Due to a chest injury, my Dr informed me that I can no longer lift things to do my shopping, wash my clothes or clean my apt. He tried to make me get a roomate so I'd have help. Well, that's not going to happen. I know no one who needs a roomate. My brother and neice both refuse to help me shop, do my laundry or anything else. I have to wear a brace now and even it is very hard for one person to hook properly.

I am eligible for a social services program but I have to wait six months before I can be accepted. So I'm on my own.

I drove around in shock for hours after the Dr told me I had no choice but make major life style changes and that I might as well accept it. It really made my depression and fears worse, thus I feel I can put it here in this forum instead of in the Health forum.

I've decided to take a proactive path and ask all of you for advice and tips on making my housework, etc, easier so I don't lift and pull on things.

Here's what I've figured out:

I am having the check out clerks to pack my bags extremely lightly. I have a buggy that I can come in and get and put my bags in instead of carrying them inside. I bought a mop to use to clean the bathtup and shower, but I'm not sure that's going to work. I've got to do something. I can't stand a groady tub! ick! I also bought a swiffer mop and cleaning pads so I don't have to wring a mop or carry a bucket of mop water. I need to find a box to sit my trash can on so I don't have to bend over so much to lift the bag out of the can. I can also put the trash bag in the buggy and push it down to the trash room.

I have no ideas about making the vacuuming easier.

The brace makes it most painful to reach into the dryer to get out my clothes. I don't have any ideas there. I have moved my skillets out of the oven so it doesn't hurt when I need to lift one. If I get down to get something out of the bottom cabinents I can't get up and I have no ideas about how to make that better. I have very little cabinent space so I don't have anywhere to put the things that are in the lower cabinents.

Me bed and mattress sit on the floor and I don't have a bedframe. It really hurts when I have to push to stand up. I plan on going to the Mission tomorrow to see if maybe they have a bedframe, but I don't know how in the world I'd get it home. I have a small car... Well, finding it is the first step, I guess. I also hope they have a recliner. I need one very much to take the stress off my chest when I sit.

Any and all cleaning and general tips will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!!

Jan