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ejo43
Member since:
3/30/09
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Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Dec 27 2011 05:43 PM After the first of the year, it looks like I will have to have major hand surgery on my dominant hand. I injured it but it is not healing right. I will not be able to use it for a month. My dilemma - how will I handle my diaper changing? I am not very handy in using my non-dominant hand and only using one hand. Have any of you asked your urologist for a indwelling catheter during a time like this? Or have any of you had such a dilemma? I will not ask my spouse to do this for me for it would be very embarrassing. Also, he wouldn't be home all day to help because he works. I have self cathed and placed an indwelling during times that I swim, so having one is no big deal. Do you think the urologist would think this is a strange request? Thanks fo any suggestions or help 
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EARL H
Member since:
3/30/09
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RE: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Dec 27 2011 09:56 PM
Hello Ejo,
Like the reply to another post from today you might be able to recieve Home Health Aids to help you change. If your wound from surgery requires Home Health Care for dressing changes and the like or even if not your doctor can order the home health services to assist you.
All The Best and A Speedy Recovery,
Earl H.
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ejo43
Member since:
3/30/09
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RE: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Dec 27 2011 10:27 PM
Earl does insurance cover such services to come to your house? I know it was covered when I came home from the hospital and needed a nurse and PT. I saw the other posting on needing help because of a bad back. I am still thinking it would be easier and less embarrassing if I went with an indwelling catheter. Have you had any such problems, where you could not diaper yourself? I want to get my ducks in a row way before this surgery!
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EARL H
Member since:
3/30/09
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RE: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Dec 27 2011 10:41 PM
As of yet, Knock on wood, I haven't.
But Mother as I'm her caregiver live in just came home 7 days ago from shoulder surgery and aside of the PT and weekly nurse visit it was offered to her.
I'm figuring your surgery will land you in the same boat.
I.E.
Can't Drive, Can't do basic things which includes diaper changes.
This should qualify you for Home Health and with regard to insurence as long as its doctor ordered the tab will be picked up in part or all by insurence minus a deductable if you have one perhaps.
"Plan B" you might pre tape a case or enough diapers for the time you'll be recovering.
If you use pull ups this will be a time to use taped style.
I hope the home health option is the reality for you.
If i can help further please feel free to drop a line here or send a friend request/note and i'll be there to help.
If you can stay away from the indwelling unit your chances of UTI's will be much less during this time.
Earl H.
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Patrick
Member since:
8/26/09
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RE: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Dec 28 2011 09:23 AM
The risk of infection makes doctors limit the time that they allow their patients to use Foleys. You might consider using an external catheter and leg bag until you regain use of your dominant hand. Your partner might find it easier to assist you with the chore of emptying the leg bag of an external catheter than with the chore of keeping a Foley catheter clean enough to prevent an infection. Good luck. Keep us informed.
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jtsice
Member since:
3/31/09
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RE: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 02 2012 07:34 PM
My whole life I have only been able to use one hand/arm. I use the maximum diapers and tape them myself. Practice makes perfect. Good Luck.
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BrianJ
Member since:
3/31/09
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RE: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 03 2012 09:43 AM
I also had a procedure done on my hand which rendered it immobile for 48 hours. I was in the hosptial during that time and the nurses and aides changed my diaper. I did not have a problem with that at all. I would definitely ask the assistance of a spouse during such a period to help diaper and change me. Wouldn't you do the same for him if he was the one in the diaper and needed to be changed? I'm certain he would be fine helping you. I personally do not like catheters and would not use one for risk of infection. Good luck!
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smoore8186
Member since:
3/31/09
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RE: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 03 2012 10:15 AM
I did tear my bicep tendon a couple of years ago and had to keep my arm in a sling. It was tough trying to change myself. I used pull-ups when I was home. When I went out, I had my wife help me with my tape on diapers. You should not feel embarrassed to have your spouse help you. They should understand your needs. I hope all works out for you.
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ejo43
Member since:
3/30/09
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RE: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 03 2012 05:31 PM
Surgeon just informed me I will have major surgery on hand, rendering it useless for over a month. Since I have to cath at times and can't do it with my non dominant hand, I am going to see my urologist about getting an indwelling catheter for the time I am incapacitated. I thought about the use of home health cathing and changing me, and it brings back bad memories of my time in rehab. I think I am going to try to stay as independent as posssible. Changing my brief with tabs I commend those that can do it with one hand. My question how do you get it tight enough? Thanks for all the great ideas and any others that you have!
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Patrick
Member since:
8/26/09
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RE: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 03 2012 06:48 PM
ejo43,
If you must do without the use of your dominant hand for a month, my heart goes out to you. Tell your urologist and your hand surgeon. Perhaps, with the assistance of a home health agency, and some practice, you can manage. Perhaps, while you still have the use of both hands, you could supervise a practice session with your husband, so that he will know what to do when the time comes. Likewise, you might consider trying to change yourself now, using only your non-dominant hand. This promises to be difficult, so keep in touch. We can't be there for you, but we can be here for you.
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JaneF
Member since:
11/17/10
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Re: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 06 2012 04:03 PM
Hi ejo,
I think all of us here are pulling for your surgery to be a success with your hand back to full function in the shortest possible time. If you have a partner or spouse, this is certainly the time to lean on them for assistance. You may be able to use your non-dominant hand for most of the task with just assistance on the final tightening or getting everything in place.
Anticipation and worry are usually worse than the reality, so a little practice before hand, as Patrick suggested, may make the process easier post surgery. For many people it is much harder to ask for help than it is to give help to others, but in some situations, you still need to ask.
Good luck and keep in touch if you can.
Jane
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allgood10
Member since:
3/13/10
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Re: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 11 2012 11:59 PM
I recently had hand surgery as well, hope yours heals as fast as mine did, I had the good fortune of a loving wife who for the first time in 15 years assisted me with changing, I considered switching to a pull up style underwear ( normally use fitted briefs) but after trying some samples in the weeks prior to surgery decided they were not going to work, good luck and speedy recovery.
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draco_americanus
Member since:
3/30/09
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Re: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 13 2012 04:42 PM
I had a bad injury to my neck over the summer and could not bend my neck or bend over easly so what i did to change was use the aid of a wall or door, i would unfold the diaper and rest my back side and the back of the diaper agenst the wall and could use one hand to pull up the front and tape on a side at a time, i could do this with one hand while standing with a bit of practice so maby that will work for you in some way? even now it's still some times easier to use a wall or door to hold the diaper in place, pinch your legs togeather a bit to will help it getting it fitting right, one work of caution with the tape on depends is you may only get one shot at placing the tape, i have found some lots will tear if you try to pull the tape lose but generaly you have 5 min or so before the glue sets to that point
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ejo43
Member since:
3/30/09
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Re: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 21 2012 09:11 PM Thanks for all of your suggestions to help me through my one handed healing process. I decided to bite the bullet and call the urologist. The doctors assistant told me no problem, we place alot of indwelling catheters for these type of surgeries. I'll go in the day before surgery this week and have it placed. She also is giving me anti spasmatic cream, and antibiotics to help with any complications that might arise from the indwelling catheter. Even though I am not keen on the indwelling catheter, it will save me on the cost of buying diapers for a month
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Nick
Member since:
3/31/09
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Re: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 22 2012 09:55 AM
Good luck with the catheter and with the surgery.
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Patrick
Member since:
8/26/09
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Re: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 22 2012 02:12 PM
ejo43,
Good luck with your upcoming surgery. And, please, do not skip any antibiotic dose. Take every dose, on time, with plenty of water. Report in as you are able. We are interested in your recovery, even if we cannot be there for you.
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Jayj
Member since:
10/19/11
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Re: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 22 2012 03:18 PM Don't worry about indewelling cath it will be fine as long as you keep opening clean,take anti-biotics if needed and as prescribed as well as any anti-spasmotics meds prescribed and drink plenty of water plus, i would also suggest drinking atleast 2 glasses of cranberry juice a day all of these will help keep kidneys-bladder flushed reducing bladder spasms as well as fighting of UTIs. Here's a little more insight if this is your first time using a cath and drainbags outside of hospital/rehab enviroment; --Don't forget to get a script for leg and bedside bags if urologist doesn't supply them as, some states require Rx to purchase them. For 1-month you will need 2 of each on the bright side, bags are covered by most insurances. --Rinse and clean bags plus, tubing of bag between uses; I don't buy medical cleanser like hibiclense or others because they cost any where from $10-15 for 7oz. Instead i uss A bottle of clear vineger and water (1-third V. 2-thirds W) and a funnel to pour solution down tube and into bag shake and drain close bag and re-cap tube if possible but no matter what before reconnecting tube to cath wipe the opening with alcohol or baby wipe. I been cleaning my bags and tubes like this for years and never had to worry about UTIs. Hope it helps, good luck with your surgery
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ejo43
Member since:
3/30/09
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Re: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 25 2012 10:25 PM
Well guys had the indwelling catheter placed yesterday. Twenty minutes prior to surgery they cancel, some medical issues that I have made them not comfortable proceeding forward. I have to go now and get some medical testing done before I can have the hand surgery. What a very frustrating day!
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Patrick
Member since:
8/26/09
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Re: Dilemma regarding hand surgery.
Jan 26 2012 08:52 AM
ejo43,
I'm sure your frustration must be boundless. And, having that Foley in while the doctors decide how to proceed can only add to your anxiety. Keep in touch, and remind yourself that you have a big bunch of guys here pulling hard for you.
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