[Gabby2007]

yesterday I fell down the last two stairs - and my ankle's broken. [[[ sigh ]]]

Funny thing is I had more of a productive day than I had in a long time, hanging photos, after eight months of being in indecision about curtain rods and all, I bought a pair and hung some valances...I also bought a table lamp.

going downstairs to get a lightbulb for hte new lamp, I fell off the last two stairs. Killed the evening at urgent care with my husband (right ankle can't drive).

This is going to push all my buttons of being so out of control, esp. not being able to drive for awhile ...

ugh ugh ugh

how ironic...I wonder if I 'created' this crisis somehow?

[bebop]

hon after you can get up and around if you have an automatic car you can just drive with your left foot. I speak from experience on that one lol. you take care of yourself though hon. broken bones are a pain in the rump

[Soidhonia]

Hello (((GABBY))).
I am sorry that you feel and broke your ankle. I hope things get better for you soon. Take care of yourself. soidhonia

((((Gabby))))) Hi,
Ouch, sorry you broke your ankle. You'll be hopping around and driving (I agree with Bebop) in no time. Take care

[Gabby2007]

hi bebop, Soidhonia and Pickle,
I sure hope I can drive soon, emotionally the thought of being 'trapped' with no way to drive is really bothering me.

I'm miserable and in alot of pain, too. I'm going to sleep on the couch again, maybe tomorrow I'll try to crawl upstairs to my bedroom....can't decide if it'd be easier to stay up there or not (isolated etc.)....

[cusack10]

it's relief of jamed energy,like cutting.mental jam (heavy head) dissovle through physical way,the the blood flow flewntly and you think clear.accidence understood by others,relief.a pushing world.knew this when i was kid.

[Perna]

Ouch! So, what are you going to do instead of let all your buttons be pushed? You got a "sitting" project or two you can work on? I guess I'd work on my address book (I have a plastic "bag" full of envelopes and stuff with all the names/addresses that need to go into my new book) and maybe photographs. Hmm. I wouldn't think of it as a "crisis," I'd created, more of an opportunity if I could? LOL

[Gabby2007]

cusack,
what you wrote - it does sound just like my pain feels.

perna,
can you tell my first gut instinct is to be a victim here? but I dont' want to do that. First thing, I have a doctor's appt in an hour (DH tkaing me), then I'll sit with my planner...

yes, will take opportunities! thanks and I'd love reminders!

[cusack10]

i meant the body refocused from heavy jammed head to the injury.jam reliesed,you smooth.

[Gabby2007]

Update.
I saw the orthopedic doc yesterday who put me in a plaster cast - I got a purple one.

This constriction is helping aleviate pain, but it's triggering horrific 'sensitivity' issues - I am fighting claustraphobia, my skin is crawling,

One unexpected benefit - the vicodan has helped my anxiety alot, it seems to have freed my brain considerably.

Bad news is that I'm not to bear any weight for 8 weeks, and I had pinned my summer hopes on being able to walk in a cast at least.

[Perna]

Eight weeks, awesome! :-) And purple, LOL!

Make a list like this woman did, kind of the reverse of it (20 things to do while sitting or on the computer)? http://scruffymummy.blogspot.com/200...itting-at.html

Glad the vicodan helped your anxiety; maybe it will "nudge" the anxiety to go elsewhere in a permanent way, especially since you have these changed circumstances now too. I've been going out exercising 3 times a week and have developed an arm/wrist/finger pain since that goes away with Advil and I keep hoping that at some point it will go away and forget to come back :-)

Hope you get a little comfy routine going, Gabby, and the time passes quickly for you.

[Gabby2007]

Time seems to be standing still ~ it's been nearly two weeks since I broke my leg.

Pouring out my heart here, but I didn't realize how difficult using crutches is - I'm not to bear ANY weight, but I do a little shuffle at times, especially when I get up in the night.

Today I rented a wheelchair which might help, but I'm really anxious all of a sudden - scared to do the simplest of things in places I felt comfortable in before - new routines are so difficult.

Thank goodness my son has a drivers permit, having to have him drive has forced me to let him, and it's scary (my brother broke his neck in car accident), and I promised the kids we can go to the mall tomorrow - I'm scared to death!

I met my new T on Wed, she was very nice and kept saying 'oh, I can help with that'...

I'm still not dealing with the reality of not camping and traveling this summer...it's dawning how awfully limited I am.

[bebop]

I still did those things when I had a broken foot. I was in a cast for 3 months the last time. it does however make it more difficult. did they put some spray on before the cast for itching? they did me the last time and it sure did help! take care hon

[Gabby2007]

Bebop,

No they didn't offer me a thing! And looking back, they said what I couldn't do, but didn't offer me any cast-care advice...that's so typical!

I go see him next week, and I'll ask, I'm curious if he's going to change casts - I know it's dangerous still expecting to be put into a walking cast as some point, if I could walk I could have my freedom back.

Things I've learned:

Glad Press and Seal works great to keep the water out for baths.

Used my son's bean bag on the bed last night to keep the foot elevated all during the night, I slept well and swelling went down.

DH installed a hand held shower massage thing, I cannot tell you why, but just sitting wtih running water - shaving my armpits and good leg made me feel like a new person.

[bebop]

Gabby they make special cast covers for baths. it is better than the ziplocks. it has like a velcro type closing on it and no water at all can get in. I swear by those things lol. I am sure at some point during this they will put you in a walking cast. keep us posted!

[Gabby2007]

hey, where do I get those/find that?

I'm trying hard not to be really angry (NOT at you, at the doc), two weeks in the dark!

I thought of getting the wheelchair after going to a state park (with DH and kids) and sleeping in the car while they hiked around. ugh

I hope so about walking, it's broken at the ankle, up the fibula and one place on my foot. I've been shaving all his instructions, I do at times bear a little weight...sometimes my pits or my stomach muscles just can't deal with the crutches.

[bebop]

I think I found mine at a medical supply store. I had one for my foot and one for my arm when I broke it too. he will re xray it at some point during this time and tell you when it has started healing and at that point you may get to put weight on it. yes the wheelchair is a good idea for outtings! just make sure to get a good level campsite to go camping. I even drove with my broken foot. it was the right foot. hehe it was different but doable!

[wickedwings]

oh, heeeeyy! another funny opportunity you might want to think about.....wheelchairs in the stores (that is, if you have no problems being in a store). really. 7 years ago, i had to have surgery on my knees (many months of recovery and physical therapy, too). i spent the whole summer laid up and lame. but, when i was in stores, i would make full use of their wheelchair and motorized chairs. it was not bad. actually, quite interesting for the mind. if you disagree, that's ok, i was just hoping to relieve your conundrum here. hope things go well for you. take care.

[Gabby2007]

bebop,
yes I'm driving. I cannot flex my ankle/foot, so I lift my leg and it's tiring, but very doable. I wouldn't go long distances though.

wickedwings,
I have called three places to ask about motorized chairs - the mall (yes), the grocery store (yes) and Target (yes). It's getting into the store and getting into the mall with crutches which intimidates me. Also, I don't know if they have leg lift things or not.

the grocery store guy said I could call him on the cell and he'd bring the scooter thing out to my van!

I also got a handicap parking permit (temporary)...

I'll take one of my kids with me to Target - that way they can carry my crutches back to the van once I find a scooter -- all this planning makes me exhausted and very anxious, I wouldn't dare do that alone! but with one of my kids I'm okay (guilt guilt guilt).

[Gabby2007]

my kids took me to the mall today - I was so full of anxiety, but it turned out great and built my confidence.

DS drove (he's a new driver with a permit), DD pushed me around in my rented wheelchair --- oh the scooters at the mall don't have leg rests!

I got some new clothes, had to find some things to go with my cast and of course I'm milking this for all it's worth LOL

[bebop]

you go girl! none of those scooters are the stores have legrest like wheelchairs. just the foot ones.

[Gabby2007]

bebop,
I'm bummed about that, but I think for a quicker trip such as Target for stuff it'll do for shopping.

I learned for now I wouldn't want to go do this alone, the wheelchair is quite heavy.

I had a good day overall, thank you so much!

[bebop]

gabby are you telling me you have cabin fever? lol

[Gabby2007]

Bad.

The ONLY reason I endure the horrid cold in the winter is to enjoy being outdoors in nice weather - this stinks!

btw, DH came home at 5:30 sans food, he forgot his wallet and couldn't go shopping. I volunteered to go with him cause I was still feeling great.

stupid mistake. I'm worn out, my cast is brutally tight. My arms are going to fall off from wheeling myself around SAMS...sigh....so easy to overdue it!

And today was about getting some clothes ~ I didn't have a thing that 'went with' my cast LOL

[bebop]

first of all honey you got it all wrong! let hubby push you around!! geesh woman! hehe guess I have to teach you lol. yes though it is very easy to tire and overdo! don't do that!