Juggling Things at home

My one bit of advice to those considering a hip replacement - don't leave it until after your partner has gone - it takes two people to juggle the commitments for rehab and home duties. Things I can't do at home include getting anything from a high shelf or a low shelf, carrying washing in and out and even pegging it on the line, lifting anything above about 5kg. I only have my free hand to do things with unless I am standing still. Ellen has  insisted I have my mobile on me at all times so it dangles on a lanyard around my neck. Of course I can't sit on the floor to play with kids and I can't have them on my lap which is difficult for them to understand. I can't put on my own compression socks or take them off to have a shower. I might have to stop using them once Arianne goes home.

However, I am quite well at the moment and achieving over 2000 steps each day since my return home. I am sleeping reasonably and eating well from the lovely stash Ellen has stocked in my freezer. Today I'll do an online shop and hope I am here to have it delivered.

Yesterday I was able to do all the booking for rehab over the next few weeks. This Thursday I am visiting my rehab doctor who will assess where I am in my recovery. Friday I will be visiting my GP to show her where I am at. Next week it starts in earnest. I have rehab every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon for as many weeks as it takes. The issue is getting to and from rehab. I have booked with St George Community transport (as I can't drive until September) but this has entailed an in-home assessment by My Aged Care to actually get on the books. I've no idea what the repercussions of that will be. The other glitch is that it could take up to an hour and a half to do the trip each way (it is a 20 minute drive at most) depending on the other pickups and drop offs that have to be made. This means that what should be a 3 hour rehab session ends up a 6 hour event. This privilege will cost $25 return which is half the price of Uber and about 1/3 the price of a Taxi. I could just decide that my time is worth more to me than the community transport. I have until Thursday to work out other options.

I am looking forward to a patchwork day this Saturday. I have not done any sewing since I went into hospital. I will go up the stairs when people arrive and not come down until they leave. And I will do that slowly. Everyone that comes will be on lunch duty and will need to bring food.

I have had people in and out of the house since my return. Family visited at the weekend and Kate was staying here anyway. She left yesterday for northern climes. Arianne arrived back yesterday but will only be here a night or two so after that I will really have to cope on my own. Wish me luck.