Farmerjan's journal - Weather

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Listening to you ’talk’ about the soft cast, no shower, wheelchair, etc...brings me right back to my ankle surgery last year. You will figure out some handy tricks once you’re in the soft cast for on and off the potty. They say no touching the ground, but sometimes it is just impossible. When I had my walker, Chris built a knee stand in the front of it, for me to rest in on. We didn’t tell my Dr. This was before I got my knee scooter. It was just to take the pressure off that knee, because that darned cast gets sooo heavy. It was just wooden, that he dremmeled out and put foam on it. Ugly but practical. The walker I had, had on of those seats...but it was wayyy to high for a knee, so he figured out how to move that out of the way temporarily. Maybe your son can help you with something like that? When I was in the rehab hospital, it was a pain too...I feel for you there. Those foam wedges are great...I bought one for home too, for the exact same issue...pillows flopped all over. Glad you got a better bed!

 

[farmerjan]

@Bruce , it's not that I don't like it, but not as a 12 hour, constant background noise. It interupts the TV and some of it that is meant to be soothing sounds more like it is from a funeral home. I want something uplifting, energetic, positive .... you know it's like trying to exercise to a slow waltz...... I want inspiration and an uplifting beat, not a put you to sleep slow lullaby......

 

[farmerjan]

@Duckfarmerpa1 , thanks for the info. I saw some type of a knee rest for a walker and was going to get it but didn't because I wasn't sure what exactly I was going to be dealing with. I didn't bring the knee crutch with me, and this PT would not have approved I can tell. She's way too old school conventional type......even for someone so young. I have it at home. I also have a knee scooter to use. But, they tried the knee scooter and the soft cast goes too high up to my knee so to comfortably sit it on the scooter, the actual knee is too far back and I can just see it tipping backwards. She seems to feel that I will be more "controllable" with the wheelchair and not put any weight on it at all..... I know she can teach me some things, but she is definitely wants to run things. I am biting my tongue and biding my time. If I have the soft cast removed, and if they possibly put on a hard cast as she has hinted, then put the walking boot over it for protection of the cast, then if it will work with the knee scooter, it will also work with the knee crutch. That will give me the mobility..... but why bother with a walking boot ..... I will just keep my mouth shut and listen for now.

 

[thistlebloom]

I'm sure you're a breath of fresh air to all the staff. They probably don't get to deal with many hard core farmers who are so practical. And everybody likes to be appreciated for their work, so since you have been showing your appreciation and not whining you probably get gold stars by your name in the employee break room! Lol

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Listening to you ’talk’ about the soft cast, no shower, wheelchair, etc...brings me right back to my ankle surgery last year. You will figure out some handy tricks once you’re in the soft cast for on and off the potty. They say no touching the ground, but sometimes it is just impossible. When I had my walker, Chris built a knee stand in the front of it, for me to rest in on. We didn’t tell my Dr. This was before I got my knee scooter. It was just to take the pressure off that knee, because that darned cast gets sooo heavy. It was just wooden, that he dremmeled out and put foam on it. Ugly but practical. The walker I had, had on of those seats...but it was wayyy to high for a knee, so he figured out how to move that out of the way temporarily. Maybe your son can help you with something like that? When I was in the rehab hospital, it was a pain too...I feel for you there. Those foam wedges are great...I bought one for home too, for the exact same issue...pillows flopped all over. Glad you got a better bed!

Had a few more ‘memories’....for the first month I slept on the couch, because my bed is pretty high, but mostly because I was afraid that I’d wake up to go potty and forget about my bad foot and put it down first. So, I slept on the couch, lower to the ground. Plus, it forced me to remember when I got up, what was going on. It was further to the bathroom, but eased my fears about stepping down with my weight. Another thing...they told me to get up every hour to get my blood flowing. I made sure I was up more often. Not too long, but just getting the circulation going. Chris also put a little basket on the front of my walker for me to carry a drink and some food around. It’s hard to lose independence. Take care..praying for you!!

 

[B&B Happy goats]

I don't think you have complained about the food Jan, is it palatable ?

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Keep

@Duckfarmerpa1 , thanks for the info. I saw some type of a knee rest for a walker and was going to get it but didn't because I wasn't sure what exactly I was going to be dealing with. I didn't bring the knee crutch with me, and this PT would not have approved I can tell. She's way too old school conventional type......even for someone so young. I have it at home. I also have a knee scooter to use. But, they tried the knee scooter and the soft cast goes too high up to my knee so to comfortably sit it on the scooter, the actual knee is too far back and I can just see it tipping backwards. She seems to feel that I will be more "controllable" with the wheelchair and not put any weight on it at all..... I know she can teach me some things, but she is definitely wants to run things. I am biting my tongue and biding my time. If I have the soft cast removed, and if they possibly put on a hard cast as she has hinted, then put the walking boot over it for protection of the cast, then if it will work with the knee scooter, it will also work with the knee crutch. That will give me the mobility..... but why bother with a walking boot ..... I will just keep my mouth shut and listen for now.

you mouth shut to a point. Write all these questions down, so, at a later time, you can ask them, when you’re doing really great! Like hold it back for the right moment..and then...wham...questions!remember...only YOU knows your OWN body and the way you will heal...what you will listen to, won’t listen to. Be upfront.they would rather have a concise smart woman, than a winer any day of the week!!

 

[Baymule]

I have a mental picture of the well meaning PT lady instructing you on how to operate crutches, a walker and a wheelchair...…..OMG! I'm about to bust a gut laughing! She would flip if she saw you on a tractor baling hay! She don't know who the heck she's talking to, do she?

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

I realize it

@Duckfarmerpa1 , thanks for the info. I saw some type of a knee rest for a walker and was going to get it but didn't because I wasn't sure what exactly I was going to be dealing with. I didn't bring the knee crutch with me, and this PT would not have approved I can tell. She's way too old school conventional type......even for someone so young. I have it at home. I also have a knee scooter to use. But, they tried the knee scooter and the soft cast goes too high up to my knee so to comfortably sit it on the scooter, the actual knee is too far back and I can just see it tipping backwards. She seems to feel that I will be more "controllable" with the wheelchair and not put any weight on it at all..... I know she can teach me some things, but she is definitely wants to run things. I am biting my tongue and biding my time. If I have the soft cast removed, and if they possibly put on a hard cast as she has hinted, then put the walking boot over it for protection of the cast, then if it will work with the knee scooter, it will also work with the knee crutch. That will give me the mobility..... but why bother with a walking boot ..... I will just keep my mouth shut and listen for now.

I realize it’s hard...bide your time. My walking boot went really high...I learned, that, it felt better to have a bit of sore rubbing on the knee than the heaviness of the cast. But you’ll figure it all out..one day at a time. Baby steps. Hang in there!!

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Ohhhh..you think your roommate whines and hacks now...just wait until you get to real PT and the people go there just to talk, not to actually get better!! It drove me nuts! I’m social..I think you can all tell that...but I wanted to work!! Not talk about my woes!! Ugh! Keep your head up..and your ankle higher!! My orders!