Hips Replacement - More preparation

 

think I finally have cleared I think I finally have cleared all of the hurdles.

The last curve was thrown by the hospital where the procedure is to be taking place.

”Mandatory” Pre-Operative Class

I had scheduled a “mandatory” class with them — they were emphatic the surgery could not be performed without my attending.

I registered the only class available before my surgery — an online option (great!). I received a confirmation email with a number of attachments I needed to review.

I’m good to go.

The day came, I dutifully sat down at the computer a half hour before the class was to begin, re-read all the instructions and, at 15 minutes before the class, I signed in to the Teams site to participate.

The time came and… no one joined.

After five minutes, still no one joined.

What??!!

I signed in again. Nope, no session.

WHAT!!!

I stared at the screen, again, flummoxed. This was a MANDATORY class, and the only one scheduled before the procedure. The implication was that I was going to have to reschedule the surgery, which was typically three months out.

Dammit!!!

I scoured the sign-up confirmation message. There was a phone number.

Ok, I’ll call and see what can be done.

When I called, I got a recorded message from a woman in a cheerful voice, “Sorry, I’m out of the office from (three days prior) to (a week hence.) Classes will still be conducted by (someone else.)”

No other number or contact information offered.

DAMMIT!!!

Scouring the confirmation message more closely revealed an email address — a departmental address, so someone should be monitoring it.

I sent a “pointed” (read scathing) message that I had done due diligence, I had signed into the meeting, no one else attended including the leader, my surgery was less than two weeks away, and somebody had really dropped the ball on this.

What could I do?

The next morning I got a response: “Oh, so sorry. I don’t know what happened — I’ll send you the remaining materials and check you off as having attended.”

And that was that!

All Cleared

So that’s it. I’ve cleared all the hurdles: medical checkups, cardio clearance, the class, other medical issues that came up like bad thyroid levels, etc.

Now, I have to prep — procure the last couple of things like a walker and fill blood thinner prescription — and get the house in order.

The hope is I’ll be walking almost immediately after the surgery. I asked the PA at my prior visit if there were any movement/position constraints, and the response was, “No. Not really. The biggest constraint will be pain.”

I’ve experience a lot of pain. I think I know how to work my way through it.

Nevertheless, prudence suggests I make a few arrangements.

The house is two-story, my office (and entertainment area in the form of a drop down screen and projector), and a few food/food prep items are downstairs. It would make sense to confine my activities to the top floor as much as possible. Make sure I have a chair that is easy to get in and out of (my desk chair is the best), move any food items that are downstairs to upstairs, set up an extra monitor upstairs so I can reasonably work, obtain any exercise items I’ll need after the surgery.

And, Rose will be here to help with anything I might need otherwise (also mandatory for 48 hours.)

The exercise regimen reveals an interesting point: looking over the schedule, what impresses is how much there is — multiple exercises, 20 to 30 reps per, three times a day. It appears my function for the few days after surgery is to be a hip exercise machine with an occasional meal and bathroom break.

That’s fine. Will make it happen.

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