New and living alone

Thank you.  My son and granddaughter are going to do what they can to help and I am considering paying for a home help to help with the things you have highlighted.  

I am already on blood thinners for a DVT and PE that I suffered two years ago so I understand that it is just a case of stopping them a couple of days before the op and starting again after but I expect the surgeon will advise on this.  

Sallie, when you have your pre op assessment for the hysterectomy one of the questions you will be asked is whether you take any blood thinners, so you may be advised then. Your surgeon may also ask you when he/she gives you your op date,

Hi Although my husband did some of the cooking and I did have stuff in the freezer,  I still wanted to do some of the cooking.  There were several things I did to make this safe and in fact they are useful techniques as you get older (I am now over 80)  First, I would put the empty saucepan on the hob, then add the food.  Water would go in in stages from a small jug.  Cooking tongs and a draining  ladle/spoon enabled me to remove cooked items easily without moving the saucepan of hot water which is a risky operation at any age!   The tongs are also handy when a small item has got just too far back in the fridge to be reached without stretching . You say you are on blood thinners already so care with sharp knives is something with which you are familiar.   A long handled grabber stick is also useful around the house. 

Changing fitted sheets was definitely something to be avoided for a while so you will need help with that.   I never iron so that was no problem for me but I did need someone to do hoovering (or Dysoning, Gteching ....) 

Sallie, I have a brand new litter picker grabber thing which I bought before my op but never used - I’d be happy to post it to you free of charge if you’d like it. If you would like it, send me a friend request or I can send you one and we can chat that way about me getting it to you.

Hi Oldlady

Thank you, the ideas you have mentioned are things that I have been thinking about and it is good hear it was useful for you so I will also be using these.  I have bought a Ewbank Carpet Sweeper, which seems to work well and is easy to push with minimum effort and I am hoping my son will hoover occasionally, essential with a dog.  I have also bought a long handled pooper scooper so I can clean up the dog's mess, which I will then take to a nearby bin when I go for a walk (minus dog to begin with of course).

Sallie xx

MarmiteFane 59 that is really kind of you but I already have one.  Thank you so much anyway.