The hospital gave me a "grabber-reacher" but I doubt they do that anymore due to costs. It would behoove you to pick one up because you WILL be dropping things. Pick one up at a pharmacy or health supply store. It's a long handled thingy with a claw at the bottom that allows you to pick things up at a distance. You WILL need one -- it also allows you to get things off of shelves, as I've used mine a number of times!!! I still use it because reaching hurts!

Just something else I remembered.

I forgot about that leesa, I still use them to this day. I bet I have been thru 6 of those things since 1-26-10. Great advice........

Thanks everyone for all the tips. Obviosly Im new to this and appreciate any tips from all of you that have experienced this firsthand. Its so hard to speak to someone, even someone close, about this. They just dont have ANY IDEA, which is a good thing.
I have been seeing a great pain mgmt doc for the past 3 years and that has given me some normalcy in my life. I have good communication with this doc and she encourages me to be upfront about my pain so this should be helpful after my procedure. I will post following my operation, even though it has been pushed back slightly. Another concern I have is living in cold weather and how this will affect the pain or stiffness (live on the Coastline of Lake Michigan, the western side of Michigan).

I also live with my daughter's mother. Have family that lives close and that are very supportive. They have all split time for the first 2 weeks to help me out as much as needed. Plus my girlfriend works out of the house so thankfully I will NOT be alone. With a pre-toddler in the home, she won't be able to always come running when I call but she won't be that far away either.

I will check into the grabber because it seems like a must post op. I know I have seen them in home improvement stores. Saw 1 for 20 bucks that was a hardened aluminum so it should last and it'll be worth it if I will use it as much as you all say. I can't begin to thank all of you for taking the time to respond. I am confident that this is the right move for me. The irritating leg pain is hopefully down to it's last month or so. I hope nothing but the best for all of you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Of course traveling immediatly post op will be a huge no no, but I am curious if anyone who still has hardware left in has had problems setting off metal detectors at airports or anywhere else you would encounter them? If you do, do you need to carry a card stating that you have this implanted in your body?

Glad you have a pain doc even if she is a distance away. Can you set up a Skype realtionship with her? I am having a spinal cord stimulator implanted on the 26th. The surgeon is approx. 2 hours away. He said if I have any problems before my follow up exam, to Skype the office and we will discuss the problem and he can refer me on to my pain doc if needed. He also said if my home health nurse did not like the appearance of any of the incissions when she comes to due wound care and change the dressings, she is to Skype the office and let him look at the sites. Pretty cool. So glad you have a support system as you will really need it, particulary with the little one who has no idea what is going on. Best wishes.

Good luck with the stimulator implant. Hope this offers you some relief. I want to personally thank you for all your help on here. I see you are approaching 500 posts so you take the time to reply to more then just me. It is very reassuring to talk to others that are in a similar situation. I can't speak to my girl or my family about this because they really have no clue as to how this feels. The constant nerve pain is so irritating and I try to not let the pain limit me too much. I am trying to be optimistic about the whole thing but have had lots of barriers put in my way over the past 7 years. Praying for the best. Just want you to know I appreciate the fact that you take your time to try to help out others.

In regards to the traveling, it will not set off the detectors! I have titanium rods,pins, plates and screws in my neck and I have never set one off.

Amen, Gatorhead. I have had an abundance of metal in my body for a long time. I set off a few security detectors back in the 80s but the technology has improved dramaticly since then. I am now a heavy metal grandma and don't set anything off anything off anymore. Hmmmm. That didn't sound right. Oh well. Have a good day.