Help going to appointments and after care

Posted by katakrause @katakrause, 2 days ago

Hi everyone, my hip replacement was canceled by my surgeon two days beforehand last week. I’m down to very little daily mobility, walk with a walker and will need a wheelchair if I don’t get it replaced soon. So I rescheduled with a new surgeon (pre ops this Wed/surgery Sept 2nd). But my friends and family care plan can’t be replicated. No one can take off more work or travel again. Most of my friends are teachers and start back this week or their kids start next week.
I need help badly. I need an advocate there with me during surgery. My sister will drive but is not an appropriate choice to handle medical conversations.
I had my other hip replaced 10 years ago and my sister was with me and midhandled a decision with my surgeon that she didn’t understand and it ended up changing my recovery and essentially costing me pain and my ability to work or live in the city I had made my life in. I think she may have been too personally close to me to make a practical decision. I love her but I cannot have her be the only one there with me during the surgery. So this would be the most important need I have.
I also hoped there was a way to be wheeled from each pre op appointment so I do not run behind.
And lastly and I will need caretaking for at least the first few days to a week or so after the replacement.
Are any of these a possibility here at Mayo? Can anyone recommend someone who can advocate for me during the surgery? Or a good caretaker they’ve used? I feel really helpless and it’s very hard for me to ask for help in general but I’m really hoping there’s at least a few answers here for my specific needs. Thank you for your time and best of luck to everyone.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

@katakrause

Being wheeled to pre-op appointments should not be a problem. Mayo employees (transporters) are available to get you from one location to another.

In Rochester, there are companies that provides care for a price. Here is a discussion from one member who used a service: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-rochester-mn-resource/

Do you know about Mayo Clinic's free Concierge Services? They can help make recommendations suited to your requirements. They may provide additional company's that provide services.

Concierge services
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/concierge-services
By phone 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday: 507-538-8438
Email: concierge@mayo.edu

What Mayo location are you having surgery at?

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