OK, my first thought was putting this in the Pit, but considering I’m more frustrated than whiney, I digressed…
I’ve been laid up since last week after having my Achilles tendon nearly severed from the bottom corner of a metal door (my heel got caught under it as it was closing – don’t ask me how). I’ve got 27 nifty stitches holding everything together, not including the internal ones holding the tendon. For the past week I’ve been in a splint and crutches. A couple of days ago I graduated to an orthopedic shoe, one crutch, and the warning NOT to walk around too much or my foot will rebel in the worst possible way.
I thought I had stuff lined up nicely – bed rest, occasonal TV, library books, my computer, a couple of embroidery projects…my husband even bought me a beginner’s acrylic paint set and card stock in hopes of capturing my creative streak. I’ve got my wonderful girl dogs keeping me company
But now it’s all DRIVING ME CRAZY! I’m sick of reading, sewing, watching, painting – hell, I’m almost afraid to admit that I’m getting sick of surfing the 'Net. I’m sick of taking pain meds. I’m sick of not being able to drive, take the dogs outside to potty – heck, even walk around for more than 5 minutes without my foot wailing in agony (yes, I’m supposed to walk around a bit so my ankle doesn’t “freeze”).
So, I ask you, dear fellow Dopers, what do you do (or have done) if, God forbid, you’ve been in a similar situation? I’ve been trying not to let it get to me, but…insert frustrated scream here
I did pretty much what you are doing… a lot of reading, sewing and crossword puzzles.
It sucks to be stuck in bed because as nice as it sounds to those not trapped in their room like a punished teenager the reality is that when you physically cannot go out and do stuff on your own that just kind of gnaws at you.
Do you have a coffee friend who can come and keep you company for a little while during the day? My bestest friend would come and we would chat and have coffee and she would help break the monotony of the day. Sometimes we’d play cards or something to alleviate my boredom.
Oh, dear! I did something similar last fall. (Heavy wooden gate, achilles tendon intact, but stripped bare.) Walking was extremely painful and staying in was out of the question, so I borrowed my son’s bike. I could not pedal well, but once I had built up some momentum I could sit on the seat and push myself with the good foot. Could you rent or borrow a moped or something similar? Costs money, but how much is your sanity worth?
When you are able to get out and around pay a visit to the shoe store. Backless shoes are your friends. I could not wear regular shoes for 6 months, and my injury was not nearly as bad as yours is. Clogs (real ones) are great. The soles have a rocker effect and will keep you from over-extending or -flexing your ankle.
Buy stock in Johnson & Johnson. Nonstick pads and tape will be precious commodities. My ankle oozed for several months.
June 1995 I received a closed-head injury in an automobile accident going to work. I woke up and it was July and I was tied to a wheelchair in the Medical University so that I would not hurt myself trying to get up. They spent the next month teaching me to walk, sort of, and getting me to the point that I could exist at home with assisted care. That was eight years ago, I was 32. I went home August 1995 to hell. It would be two years before I had recovered enough to read anything substantial again and my mind was not functioning on a level that understood what was happening on TV. The first year I mostly sat on the sofa, held my cat, and waited for someone to be available to help me practice walking. Before I was brought home my wife had someone sell all my guns, lock up all medications and poisons, and lock up knives and razors and such. After three years I learned to drive again and went to a technical college to learn a trade (HVAC). In May 2001 I graduated and got a job. Worked till March 2003 and decided that I do not like to fix air conditioners. I start school again on Monday. This time I am studying civil engineering technology, before my accident I was a heavy equipment operator.
I have no real advice on how to survive being laid up and stay sane but I have experience and sympathize. Remember: THE ROCK IS HARD BUT THE WATER IS PATIENT.
How true, tanookie…actually I think a lot of people don’t realize how true that is. My theory is that the more numbing the job, the more you’d like a legitimate medical reason to be off work, but in the end everyone ends up in the same boat :rolleyes:
My mother (God bless her) is usually willing to putter around the local stores and go to lunch at the coffee shop up the street when I’m up to it.
It’s just when I’m not up to it that the frustration sets in. Gah!
Ooh, I just noticed that you’re in Haverhell – I’m LOLing to myself because I went to school there
Wish I had a bike – actually, I never thought of that. Hmmm…
I cannot fathom wearing backless shoes, at least not now. I was wearing my cheap white espadrilles when the altercation with the door happened. I’d be so afraid of exposing my heel! :eek: I can picture how uncomfortable regular shoes would be, though. Hadn’t thought of that.
But I do have my stack of Johnson & Johnson nonstick pads and plenty of Bacitracin, though!
You have my sympathies, kiz, I was clawing at the walls during the last few days of my hospitalization this summer. For the most part, I passed the time watching baseball on TV and trying to read newspapers in Japanese.
Nonstick pads and tape will be precious commodities. My ankle oozed for several months.