Give advice for a soon to be one armed man.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
21

Thanks everyone. And sorry if it sounded like I was actually loosing my arm.

It’s just going to be for a few months. I am practicing by keeping my left hand in a pocket.

Getting dressed is gonna be a pain I’m sure. I do have plenty of button shirts. Coats are a different issue. My main every day parka could be worn like a poncho since it has a zip or Velcro closures on front. I should be able to just Velcro the front closed and leave one sleeve flap.

Though the poncho, small cigar and cowboy hat ala Clint Eastwood is tempting. Unfortunately I just gave up cigars.

I was worried about how the hell I would tie my shoes so I did buy a pair of zip up Merrells. I’ll take some clogs to keep at work.

I’m gonna be off balance with the sling. I’ll have to be careful.

My Wife practiced with the plow truck today. I think we will be OK snow wise.

GusNSpotAre you one handed/armed? I didn’t even think about tucking in a shirt one handed. That’s not gonna happen easily. I can look like a slob at work. Everyone will understand.

22

Dose your wife know how to tie a tie? That could be a problem.

23

If you can find velcro’d shoes or boots and they won’t cause heart attacks at your workplace, I heartily recommend those.

A stuck zipper isn’t something you can solve one-handed without an amazing amount of contorsionism.

24

My hubby had shoulder surgery on December 5 to have his labrum rebuilt. He’s still in his sling most of the time.

What type of surgery are you having?

A few major things that you should know:

Don’t drive for a week or so after, it’ll still hurt.
Take your pain pills every 2 to 4 hours (even at night, set the alarm) for the first week, not when the pain starts coming back (we learned that the hard way).
You’ll have a LOT of trouble sleeping - it’s very hard to get comfortable, even if you are already a back sleeper.
If your wife is taking care of you, I’d advise her to take the first couple of days off or get someone to stay with you. You shouldn’t be alone, and you won’t be able to do anything for yourself. Also, I was up most of the night with my hubby because he was in pain/uncomfortable/couldn’t sleep and I was trying to help him out.
You’ll get bored. Very bored. You can’t do anything. If you’re a reader, stock up on books now. Watch movies. Write. My hubby is an active guy and this is driving him mad. He couldn’t even go for walks for the first couple of weeks because he couldn’t lift his arm to put his coat on.

Just remember that it’s short term pain for long term gain. That’s how hubby is getting through this.

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Oh, as for doing up boots, hubby has boot zipper laces. I just searched and you can find them on amazon.

26

Please pull a bunch of daring heists, so that the media can dub you the “one-armed bandit”! Lazy editors everywhere will thank you.

27

Good idea, but no problem there. I don’t wear ties.

I bought these boots Basically, they are snow shoe boots. And really won’t be out of place where I live. And I could use a pair anyway. They have the same sole/traction as my everyday Merrells. No surprises, and good traction. If they get too hot I’ll just go in my socks or put on some crocs.

My coats all zipper and velcro. I doubt I’ll be able to zipper anything (except for the one hand pull on the boots).

28

My Wife will be with me full time (or as long as needed) for the first 4 days. I will be taking at least 6 days off from work. I may do some half days. I can work from home to a degree.

I read. And the computer keeps me occupied. But I’m sure I’m going to be very, very bored. Sleeping is going to suck. I usually go from my left side to my right side and back a dozen times a night.

Since you asked, I’m having a bone spur removed, my bursa removed and the tendon connection for my bicep moved/re-attached.

29

I spent six weeks in a cast after getting a tenodesis performed on my left shoulder back in high school, and most of the high points seem to have been covered. I’m assuming advances in technology mean you don’t have to wear a cast, which is a very, very good thing.

I’m assuming whatever music you listen to is on CD, so you won’t have to deal with LPs like I did. Other than that, people seem to have covered the high points.

You might want to consider sweat pants for the days at home so you just don’t have to deal with fastening pants when you don’t have to.

30

BTDT, I had my median nerve severed and repaired. I was in a hard cast for 10 days and then in a soft cast for 6 weeks and had limited use of the hand while I was in PT. Stick to your PT, it hurts, but you will heal if you follow their instructions.

Socks are a pain in the ass for the one handed. You need someone to help or it takes much longer to dress. All dressing is a PITA, you will find what clothes work best for your particular situation. I lounged around in a lot of tank tops and shorts with elastic waist bands. I had my surgery in the summer, so footwear was flip-flops. Slip on shoes are indispensable…

Plan ahead for the bathroom. Don’t wait until you have to go. Even pants with a waist-band are hard when you are trying to do things one-handed, being a man, you might have a “different” experience. Get your TP all arranged before hand and maybe get some wipes. If you are taking a med that constipates you, take a stool softener with each dose, really helped for me. (Sorry, TMI)

Showering/bathing-Husband would put face soap on one wash cloth and body soap on another. He would put the shampoo on my head and help lather. I would rinse and he would then put the conditioner on my head and I would rinse. After that, I was ok with the two washcloths and I could finish my shower. Maybe get an electric shaver if you want to shave.

Any containers with sealed lids were tough. I made sure lids were loose so I could open one-handed while husband was at work. Paper plates and disposable cutlery was a big help, I couldn’t wash anything. Incidentally, we were having our kitchen remodeled when I hurt my wrist, so I wasn’t cooking anyway. When the kitchen was back to normal, I wasn’t so we still did a lot of take out. I gave husband a list of things to do before he left for work so I could make it through the day. He would open cans and put it into tupperware so I could access things much easier.

I learned to do a lot of things with my non-dominant hand. I learned how to mouse left-handed and just typed one-handed until I felt well enough to use both hands.

What I wasn’t prepared for was how tired I was after the surgery. I did sleep a lot and I guess that was the healing process. I did end up sleeping in the spare bedroom. It was much easier considering my sleep schedule was “off” and I napped a lot. I would get up in the middle of the night for snacks and pain meds, so I didn’t disturb my husband. Plus, I didn’t have to worry about husband moving around and disturbing me. The sleep will happen, you will instinctively not roll onto the hurt area.

31

Not yet… :smiley: I did do a number on my thumb
a week ago, going back to doc today actually for the first “look see.”

I ham on my second prostheses and have no more options. I mess it up and they’ll have to take it off. Unless there is a new advancement in the last few years. Not planning on it…

That 10 pound restriction thing, you won’t think it is that bad to go over a little… it is that bad to mess up that way… Do not cheat on that. You will regret it. I do…

I still have the restriction to this day.

Oh, and climbing. Even after you are well, be sure you are strong enough before climbing a ladder or chair or anything where you might grab with that arm to prevent a fall, it won’t hold you like before. Always remember thins and never forget because you will instinctively grab… So always think it through…

I could literally pull my arm off. You will recover but approach this area with much caution. It is the instinctive reactions that will cause you to damage yourself before you are completely back to normal.

Good luck and good pain pills…

32

As per Section 12.98©, Customs Regulations (19 CFR 12.98©), “one-armed travelers” are the only ones allowed to bring a switchblade across the border, as long as it’s less than 3 inches long.

No need to thank me.

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Anyone else find this typo to be oddly funny? :smiley: