Hey there. Welcome to the forums. 

Apart from comfort, if he's having mobility issues and finds it hard to get out of a regular bed then a hospital bed might offer some additional conveniences.

If it's in your budget or if your insurance covers hospital bed rentals, I'd explore it as an option to consider. 

Oh I wish I'd had a hospital bed when I came home from surgery.  Getting out of bed was one of the hardest things for me to do after my colectomy. If it's affordable for you, I'd certainly look into it

Thank you for the feedback, as my husband gets his medical care through the veterans hospital here, we may be able to get assistance that way, otherwise, will probably rent one.

Hi and welcome. I wish you and your husband all the best . Yes a bed would be wonderful.

Be well, Bubbles 

Good luck.

Welcome to our world. You are especially appreciated,  since you're a caregiver. share it with us. We can help you to face the challenges .

Hey my3cnts welcome to the group . After my surgery I did not have a hospital bed at home so when sleeping I propped myself up with pillows and just had to be sure I didn't roll around . And just was real slow getting outta bed . Good luck to you and your husband .

Hi And welcome, yep the bed would be a very good idea, big problem I found was pulling myself up to get out or sit up. any thing which makes life easier.

Hello and welcome, Three cents.

 I do think a hospital bed would be useful if you can rent one or get some help. Sitting up from lying down is a bit painful. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and did improve quickly. 

In the hospital they taught me the 'planking' method of getting to a sitting position. You kind of keep your upper body rigid as you rise up ( after first turning onto your side). Your feet going to the floor are meant to counterbalance your torso coming up. Takes some practice, but works well. Speed helps!

Ask the nurses... they will know.

If it was for a female ( what I know about! HA) I would also recommend a grab bar next to the toilet. That was a huge help for me after my hernia repair surgery and I wish I had had one for the Ostomy surgery that came first. Live and learn!

Be well. Ask questions!

I used my walker getting out of bed, and had a nice port - a  potty over my toilet.  I took off the potty and just placed the frame over the toilet.  Great support getting off that thing!! In bed, just move side ways push yourself up, and grab onto that walker.  My insurance (before  I was on Medicare) paied for everything.. Except one. (I had to learn how to walk - (2 month comma too) They really are not that expensive.. A nice strong well balanced walker is always great to have around anyways.. 

In any event every other day get easier.. How fast I forgot that, the next surgery, but it is so true.. 

I got so used to the potty a potty frame, I just put it away not to long ago--  I am a BIG girl now.. :-) 

I really appreciate the answer, turns out we can get help on the bed through the veterans; the doctor wants my husband to go to a "rehab" facility for 3 weeks after surgery but we don't have insurance that covers it. What kind of rehabilitation did you guys need/get. Could we do this by him staying at home and going as an out-patient to a physical therapist?

Hi 3cents,

Thats good news you can get help on the bed..and being home is always better  BUT, I am sure everyone has a bit different needs and recovery times.

I don't know how the cancer and its treatment would effect your husbands recovery. You will have to listen to your doctors and keep asking why etc.

I had no underlying conditions other than the ulcerative colitus which was 'cured' by the removal of my colon. Once I started to eat again 4 or 5 days, I got better fast.

I did have the huge benefit of home nurse visits. Twice a week for about two weeks. The nurses made sure I knew how to use my ostomy gear and checked up on how I was doing. For me, with just the ostomy my recovery was pretty steady and straight forward. Mostly mental I think. Just being able to sleep and eat again were amazing gifts.

The home nurse visits were required as part of my recovery.

 If you need ongoing care of some kind I can see how they might recommend a 'rehab' place where there would be care 24/7.

Ask if there is a home nursing visit option. Maybe he will need some rehab and some home follow up. As I said... its hard to know ( impossible) what your situation will be.

The best of luck in figuring all of this out. It can be overwhelming as its all so new. Keep asking questions.

Posted by: my3cnts

What kind of rehabilitation did you guys need/get. Could we do this by him staying at home and going as an out-patient to a physical therapist?

I had my surgery when I was in my 20's and it was because of Crohn's Disease, not cancer. 

My recovery did not require any kind of special rehab, but I did have home care nurses to tend to some wounds (especially my rectal wound). 

Did your husband's doctor specify the nature of the rehab they recommended? Perhaps that might give you some clues as to the services or needs he may have. 

Best of luck!

We will have a visiting nurse for the ostomy care, the surgeon wants my husband to regain his pre-surgery muscle tone because the chemo really set him back; I am trying to find out if we can get either a local physical therapist or have somebody come to the house rather than the 24/7 route, thanks. I am asking lots of questions!

It is just for general physical conditioning that they want the rehab (got the ostomy stuff covered by a visiting nurse). I am exploring all avenues rather than a facility-- besides the cost, I am also a senior and the travel to visit him would be a hardship.

Hi I was the same as Eric in my 20s, all of my recovery was at home, that bed I can say is going to be a real gift. as any one here will tell you the advice and care from a stoma nurse is the really important part. The 3 weeks may be a trial but the benefits could be worth it

Dear 3cents, 

In my opinion, you are an angel. God bless you! May your husband heal quickly and smoothly. 

Z

Hello My 3 cents.. 

Just relax, go with the flow. I had to LEARN HOW to walk after being in the hospital for 6 months etc.  Rubber body-- Things will fall into place.  The body is now healing, And in different ways -- What I did was move my feet and bring up my legs. That way I knew after my 3 month coma that I had the mind over body to use my legs. That was such a happiness for me!! Which they said that may never happen.. I found ever other day was success and less pain..  IT is a lot of work.. But Make sure that the paitent my (sorry if I spelled this wrong for you "j") is rested. eaten well, Good health is THE major progress.. You both have so much to accept and deal with and put into different catorgies )woops ("J") Take your time and adjust.. You have mostly great adivse (sorry "J:) above.. I bet by 4 months, things will look better and you will see so much past progress.. Trust me........  I am sending this to you as a friend of knowing the simple steps that I found most important. Now go plan a vacation!!! :-) Best to you and yours, Marcie..  AND YOU TAKE CARE OF  YOURSELF TOO !!!!!!!!!!!! 

Thank you. The home nurse is covered for as long as he needs it--already coming 2x a week for his neprostomy care. She is really great, calls to see how he is doing, too.

Love your advice! Actually, the hospital physical therapist asked what he needed therapy for?? Like I told my daughter today, the doctors all say to ask questions, but then they don't like it when you "question" what they say, hahaha. Sorry to offend you medical professionals out there.