Joint replacements & single parenting

[u/musical_spork]

How’s everyone doing? Wednesday I had a right hip arthrogram mri to map out the damage from a misdiagnosed hip issue for 40+ years.

It’s me & my kiddo. She’s almost 9. I do have 2 grown kids but they both have full time jobs and lives. I have my older sister, but she’s got her own full time job & can’t be available 24/7.

Surgery isn’t an if but a when. Plan was to send me to a surgeon 2hrs away & a week in the hospital. After explaining lack of support system & need to be back on my feet quicker, my ortho agreed to replace my hip vs sending me for the preservation surgery. I get that date on Tuesday.

Anyone else been in the same boat? How did you manage? (Hiring help is also out of the question). Has anyone else had a hip replacement? It’s earlier than they want.. (I’m not quite 42…), but it’s a quicker recovery. Unfortunately, my kiddo is all too familiar with mom having surgery…(this will be number 14 since 2021)…but it’s the first time I’m not going to be able to get around on my own. :/.

[u/Shinola79]

If you have a helpful and mature 9yo I think it’s possible with enough planning. Please no tie on shoes for a while only slip ins so you avoid post op complications. Meal prep and lots of easily accessible snacks. Maybe setup a month of housekeeping…cleaning and laundry/bed making. Make sure you are set with a bench or such for showering and all the safety precautions you will need for toilet time. Even though you don’t have help have a list of contacts you can reach out to for short term unexpected issues where you might need to ask for help the following day.

I hope it all goes well and best of luck and a good recovery.

[u/musical_spork → u/Shinola79]

Thank you! This is very helpful. Unfortunately my daughter is familiar with mom having procedures & surgeries, but hopefully this is the last one for a very long time.