Comments on: Last words http://www.grannymar.com/blog/2009/10/20/last-words/ I am not a has-been. I am a will be. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance Tue, 22 May 2012 08:53:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Grannymar http://www.grannymar.com/blog/2009/10/20/last-words/#comment-27144 Grannymar Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:36:33 +0000 http://www.grannymar.com/blog/?p=5207#comment-27144 Alice, I kept reminding myself that my helplessness was short term and the price I had to pay for a pain free life. I have had a couple of days where I was alone for several hours and the next stage is to be alone for a night or two. Alice, I kept reminding myself that my helplessness was short term and the price I had to pay for a pain free life. I have had a couple of days where I was alone for several hours and the next stage is to be alone for a night or two.

]]> By: Alice http://www.grannymar.com/blog/2009/10/20/last-words/#comment-27140 Alice Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:49:11 +0000 http://www.grannymar.com/blog/?p=5207#comment-27140 The closest I ever came to wanting to end it all was when Reumatoid Arthritis was coming on full force. I was totally embarrassed at having--not just to use an height adjuster potty for the toilet because I couldn't bend my knees--to ask Hubby to button and unzip my jeans and pull down my panties because my fingers weren't working either. Losing your ability to take care of yourself if the height of despair. I understand that well. Glad that you're able to take care of yourself for the most part these days! The closest I ever came to wanting to end it all was when Reumatoid Arthritis was coming on full force. I was totally embarrassed at having–not just to use an height adjuster potty for the toilet because I couldn’t bend my knees–to ask Hubby to button and unzip my jeans and pull down my panties because my fingers weren’t working either. Losing your ability to take care of yourself if the height of despair. I understand that well. Glad that you’re able to take care of yourself for the most part these days!

]]> By: Grannymar http://www.grannymar.com/blog/2009/10/20/last-words/#comment-27120 Grannymar Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:09:58 +0000 http://www.grannymar.com/blog/?p=5207#comment-27120 Kate - I am indeed doing far better than I anticipated. The support from Elly, George and my friends was a wonderful bonus to me. I have so much to be thankful for. BHB - The shoes are as soft as gloves, a broader fitting and larger than I normally wear. The velcro closing made them easy to manage. Kate - I am indeed doing far better than I anticipated. The support from Elly, George and my friends was a wonderful bonus to me. I have so much to be thankful for.

BHB - The shoes are as soft as gloves, a broader fitting and larger than I normally wear. The velcro closing made them easy to manage.

]]> By: bikehikebabe http://www.grannymar.com/blog/2009/10/20/last-words/#comment-27118 bikehikebabe Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:46:51 +0000 http://www.grannymar.com/blog/?p=5207#comment-27118 What! I love the red shoes. I want some. What! I love the red shoes. I want some.

]]> By: Kate http://www.grannymar.com/blog/2009/10/20/last-words/#comment-27115 Kate Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:59:41 +0000 http://www.grannymar.com/blog/?p=5207#comment-27115 Oh bless you... I agree its so hard to suddenly lose your independence - even though you expected it! I have been on crutches too and felt so vulnerable i was dreadful.... but you are coming out of it now and that is terrific, and in such a short time too. Well done you - determination and a little help from your friends!!! Oh bless you… I agree its so hard to suddenly lose your independence - even though you expected it! I have been on crutches too and felt so vulnerable i was dreadful…. but you are coming out of it now and that is terrific, and in such a short time too.

Well done you - determination and a little help from your friends!!!

]]> By: Grannymar http://www.grannymar.com/blog/2009/10/20/last-words/#comment-27111 Grannymar Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:42:39 +0000 http://www.grannymar.com/blog/?p=5207#comment-27111 George, I had most of those aids before I went to the Pre-op. I had larger socks too, but they were not big enough. Some of the advice came from friends who had been through hip surgery before me. George,

I had most of those aids before I went to the Pre-op. I had larger socks too, but they were not big enough. Some of the advice came from friends who had been through hip surgery before me.

]]> By: George@CulinaryTravels http://www.grannymar.com/blog/2009/10/20/last-words/#comment-27107 George@CulinaryTravels Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:05:41 +0000 http://www.grannymar.com/blog/?p=5207#comment-27107 Great post, sure we need a list like that to be handing out at the pre-op's ;) Great post, sure we need a list like that to be handing out at the pre-op’s ;)

]]> By: Grannymar http://www.grannymar.com/blog/2009/10/20/last-words/#comment-27103 Grannymar Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:38:58 +0000 http://www.grannymar.com/blog/?p=5207#comment-27103 Ursula, as long time readers know, I did break my right wrist a few years ago. It was awkward enough showering, dressing, cooking, cleaning etc with my left hand, so I cannot imagine what it must be like with two hands out of action. My left handed mouse skills improved 100%. A hip replacement is not something I would wish on anyone, but perhaps the tips might be helpful to somebody someday. I don't claim to be an expert on any topic, but gladly share what little knowledge I have with others. Ursula, as long time readers know, I did break my right wrist a few years ago. It was awkward enough showering, dressing, cooking, cleaning etc with my left hand, so I cannot imagine what it must be like with two hands out of action. My left handed mouse skills improved 100%. A hip replacement is not something I would wish on anyone, but perhaps the tips might be helpful to somebody someday.

I don’t claim to be an expert on any topic, but gladly share what little knowledge I have with others.

]]> By: Ursula http://www.grannymar.com/blog/2009/10/20/last-words/#comment-27100 Ursula Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:54:55 +0000 http://www.grannymar.com/blog/?p=5207#comment-27100 Grannymar, I am very happy for you - and remember: 60 is the new forty so your bones are still pliable. As they say: Necessity is the mother of invention: Try and take off a bra (worse put it on) with both arms in stiff casts; never mind going to the toilet. One of my neighbours - a sweet lady in her late sixties, early seventies - whispered across the fence: "Don't wear knickers." I confessed I'd already worked that one out though feeling slightly self conscious when leaving the house. Still, needs must. Unlike you I just lived with the fallout of personal hygiene as I am totally useless at indignity at the hand of others. What I have learnt: As long as YOU can't smell yourself don't panic; I know this flies into the face of everything we have been taught but it's true. For someone who normally showers at least once a day this came as a revelation and I now know how cavewomen survived (matted hair and all). Grannymar, thanks for your generosity in sharing how to cope with the horror of something I dearly hope to avoid - luckily, no one of my forebears has ever had need for replacement of any kind (you still haven't let me know your bone density). I shall file your hints under "NO - I don't want to!" You go into some detail on how to prepare for the, scheduled, operation. Many a time during the last two months have I been pondering how one is so unprepared for an accident - I hadn't even done the washing up when I left the house for a minute. So maybe, you and I could unite our efforts and write a little "survival" guide to cover all eventualities - fit for the SAS and all perfectionists amongst us. Happy walking! U Grannymar, I am very happy for you - and remember: 60 is the new forty so your bones are still pliable.

As they say: Necessity is the mother of invention: Try and take off a bra (worse put it on) with both arms in stiff casts; never mind going to the toilet. One of my neighbours - a sweet lady in her late sixties, early seventies - whispered across the fence: “Don’t wear knickers.” I confessed I’d already worked that one out though feeling slightly self conscious when leaving the house. Still, needs must.

Unlike you I just lived with the fallout of personal hygiene as I am totally useless at indignity at the hand of others. What I have learnt: As long as YOU can’t smell yourself don’t panic; I know this flies into the face of everything we have been taught but it’s true. For someone who normally showers at least once a day this came as a revelation and I now know how cavewomen survived (matted hair and all).

Grannymar, thanks for your generosity in sharing how to cope with the horror of something I dearly hope to avoid - luckily, no one of my forebears has ever had need for replacement of any kind (you still haven’t let me know your bone density). I shall file your hints under “NO - I don’t want to!”

You go into some detail on how to prepare for the, scheduled, operation. Many a time during the last two months have I been pondering how one is so unprepared for an accident - I hadn’t even done the washing up when I left the house for a minute. So maybe, you and I could unite our efforts and write a little “survival” guide to cover all eventualities - fit for the SAS and all perfectionists amongst us.

Happy walking!

U

]]> By: Grannymar http://www.grannymar.com/blog/2009/10/20/last-words/#comment-27099 Grannymar Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:42:47 +0000 http://www.grannymar.com/blog/?p=5207#comment-27099 Baino - The shoes may be awful and not my usual choice of footwear, but they sure do the job and if they work until my foot is back to normal, that is all that matters. I admit to having an 'ugly sister' moment this morning.... I tried a pair of my normal shoes but the foot was having none of it. Next week.... maybe. Baino - The shoes may be awful and not my usual choice of footwear, but they sure do the job and if they work until my foot is back to normal, that is all that matters.

I admit to having an ‘ugly sister’ moment this morning…. I tried a pair of my normal shoes but the foot was having none of it. Next week…. maybe.

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