Laid Up

B

Bander

New Member
#1
#1
Hey IRC, I recently broke my ankle pretty badly and now will be spending the majority of the next few months in scenic northern New Jersey. Keeping my leg elevated and not really moving around that much. Anyone been through anything similar before? How far into my recovery will I be able to move around and go places? Do I have to wait the entire time - post PT - to be able to get around? I've never broken a bone before.

Also, it seems like the key to not being overcome by the boredom is to keep the right balance of a "one day at a time" mentality blended with the notion that, after having backed out of all my commitments, I find myself with probably at least 2 months of unpromised time. Any ideas/suggestions of what to do with that time? Anything anybody did with their laid up time they would/would not recommend? I know it's weird to ask others what to do with your time, but my Vicodin-addled brain is not always clear enough to decide. Plus I'd like to see some of your ideas or examples.

On a side note, if anyone has any recommendations on a good sub-or-just-$1000 laptop, I'd love those too. Despite my time, I have no access to a computer at the moment to research.
 
rixtyseven

rixtyseven

Rob S.
#4
#4
Bander you're hilarious and should spend this time writing a funny children's book about some cute little woodland creature who can't go out and play during the summer because he hurt his ankle. Get well soon!
 
paulose

paulose

Binu
#5
#5
BAM's gonna only be 2/3's funny with you not there. I can hope the burlesque girls on Thursday night try to cheer me up. :-(

On the other hand, you do have plenty of time to play Scramble & Scrabulous on Facebook.
 
jomama

jomama

UNBREAKABLE
#6
#6
Yo Bander! Sorry 'bout your break, that blows. When I broke my fibula, it took a few months for it to fully heal. You should still be moving around tho, not only just doing the elevation. Walk around every day, but take it at a speed that is comfortable. The elevation is to get the swelling down. You can use heat to loosen muscles up in the beginning of the day and cold for the end of the day--please verify w/your doc/PT that this is correct for a break, I know you do that for a sprain. I've heard that breaking your ankle is better than spraining cuz once you sprain, you keep spraining (like me. it's super annoying.). Your tolerance level will really determine how quickly you'll start moving again. Your PT should give you some exercises w/bands to do at home. It'll be stiff at first, but it's good to get that blood pumping!:)

Laid up activities: sleep. sleep. sleep. (it speeds the healing)
read fave books (comics?), netflix, youtube, knitting

Laptop--
MAC: see Terry
PC: i think you can get a pretty cheap laptop these days. there's a whole thing on PCs laptop purchasing advice in the "other" section on the IRC.
Here's the thread from me asking advice on PC laptops for my mom:
http://www.improvresourcecenter.com/mb/showthread.php?t=54857&referrerid=6467

hugs!:love:
 
EthanK

EthanK

Prestige format
#8
#8
If it were me, I'd take the time to write something while watching a ton of movies and television shows on DVD. CSI will keep you busy for a few weeks, if you go season by season, show by show.
 
MichelleD

MichelleD

i declare shenanigans
#9
#9
You can get even cheaper PC laptops, although a Mac is way cooler of course. don't get all hooked into gaming!

It's true about breaks healing more quickly than sprains - bones have better blood supply than ligaments (my ligaments are super loose and I sprain/pop things quite often). Don't push too hard, but be consistent.

Don't have any other suggestions but I hope you feel better soon! This sucks.
 
Ute Giddeon

Ute Giddeon

cleaner
#13
#13
I wonder how many different TV series a person could enjoyably follow at one time, especially with multiple daily viewings. You could find out.

Netflix and borrow the first 2 DVDs of a shit-ton of TV series. 24, Lost, Valerie, whatever floats your boat. During the first week, fill your days watching these. Watch an episode of each before you watch the next episode of anything. Taper your viewing schedule and eliminate series one by one until you find a pace which allows you to be intellectually and emotionally involved in each of the shows you're watching.

You should also play all the Zelda games, back-to-back.
 
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B

Books

Temporarily Awake
#14
#14
Dig out your binoculars and keep a eye out on your neighbors. You will definitely either witness a murder or discover a witch, genie, or talking horse.
 
Dave B

Dave B

Bluvband
#17
#17
Feel better, Bander! Take this time to work on your celebrity impressions. It can be fun having a tea party with Tony Danza, William Shatner and Jack Nicholson.
 
HairballofDoom

HairballofDoom

Bearded Daddio from Mars!
#18
#18
Build a replica of a church and/or bar out of toothpicks. Also start looking into cool canes, whether you need them or not, for canes are awesome!
 
I

icouldbewrong

Active Member
#19
#19
Bander, so sorry to hear about your injury. I broke my upper arm clean in two last year and I can tell ya, the body heals bones amazingly - I never would have thought it would turn back into a normal arm but it did. (Except when it periodically tries to strangle me. Bwa-ha-ha.) Eat a lot of calcium. No one told me to do that; I just figured I would and ate a lot of ice cream and mac and cheese and the doc was a little surprised at how well my arm healed in the time it did. Veggies, fruits, protein, etc., of course, too! Your body needs 'em right now to do its stuff.

(Full disclosure: I ate a lot of junk food, but I made sure to get the "healthy" stuff in there, too.)
 
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G

goldfish boy

Otium cum dignitate
#20
#20
I hope you're back on your feet ASAP, Bander. This sucks.

Meanwhile, spend the time thinking about all the ladies you're going to do once you're mobile.
 
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