adventurechick 0 #1 May 21, 2007 Ok, I know many of you on here have been injured before and have made it through just fine and I just need some advice. I don't start rehab for 2 more weeks, so I'm sure I will learn more there... but I have a few questions. 1. How did you take a shower/shave your legs without putting weight on one foot and not getting one leg wet from the knee down? 2. How did you go about cooking... any easy cooking recipes that doesn't require much reaching/walking? 3. Clothes... I think I've figured this one out. I'm sticking to dresses, no bras, no shoes, and a sock on my good foot. But if you have any suggestions... fire them away! 4. Hair... I never do much with it, but back to the showering thing it's hard to wash it... I'm considering dreads or braids. 5. Books/Good reading: I will be catching up on some good reading, so if you have any suggestions send them by! 6. I quit watching TV a while ago except for documentaries, and Paige is going to show me some beading... any other non-walking activities you would suggest? That's all I can come up with for now. Thank you so much!! PMS #449 TPM #80 Muff Brother #3860 SCR #14705 Dirty Sanchez #233 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sartre 0 #2 May 21, 2007 Why the hell would rehab not start for 2 more weeks? You should be getting home health right now, then outpatient rehab once you're done with that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #3 May 21, 2007 Quote Ok, I know many of you on here have been injured before and have made it through just fine and I just need some advice. I don't start rehab for 2 more weeks, so I'm sure I will learn more there... but I have a few questions. 1. How did you take a shower/shave your legs without putting weight on one foot and not getting one leg wet from the knee down? I'm guessing you only have a shower and no tub. If that's the case, get a big rubbermaid container that you can fill with water. Put it in the shower. Grab a chair, put your GOOD leg in the container and shave away! Maybe some friends can come by and help you cook. Make extra that you can freeze for later. Hope you heal up! 'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #4 May 21, 2007 Gail.... I'm so sorry that you are less than 100%. (all I can say is not "fine for parking"!!!!!) I hope you mend quickly. Since I recently had to limit my activities, I can give some advice. 1. Showers - get a stool or something for the shower. And you can use a plastic bag for the one that isn't supposed to get wet. *OHHHH and have someone install a hand held shower nozzle - for several reasons. 2. Cooking - luckily, I didn't have to cook much. but when I did - hot pockets, pop tarts, cheese slices. Soup is annoying cuz it's hard to get it from the stove to the table. 3. Clothes - I wore more skirts this year than the past 10 yrs combined. Just make sure that they have pockets. POCKETS are important!!!! Plus... you don't have to wear anything underneath - makes it easier. 4. Hair - braided is the most convient. 5. Books - The Anam Cara; Any Shakespeare; Atlas Shrugged (this one will take you a while to read!!!); Mr. God, This is Anna; Wicked; C.S. Lewis; Douglas Adams (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy); James Burke; Richard Bach Yoga and stretching!!! Trust me on the stretching thing! (pm me an address) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broke 0 #5 May 21, 2007 Check out your local surgical supply store and pick up a shower chair. As for not getting your leg wet. Duct tape and a garbage bag will work just fine. Reading material: Homer: The Illiad and the Odyssey (The Odyssey is the faster read) Storys from the 1001 nights Or for something more political "The crisis of Island Holy war and Unholy Terror" I'll second the HHG trilogy make sure you read all five books And one last thing Heal fast Divot your source for all things Hillbilly. Anvil Brother 84 SCR 14192 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #6 May 21, 2007 Quote 1. How did you take a shower/shave your legs without putting weight on one foot and not getting one leg wet from the knee down? At most pharmacies they sell a leg bag that is kind of a big plastic sock thing that has some type of tie at the top to prevent your cast leg from getting wet in the shower. Additionally, pharmacies many times sell those plastic chairs that sit in the shower (usually for elderly people) which you may be able to get your medical insurance to cover, or you may even be able to rent one for just a few months...edit to add: or you can buy a cheap plastic molded chair from any outdoors store for about $7. That might be even better IF it will fit in your shower. As for shaving, I used to sit on the toilet seat and just get a big bowl of hot water and a wash cloth and shave cream etc and then shower afterwards. Quote 2. How did you go about cooking... any easy cooking recipes that doesn't require much reaching/walking? A stool helps a bunch! And I'd suggest maybe checking out a 'one-pot' cook book for many dishes that you can mix and cook all in one pot (less moving around the stove at least) Quote 3. Clothes... I think I've figured this one out. I'm sticking to dresses, no bras, no shoes, and a sock on my good foot. But if you have any suggestions... fire them away! I wore a lot of skirts and just one tennis shoe on the good footie. Another good thing to try (and we're almost in the season) is shorts or long shorts/split skirts. I actually wore many cut-off sweats when hanging out about the house. Quote 4. Hair... I never do much with it, but back to the showering thing it's hard to wash it... I'm considering dreads or braids. -The cast boot dealio will help allow you to wash your hair, just make SURE to be EXTREMELY careful when in the shower if standing. If you touch down that foot, it will be TERRIBLY slippery. Quote 5. Books/Good reading: I will be catching up on some good reading, so if you have any suggestions send them by! I know this will sound cheesey, but self improvement books worked well for me. It helped me feel 'productive' whilest laying on my back for so long. I actually learned quite a bit! Another idea which admittedly is again kinda cheesey is perhaps reading books on rehab, pain control, or other things that might be useful to you on the road to recovery. -Then of course there's always the gossipy super market smut mags!! I LOVED reading the tabloids (the REALLY ridiculous ones!) when laid up. they were so dang funny! Oh, and Mad Magazine. Quote 6. I quit watching TV a while ago except for documentaries, and Paige is going to show me some beading... any other non-walking activities you would suggest? As for TV, I have fun watching Scrubs and The Office on comedy. And the Discovery channel has such cool stuff (I am a super-nerd I have been in a cast and crutches, or wheelchair for about 3 years of my life if you add up all of the time. 5 separate occasions, if I remember them all. I also entertained myself with the internet and computer games...Good luck, sweetie! ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonstark 8 #7 May 21, 2007 I was lucky enough to be able to remove the rugs from the front of the house and used an office swivel chair to scoot around with. (I was in a wheelchair for two broken heels.) Spent a lot of time on hands and knees where the house was carpeted. Carried a goofy looking fanny pack when I finally got onto crutches. I had a cell phone that was the size of a fat dictionary and weighed 5#. I had to carry it everywhere for work. I was able to keep working from the house. Didn't need any new stimulation but missed the outdoors. Knew I wouldn't be in the chair for long and didn't get a handicapped sticker or tag. Used to scowl at ambulatory assholes using the handicapped parking spots. Fun to make them squirm. Assholes. good luck jon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #8 May 21, 2007 Shower stool, hand held shower massage and a water proof cast cover. Being able to take a decent shower goes a LONG way towards making you feel better- cleaner, stronger and more independent. Really! The cast covers cost about $30.00 but they really do work so much better than garbage bags and duct tape. Unfortunately, I've had the opportunity to make the comparison. With the cast cover, you can get all the way in to the shower instead of trying to dangle your leg outside. Make an effort to get out of the house whenever you can- hopefully you've got friends and family who won't mind driving you around and taking you places. (And remember to pay it forward next time you've got a friend with a broken leg.) Don't be shy about grabbing an extra chair and putting your leg up no matter where you are. Getting out- even if its just for a bite to eat- also does a world of good- just don't over do it, and DO speak up when its time to get home to the recliner and pain pills. Good luck! This too shall pass. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybeergodd 0 #9 May 21, 2007 I'm actually pretty good at this.....been busted up and casted, slinted and operated on more time s that i care to remember...actually my Ortho Surgeon jokes that i put his kids thru college and paid for his house... #1...the new "Glad Press and Seal"(plasic wrap) works wonders around casts and irregularlly shaped objects like splints and seal up water tight for a shower...been there done that!!! #2 cooking...in the freezer isles look for already cooked full meals that you just heat up...not the ones in a box but in bags that you stir fry in pans for a few mins. They are easy, tasts pretty good and clean up is 1 or 2 dishes...plus for 1 person they are a good Dinner and Lunch the next day #3 clothes.......well i am a guy and a skydiver also so Iam obligated to instruct you to just not wear any clothes ever.....lol #4 Hair washing....the local pharmacies actually have a hair cleaning product that you can use that doesn't rinse out, you put it in, scrub it and then towel dry it out, no rinsing......otherwise the Kitchen sink with the rinse sprayer works great #5....again a guy thing...no books I have to suggest on-line porn surfing all day#6...Take TV back up, or get into on-line poker otherwise witout being able to drive and house bound for 24 hours will drive you insane...or you can take up excessive drinking and do 24 hour drunk dialing... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adventurechick 0 #10 May 21, 2007 Thank you so much!!! Feel free to keep these responses coming! I will keep on wearing clothes... sorry guys, I quit drinking, and I'm still going to try to avoid TV unless it's educational. I love all of the input! Thank you!! PMS #449 TPM #80 Muff Brother #3860 SCR #14705 Dirty Sanchez #233 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybeergodd 0 #11 May 21, 2007 Well I true do feel your pain, It just SUCKS going from being a truely activetive preson to just almost dependant onother people. I have been exactly where you are. It may sound stupid but just don't let yourself get depressed or frustrated. Remind yourself it is ONLY temporary and for some real fun show up at the DZ and when all the Whuffos ask( and they all will) "Did you do that skydiving?" Answer them with a "No" followed by a different wild crazy story. Heal Soon and never pass a chance for pain meds..lol Kelly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #12 May 21, 2007 Quote 3. Clothes - I wore more skirts this year than the past 10 yrs combined. Just make sure that they have pockets. POCKETS are important!!!! Plus... you don't have to wear anything underneath - makes it easier. This is such incredibly good advice! I think women should wear skirts with nothing underneath on a regular basis even when they're not busted up. And obviously, the shorter the better. Skirts that fall below the knees are bad for your back. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #13 May 21, 2007 Oh Gail...it's all so simple...get a BF. Should be ever so easy what with the skirt and no underwear thing going on... My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #14 May 21, 2007 Thanks to skydiving and snowboarding, I've had a little experience with this over the last few years. You've gotten some great answers. I'll just add that the rolling office chair helped me a ton in the kitchen. I still made complete meals for my kids when I was on crutches. I would just stand on one leg and put my knee of my bum leg down on the seat and roll away. As for hair, it was too much for me when I had my broken wrists, so I went to my hairdresser and she chopped off about 4 inches. It's the summer, try a new shorter style. It'll grow back if you don't like it! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bazelos 0 #15 May 21, 2007 Gail, I haven't got any good advice to give you, I can only wish you a fast recovery Quote 3. Clothes - I wore more skirts this year than the past 10 yrs combined. Just make sure that they have pockets. POCKETS are important!!!! Plus... you don't have to wear anything underneath - makes it easier. I love this forumHe who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #16 May 21, 2007 and if you cut your hair, send it in to locks for love or wigs for kids or some other organization. - and why are all the guys noticing the skirt and nuttin under comments?! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #17 May 21, 2007 Use a trash bag and gorilla tape/duct tape to cover a cast while showering...I am an expert on this. I have only used this technique during recovery from five knee surgeries, a broken leg, and a crushed foot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #18 May 21, 2007 Quote Shower stool, hand held shower massage and a water proof cast cover. Being able to take a decent shower goes a LONG way towards making you feel better- cleaner, stronger and more independent. Really! The cast covers cost about $30.00 but they really do work so much better than garbage bags and duct tape. Unfortunately, I've had the opportunity to make the comparison. With the cast cover, you can get all the way in to the shower instead of trying to dangle your leg outside. Make an effort to get out of the house whenever you can- hopefully you've got friends and family who won't mind driving you around and taking you places. (And remember to pay it forward next time you've got a friend with a broken leg.) Don't be shy about grabbing an extra chair and putting your leg up no matter where you are. Getting out- even if its just for a bite to eat- also does a world of good- just don't over do it, and DO speak up when its time to get home to the recliner and pain pills. Good luck! This too shall pass. Work on your taping technique Maura!Hey my trashbag leg cover only leaked once. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #19 May 21, 2007 Lots of good advice, i have one of those shower boots/cast covers i would send you if you need it. I bought a cheap folding stool from wal-mart to use in the shower, worked great for me. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stitch 0 #20 May 21, 2007 Get a Cabana Boy. "No cookies for you"- GFD "I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65 Don't be a "Racer Hater" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #21 May 21, 2007 Quote Get a Cabana Boy. I will volunter!!! Anything to keep her from turning her pretty hair into dreads!! "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adventurechick 0 #22 May 21, 2007 Ok, I will now be taking applications for cabana boys/boyfriends! **It does take another person to help me shower** LoL, right now my mom is doing the job though. PMS #449 TPM #80 Muff Brother #3860 SCR #14705 Dirty Sanchez #233 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #23 May 21, 2007 Quote Ok, I will now be taking applications for cabana boys/boyfriends! **It does take another person to help me shower** LoL, right now my mom is doing the job though. I had fireflytx give me a spongebath, i even made her wear her dirty nurse costume. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xenaswampjumper 0 #24 May 21, 2007 Quote - and why are all the guys noticing the skirt and nuttin under comments?! I am actually surprised that they didn't comment on the "detachable shower head good for several reasons" comment!!!Gail, I got a couple of great tips from my roomie and a couple from myself about the leg in the shower...call ya later tater till later have fun & love each other seeya mb65johnny gates.... In skydiving, the only thing that stops you is the ground.............. PMS# 472 Muff #3863 TPM#95 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #25 May 21, 2007 So... are you going to share what actually happened? What the full injury was? Estimated time of recovery? Details girl. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
