Argh..I'm going to go crazy

[OakLeaf]

Ouch.

Your PT really should have some suggestions for you on what, if anything, you can do for cardio.

If you can walk 30 minutes (! that's a long walk with an injury!) I don't know why you couldn't swim with a flotation board, flutter kicking your legs only until your shoulder recovers. Depending on where exactly your shoulder injury is, possibly you could do whatever that stroke is they used to teach in lifesaving, with breast stroke arms and flutter kicking your legs? Or a dog paddle, even?

I'm remembering from swimming after my ACL tear years and years ago, that I had a lot of trouble with foot cramps because I wasn't fully extending my knee. If you can walk on the leg, I'm assuming you can extend it to within 5 degrees, but you just have to remember to keep it extended while doing a flutter kick.

I wouldn't do unilateral resistance exercises though. Muscle imbalances are worse and harder to remedy than a little temporary atrophy, IMHO.

Sending healing vibes your way.

[bmccasland]

CC - strolling? Spring is always my favorite time of year, so maybe go for a stroll? As for keeping your mind occupied, any silly books you've wanted to read? Cat Who? series? Exercise your library card?

Here's some good thoughts to keep you from going completely stir crazy.

[mimitabby]

do some weight lifting with your non-hurt limbs? this burns calories too!
don't forget crunches. Figure out a way to do crunches that doesn't hurt the hurt parts?

[sundial]

Oh CC!! I'm so sorry you have to be (somewhat) housebound.

How about taking up a neat hobby like beading? Or knitting? Or better yet, painting?

I don't know how you walk any distance in that horrid contraption but I found that my balance is affected and if I'm on uneven ground--watch out! Plus with your arm in a sling, it adds to a balance issue. If you do work out, maybe a seated weight training program?

Your body is working hard right now repairing so it's using lots of calories. I wouldn't be so concerned about weight as I would your sanity.

Sending you lots of hugs ((((((((((((((CC))))))))))))))))

[maillotpois]

Wow, CC - you look like Robo cop - or maybe the bionic woman - with those braces and slings! Cool effect!

I know being laid up is awful - especially if you are just dying to get out there. My 6 months off the bike was pretty grim last year. But you at least have a light at the end of the tunnel, right? You have a pretty good estimate of when you will be back - when they reassess for sure you will be given a good time frame. So it's not a "never". And walking is great exercise - don't underestimate that.

For now, heal yourself!!

[IFjane]

Oh CC! I am so sorry - wish I had the magic solution to the going crazy thing. I am in the midst of a non-motivational period myself right now and I don't even have an injury as an excuse.

Hang in there - I think the ideas everyone else have posted are great. Keep us up on your progress/prognosis.

{{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}

[RoadRaven]

Oh CC... *tongue firmly in cheek* You are just going for the sympathy vote

Just look at your name, you are ALREADY crazy!!! How do you get crazier than crazy?


Seriously? Get SKY installed and watch those "57 channels with nothing on" that The Boss sings about - there might be something!
(Tour of Southland is on at the moment and we watched the first stage's highlights last night - bl**dy awful weather down there... watch that and be glad you don't have to ride in weather like that)

Find a friend who likes music as much as me (but who lives a tad closer) and then work through their CD collection - we have just over 500 CDs!

Yup Mallio - she is def bionic woman now - I can hear the sound effects as she reaches for her keyboard - hey, that makes me think too... search out some weird/unusual forums, become a member under a completely new identity and post weird and unusual posts while you are waiting for TEers to post something you can respond to here...

Heck CC, you'll have to treat it as a taper... you'll come back rearing to go... time will pass, and you know it is important to let it - time is the greatest healer for breaks and bruises and torn bits.

And if i had an enforced "lay-up" time i'd take up Sundial's solution and paint. I used to paint heaps before children, but since kids and fulltime work I have never had the time and keep wishing I did...

(((((((CC)))))))