Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Here are 12 things I wish someone had told me when I first started on the long and rocky road to recovering from a broken leg.
- This is going to take longer than you think. Don’t make plans.
- Accept all the help you’re offered, including home-help, and don’t be afraid to ask for more.
- Those tables they have in hospital, the sort with wheels that go under the bed and a tray that goes over it, are a must. Don’t wait months to ask for one.
- Fancy ergonomic crutches are so much more comfortable to use than the straight ones.
- Don’t get left alone without a phone, water, drugs, something to eat and a Thermos all within easy reach. And the remote control for the TV.
- Having a shower and getting dressed is enough to do in one day.
- Practical, comfortable clothes with lots of pockets (so you can carry things while using crutches) are going to be the go for a while. And don’t even think about wearing heels; they are years down the track.
- Healing takes a lot of energy. Sleep is the best medicine.
- Determination will not get you through this. In fact, it will be counter-productive. You need to go with what’s happening, however frustrating and unpalatable it might be.
- When the surgeon offers you the chance to have the rod taken out of your leg, say yes. Everything will get so much better after that.
- You are not in control of your life just now. Accept it.
- Remember what’s really important (family). Everything else you might have to let go.
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