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Adjustable Bed

Posted by bjromsek @bjromsek, Jul 27 6:43pm

Hello,
My husband has completed 4 rounds of FLOT chemo & immune therapy. He is scheduled to see the surgeon on Aug 5 & tentatively scheduled for surgery on Aug 20. He has been using a J-Tube for nutrition for 2 months. We have been using a wedge pillow behind his head & a fluffy pillow under his knees to try to keep him elevated. Unfortunately I frequently find the knee pillow on the floor & he has slid down to a nearly flat position. We know it will be critical after the esophagectomy to stay elevated for the rest of his life. Based on our experience with the wedge pillow it has become clear we are going to need to by an adjustable bed. Could members of this group guide us on your experience with adjustable beds? We are looking to buy a split king bed. They can get very expensive in a hurry. We have been looking and trying to find objective reviews but honestly there isn't much. It seems DreamCloud, Nectar and Ghost beds are quite popular but can find no where near us in Michigan, USA to go try one so it is going to be a blind purchase that will be delivered to our door. Any experience would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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earle | @earle | Aug 1 3:19pm

Are you saying that, if they cover a bed, no more DME, ever? If so, I think they gave you wrong information. I've had multiple DME items get applied...

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bjromsek | @bjromsek | Aug 1 4:58pm
In reply to @mrgvw "Come on any of our twice-weekly free Zoom calls and talk to patients who have them..." + (show)
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Come on any of our twice-weekly free Zoom calls and talk to patients who have them (most do, many bought at Costco). I never bought one even though I could easily afford one... the wedge pillow base, with about 4 other pillows on top, worked just fine for me. The key is being locked in place with long side pillows, and then using a bottom flannel sheet to add more friction (when wearing flannel type pajama bottoms)... this makes for soooo much friction that it's almost impossible to slide down! But I'm sure the adjustable beds are great... especially if you put the flannel bottom sheet on your side.

For some reason I stopped suffering from reflux at maybe 15 months post-op... so I now sleep normally once again... on either side, head on a single pillow. I'm basically pretty much back to normal now at 5 years post-op. But that first year post-op... what a wild wide!! Pop on our EC Zoom calls.

Gary
Southern California

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Hi Gary. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your journey. Your experience is inspiring and so glad it has worked out so well for you. I will join the zoom call on Sunday mornings beginning this week. My husband gets IV's during the Wednesday calls so logistically it is a challenge for us to manage.

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kickinback | @kickinback | Aug 15 6:51pm

Open Ivor Lewis "Esophagectomy" What I did was buy a Xtra wide wedge, then cut two 4"x4"x 2' foam rectangles and stuffed them inside the wedge case, on the top sides. It helps keep me from rolling off the bed.
Next thing I did was buy a second smaller wedge that I could fit to my liking, I did some trimming to fit under my butt/knees to keep me from sliding down the wedge, I trimmed the height down a bit, didn't like to much leg bend.
Next: I made a huge pillow case/sleeve to place the wedges inside Securing them both inside. Then I bought a Twin bed sheet that has a draw string to secure the entire wedge/sleeve bed together. Works great, and it folds upon itself so I can easily stuff it in the jeep and not be afraid to travel without my bed. Cost me a couple dollars to build and has met my inclined sleeping needs.
I wish you and your loved ones strength, peace and hope.
10yearDave.

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kickinback | @kickinback | Aug 18 10:20am

I bought 2 extra wide wedges, then custom cut one into shape for under my under my butt/knees. I then used the left over foam to cut 2 long wedges, I stuffed them inside my back wedge on the top edges to form a concave effect. The 2 wedges are then put in a large home-made sleeve/pillow case. Next, I bought a twin mattress bed sheet with draw string to wrap it all up.
It folds into a 3'x3'x1' bed for travel, camping and home.
10yearDave

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