Post surgery boredom

[Dogmama]

I'm going nuts. A week ago I had my thumb operated on for arthritis. It was extensive, taking out a joint & replacing it with a bunch of tendons, etc. I only had it done because it was affecting my riding & lifting. But now I have this bulky cast and can do very little. I'm usually working out daily, teaching spinning, sewing, going places. My world has shrunk to me, my chair, my Kindle (a total lifesaver) and limited computer use. DH blew up at me because I try to do stuff, but I'm so bored.

Now, I'm told I have six weeks of a brace where I can also do very little. It's a "critical time". Crap. I don't know if I can stand it. At least I can do the elliptical at the gym (terminal boredom) and some of the leg machines. Maybe eventually I can run. I've downloaded some podcasts but even that gets boring. (If I hear one more Buddhist geek talk about acceptance...)The bike is off limits. And it's been 75 beautiful degrees this week.

How do others cope? I'm not a TV watcher. I can't train my dog, I can't even walk him. At least I'll never take little things for granted again.

[jessmarimba]

I read. And bought my first tv, wii, and netflix. And took really long walks just about every day.

Not much useful advice here, but it really will be over sooner than you think!

[Grits]

We have enjoyed watching tv series on Netflix that we missed the first time around. Some are on instant view, but most of the ones that we have wanted to watch were only available on DVD, so we wait for them to come in the mail. We recently finished up Six Feet Under and have started Brothers and Sisters. It is nice being able to plow through them one right after another with no commercials and not having to wait a week between episodes. You can always cancel Netflix at any time. There isn't a long term commitment. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

[jessmarimba]

I will also add that I would have LOVED to have someone sit down and play long boring board games with me It's a childhood passion that I've never outgrown, but Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit just aren't popular with any of my friends anymore.

[tulip]

It's hard to not be able to use your hands. Do something that you wouldn't do otherwise:

Learn a new language
plan a garden
read a bunch of books
learn to sing
visit some people who don't often get visitors
plan a post-recovery trip to somewhere you've never been before. Get the guidebooks and make an itinerary
go to the library and browse the shelves
read to a kid, or have one read to you

Consider this time as an opportunity for something different.

[spokewench]

You're brave dogmama. I was diagnosed with it sounds like the exact thing that you have at least 5-6 years ago, perhaps it has been longer. I was told how long the rehab would be and I just could not do it! Still, I have not been able to make myself do it. I just put up with the pain since I just can't face the rehab. I keep saying I will do it when it gets worse. Of course, it is getting worse, my right thumb does not work like it should nor is it positioned quite right anymore due to more arthritis building up.

Well, I salute you for getting the surgery done. It is probably the smart thing to do.

Hang in there and you will get through. I can only second some of the recommendations of tv, books, etc. from the other people on this thread. Hope it gets better quickly!

[OakLeaf]

Ow. Nothing to add to what others have said, but heal up quick!

[bikerHen]

Oh man! I'm going to be right there with you in two weeks. I'm having shoulder surgery on January 5th, and of course it's my right arm. As much as I'm looking forward to staying home and not having to work for a few week, I know I'll be climbing the walls after a few days. At least the weather is really sucky right now. I did buy a Kindle. Can't hold a book and turn the page with one hand, right? I do have a bike tour to plan for next year. If I can figure out how to use the computer mouse left handed that will kill some time doing the research and mapping.

My plan is to spend the first week sitting in the recliner with my husband at my becken call. The second week I hope to back at the gym to at least spend some time on the recumbent bikes and maybe walking on the treadmill.

Everyone keep the ideas coming! I'm going to need them too! bikerHen

[marni]

If I can figure out how to use the computer mouse left handed that will kill some time doing the research and mapping. bikerHen

Well aging experts recommend doing normal things with the wrong hand daily so as to porlong your brain cells. Teaching yourself left handed mousing should fill in that niche.

personally , I love books on tape.

I'm thinking of you. Been through broken ribs a couple of times and know that agonly of boredom.

[tulip]

When I injured my right wrist from too much mousing, I switched to my left hand. It took about two weeks to get it, and now I can mouse as well with my left hand as with my right. I have a mouse on each side of my computer to help me avoid over-use.

So you can learn to do things with your non-dominant hand.

[Dogmama]

Saw the surgeon - he said the next 6 weeks are critical. Had to put metal rods in my arm/hand that may/may not need to be removed. The muscle & tendons need to "knit up." Can do no pinching movements with thumb/forefinger but must do lots of other finger movements. Have a splint, so can take a real shower (hooray!). But the bike will have to wait. Maybe I'll work on my running & swimming. Apparently the joint was pretty well shot. I have a very high pain tolerance that gets me in trouble.

[azfiddle]

Hey- sorry to hear you're going through this period of enforced separation from the things you love to do.

I don't have any new ideas at this point... but learning a language does sound good. Could you do some volunteering that involves phone calls or something else that doesn't use your hand?

Hang in there-

[Dogmama]

Hey- sorry to hear you're going through this period of enforced separation from the things you love to do.

I don't have any new ideas at this point... but learning a language does sound good. Could you do some volunteering that involves phone calls or something else that doesn't use your hand?

Hang in there-

Do four letter words count? I work with women in rehab situations & have continued that.

I should be thankful that we have the technology to fix these things.

[Bike Chick]

Hang in there, Dogmama! Boy, that must be rough.

Just remember that as tough as it is right now, it's temporary and your hand needs to heal correctly. Patience isn't one of my virtues either so I can't imagine how difficult this would be. Do you play cards? Maybe learn a new game online like Texas Hold 'Em.

[Dogmama]

My kindle is saving my sanity. Thankfully my next week is really busy. I tried to do a spin bike today - no way. Can't lean on my hand, can't wrap my hand around the bars. So ran 5K on the dreadmill. Beats the elliptical (Zzzzzz.....)

The good news is I've decided to improve my core & leg strength in the gym Pulled out my Pilates information and have set up a leg program (glutes/hamstrings one day, quads/calves the next day). So by the time I'm ready to go, I'll be a screaming monster up hills (I can dream, right?)

I'm in a splint now, so I can take it off & do hand exercises. I warm it up with hot water, do my little thumb twirls & finger stretches, then use cold water & put the splint back on. Each time I get a little better. There is hope!