > > > > > > In case anyone's wondering why I'm having the surgery so far away > > from my home-town, the reasons are: (1) the orthopedic department > in > > my local hospital is definitely *not* recommended - I've heard > > several " horror-stories " about it, and documented cases of > negligent > > treatment; (2) Hadassah is one of the best hospitals in the > country, > > and the surgeon I chose is head of the specialist hip-replacement > > team, and has an excellent reputation. Here in Israel, there's > much > > variation in standards of treatment between different hospitals and > > departments - some are excellent, others not... and the best way to > > choose is to enquire around... the best is not necessarily the > > closest to your home. > > > > > > The surgery is partly covered by my insurance - I have to pay a > > contribution of approx 6,000 shekels (= approx $1,300) - but for > that > > I was able to choose any hospital and surgeon. I could have had it > > done free through my regular health-fund coverage - but would have > > had no choice - they would either have sent me to the local > hospital > > (no no!!!) or to Haifa (where I also didn't particularly want to > go - > > and also a long drive from here). So I opted to pay and to have a > > choice! However, I hope that, once I'm back home, I'll be able to > > have all the follow-up done locally through my health-fund clinic > > (which is very close to my home - only 10 minutes walk normally - I > > might even be able to manage it on my walker!) > > > > > > Margaret- I am looking forward to hearing your stories after > > your surgery and recovery. You are lucky that you appear to have > the > > groups " blessing " to go home alone. I wish I had that. > > > > I would like to hear from other people that have gone home alone. > > Just how much help did you really require and for how long.??? Thats > > the kind of info I need now. I hope people find this question, but > I > > wanted to leave your long post, cause somehow I had missed some of > it > > when reading back. Don't know how. I read them all except the > ones > > I try to skip by one certain person, and you are not her. Hope I > did > > not miss any more good ones, in my effort to avoid the annoying one. > > > > Best wishes, > > > > > > > > Stan - I'd be interested to know how much of your surgery and > post- > > op rehabilitation was covered by the French health system - I > assume > > you're covered by French health insurance? How much did you get > > free, and how much did you have to pay for? It's interesting to > > compare different countries' health-care systems. > > > (If anyone wants to know more about the Israeli system, I'll be > > happy to give more information.) > > > > > > Margaret in Israel > > > Re: Any more preparatory > > exercises? > > > > > > > > > Margaret > > > > > > You said that you'll be going home early and mostly taking care > > of > > > yourself. Will a nurse be coming in every day? > > > > > > While in the rehab center, nursing home, or whatever one wants > to > > > call it (the names are different here), I was visited four > times > > a > > > day by a nurse with drugs for me, another nurse who gave me an > > anti- > > > coagulant (sp?) shot, blood tests regularly, urnine tests, plus > > > occasional visits by a doctor. Is that typically French? Or > will > > you > > > be having similar care? > > > > > > Staninfr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 Reaching up a little is okay. It may be hard to balance on one leg and you may drop the crutch and or cane if you reach. Then you have a problem getting it off the floor. Cats, yes I have those too. My 3 were over 15. I had " steps " for them to get to the box. They tried jumping on things and missed alot! Poor babies. If you have time, you can start raising the box at the same spot. Or if you can put a chair next to the box and lean sideways away from the operated leg to clean it. Changing it is a bit harder. A smaller lighter box may help there. Each reached the age of 18. All died peacefully. Now I have sisters that just turned 1 in February. I don't remember how long it was before I could get to the floor. You will need someone to show you how to do that properly. It is possible without bending more than 90 degrees. With your knees outward it is possible. Hard to explain. But you do need stong thigh muscles and knees. Keep the motivation. Sue > > > > Hi Stan, > > > > > > > > If I were in a rehab centre / nursing home etc here, I would > > expect > > > similar care. However, assuming (hoping) I shall come straight > home: > > > > I don't know if a nurse will be coming in every day after I > come > > > home. I would hope that one will come in at least occasionally, > as > > I > > > won't be allowed to drive or even travel in passenger seat of a > > car, > > > so getting to the clinic will be a problem in the early stages. > > > (However the clinic is very close to my home, so easy for them to > > get > > > to me.) The stitches (or staples?) will need to be removed after > 12 > > > days. Also they told us at the hospital that we will be getting > > > injections of a drug called Klexan in the abdomen, to prevent > blood- > > > clots (anti-coagulant?) - these have to be done daily for one > > month, > > > and they promised they would show us how to inject ourselves > (those > > > who have no-one to do it for them.) I am not looking forward to > > > injecting myself in the abdomen once a day! (Question to post- op > > > hippies - did you have to do this? Are there alternatives I > should > > > enquire about?) > > > > > > > > Being aged 60 and a non-working pensioner with quite low > income, > > I > > > *should* qualify for a home-help package of 15 hours a week of > free > > > home help (someone coming in daily to help me shower, dress, > > prepare > > > food...) (I can supplement this if I want to by paying extra > > > privately, which shouldn't be too expensive - the going rate here > > for > > > home help is 30 shekels an hour = approx $7.) Also, I'll get home > > > visits from the physiotherapist - but not every day (maybe 3 > times > > a > > > week). Within a day or so after my surgery, the hospital will > > notify > > > the " continuing care " unit at my local health clinic - so the day > I > > > arrive home, I should get a visit from a little team of > therapists > > to > > > assess my needs; and also from the company that provides the home- > > > help I mentioned above - they will also install an emergency- > button > > > (an intercom device with a button you wear strapped to your > wrist), > > > which I'll have free for 3 months after the surgery (and can > > continue > > > afterwards if I want for small payment.) > > > > > > > > Regarding a rehab centre (or whatever) - they told us during > the > > > pre-surgery instruction session at Hadassah hospital that their > > > policy is to discharge people directly home whenever possible - > > they > > > believe that patients recover best in their own home environment, > > > both physically (less risk of picking up " foreign " infections in > an > > > institution) and psychologically. Only when there's some > *medical* > > > reason (for instance elderly patients with additional health > > problems > > > or risks) do they refer to a rehab centre. If they *did* refer > me, > > > the one I'd most likely be sent to is about one-and-a-half hours > > > drive from the hospital. I haven't visited it - it's about 2 > hours > > > from here - but I made some phone enquiries from people who know > > the > > > place - and I don't feel I would want to go there!! It is > actually > > a > > > rehab hospital - largely for more elderly / incapacitated > patients - > > > > > 8 beds to a ward, no single / private rooms available... . > > (However, > > > it would be free under my health-fund coverage.) My other option > > > would be to go to a private rehab place - but that would be > *very* > > > expensive, and not covered by my insurance - so having limited > > > financial resources, I want to avoid that if possible. (If I were > > > hospitalised for at least 7 days, my insurance would cover *part* > > of > > > the cost of a private stay in a rehab place of my choice for up > to > > 10 > > > days - but Hadassah generally discharges hip-patients after 5 > days. > > > However, there may be room for negotiation ..... I'll find out > once > > > I'm in there!) > > > > > > > > They told us at Hadassah that, during the 3 days or so > following > > > the surgery, they get us standing on our feet on day 1, and that > by > > > the time we're discharged we will be able to get ourselves from > bed > > > to bathroom (with a walking frame), and to go up and down steps. > > If > > > I can persuade them to let me have a few extra days in the in- > > > hospital rehab unit (in view of the long distance from my home > and > > > the fact that I live alone), I wouldn't mind doing that... but I > > > don't particularly want to be trundled from one institution to > > > another, especially such great distances apart. But my strong > > > preference is to come straight home (despite the 3-hour ambulance > > > ride). > > > > > > > > In case anyone's wondering why I'm having the surgery so far > away > > > from my home-town, the reasons are: (1) the orthopedic department > > in > > > my local hospital is definitely *not* recommended - I've heard > > > several " horror-stories " about it, and documented cases of > > negligent > > > treatment; (2) Hadassah is one of the best hospitals in the > > country, > > > and the surgeon I chose is head of the specialist hip- replacement > > > team, and has an excellent reputation. Here in Israel, there's > > much > > > variation in standards of treatment between different hospitals > and > > > departments - some are excellent, others not... and the best way > to > > > choose is to enquire around... the best is not necessarily the > > > closest to your home. > > > > > > > > The surgery is partly covered by my insurance - I have to pay a > > > contribution of approx 6,000 shekels (= approx $1,300) - but for > > that > > > I was able to choose any hospital and surgeon. I could have had > it > > > done free through my regular health-fund coverage - but would > have > > > had no choice - they would either have sent me to the local > > hospital > > > (no no!!!) or to Haifa (where I also didn't particularly want to > > go - > > > and also a long drive from here). So I opted to pay and to have a > > > choice! However, I hope that, once I'm back home, I'll be able > to > > > have all the follow-up done locally through my health-fund clinic > > > (which is very close to my home - only 10 minutes walk normally - > I > > > might even be able to manage it on my walker!) > > > > > > > > > Margaret- I am looking forward to hearing your stories > after > > > your surgery and recovery. You are lucky that you appear to have > > the > > > groups " blessing " to go home alone. I wish I had that. > > > > > > I would like to hear from other people that have gone home > alone. > > > Just how much help did you really require and for how long.??? > Thats > > > the kind of info I need now. I hope people find this question, > but > > I > > > wanted to leave your long post, cause somehow I had missed some > of > > it > > > when reading back. Don't know how. I read them all except the > > ones > > > I try to skip by one certain person, and you are not her. Hope I > > did > > > not miss any more good ones, in my effort to avoid the annoying > one. > > > > > > Best wishes, > > > > > > > > > > > Stan - I'd be interested to know how much of your surgery and > > post- > > > op rehabilitation was covered by the French health system - I > > assume > > > you're covered by French health insurance? How much did you get > > > free, and how much did you have to pay for? It's interesting to > > > compare different countries' health-care systems. > > > > (If anyone wants to know more about the Israeli system, I'll be > > > happy to give more information.) > > > > > > > > Margaret in Israel > > > > Re: Any more preparatory > > > exercises? > > > > > > > > > > > > Margaret > > > > > > > > You said that you'll be going home early and mostly taking > care > > > of > > > > yourself. Will a nurse be coming in every day? > > > > > > > > While in the rehab center, nursing home, or whatever one > wants > > to > > > > call it (the names are different here), I was visited four > > times > > > a > > > > day by a nurse with drugs for me, another nurse who gave me > an > > > anti- > > > > coagulant (sp?) shot, blood tests regularly, urnine tests, > plus > > > > occasional visits by a doctor. Is that typically French? Or > > will > > > you > > > > be having similar care? > > > > > > > > Staninfr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 Thanks for the tips (no pun intended!) on raising the cat litter box. I have one cat age 6 - she's healthy and agile, so no problem leaping up. In summer she prefers going out of doors anyway - gets me up bright and early (like 5am) to let her out! (I can't leave a door or window open for long, as the outside cat tribe invade and steal her food.) Hopefully I shall be able to let her out once I return home. I heard there are electric litter-boxes available (at least in the US) that automatically clean themselves after the cat has used them. Could be another solution? Margaret ----- Original Message ----- Cats, yes I have those too. My 3 were over 15. I had "steps" for them to get to the box. They tried jumping on things and missed alot! Poor babies. If you have time, you can start raising the box at the same spot. Or if you can put a chair next to the box and lean sideways away from the operated leg to clean it. Changing it is a bit harder. A smaller lighter box may help there. Each reached the age of 18. All died peacefully. Now I have sisters that just turned 1 in February. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Margaret: I have heard that the electric litter boxes may frigthen the cat by its noise and motion, especially if it starts to clean the box when the cat is still in the box....and guess what happens then....yep, the cat never goes back to that box! I do not know of anyone who has one, just hear say. Marilyn Margaret Hayon wrote: Thanks for the tips (no pun intended!) on raising the cat litter box. I have one cat age 6 - she's healthy and agile, so no problem leaping up. In summer she prefers going out of doors anyway - gets me up bright and early (like 5am) to let her out! (I can't leave a door or window open for long, as the outside cat tribe invade and steal her food.) Hopefully I shall be able to let her out once I return home. I heard there are electric litter-boxes available (at least in the US) that automatically clean themselves after the cat has used them. Could be another solution? Margaret ----- Original Message ----- Cats, yes I have those too. My 3 were over 15. I had "steps" for them to get to the box. They tried jumping on things and missed alot! Poor babies. If you have time, you can start raising the box at the same spot. Or if you can put a chair next to the box and lean sideways away from the operated leg to clean it. Changing it is a bit harder. A smaller lighter box may help there. Each reached the age of 18. All died peacefully. Now I have sisters that just turned 1 in February. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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