I’m in this apartment reading and watching TV and becoming restless. Day after day, being this inactive is bordering on boredom. And I’m not the type of person who gets bored very often.
I hear it’s very hot outside, but I haven’t been anywhere since Monday after surgery, so I can’t comment. But I think I’m going a little batty navigating the rooms of my apartment on this crazy scooter.
But then poor Ron (the shipbuilder) was taken back to the hospital after just a few days of being home. So I shouldn’t complain.
I guess they sent him home too soon. He called me the other day and pneumonia seemed to make his voice sound utterly exhausted.
Reaching Out To The Nurse:
I messaged my surgeon’s nurse yesterday. Explaining that the scooter wasn’t really working for me. And she sent a message that suggested I try crutches.
Well, I had to laugh at that. First of all, my right wrist has been partially fused since my early twenties. So it’s hard to balance things out using both hands.
Secondly, crutches sound like a nightmare anyway. It’s not like I have an apartment void of furniture and knick-knacks. I’d be more apt to fall on crutches I think.
No, I’m not trying crutches.
Kendra took one look at the scooter and just shook her head.
She knew that Mom on a scooter rounding corners, or attempting to, is just flat kind of scary. I’m pretty clumsy when I have both feet on the ground.
I just don’t recall the knee scooter being as much of a problem when first I broke my ankle at age 55. And then I had ankle surgery a second time at age 57.
Something tells me age is maybe a factor as well.
I’m still picking up roly-polies. I don’t understand why Ivy is suddenly not interested in home intruders such as bugs.
Now if there is a fly in here she becomes quite acrobatic. But maybe roly-polies are boring.
Or chasing bugs might interrupt her beauty sleep.
Boredom Is Setting In:
The hours stretch out like Ivy’s long body on the couch.
There’s just something about seeing the same walls day in and day out that presses the nerve endings of your sanity a little bit.
Odd thoughts seem to crop up in my mind. Then I think of something that is funny and can’t stop laughing.
I sit here and stare at the sun as it shifts across the patio walls, hour by hour. And then the patio is in full shade.
I notice all the sounds that were just background noise before. The air conditioner as it comes on and goes off.
And of course there’s the sound of silence. But then, that of course is a misnomer, because the definition of silence is the absence of sound.
I’m sure soon I’ll be begging for that silence, as firecrackers will begin to go off. This is my first year here, so I don’t know about the firecracker situation in this neighborhood.
However they did send out an email saying firecrackers are prohibited here. Which makes me quite happy. I hate them. Animals fear them. They are nothing but a nuisance in my mind.
As a child I wanted nothing to do with firecrackers.
Post-Surgery Day #5:
I just had my fifth morning of “breakfast on the go”, which is a Carnation Instant Breakfast Nutritional Drink in a cardboard container.
At lunchtime, I have a small pack of raisins and nuts.
Last night I had frozen pizza, but I don’t think I’ll try that again with the scooter. I heated it in the convection oven. And found myself going forward and backward in my narrow kitchen with an oven mitt.
If I’m kind of clumsy going forward, then you should see me going backward.
Scary On A Scooter:
Carrying the hot pizza on a plate was a little scary. One hand had to be guiding the scooter and the pizza shifted around on the plate as I made my way to the table.
Having carpet makes it harder to shift the chair in and out from the table. Meanwhile, I’m balancing myself on the scooter with one hand and one foot and trying not to drop my plate.
The nerves in my shoulders and neck are buzzing, which means I need to limit my time on the computer today. I guess I’ll be watching a lot of TV or reading a book.
I’ll be glad when this cast comes off.
For those of us who like to “do,” boredom is tough! But, soon, you’ll be back to yourself, hopefully, better than ever!
I hear you on the boredom. I became bored a few days after my knee surgery. There’s only so much TV you can watch and books and magazines you can read before you start going stir crazy. It helps to have people visit.
I’m also with you on the crutches and fireworks – I hate both!
Fireworks are illegal here in IL, but of course, that doesn’t stop people from buying them right over the border in WI and then lighting them off back at home. I’ve been hearing them all weekend so far, but they’re kind of far away, so it’s not too bad. Usually, our neighbors in back of us are shooting them off every year and it’s extremely nerve-racking and terrifies my cats. So far, they haven’t done them but there’s still tomorrow night and Monday. I also hate how fireworks affects wild animals, bees, birds and fish (debris in the water that they ingest).
I’m sorry you’re bored. It’s rough when you’re forced to rest, when you are usually an active person. Do you like to play cards? Solitaire is good, if it’s just you, but what about having a neighbor come over and play other games, like Bridge, Rummy, Hearts, etc. Or a board game for 2 like chess, backgammon, checkers, etc. Them maybe you’d enjoy having some company to break up your boredom. Maybe bring lunch. You buy, they fly. Popcorn and a movie with a friend. Just some ideas. Teri said she can come help you next week. Maybe she will have some good ideas for you two to keep the boredom at bay. Does Ivy still like to play fetch?
Awww Brenda, I understand feeling restless and bored. I’m on day 11 of Covid so I’m stuck at home and I also live alone. I don’t even have a pet to keep me company. I love to cross stitch but I haven’t even felt like doing that. I’m sorry you’re having so much trouble with the walker on your carpet. How frustrating to call your doctors office and switching to crutches is all they can suggest?! You’d think they would know about the all terrain scooter and if there is a way to rent one. I’m hoping that is something that you will be able to do. Hang in there Brenda! (((HUGS)))
I’m so sorry you’re ill! I’m doing better today with the knee scooter. I switched to a different type of sneaker and I guess I’m gripping the floor better.
Oh that’s great news! Glad today is going better for you.
Hi Brenda,
You can rent a knee scooter here. https://www.rentakneewalker.com/product/Swivelmate-Knee-Walker. However, there is a four week minimum. But it looks like it would be more stable and easier to maneuver than the one you have. Glad the surgery went well and hope you recover quickly.
Brenda, it’s kind of a moot point for the moment because it’s a holiday weekend, but I really think you need to have your doctor order a Home Health physical therapist to come to your home for a safety and equipment evaluation and transfer training. You need to have a professional look at your home and determine what would be the best means of mobility for you in your particular situation. And once you obtain said equipment they can train you in safe transfers and usage. All equipment regardless of what it is needs to be adjusted for the size and height of the person as well as whatever their limitations are. Given that you live alone and with no help, you need to have the ability to safely get about your home and not be confined to a room. You need to be able to respond to emergencies such as if there were a fire etc.
And once the cast is gone you’re likely to be doing physical therapy anyway which can be continued for a time in the home.
Unfortunately though by the time you are able to speak with your doctors Office about this and if they are agreeable to arranging it, by the time everything is arranged and said and done you probably won’t even be in the cast anymore.
That all being said, and in an absence of having professional help, my opinion is that Jan‘s suggestion of an all terrain scooter is probably the safest option, short of having a care giver.
Hopefully I’m only in the cast 9 more days…
Well, Brenda, some of the tools we use are less than stellar…only marginally better than without them…too bad we are not inventors…seems there is room for more such folk!! So sorry you are having to struggle so…do hope it pays off in the end!!
You know, the hospital sent my husband home too soon and he had to return…and that time they tried to kill him. But I INSISTED that they send him home with oxygen…and they did. THAT helped him more than anything…it heals and helps with strength both. He still uses it some (though we bought our own equipment which was necessary because the pinheads that sit in offices knowing nothing at all, were getting our equipment taken back anyway). SO NICE to have to answer to no one now!! He is careful, does not use over the mark 3…most of the time just uses 1.5 to 2…mostly for some of the night. So his useage is getting less now. I hope Ron’s wife can help with that. I was informed by someone at the home health dept that I needed to use terms like “unsafe discharge” etc to get them to let us have the oxygen. You would think it was in short supply!! We used an oxygen concentrator machine that just concentrates the air a bit. They gave us the metal tanks but we did not need them. Hope this helps your friend…my doctor friend’s last remark to me in our last conversation was: “Well, you really need to be your own doctor these days, you know.” Truer words never spoken. The really caring, good docs are mostly prevented by insurance and other entities from doing what they deem best, sadly. So we must advocate for ourselves. Thankfully we have the internet to research…though not all is useful, a lot of it is!!
Wishing you and Ron speedy recoveries!!
Seems like you really have to advocate for yourself these days. I remember when your doctor came to your home!
I’ve mentioned a couple times about about being addicted to my crutches, so much so they had to be pried from my hands…I’d still be using one of them if I could. I’d throw that builders apron around my neck and head to the kitchen and select anything that would fit in it….pint of ice cream, can of green beans (kept a can opener by my bed) I had it great once I got use to it.HA! You could probably rent some and see. I was sixty when I broke my leg, although they did keep me in the hospital for several days which helped on the front end, but you’re likely through that part. Think about it.
I hate crutches. They wouldn’t work with my hands how they now are anyway.
Brenda, I think you are right to do meals on the go. I cannot imagine punching a scooter and balancing a plate, that sounds dangerous. I hope that you have some great books to read. Soon this will be a distant memory. Take care, Elizabeth
Steve brought me a takeout supper tonight. I think his daughter and granddaughter are bringing him supper.
Maybe move your CD player & music to the bedroom will help you relax. I could certainly use some of your energy. I’m a lazybones (but I enjoy it!). I just spend too much time on my Android!
Maybe you could get a puzzle book like word searches or something. I like playing Scrabble on my phone both to challenge my mind & as a diversion.
I wonder if you could rent a self-propelling wheel chair?
Maybe Ivy would consider some cuddles (treats in hand, of course!)
Ivy hates to be held or cuddled for some reason. Kendra offered to go get a wheelchair, but I think I’m doing much better this afternoon.
You need a walker that has a little basket on it. Your doctor can send a prescription to a medical supply place near you and your daughter can go pick it up. Medicare pays for it in full. https://justwalkers.com/products/drive-aluminum-rollator
I believe her issue is that she is nonweightbearing on the surgical leg. Which means if she used a walker she would have to hop. That’s probably less safe than either the knee scooter or the crutches. Most unfortunate.
That would be my suggestion too. Much safer I would think.
And maybe some adult coloring books with colored pencils and markers to break up the boredom.
I have a DIY basket.
When a fly gets in our house, Molly the Therapy Dog gets acrobatic like Ivy. the fly tends to end up in front of our patio door, likely trying to get outside. Molly will lie down in front of the door, focusing on the fly and then will pounce. (Side note, since you’re bored… I always have to look up whether it’s lay or lie. Am I the only one who has to do that?) Anyway, Molly will eventually get it and eat it. Hey, what’s a little extra protein? 🙃
I avoid lie and lay.
Please get strong paper plates and let the pizza cook before you cut or even better, break it. Resting will help you heal. You may be doing too much. Be careful.
No, I’m getting a lot of rest!
Download Grammarly. It will automatically tell you if it’s lay or lie.
Good idea!
Lie is to rest or recline. I am going to lie down and take a nap. Lay is to put or place. I will lay my book on the table until later, when I’m ready to read it. Hope that helps you remember. 😊
Maybe I could remember “lay my book on the table”… because with the other one, I never remember if it’s lay down or lie down! 😂
Ok, how about I never lie about being ready to lie down and go to sleep. 😋💤
Would a walker help in any way? I would break my neck on crutches
Prayers for a quick recovery
Thanks. No, with a walker I’d have to hop. And that wouldn’t help me.
I don’t know if this will be of any help, but I did a quick internet search for “knee scooter good on carpet” there are scooters called “all terrain” that are said to work on carpet, grass, gravel, dirt, all types of flooring. Maybe there is a business that specializes in renting medical equipment that has a similar type of scooter where you live. It sounds like the carpet is throwing off the balance of the wheels, so a thicker, sturdier model with thicker wheels might be what you need. Medicare generally doesn’t pay for knee scooters but if your doctor issues a prescription saying you need one because crutches won’t work for you, it “might” be covered. It’s too bad you can’t get out om your patio and enjoy it when it’s in the shady part of the day. That might help ease the “cabin fever” you’re experiencing right now. Is there a possibility of having some kind of temporary ramp with some plywood rigged up (by a handyman or a skilled friend/family member) so you could wheel yourself in and out easily?
After you mentioned the all terrain mobility scooters I researched them a bit. They look so much safer than a knee scooter!
I agree! Whoever thought these scooters were safe for someone is just strange.
Thanks for looking stuff up for me!