I need some advice on how to be bedridden!

[aes74]

Two days after Thanksgiving I was carrying my daughter down the stairs of our home. I missed a step, fell down the rest. My daughter is fine, thank goodness, but my foot is a mess. I have at least five fractures, torn ligaments, a broken toe. I have to keep my leg immobilized and elevated at all times, except to go to the bathroom. I am on my second cast and have about (at least) another month to go. The doctor doesn't feel I will be able to walk again normally for 3 more months.

I am going crazy. I have two small children. My house has fallen apart. My husband does everything. I cannot even make my 3 year old lunch. I am gaining weight from being in bed/on the couch. My face is getting fat. I am getting depressed, and it's really lonely.

I am typing this because I know that there have to be people on the DIS who have been through this before. Bedridden for some reason or another. Can you please give me some encouragement, some ideas, and ways you kept your mind from turning into mush.

I also want to say, that I know I have blessings to count. I don't mean to be too self-pitying. I know this is a short-term thing, that I will be fine down the road. I am grateful my children are healthy, etc. I am just hoping that any of you who have had a similar experience can help me out.

 

[belle&beast]

I'm sorry you are hurt, but I'll tell you how I would pass the time...I would be scrapbooking! Or sorting and printing pictures. I used to be so good at keeping up, but my kids need too much from me right now. Hope you feel better soon!

 

[poohandwendy]

Oh man, that would be tough.

Just want to offer my sympathy, I don't have any experience. But, I would say...do not worry about the house and other things you cannot do, just take the time to heal! And the weight will come off later, too.

Good news, you can still DIS!!!

 

[aes74]

Oh man, that would be tough.

Good news, you can still DIS!!!

You're not kidding. Thank goodness for it and the internet. Daytime TV is driving me crazy!!!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I'm sorry you are hurt and bedridden. Think of this as temporary. Continue to tell yourself and see yourself mobile very soon. I know how hard it is to worry about the kids and the house and all that is falling apart around you but you must remember this too shall pass! Depression is not a pretty place from self pity, try not to go there.

Put the thoughts of your house out of your mind and remember it will be there for you to fix when you can. Read, watch some light movies, scrapbook and catch up on photo albums. Get a few books on tape they are great!

Dont worry about gaining a few lbs. It will come off as soon as you are up and about again. Swelling is normal (hence the face comment) when bodies arent circulating like normal. That too will pass.

I was recently bedridden for a long while and I know exactly how you are feeling. Take the time you need to heal and keep your mind busy with positive thoughts. It makes a HUGE difference when healing.

Oh yeah and DIS, that helps wonders! Hope you are feeling better with each passing day.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I was a bedridden PRO! TV, video games, books and magazines oh for 4ish months.

The one thing I wished I did was call in more help! I should have asked neighbors, church, etc...for help!
Oh well....

I should have hired someone to come in and clean weekly because DH really had a hard time with a new job and our 5yodd who was starting K.

 

[dreamcometrue]

I am so sorry At least there is the internet, and the DIS. Do you like games? Do you have a video game console in the house? I am 32 and still like to play video games every now and then! There are some cool ones for adults out there!

I hope you feel better soon!

 

[disneymom3]

I have only been bedridden for a little over a week after a really not good lumbar puncture. If I was at all elevated I got a horrendous headache and threw up. So, not a very long time. But some of the things I did were to learn counted cross stitch--not too heavy over your head--and play sudoku. And of course the usual assortment of books, magazines etc.

Do you have anything you have been interested in learning more about? A friend of mine while confined to bedrest had her DH go pick up books from the library that she had requested online and just learned all kinds of stuff about the Reneissance era. I thought that was smart and interesting way to use her mind and keep off boredom.

Is anyone caring for DD? How on earth do you do that? Hugs to you and here is hoping that this time goes quickly for you.

 

[disneymom3]

I was a bedridden PRO! TV, video games, books and magazines oh for 4ish months.

The one thing I wished I did was call in more help! I should have asked neighbors, church, etc...for help!
Oh well....

I should have hired someone to come in and clean weekly because DH really had a hard time with a new job and our 5yodd who was starting K.

These are really good points, MM!

OP do you have a church or close knit neighborhood group or even a group of friends who could bring in dinner maybe three times a week. I know our small groups at our church are always looking for members who need some kind of help. Could you afford someone to come in and clean--even just to do bathrooms and floors? (They always seem the worst and I know my DH for one is awesome at cleaning the kitchen adn can do the whole clothes thing, but the bathtubs, not so much.)

 

[bekkiz]

What a timely post! I'm having some back sugery on Monday and have to be in bed for about 3 months!

I've already added a ton of things to our NetFlix queue and we're moving the Tivo into the bedroom. And luckily, my DH works from home so I'll be well taken care of He's actually excited because the house will be a lot less messy if I'm not up and around--he's not much of a mess maker!

I also got the Disney Scene It game for christmas...I have a feeling I'll be playing that a lot LOL!

Anyway, I'll be keeping my eye on this thread for more suggestions

 

[SleepyMom]

I taught myself to cross-stitch. Have someone go buy a kit and the materials needed (if not included). I made an 11 x 14 my first try and gave it as a present to a dear friend.

I also did a lot of reading. Didn't have a computer then, this was 13 years ago, so I watched TV and movies as well. I was in the hospital, so hopefully being at home will be easier for you.

Take care, this too shall pass.

 

[aes74]

I think, after reading this, I am going to talk to my husband about having someone come in and clean every so often. I am not familar with what it costs, but there has to be a way.

I get nervous asking others for help. I might ask someone to take my 3 year old out to play. I feel bad she is stuck in the same room with me all day.

I have also thought about practicing my French on the computer. I need to scrapbook, but I will have to figure out a way to rig my leg up!

It is so helpful to hear that other people have been through this and to know there will be an end.

 

[binny]

ouch I am so sorry. I know what you mean. I dont "do still"

ironically I now have fibromyaglia and have to spend some extra doing nothing otherwise I really pay for it.


I love the idea about learning. I am taking a class right now online and I love it~ I have a study group that "meets" once a month via conference call and that really helps.

Use all the help you can get. I hate asking too. I have a friend who came in when we were moving and cleaned her heart out for us because I was so overwhlemed I coudnt do it myself. I wasnt thinking about it until later when I realized she must have really suffered through it because I have 2 cats and she is horribly allergic! now THAT is love!

 

[aes74]

thank you so much for all of your help. I really appreciate it!

 

[Philagoofy]

If you knit or crochet you can make some laprugs for nursing/veterans homes. Latch hook rugs are very easy. Other types of needlecrafts as mentioned earlier are fun. A little paint by numbers set.

Organize your old photos. There is so much you can research & learn online. If you take digital photos you can play around with Photoshop, make some interesting things, personalized cards for family birthdays with photos of your children.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[Lanshark]

That's a tough situation.

You can read to the kids, play cards, dominoes or watch movies.

To keep yourself from going bonkers, you can DIS or read.

Put a countdown timer on the DIS and we'll try to encourage you....

I agree with the others about not worrying too much about the house. I'm sure your DH feels overwhelmed right now. No need to add more pressure. Do you have a church group or someone that can help you with meals and light cleaning?

 

[kandeebunny]

I spent a year on bedrest. (I am only 23 now, so you can imagine how difficult it was for me.) I learned to knit, do counted cross stitch, caught up on my reading, jewlery making, crossword puzzles, sudoku, movies, music, magazines, scrapbooking, brushed up on my French, wrote letters.

Feel better soon. and remember this too shall pass.

 

[Aidensmom]

Number one, thank GOD you have a computer.

I was put on bedrest during my pregnancy, unfortunately my laptop had been stolen the week before, and that really could have helped me fill some time, not to mention search for information on stuff I wanted to know about babies!

One of the things I did, though this I am sure is not likely to help you, was work on getting my dog to obey me 100% of the time because I had to let him out of my apartment all by himself to relieve himself, because I couldn't walk down the stairs. That took up a lot of the first week.

I would say try not to get used to just watching TV, I did that a lot and it gets to be a hard addiction to break. Read, do crossword puzzles, read to your kids or play board games with them, scrapbook, call friends and let them know company would be appreciated (it is so nice to just have someone else there sometimes. Only seeing your family for weeks on end, no matter how much you love them, can get a little lonely).

 

[Tiggeroo]

When my eldest was three I was preg with twins. I had placenta previa plus a twin pregnancy and was put on limited and then bed rest very early. It was so hard to do. Even with my dh's help and occasional help from mother who is a terrible cleaner, my house fell apart. I'd have dh bring me laundry and I'd sit and fold and sort it.
My advice - enjoy and take help where you can get it. I didn't want friends to come over because the house was a mess. This was stupid. They're your friends. Teach your kids to do stuff. You'd be amazed what a three year old can do. Guide them through getting a small bowl of cereal, with a small milk bottle to pour. Teach them to spread pb on bread. Show them how to put the clothes you fold away.
You are more then half way there. Another thing, do what your dr says. If not it will take longer. I did things I shouldn't have. In retrospect, thank god the twins were healthy. If they weren't I would never have forgiven myself for insisting on getting up to vacuum.

 

[DawnCt1]

I can imagine how tough this is for you. I had a hard time with my arm and I don't have little kids. I don't have any suggestions to add other than, rest up now, physical therapy will be coming and you will burn off all of those calories then. Good luck and chin up!