Mended Hearts Open Forum

Hi, wondering how much advanced planning is needed before returning home.  Is it a good idea to sleep on the same floor as bathroom and kitchen for the first, say, week or two upon returning?  (I dont have a bedroom on first floor).   My wife works and trying to estimate how much time she'll need at home with me and so not going to office? When will it be safe for me to be home alone (walking down steps, etc.).  Thanks!

Hi, wondering how much advanced planning is needed before returning home.  Is it a good idea to sleep on the same floor as bathroom and kitchen for the first, say, week or two upon returning?  (I dont have a bedroom on first floor).   My wife works and trying to estimate how much time she'll need at home with me and so not going to office? When will it be safe for me to be home alone (walking down steps, etc.).  Thanks!

Hi, wondering how much advanced planning is needed before returning home.  Is it a good idea to sleep on the same floor as bathroom and kitchen for the first, say, week or two upon returning?  (I dont have a bedroom on first floor).   My wife works and trying to estimate how much time she'll need at home with me and so not going to office? When will it be safe for me to be home alone (walking down steps, etc.).  Thanks!

In the situation you describe, consider sleeping in a recliner for the first week or so.  Arm use is limited making it difficult to get out of a bed without help.  As to the recliner, if you cannot get up without using arms to push up, raising it about 3.5" with a platform beneath might allow doing so, dependent on body weight and leg strength. 

I added a platform a few days before surgery and enjoyed freedom to get up unassisted, using legs only while grasping the chest hugger. 

Hi, wondering how much advanced planning is needed before returning home.  Is it a good idea to sleep on the same floor as bathroom and kitchen for the first, say, week or two upon returning?  (I dont have a bedroom on first floor).   My wife works and trying to estimate how much time she'll need at home with me and so not going to office? When will it be safe for me to be home alone (walking down steps, etc.).  Thanks!

Hi, wondering how much advanced planning is needed before returning home.  Is it a good idea to sleep on the same floor as bathroom and kitchen for the first, say, week or two upon returning?  (I dont have a bedroom on first floor).   My wife works and trying to estimate how much time she'll need at home with me and so not going to office? When will it be safe for me to be home alone (walking down steps, etc.).  Thanks!

The first part of your questions is the easiest. You want to be close to the bathroom and not have to worry about steps in the middle of the night. Sleeping in the bed or recliner is dependent on where you can actually get comfortable and fall asleep.

Now your second part: We are all different in our lives and recovery. What you need for help in recovery will be dependent on how well and quickly you start to build back strength. As you said, you have to be able to do steps without assistance. You also have to think about being on the main level and needing to get to the bathroom upstairs. Food and drinks are another question if you're upstairs and everything else is downstairs. 

I had my brother and sister-in-law stay with us for about four weeks and my wife was able to go back to work a couple of weeks. They decided it was time to go when I got up one morning and made everyone breakfast. 

Kent 

Hi, wondering how much advanced planning is needed before returning home.  Is it a good idea to sleep on the same floor as bathroom and kitchen for the first, say, week or two upon returning?  (I dont have a bedroom on first floor).   My wife works and trying to estimate how much time she'll need at home with me and so not going to office? When will it be safe for me to be home alone (walking down steps, etc.).  Thanks!

Hi, wondering how much advanced planning is needed before returning home.  Is it a good idea to sleep on the same floor as bathroom and kitchen for the first, say, week or two upon returning?  (I dont have a bedroom on first floor).   My wife works and trying to estimate how much time she'll need at home with me and so not going to office? When will it be safe for me to be home alone (walking down steps, etc.).  Thanks!