Advice for spouse of Spinal Fusion surgery pre-op and post-op

The most important advice I can give to your spouse is this: install a partial railing on your spouses' side of the bed. This should go between the mattress and box spring just below where her head goes. She should use it while doing the log roll in order to get in and out of bed. It helps immensely! I am still using it after 4 mths post surgery and love it.
Secondly, I would suggest you get a raised toilet seat for the bathroom(s) she will be using. Many varieties and price lines. You don't have to have a plumber install a new higher toilet, but if you wish to spend the money, it would certainly be great.
Also, precede her down the stairs, and follow her up the stairs. She should use handrail plus cane.
You should also be available while she is in the shower for the first few weeks or so.
You will find you will have to follow her somewhat around the house to pick up anything she drops. It can be time consuming, but she will drop lots of stuff that she won't be allowed to pick up herself.

Also extremely important: Be patient!!!!! It won't last forever. Hang in there.

Get several of those long handled “grabbers”, too. With back pain, my husband bought me several to have around the house. If I drop something I’ll get my grabber & pick it up - still my independent self! I can even use it to lower the dog food bowl!

Meds should be taken on a time schedule. Set an alarm in order to not miss. Preload a 4 x a day pill box. Get or make at least 2 huge ice packs, a raised toilet seat with handles
( commode with the bucket removed), reachers and hand free sneakers.

@garytpickens
I had L3-L5 surgery on Friday, 8/2. Extreme pain (11-12 out of 10/off the charts at first and then brought under control throughout the day). I was kept overnight since it was an invasive surgery. I am a 55 year old female with a 15 year old son, cats and dogs. I have no family but my ex-husband is helping me.

I prepared before surgery to have multiple grabbers, back scratchers, cane, bed assist bar that slips under mattress to help maneuver in and get out of bed. I also bought from Amazon a wiping tool since you can’t twist (you wrap tissue around one end and when done you press the other end to release the tissue into the toilet.

Have a tray table to eat meals when sitting in bed. The hospital sent me home with a walker to help with balance while walking. It is good to have throw rugs picked up off floors and have pill sorters since you get a lot of medication to take throughout the day (am/pm/bedtime). I also bought a bed wedge to prop me up when sitting/lying down and lots of pillows for head/back/under knees.

Set up room and walkways to move through the house easily. Make sure to have everything needed on one level to avoid stairs. Be prepared to do sponge baths because you can’t shower for a couple weeks. I am also planning to use dry shampoo for my hair. Have clothing and step in shoes that are easy to put on/take off.

If you have pets, be careful when maneuvering around the house so you don’t trip/fall. Have someone care for cats/dogs (feeding/water bowls/walking).

Good luck with everything.

Hi. I’m in this boat now. (C-spine). In kitchen, make sure you don’t have to reach for anything- even some things our wonderful reacher can’t handle. Make sure you can get in and out of wherever you’re going to be sitting. And make sure you have someone who is dedicated to only assisting with your needs for that time period.

One suggestion I can make, no matter what your surgery will be is elastic shoe laces in your gym shoes. You won't need to tie them, and can slip them on without having to look at them. After spine surgery, you may not be able to move your head to look down or if you have dizziness or just don't feel well. Since I wear orthotics, I know my feet are more stable wearing my gym shoes even if it is for a short trip to the bathroom.