How can I prepare our family for my husband's surgery?

Question

My husband is going to have some hip surgery at the end of this month or the beginning of next month. His recovery time is estimated to be around 6 weeks and luckily he'll be able to work since he sits down at his job. How can we organize our home life to make household chores and life in general easier on the both of us. We have a 9 mos. old daughter and a large dog to care for as well. My mother and some of his family will try to come over when they can to help out but I'd like to go ahead and get organized and prepared so things won't be nearly as crazy after his surgery. We went through a short time where for about 2 weeks when he first injured his hip and he couldn't help out with anything at home and I nearly lost it and we fought a lot...I'd like to prevent that from happening if it's possible. I know it's going to be rough and I'm not expecting it to be easy, I'd just like some tips/advice on how to make things a little bit easier for us. Thanks.

My husband has a sitting job and his doctor said that a couple of days after surgery he would be able to go back to work provided he used crutches and was very careful because the bone will be very brittle. It's not a major surgery but enough to where he will not be able to perform normal activities at home. Also my daughter is in daycare M-F 8-5 because we both work away from home. Thanks so much for everyone's great suggestions and wishes by the way!

Answer 1

I work on a Rehab floor with patients after they have had hip surgery. I would say the best way to prepare for husband's surgery is just take it one day at a time. There are going to be a lot of things that he won't be able to do after his surgery, just concentrate on things he can do. Don't sweat the small stuff, housework might not get done as often as you would like, but that's okay. Don't be afraid to ask family and friends to chip in to lessen the load off of you while your husband is recovering this will give you some time to concentrate on taking care of your husband's needs as well as your child. I am not saying it will be easy, but it's doable. I was in a similar situation about 5 years ago when my husband was injured. He was in a wheelchair for about a month and a half after breaking 9 bones in his legs. I worked outside of the home, had to come home and take care of him and our three children. I survived and you will too. It takes a little rearranging and prioritizing but you will be fine. Good luck!!!!

Answer 2

You will want to start by streamlining your home. Get rid of the clutter, trash or donate all the junk you dont need around the house, you will find its much easier to keep clean that way.

Make a list of things your husband can do while hes recovering, His arms aren't broken. he can sit in a chair and dry dishes. Or feed and play with the baby while you get chores done, and clip coupons to help defray the costs.
Unless your lucky, money will be tight while he's recovering and out of work. So go through your expenses and cut out anything you dont really need. Cable may be nice to have but when you have thousands of dollars in medical bills comming in, that extra $50 a month will come in handy.

I hope his surgery goes well.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Did you say that he will be working while he is recovering from his hip surgery? If that is so I would not recommend it!
First, I went through back surgery last April and was laid up for about six weeks as well. I am a stay at home dad, spouse is in the USAF, and she had to take time off for but was only allowed seven days of leave to stay home and help.
We had a 7 year old at the time and we explained to him what was going to happen and he seemed to take it well. I did have church family come and help me to get out of bed, help in bathing and putting clothes on. The best thing that can be done is to prepare a menu well in advance so that you are not slaving over a stove while he is recuperating. If you do have church family, or friends, co-workers and such ask them to help in setting up a weekly meal plan where they would bring by food for you to just heat in the microwave or the stove. Another need is that he WILL BE CRANKY and having things he likes around the bedside or even a large amount of movies for him to watch. When the doctor states "bed rest" that needs to be taken literally!! And what of finances? Does he do the paying of the bills? Make sure you have checks (if you still do that) already written in advance sealed in the envelopes and stamped ready for mailing (with date of when it needs to be mailed out) or have the know how on how to pay bills online so that if he is the main person in your household who pays the bills, you need to be aware of those procedures. Good idea to have your mother and family members around as well so that you are not over burdened. Share the comforting with others so that you can have time to take care of your 9 month old as well. Just because your husband is going through surgery, the 9 month old has no clue as to what is going on so he/she will be your priority FIRST then comes your husband. If he thinks he is the priority because he is laid up then have him take of the child while he is hobbling around on one leg! And do not forget having friends and family send notes of encouragement
so that he is not thinking, while laying around the house, "Oh, poor pitiful me!" Calling and looking in on one who has gone through such a traumatic life changing surgery is well needed in comfort from those who really love and wish the best for him in his recuperation. There are other aspects that can be looked at such as mood swings with medication, loss of appetite after surgery and so on. I hope this helps and that each of you will have a time of relaxation as well as getting to know each other in a different way. I shall keep you in my prayers.

Answer 4

Mary, there is no easy answer to this tough question.
This will be a real test of love and commitment.

Point blank, you'll have to roll your sleeves up and carry the extra load for awhile...Mental preparation is key. Contact your local boy scouts to see if they can help with walking the dog and other household chores. Church outreach programs may be of help also.

Be Strong!

Answer 5

Just one idea. I did this when I was pregnant so things would be a little easier when I got home. If you can, make and freeze dinners(casseroles, cooked meat etc.) so all you have to do is pop them in the oven. It saved time and energy. It really helped alot. Good luck on your hubby's' surgery.

Answer 6

Sit down together and make up a schedule. Before hand, ask the family when you can count on them to help and put them into your schedule. If you get frustrated, remember it isn't forever. He'll recover and things will get back to normal. Good luck.

Answer 7

The man is going to have surgery and had hurt his hip. You say for a short while he wasn't able to help much because of his injury..it sounds like your being selfish putting to much importance on little things like who is going to wash the dishes do the dusting..chill. The way I see it the important part would be for him to get better and the baby taken care of. So what if the place won't be as tidy as it normally is for a while. Someone did have hip surgery.

Answer 8

Start making calls right now. Get out your calendar and make plans for the first month at the very least. Hire a dog walker to walk the dog for 15 minutes every morning and every might. Get a babysitter to come over to the house to play with your baby every week, 2 or 3 days a week, so you can get things done around the house. Hire a cleaning service to come in every week or two for the mopping, vacuuming and general cleaning.

Have an area set up for your husband, preferably NOT in your living room where he can get to his email, watch tv, take naps and get to a bathroom. You might need to rearrange the master bedroom so he can get around easier.

You need to buy convenience foods, frozen things, instant things, get paper plates, use disposable things so you're not in the kitchen cooking and doing dishes for him all day every day. Shop NOW and be prepared ahead of time, it will keep you from stressing out!

He's going to have to learn to ASK NICELY when he needs help, medicine, or has other needs. Being in pain is excuse for being rude to your spouse so don't take that crap from him. And don't you get ugly with him just because he's on his butt, he needs to rest but not lay around all the time. After hip surgery they have them walking right away. He is going to HAVE to move and if he doesn't call his orthopedic surgeon and rat him out/schedule an appoinment for him to get yelled at by his doctor. Call the ortho's office and ask them if they have patient aftercare sheets they could mail to you so you know what to expect for his recovery. My doctors gave them to me at my office visits, so hubby might have it already.

I've had my knees and shoulders worked on and had c-sections. A hip is no cake walk, but there is no excuse for being a pain in the butt or nasty. He's going to need some physical therapy probably and he just might have to take a cab to those appointments. You cannot do it ALL, and take care of your baby, too. Call a taxi service and ask for a minivan or town car so he has room to spread out. Find a reliable car service close to your house now. Put their phone number on your calendar.

Order take out, have visitors being food when they show up and delegate! If your mother in law loves that dog, have her take the dog for a walk then have her get groceries for you. Have the sitter walk the baby around the block in the stroller so you can take a shower in peace. Have your girlfriends bring over their famous tuna casserole. Ask for help, take it hour by hour and remember you will get through it.

No fighting!!

Answer 9

What a tousled kinfolk your husband has ! i would not have something to do with them and your new child is greater effective off devoid of them additionally.they convey this upon themselves and that i might carry them responsible for attempting to break your loved ones.enable them to stay of their misery as you do no longer choose them on your existence.they are people who will omit out in attending to confirm and recognize your new child.The grandparents could desire to be ashamed as this little new child is somewhat of their son.good on your husband to stand up for you.wish he knows why you do no longer opt for to be in touch together with his kinfolk.As i might enable him bypass by way of himself and merely tell him you no longer will bypass the place you're no longer needed and you will no longer positioned your new child via their damaging habit.

Answer 10

get a loan from a close friend or family member that knows the situation.