So was out with the dogs this morning supervising their early morning romp. Filled all their holes in this weekend so we're trying to supervise their outside time until Missy get's the "No Dig" stuff. Well, they decided to go hell bent for leather as the saying goes and I was in their direct line of fire. I moved to the left at the same time Missy moved to her right and she collided full force with me. I'm better that if I could have clocked her she was going in excess of 30 mph. She hit just above my right knee and it moved in a position that it wasn't designed to move into. I crumpled to the ground instantly and screamed in pain like I've never screamed before. Could not even move for probably 5 minutes. Both dogs were all over me as they knew I was hurting and their concern was obvious. So, I had to scold them so they would back up enough to let me even try to get up. Finally, I was able to get up. I can put weight on it. Hurts like the dickens but I can. Problem is putting full weight on it or bending or straightening. So, I'm down for the count, laying on the couch with ice packs and watching old "Dark Shadows" episodes on Hulu. Bob wants me to go tomorrow if it isn't better but I know that tomorrow is going to be the worst. I'm holding out for Thursday unless my pain is just astronomical in the morning.
Virginia
Feel better V - you're on IR for 3 days - ice is the cure but be careful of direct skin contact - Heal quickly - that's an order -
SA
Sorry Virginia, and get better soon : ) may you see many great shows, yeah! hulu hulu hulu!
Floyd
I've learned over the years that when a dog is heading straight for you at a full gallop to stand perfectly still. They will weave. I've been tagged a time or two. Hope your okay.
Quote from: kodydog on February 23, 2016, 05:45:07 pm
I've learned over the years that when a dog is heading straight for you at a full gallop to stand perfectly still. They will weave. I've been tagged a time or two. Hope your okay.
Next time, I'll force myself to stand perfectly still. I've spent the entire day and evening on the couch. Thank goodness we have hulu. Watched probably 6 Dark Shadows + 2 NYPD Blues, Body of Proof, SVU Special Victims, Hot in Cleveland, 3rd Rock From the Sun and I forget what all else.
At lunch time, I had a knot almost the size of a softball on the outside of my leg and I could no longer put weight on it or bend it without screaming bloody murder. Thankfully, we still have his walker from when he broke 3 bones in his left leg so Bob hauled it in the house and I've been using that to help keep weight off my knee. Bob, of course, wanted to take me to ER. I had no desire to spend the afternoon + in ER. Plus I don't think anything is broken as I've poked and prodded around the tibia and patella and I don't have crazy pain at all when I do that. I torqued my knee badly and it was not designed to go into the position that I did. It's very PO'd at me and I don't blame it. So I've pretty much kept ice on it non-stop. Just got up for a bathroom break. First thing we noticed is that it's not nearly as swollen. Still has a knot but just very much smaller. I was able to put some weight on it. Not full weight but being able to put some weight on it is a good sign. I cannot straighten or bend it completely and that's where the pain comes in now. I was now able to discover a pretty big knot inside my knee and that's what's causing the issues with bending/straightening so I'll be icing that area over night.
I'm on the couch as there is no way I can get into our bed. I have a step so I can get into it as it is. Plus, I don't want him rolling over in the night and hitting it with his tree trunk legs. Being a geezer, Bob gets up multiple times during the night to pee and his instructions are to swap out ice packs even if I'm zonked out which I should be.
Anyway, feel like i'm going to survive this but, man did that hurt.
Tomorrow I expect to hurt like h*ll.
Virginia
Another day spent "lounging" on the couch with my new BFF, an ice pack. Bob has to position my leg/foot into a good position so that I can stand up and then, carefully and slowly, I make my way to the bathroom with the help of my other BFF, Bob's old walker.
It still hurts like a big dog and is swollen, just not as bad as yesterday. At any rate, it's time to get it looked at. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning and I'm sure they'll push, prod, make me scream and then finally send me to get x-rays.
Virginia
I'm sorry to hear you're banged up. I know what a pita it was when I broke my heel bone a couple of years ago. Instead of ice packs I found bags of frozen peas or corn wrapped in a tea towel conformed to my much swollen ankle alot better and didn't get as uncomfortably cold as ice. ( funny story about that later). Two other products that I got a lot of relief from after the first couple of days were; Blue ice gel (knock off of Ice therapy etc..) and Deep relief sprain and strain relief ( liquid version in a spritz bottle like hair spray).
I am glad to hear you are going to go get it checked out. I hate hospitals etc... more than most but I am glad I went when I thundered in off that ladder. I would never have thought a drop of only 54" when I weigh less than most jockeys would shatter a bone. Granted there was no room between the ladder and the work bench to do the airborne "five points of contact" drill [feet---knees--face,face, face---] (Chris; Shot over, grin). I can't say yet if it saved me grieve later in life, but at least I didn't aggravate things by just "sucking it up".
I don't know if the story is true or urban legend , but buddy tells the story of his friend using the wrong freezer-fill as an ice pack. The guy opts to have a vasectomy. The doctor sends some high octane pain killers home with him but tells him to go easy on them and that they will probably knock him out. As much as possible he should apply a bag of frozen peas etc... to the "tender area". The guy gets home just after lunch and the freezing is wearing off. He goes in the freezer and they have no frozen veg. They do have a pound of frozen hamburger though, and he sees they hadn't taken anything out for supper. He wraps that up, takes one of the pills and ,as warned, zonks out flat on the couch. At 5:commute she gets home and opens the back door. Anybody want to guess where their lab headed (head first) now that the hamburger was thawed out? Typing this makes me cringe LOL.
Speedy recovery my friend !! And if they give you meds--- use the liver up!!!! LOL. Even dogs don't like that stuff!
I have gotten the hell knocked out of me by our dogs in the past. I took a helluva hit once rough housing with our male GSD. He weighed 135 lbs and knocked the moose crap out of me.
I am a lot careful now. I know my old body wont heal as quickly as it once did.
Hope you feel better soon.
Chris
Quote from: Darren Henry on February 24, 2016, 04:00:41 pm
I don't know if the story is true or urban legend , but buddy tells the story of his friend using the wrong freezer-fill as an ice pack. The guy opts to have a vasectomy. The doctor sends some high octane pain killers home with him but tells him to go easy on them and that they will probably knock him out. As much as possible he should apply a bag of frozen peas etc... to the "tender area". The guy gets home just after lunch and the freezing is wearing off. He goes in the freezer and they have no frozen veg. They do have a pound of frozen hamburger though, and he sees they hadn't taken anything out for supper. He wraps that up, takes one of the pills and ,as warned, zonks out flat on the couch. At 5:commute she gets home and opens the back door. Anybody want to guess where their lab headed (head first) now that the hamburger was thawed out? Typing this makes me cringe LOL.
Speedy recovery my friend !! And if they give you meds--- use the liver up!!!! LOL. Even dogs don't like that stuff!
Darren, that made even me cringe. Ouch, reminded me of the time my ex hit some rr tracks at an excessive rate of speed while balancing a steaming cup of hot "C". I never saw a car stop so fast in my life. I was just sitting in the passenger seat laughing my butt off while he was trying to fan himself "down there". Needless to say, he never pulled that little trick again during the time we were together.
I had a boss who went jogging the day after his vasectomy. He told me that he was addicted to the "runner's high" and that off-set any pain he might have felt. He was also into the mind over matter stuff, NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and told me that if he had his head just right he had actually bent a spoon just by thinking about it. Never saw him actually do that though so don't know.
I was fused L5/S1 in '07. Even though I had a "good surgery", enough time has passed and I abuse my back, even though it's unintentional, that I have an assortment of stuff I take every day. I have pins and needles sensation in my left foot and as the years have progressed, some of the pain has returned, enough that I take anti-inflams every day and have an as needed script for lortab 5. I used to hang out on a message board for spiney's. Discussing meds was a big thing - was like every one was trying to outdo each other as far as how much different meds they needed to take to function. It was pretty crazy. Anyway, the stuff I take is child's play to what people with "Failed Back Surgery" take every day. One poster had like 16 different meds. Lots of them were to offset reactions from other drugs. Pretty sobering actually. I try not to forget those posts and also try to not do too much stupid stuff so that I don't screw my back up any more than I already have.
Chris, that was what torque'd me off the most. Generally when they start running at an insane rate of speed, I go stand right next to the house so that I'm not in the line of fire. Not sure where my head was yesterday and why I didn't do that. I don't think it will be a problem remembering to stand close to the house. Though if we get Missy remembering that she doesn't need to dig, I can watch their antics from the safety of a window. They were out unsupervised all day today and Bob said that he couldn't see that they had dug up anything. I had been working her pretty seriously on that one.
Try to try and zonk out if I can. Pretty uncomfortable tonight and Missy is laying on my good leg. Not much room on the couch to begin with.
Virginia
sorry to hear Virginia. I hope you feel better to walk soon it shouls be spring soon
Quote from: Mike on February 25, 2016, 07:14:43 pm
sorry to hear Virginia. I hope you feel better to walk soon it shouls be spring soon
Thanks Mike. Unfortunately, I did break a bone in my leg. Don't know the name of it. PA probably said it but it was just kind of a blur to me after that. I was just in shock that I could be actually walking on a broken leg. Anyway, I go see the ortho tomorrow. PA said that she thinks he'll just immobilize it with a brace but non weight bearing for probably 4-6 weeks.
This is a problem since my business is located in my basement. I'm hoping to be able to find some way to get down the steps after I start feeling better in the next week or so. Meanwhile, I'm vegging on the couch, spending my time surfing the web. coloring in some adult coloring books we bought at Christmas time and watching a lot of old shows commercial free thanks to hulu and our raque (misspelled horribly I know).
It's a nice vacation but sucks because I don't have anyone who can help me. Happened to have one irate customer here this morning. Mr. motorcycle seat who I intended to finish this week. Weather is turning nice and biker's thoughts are turning to their true love. I called him after we got back from the doctor and told him I would call him when I get back from the ortho. He's not going to like it but his stuff is downstairs until I can get back to working on it. The passenger seat is stashed where only a relatively small person can get to it, thanks to my contractor who hasn't finished the job. Biker and hubby are too big to wiggle into the space I found to stash that part of the bike. Everything else is out in S&S. Anyway, he'll just have to deal with it. I certainly didn't plan to break my leg. He said he was mainly upset because I hadn't called him. I had called him initially when I started work and gave him my anticipated date. As I explained to him today, if I had called him every week to push it back because of my contractor he would have thought I was giving him a line of bs. He readily agreed with that today that it does sound like a bad excuse. I'm just peeved that I screwed up my leg before his seat was ready. And yes I should have been calling him every week but I just couldn't give him that same line each week. Seat would have been done in January if my contractor hadn't dropped the ball so I'm taking it on the chin because of Ray. Oh well. Such is life and right now all I'm really concerned with is getting my leg out of the cast or brace or whatever i'm put in tomorrow. The projects will sort themselves out.
Virginia
Quotesucks because I don't have anyone who can help me
I wish I lived closer. I'd be there in a heartbeat---and I KNOW I'd fit in that closet LOL. My old friend Murray from old tyme signs (6' 5", 275 lb) has pictures of me working on the old church that was their home and shop in Kenora. All you can see are my shins and up to about my brisket sticking out of the drywall. I was sitting on a fire brake between two studs (16" centres) working on a frozen pipe above the false ceiling. He threatened to hang another shingle under orthopaedic shoemaker,upholsterer,sign installer etc..."TUNNEL RAT". So I drove the post further into the ground. Checkmate !
QuoteThis is a problem since my business is located in my basement. I'm hoping to be able to find some way to get down the steps after I start feeling better in the next week or so.
I did alright with the 13 steps down into my apartment when I was on crutches with the help of a back pack for groceries etc..., but I've had some previous experience. I'd really recommend a hand rail on each side for the left hand and a crutch on the right. Don't try to think left right left. It's left catch up left....going up and wait for it left wait for it ... going down.
When you first joined us you mentioned a garage and we talked about heating/using it. I know it's the end of February in Nebraska too. With the weather we have been having though, it may be a thought. Just saying ; 3 steps and no dust.
BTW learning to sew "left footed" wasn't too bad as long as I remembered to rest my immobilized right ankle against the rod the treadle turns on so I didn't tweak it if I got over focused and forgot what foot I was using. wink.
Again; speedy recovery. You'll be just fine troop!
Yeah, I did ask doc about going down stairs. He said it was ok so long as I keep weight off my right leg. I'll lay low for a couple of weeks (he suggested 2 weeks). I've never been adept at crutches but that is what he suggested as opposed to the walker so I guess I'll try to learn. I talked to my physical therapist about steps today and he said definitely no walker on the steps. I've already figured that out with the three steps. I get on my butt and slide down them or pull myself up them. When I get to the bottom, Bob hooks his arms under my armpits and lifts me up to the walker and off I go. Great fun -- NOT but I get them done that way.
Garage would work for everything but sewing. I'm thinking that I'll have Bob or George bring my sewing machine and thread caddy upstairs and I'll learn to sew left footed.
I suspect the 6 weeks will go pretty fast. I was in a back brace for 6 weeks after I was fused. That was a fun one - no driving and no BLT's - bending, lifting, twisting, no lifting anything heavier than a gallon container of milk, blah, blah, blah. Went back to work after 2 weeks and had no issues. Working made the time go so much faster. I was so glad that I went back to work.
So, I'll just play it by ear. Have Bob get me some crutches and I'll make another attempt to learn to use them. Andrew (PT) said to call or come by his office if I need any step help so we'll see how it goes.
Anyway, it is what it is. I'll enjoy the extra down time as much as possible until I'm ready to pull hair out and then see what I can get done. Wish you lived closer too. Think you would be a total trip in person and you would absolutely have me in stitches. I am positive of that.
Gotta shift positions which is not easy to do. My butt is feeling like lead.
Virginia
So, Bob went to Walgreen's today and bought me a pair of crutches as well as some comfort food. Hate to think what I'm blimping out to between the crap food and no exercise. UGH.
First order of business was to fit them to me which wasn't too hard to do. So, I latched onto those babies and tooled around the house like an old pro. I emailed my physical therapist and he told me how to use them to do stairs so, of course, I immediately had to go down the small flight of steps. That was easy. Got down all three of the steps slicker than a whistle. Turned around and tried to get up the first step and realized that I didn't know what to do with the crutches. Somehow got up the first step without putting weight on my right leg. Tried 2 or 3 times to get up the next step and said no way, Jose. So, I sat on my butt and scooched up the steps and Bob pulled me up from there. Emailed Andrew and he told me crutches stay on the step I'm leaving. Intended to try again this afternoon but had two other adventures.
Hopped into the bathroom with them and don't know what I did but next thing I knew I was going down. Grabbed either the sink or door handle and kept from nose diving but did put a fair amount of weight on my leg. Had the brace on so I don't think it did any harm. Doesn't hurt any more than it did before. Bob did fly into the bathroom when I screamed bloody murder as I was falling so that was nice that he responded so quickly.
So, returning from the bathroom and navigating slowly, I was just turning into the living room and started to lose my balance. At least this time, I was able to grab onto the living room wall and kept from myself from falling over. I think what I did was not pick up the crutch completely so the rubber tip kind of grabs onto the flooring and that causes the loss of balance.
So, I'm being much more cautious and careful as I navigate around the house.
Man, this is so much fun!
Seriously though, I am really glad I'm on crutches now, versus the walker. Much easier to move around. I'm much speedier and working on the steps makes me feel like I'm progressing. WHO HOO!
Virginia
Glad your getting around Virginia. But really, what some people will do to get out of work. ;) Hope your back at it real soon.
Quote from: kodydog on February 29, 2016, 06:16:10 pm
But really, what some people will do to get out of work. ;)
LOL I am so freakin' bored already. I surf the web, watch TV, read the paper but I can't do anything I want to like quilt or sew. I can work on quilt blocks a little but I need my leg down to use the rotary cutter and cutting board. After about 30 minutes my leg is ready to be elevated and then I am like bored, bored, bored. I am so bored. Next time I give myself a "vacation", I'll try to do it so that I can at least get up and down stairs. That way I will be able to quilt and sew. Then it would be great!
Only 38 days to go!
Virginia
Have given up on the stupid crutches. Cannot believe my ortho told me they are more stable than the walker. Wiped out twice in the bathroom today with them. First time, I was able to slide into the fall, keeping both legs straight and weight off them -- used by butt as that's what it's for. Last time, I got tangled in the crutches, put weight on my leg twice (don't think I hurt it but I didn't think I broke it the first time either so what do I know) and ended up landing on the crutches so I have a great imprint of the crutch on my right hip. Walker only until I've had x-rays on Friday. If I'm feeling brave next week, I'll try it but only if Bob is walking along side of me to prevent me from falling. We'll do that until I gain some confidence. Man, that is THE worst feeling in the world -- going down when you've already got something broken. Sheesh. I need to get better, not worse.
Rant over, I feel much better!
Virginia
[Sgt. Maj. voice] STEADY ON TROOP [Sgt. Maj. voice]
I know you're frustrated---we all would be, but don't throw the baby out with bath water. Like anything new to us there is a learning curve, and I am guessing that your early success has prompted you to out pace it. Do not try an about turn on the march until you are very sure your boots are laced correctly.
I've never used a walker, but when I was nicked up I did use a stacking stool in the same manner. That way I could kneel at the sink etc...once I got there and it took up less of this wee cave I live in than crutches. With crutches you can share the weight between your arms ( which are in a much more ergonomic position), and the top of the crutches held between the inner arm and rib cage. There is also no "hopping" on you good for now knee as you can swing the weight bearing leg in a natural motion.
I had concerns about the new hardwood floors and the dogs getting under foot. I am glad to read that I was wrong. Where the main issue is the bathroom, I have to ask; you don't have mats etc.. left on the floor in a crutch zone do you? Did you hook your crutches on something to spill you over? I've also seen people who think that their crutches should fit snugly against their arm pits and then stick them out a 30 * angle to use them. With your crutches adjusted correctly and placed like 2" outside your ankles you should have to slump 3/4" to rest your pits on them and bend your elbow about 1/2". Too long crutches on stairs are the worst.
Inhale---relax---slow down. Counter- rant ends LOL.
You'll be just fine Girl!
No fears about the dogs, Darren. Bob is always insistent that they go outside before I get up off the couch or go back down on the couch. After my wipe-outs, that did not involve the dogs, I understand why.
My plan is as follows: I'm returning to the walker until after my follow-on appointment with the ortho on Friday. His plan was already to x-ray my knee just to make sure that everything was positioned as he wants it to be. I honestly don't think I've done myself any harm as my pain is steadily decreasing every day and that brace was on snug and correctly positioned which should have kept the knee from being twisted, turned, torqued, whatever.
But limiting myself to the walker, keeps me in "chill" mode which is not a bad thing. Then Friday afternoon, some how, some way, I'm getting downstairs: 1) to see what things look like; and 2) to rescue my bridesmaid dress which is tucked away in a corner on my dress form. Have a little handwork to do on it, which I can do just fine from the couch and feel like I have accomplished something. After that, I'm digging out the crutches, dusting off my pride and starting off on them again. This time, Bob is going to be in lock step behind me and if it looks like I'm going down, his mission is to grab me and prevent that. A couple of turns around the house with no misadventures should help me to regain my confidence and then, katy bar the door. LOL
At least, I got a book in the mail yesterday so I had a nice afternoon reading it and read again this morning. Have 2 chapters left so will probably finish it this afternoon, unless I nap. Got up about 3:30 when Bob came in to change the ice and decided a bathroom break was in order as long as Bob was awake. Once I was tucked back in, I just couldn't sleep so I surfed the web for about an hour and then it still took me a while to drift back off to sleep.
Oh, I also have another adventure scheduled for this afternoon. Showering and washing my hair. LOL, that should be a blast. I know I'll take the walker into the shower. Bob said once my hair is wet, he'll apply shampoo and work it in my hair. Then I'll rinse it and he'll apply the conditioner. Then I'll rinse the conditioner off and finish my shower. Up 'til now, I've been taking what my MIL used to refer to as "PTA" showers. Amy could be wicked when she wanted to be : ) I've reached the point where washing the vitals with a washcloth and soap don't cut it. I'm not looking forward to the hair wash as I don't think Bob has any clue what he's getting himself into with trying to wash my hair. Big difference between washing a typical 60 something guy who still has hair compared to washing a still relatively thick head of hair that goes just shy of my hips. He'll be sorry!!!
So that's my day -- pretty exciting NOT!
Okey-dokey, survived my first and fabulous shower/hair washing/conditioning since I fell last Tuesday. It felt wonderful though getting in and out of the shower was beyond freaky. When we bought this house 10+ years ago, we opted to tear out the narrow bathtub and replace it with a very wide, walk-in shower. We were kind of looking at our upcoming not so golden years and wanted to be able to avoid nursing homes when nursing whatever falls and broken bones were heading our way. There is maybe a 4" lip on the shower that you have to overcome. Getting in the shower wasn't bad but getting out of the shower was terrifying. I think that Bob basically wrapped his arms around me and lifted me out and onto the bath mat by the shower. Then I sat on the toilet seat cover and carefully dried my wounded leg, let Bob dry my foot and between my toes and then he slid the brace back in place. I dried off as much as I could while sitting and just had to change into one of my V. Secret nightshirts. They are so perfect for right now. Loose and comfortable and I have several with long sleeves so I'm still warm. Generally have my quilt over me as they are short. That way if case Ray comes upstairs, I don't give him a show and also my legs stay warm. When the weather warms up, I have a couple of short sleeved ones. I cannot imagine sliding pajamas up and down my braced leg every time I need to use the rest room so I'm glad I have a good supply of these things.
I'm now weak as a kitten though. We got my hair washed, rinsed, conditioned and rinsed again in record time. The shower was pretty hit or miss but I had been standing directly under the shower head so that should have washed off most of the funk. Bob's making a celebratory batch of movie theater style buttered popcorn even as we speak. After that, I think I'll give myself a much deserved nap. And yes, Ray is still here working on rough-in for the new tub downstairs. And so far I haven't fallen or otherwise done anything stupid that is detrimental to my leg healing so, all in all it's been a pretty good day so far.
Virginia
Very glad to hear good news on both fronts. As Stan Rodgers sings ♫ there is a victory in every quarter mile ♫. May tomorrow be even better.
Thanks!
Hoping things are going to go more smoothly now. I think Ray is planning on installing the tub tomorrow. He got a lot of framing for it done, based on the noise this afternoon (so much for afternoon nap). Also, finally got my fold-away ironing board installed in the new room. He did work until around 4:45, which is a record for Ray on this job. Took some wood home that needed to be cut with a different saw that he had at home. Just needs to get that wood screwed into the frame he constructed today and he's ready to bring in the tub tomorrow. I'm so excited about that. Honestly, if the tub had been in the garage with the rest of the bathroom fixtures, we would have given Ray the heave ho quite some time ago but those babies are expensive and I really did not want to pay for a tub twice.
Instead of napping, I did draw up my list of everything that is outstanding in all 3 rooms. Even very small items like a wider threshold for the old laundry room. So today, I got to cross off, installing ironing board cabinet. That will be nice again as I've been using a monster ironing board and I just don't like it. For one thing, it doesn't adjust to a height that's good for my back and the fold-away was installed at a height that is compatible with my back.
Virginia
Off to the ortho in a few minutes. This was scheduled last week when the brace was put on. X-ray to make sure bone is in proper position and that he's satisfied I'm mending as he would like.
I confess to being a tad bit nervous about it due to that horrific spill I took last time I used my crutches. But I was always nervous when I saw my back surgeon, even though I followed back surgeon's instructions to the letter.
Pain level seems to decrease a bit every day so that should mean that things are good and I'm just being a nervous Nellie. On the bright spot, 1 week down and anywhere from 3-5 weeks to go. I'm telling myself 5 weeks and then I'll be pleasantly surprised if I heal more quickly.
Hope everyone else is having a nice productive day!
Virginia
Back from ortho appointment. Took new x-rays of my knee. I saw the break. It goes across the entire bone. You can see a definite break at the top of the bone and then more like a crack as it goes to the base of the bone. Ortho was pleased with how the leg is lined up now. Said that I did not do any damage, despite my spectacular spill on the crutches. See him next in 4 weeks. He said that his plan is to let me start putting some weight on it in 4 weeks if he likes my x-rays. That would be fabulous!
Definitely time for a nap. It is a very long walk down the hall to the ortho's office. Then got to hop on down to x-ray and back to my treatment room. Then back down the hallway to my car and off to home, where I had another trek to the house. Took the walker but did use crutches to get down stairs which worked well. Absolutely could not get up the steps using PT instructions. He said I could come in and they would show me so will probably do that one day next week as would like to be able to do steps (just these 3 at this point).
Nap time now.
Virginia
It's a beautiful day in Brandon, forecast is for +4 (roughly 36 F), grab your jacket. We're going to go run some stairs. You're probably bored anyway.
You've got down mastered so we'll start with one of those as a review. That's also the only way we can work on "up" LOL. This time though use one crutch and the handrail.
To go up; grasp the handrail with your hand were you want it to be once you are standing on the first tread. Transfer your weight to your crutch and the hand rail. Lift your foot high enough to clear the first tread and THEN gently pull yourself forward using the handrail and set your foot down on the first tread. Transfer your weight back to your good leg and then lift your crutch and place it on the first tread. Now move your hand up the handrail and head for second!
Obviously having only one crutch when you run out of handrail is not ideal. Once you are comfortable with the " up" drill , start using both crutches in your outside hand. That way you'll have both when you get to the top.
If you want to do some "dry land" training, place a book on the floor and, using both crutches, practice stepping up onto it. The purpose of the exercise is focus on accuracy and balance on your crutches/ controlling your forward momentum. The goal is to go as slow as possible while still controlling forward momentum.
Temp today in the upper 70's and here I sit in the house. Ugh!
Tried the up stuff again when we got back from the ortho -- no go -- I think I have a block about it.
Handrails -- bleppp. On the three step thing we don't have any. On the steps going down to S&S, I usually have one on the right side going down; however that one is currently down due to the remodeling. However, I am in no hurry to use those steps. I'm just going to slide down them on my butt. Am planning on going to see PT guy this week to see if they can get me over the hump. I'm really irritated by it. Oh should also say that those three steps are much wider than normal steps.
Virginia
The big day finally arrived. After I cleaned up this morning and got dressed, I finally got down to the basement. Crutches and I and steps are a lethal combination but I can carefully get my butt on the top step if I hold onto the newel. Once there, I grab the crutches and start sliding on my butt, step by step. It's kind of tricky because I have a 90 degree turn to get from the landing steps to the basement steps but I managed. Once downstairs, I stand up, using the crutches, and navigate to where I'm going.
I didn't go check out the new area this morning as Ray is grouting the tile today and it was wet at the entrance (seemed backwards to me but what do I know). I could see the textured wall (not close enough to see how the texture works). I really like the green color we agreed on. Not too dark, not too soft, not harsh. Hate to sound like the chick in the 3 Little Pigs but the color is just right ; )
I needed my typewriter, tax file and had to look up 2 numbers off a spreadsheet on my tower downstairs (our network isn't connecting the two right now) plus I needed to look up customer's ticket on a chair that is being picked up tomorrow afternoon so I could call her and give her a total. So, got customer called, she was happy to get her total. Got my numbers and sweet-talked Ray into carrying the typewriter and tax file upstairs. So I survived everything quite nicely. Could not believe how SHAKEY I was for not accomplishing anything.
I will get my book work finished either this afternoon or tonight and may do the stairs again tomorrow, with Bob so that he can bring the 4 seat forms and tools upstairs. Everything is cut, just need to stretch and staple and think I can do that while sitting at the dining room table (like one chair seat a day). Would like to get that out of here on my "down" time. Got the two bridesmaid dresses done and if Ray doesn't screw up, he'll be turning S&S back over to me in the next week or so. A day of good cleaning once able and I'll have the bride over for her dress fitting. Plus have another bride waiting in the wings as well as a confirmation scarf to sew & embroider for a young lady (confirmation is generally the first Sunday in May I'm told). Lots of time on all three of those projects. Have some other stuff that should materialize but I'm hoping it won't for another month or two. Have a lot of organizing to do once Ray is out of here and I can put serious weight on my leg. Feeling pretty optimistic today, especially for me.
Virginia
So, another day closer to being out of this stupid knee brace. Learned how to slide up and down the steps one by one (very carefully) because the crutches are just a no-go for me to try to do the stairs with.
I've been hanging out on the landing while the dogs are out to keep an eye out on their digging. That way if they start to dig, I can yell "No Dig" at them. It's been about 3 days I think since either of them dug. I can get down the three landing steps ok but cannot get back up them so Bob & I have a system for him to kind of wrap his arms around me while I hold onto a counter top and stove door handle. A pain in the back side but it works. This afternoon, I figured out how to nail that top step by holding onto the newel with one hand and the crutch with the other. Then hop as high as I can while keeping my right leg and foot still. Kind of leap over to the side where the floor is level and by golly I did it. Not something that I want to do 5 or 6 times a day but perhaps I'll figure out another way. I was so encouraged, I grabbed the crutches and carefully made my way through the kitchen, dining room and over to the couch in the living room. Bob was very shocked. As I told him, I'm a lot stronger now and also just have to be very careful and focus completely on navigating the crutches at this point. Not a bad day all in all. Also the dogs were out for about 30 minutes or so by themselves and acted like well behaved dogs (no digging) so perhaps we are getting the point through their little pin heads.
Virginia