Husband having surgery Tuesday 3/2

No Hospital bed needed.

After my R/C, I slept in our own bed (luckily first floor) and during the day moved between my computer chair (office chair) and couch. If I am any gauge, I had my R/C on a Tuesday and got out of the hosp the following Wednesday. The next Monday (just under 2 weeks), I started working part time from home. . . over the internet. I started at 3 hrs a day and increased an hr or 2 each week. I'm just giving that as a measure of what you might be able to expect - ie: being able to sit up and concentrate. Now, that first week, i cold not even do all 3 hours at once but had to do an hour or so at a time but I gained stamina pretty quickly.
We were confident enough for my wife to leave for a few hours later in that week leaving me alone. By then, I was walkign outside a couple of times per day and doing it alone was OK.

I have seen more caregiver stuff in other posts on this and other sites.

Mary... I am scheduled for RC March 17. I love this site but one thing I haven't found is information about the experiences the spouse has around this. If you are so inclined, I think my wife would benefit as much from hearing your story as it unfolds as I have from those who have gone before me as the patient. Rick and Heather...

Mary, you don't mention how old your husband is, but I slepted in my own bed which was on the second level of our home. I really don't think a hospital bed would be required. As Mike said, get some crib pads or even a rubber mattress pad, just to be safe. Once his catheter is removed, there will be leaking. Best of luck, and please ask all the questions you want. We are here for you.

Jim

Hi Mary. This is Duke. I was just reading your post. First i
want to say how sorry i am that you and your husband have to go through these tough times. I know it's not easy for either
of you.
As for where i had my surgery, i had mine right here in salem.
My Dr. was Dr. cost. Dr. cost just moved to Portland this month. I have been more then pleased with the job he did. Salem
lost a very good Dr. when he moved. The Dr. you are using in Portland i don't know anything about. I hope he is very good!
You asked about a bed. We had a very high water bed and we new that was not going to work. So we brough a normal bed. But even then for the first week or so it was easier for me to sleep in my recliner.
I will say that using this site is one of the best things you can do. As you have probably already seen there are a lot of very great people here. They have been a great comfort for me.
If you or your husband want to give me a call, let me know and
i will give you my email so i can give you my Ph. #.
Wishing you the best!
Duke

Mary,

Unless he needs a hospital bed for some other reason, it's not really needed after an RC.

Once I was home, I went from my recliner during the day to my regular bed at night.

You will want some of those crib pads or some other mattress cover to protect the mattress from leakage if he gets a neobladder but that's all.

Hope your husband has a successful surgery and quick recovery. Make sure that he walks as soon as possible. Day after the surgery preferred but for sure by day two. He won't want to but it is one of the best ways to get better. The longer he doesn't walk the longer he will feel terrible.
Also, chewing gum (even the same day as surgery) has been shown to help signal the intestines to wake up again.

Best of luck!
Mike

I have been reading all of your posts for a while now. My husband is having a RC on Tuesday. I have some questions. I have been trying to get him to use a hospital bed when he comes home. He thinks that he will be happy in his recliner. This seemed to work when he had his 2 TURG. Any thoughts? Also there is a member that goes by the username DUKE. We too are in Salem, I was wondering where you had surgery. My husband is having surgery at Good Sam in Portland with Dr. Bruce Lowe. Thanks, Mary