Wrist Cast & Children - How Did You Do It?

I broke my wrist way back when i was in year 9 (i think) and while it was ok back then it never actually healed properly and has (over the years) caused me quite a bit of pain.
Back before i had the girls i went and had my wrist checked and was going to have surgery to fix it (possibly 2 screws & plates) and went on the waiting list, was on it for over a year when they finally called and you would never guess I WAS PREGNANT so i couldn't have it done :wall:

One of the main reasons i wanted it done was i found it very uncomfortable holding my nephew so i wanted it done BEFORE kids :rofl:

They left me on the waiting list but with a new bub needing baths and me need BOTH my hands we kept saying no, then of course i fell PG with DD2 and it was still a big NO to getting it done.

I've left it all this time and was taken off the waiting list but NOW it's playing up really badly again, it's constantly aching, it slips out and back in again (yep neat party trick but OUCH) so i've got a Dr's appt today to go and see what can be done, i am assuming we will be getting new x-rays (as personally i think there is now more damage than 3yrs ago) and then possibly back on the waiting list.

Soooooo how will i cope for possibly up to 6 weeks in a cast with 2 little ones?
It's my left wrist and i now have an automatic car so i will still be able to drive, the girls will be able to do quite a few things themselves but now we have things like swimming.
No motorbikes, no mowing & what about things like the dishes???

So PLEASE tell me how you coped, DD's mum offered to take some time off work but there's no real point, she can't have 6wks off and neither can DP - we have some localish friends but they have kids & families of their own to look after they don't need to be coming and helping me out.

TIA....... back with more news later i guess.

Would you be in a cast if they screwed and plated your wrist? Might be worth asking.

Last time they said it would be :( got to book an appt with a surgeon. :(


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ZF I reckon it will always be tricky as you will have lots of stuff with the girls which may seem difficult but I would imagine getting your wrist sorted would help your day to day life heaps. Is there any way you could organise those who have offered to help into a roster with cooking/cleaning and helping with the girls so you could get it done?

Hun, you know i've had issues with my wrist forever - apart from the first few days to a week post op, you'll probably be pretty well fine to cope (i was living solo when i had my second wrist op and only had help for one night and had a cast for 4 weeks). yes, you can't put the girls in and out of the bath, but i'm assuming you'll be public wait listed again, so they will be (at least) another year older and able to help more

you'll be able to do a lot of stuff with one hand and with the girls help. i was without my left arm for almost 8 months before the surgery too - you can definitely get a hell of a lot done, you just have to be a bit more creative.

prepare food before you go in for your surgery and put it in the freezer. give DP no choice but to help. relent on the fresh food thing and accept that, for convenience, you may need to use jars of stuff for a while kwim?

FWIW - i am facing the same thing soon - i've been talking to my GP about referral for investigation again as my wrist is getting progressively worse again! it's doing my head in - stupid little things like DD flinging herself in my arm, and the joint lets go and it dislocates itself. it's just crummy so i totally sympathise with you! don't rush surgery though - if you can, try and see a hand/wrist specialist rather than an orthopaedic surgeon to see if there is anything that can be done to avoid the re-break/setting. ortho surgeon down here went in and did things to my wrist that the hand/wrist specialist said were probably unnecessary and without what he'd done, i may not have the problems i have now (or at least not to the same degree).

Thanks everyone, i think it will be a matter of just getting used to it and toughing it out.
I was in yr 9 i think when i first did it so no major responsibilities back then and while it's plagued me all these years it's getting too much to bare.

I made an appt with an orthopaedic surgeon but i can't get in until the end of August for the initial consultation BUT the best part is his consultation (and future surgery) will be done out of the local hospital a town across.
I ask the GP today and he suggested him as we don't have private health, he comes locally and he is meant to be quite good.

My wrist is KILLING ME at the moment, so much so i was tempted to pop one of DP's endone just so i could get some sleep.
My issue is i broke the main bone years ago and there is now a 5mm gap where there shouldn't be, not only that but a piece of that bone also chipped off and the muscles (tendons, ligaments - whatever they are) that are supposed to be in place stopping my wrist moving out of place are attached to that tiny fragmented piece.
I can move the broken pieces and they often just 'pop' out which is actually quite painful, normally it slips back in and the pain is gone but DD1 did something to it before easter and now it's constant aching and slipping is quite annoying... it's going to be a LONG wait to get this fixed :wall:

BG - thanks hun at this stage i'm going with the GP's advice as to who he has suggested, i saw consultants at St Vincents before i was PG with Miss A so will see if the course of action is the same, if not then i might opt for a 2nd opinion.... wonder if i can scan my x-rays.. the gap looks weird :p

With things like washing dishes and cooking, perhaps you can leave dishes for DH to do at the end of every day, so just make sure you have enough dishes to last you all day with you and the kiddies, and perhaps ask your DH/MIL to alternate between cooking, and do dinners/lunches at the end of every day or even every week and freeze them (if weekly) or keep them in the fridge to use the next day, as for things like snacks, maybe have your MIL make a cake or banana bread, cookies, or something like that, that can be stored out of the fridge (save room) that can be used for afternoon/morning tea or a snack or something along those lines.

Quiche muffins are a great idea too for lunches/snacks! (just a quiche put into muffin tins instead of a pie dish) and are easy to dish up! Can be served cold or warm, so either chuck em on a plate or in the microwave!

I hope Ive helped somewhat hun.

Perhaps you could get MIL to take off 2-3 weeks, and DH the remainder? Or vice versa? That way you can actually have someone there the whole time?


Sent from the land of "iSomethings" so forgive me for any spelking misstaks ;)

Thanks hun, getting someone to make some meals might def be a good idea.
I'd prefer not to have to rely on too many people if i can - MIL can't really afford to use all her sick/annual leave on me and DP works long hours 7 days a week most of the time in our own business, no work = no pay.
Would be intersting to see the meals he comes up with though if he did actually have to cook.. and well the dishes i think i'd be lucky if he has done them say 10times in 2 yrs here :rofl:
I don't want to add too much pressure onto him on top of work IYKWIM.

I guess it's one of those things i wont know until it happens but getting MIL to take the first couple of days off might be a good idea atleast.

:

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Thanks hun, getting someone to make some meals might def be a good idea.
I'd prefer not to have to rely on too many people if i can - MIL can't really afford to use all her sick/annual leave on me and DP works long hours 7 days a week most of the time in our own business, no work = no pay.
Would be intersting to see the meals he comes up with though if he did actually have to cook.. and well the dishes i think i'd be lucky if he has done them say 10times in 2 yrs here :rofl:
I don't want to add too much pressure onto him on top of work IYKWIM.

I guess it's one of those things i wont know until it happens but getting MIL to take the first couple of days off might be a good idea atleast.

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Completely understand, perhaps to help DH, you can have all the foods set out ready for him to make the dinners? And have meal plans ready so all he has to do is cook and dish out? Takes some of the pressure off him and still keeps you busy. With the dishes, also maybe stack and soak them? Better yet, get plastic plates for the kids and teach them to wash up? It may not be perfect, but it still helps!
Better yet, buy a stack of paper plates and use those! Not the most environmentally friendly, but when in a pinch you do what you must to make life easier!

With meals maybe work out a schedule where your mil makes say lunches for a week (whether its sandwiches, hot meals, quiches, etc) and your DH does dinners, then swaps?
Or even if she takes off say 1-2 days per week just to help with household chores you can't do, and to use those days to cook some meals for you guys?

Another idea is when DH makes dinner, make sure you make extra so there's enough left over for lunch for you guys the next day. Then all you have to do is heat it up or just serve :)


Sent from the land of "iSomethings" so forgive me for any spelking misstaks ;)

There's a place called the Independent Living Centre in Melbourne (but there's one in each state I think). They're a not-for-profit that advises people with permanent and temporary disabilities how to make tasks in their daily life easier. They don't sell stuff but they can offer advice and any adaptive aids that might help.

Just google them for a phone number, I think it's a freecall. Worth having a chat.

My wrist slips the same way hun - so i really feel your pain (the cartilage that holds my bones together at the wrist is FUBAR - well, missing now seeing that's what the first surgeon "fixed"). it sucks because sometimes the pain is unbearable. in the months between now and the surgeon appointment, i'm wondering if some /massage physio will help. obviously our injuries are a bit different, but similar action happening - and i've found massage to get all the other tendons and things in place right stops it slipping as much. it hurts like all hell to get it done, and for a day or two after, cos we have to break up the nerve clusters where they have bundled up at the carpal tunnel area - but the relief and reduction in slipping afterwards is sooooooooooooo welcome! i was in tears yesterday getting it attacked by TBG, but feeling a lot less ouchy today, and the general "i just moved so my wrist popped" hasn't happened since then. it might be something to consider.

gotta go to work - will come back later to see how you're going. i guess for now you need to work out how to manage the pain so that you're not needing strong pain meds (i hate taking them so i have come up with some pretty good coping techniques for adapting everyday life!)

it is only the first week you have to worry about, getting over the surgery, then you will work out the best way to do things. There are women who only have one arm who manage to cook and look after their kids. even with plaster on you will be able to use the arm somewhat and will be fine.

Stock the freezer with easy to do meals, the kids love fruit and sandwiches for lunch, the lawn can go a bit feral if you or DP can't do it. The girls can take a term off swimming if it is too hard with the cast, although if the op isn't until next year DD2 will be able to go in the water by herself anyway, and you just have to get them dressed.

Don't put the op off again if it can give you big benefits, over little things that can be worked out now.

hey sweet,
well i didnt have surgery, but some of you know i just recently broke my left arm (cracked the tip of the small bone off rightnew my wrist and broke right through the big one (ulna?, dunno LOL)
anyway, i feel your pain, was in a cast for 6 weeks, i admittedly only have one DD (2.5 yo) BUT my DH works FIFO so he wasnt here half the time (which was good for less dishes etc, BUT if i needed something open, like say childrens panadol for DD.. it was a prety funny sight, trying to watch me in tears open it with my feet LOL..
Bathing DD was pretty easy (again i only have one) id just sit there with her, wash her with my good hand, her hair would only get washed when DH was home, its just too much of a struggle with one arm.
im a little embarressed, but when DH was away i would use throw away plates/knives and forks.. i KNOW thats really slack, but it was so much easier. Obviously i couldnt get away with using no dishes, but MIL would come aroun dmost days and do it. DH was slack when he was home, and i would be the one doing them, id glad wrap my cast amd then put a surgical rubber glove on (washing up gloves wouldnt fit over the cast) and id do them that way (i almost killed DH THAT many freakin times, selfish so and so..) he did the dishes TWICE :sigh: slack..
i would freeze meals when he was home (he did cook which was really good) i just made him make a little extra and thats what DD and i would eat.
driving, i only had accss to a manual, so didnt drive for 6 weeks (GAHHH) but i think if id had an auto i still wouldnt be able to, steering with my left arm just WASNT going to happen ( i did give it a go) even after i got the cast off i didnt drive for another week coz i couldnt steer properly, the dr until you can make an "emergency stop" then you shouldnt be driving, but meh, if you feel like you can then it should be ok.

the hardest part for me, which is all very selfish, was i couldnt do thinkg for myself, imanaged good with DD, i just couldnt lift her with that arm, washing my hair was a mission, i couldnt put my hair up (i wore a plat for 6 weeks straight, and some days id have the same plat for almost 3 days...)
but you will be fine, esp if your girls are little older and can help mummy, DD knew it was an "ouch" and mummy had a broken arm, not that she knew what that ment but she was mindful of it when she remembered.

Wrist is killing tonight, had some panadeine but finding it hard to get comfy.
Not looking forward to waiting this time round, it's never been THIS bad, always ached but this is different :(

Hopefully the pic attaches as a link, not a great pic but you get the idea :(

[ATTACH]sorewrist[/ATTACH]


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try and get some nurofen plus hun (or similar) - has the pain killers and anti inflammatory action as well. it will likely give you more relief

If the pain gets too bad or you can't cope before August (a long time!) go to emergency. That's what it's for and you shouldn't be desperate, you poor thing! See if the ortho has a wait list to see him before August, and see if you can get put on it (are you available at short notice?).

I used to be an ortho nurse and saw too many people decondition (lose the muscle tone) because they'd put up with it for too long, so don't put off getting pain relief help if you need it. No other advice, but just good luck.

WOO HOO the specialist office called and they had a cancellation so from the end of August i now have an appt on the 8th June :dance:

WOOT!

Excited ;)


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I was chatting with a friend today who manages a waiting list for surgery at work and she was telling me that there is a THREE YEAR WAIT for one of our departments! But the good news is that once you actually get through to clinics and consented for surgery, the wait can be as little as a couple of weeks!!! So the fact your appointment has been brought forward is very very exciting!

Can't wait, am wondering if the fact he does surgery in the small hospital on set days is a benefit or not too.
I mean it's his own list IYKWIM do wonder if he can bump people up etc etc.


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He should be able to :)

Ok so i had my appt today - the words wow, interesting, chronic & serious should NOT be part of a surgeons vocab :(

The ortho has advised my wrist is not going to be an easy fix, it's not something he specialises in and thinks it will be interesting to see how it is treated.
He couldn't believe i've had this injury for close to 15yrs and not been in more pain before this and that looking at it seemed uncomfortable let alone living with it.

He is referring me to a specialist hand surgeon (ortho) at St Vincents hospital, anyone heard of Dr Tan (than?) ?
So basically it's back on a waiting list for an appt then possibly back on a waiting list again for maybe surgery.

The thing i thought was the biggest issue (a massive gap in my bones) is not the biggest issue but the fact my wrist actually forms a Z instead of a straight line - i also have a bone with ligament thats chipped off and floating around not holding my wrist in place too, he also thinks the fracture i sustained at the time aswell is also causing issues :(

I don't know why but i just wanted to cry today, my wrists sore from being shoved around (as gently as he could) and i'm still no closer to answers... hmmmmmm
Ah well it's better to be in the right hands and get it fixed this time than to have someone hack at it and do all the wrong things.... wish me luck.

At least he (the guy you saw) knows its beyond him to fix and is sending you off to someone who hopefully be able to. Hope you get an appt soon and aren't in too much pain for long now.


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It's Dr Stephen Tham at St Vincents babe - i'm seeing him in September. if you try and go through the public clinic it could literally be years. if you see him at St Vincents you can get appts within in the next couple of months. i have appt on Sept 13 (from memory!) if you want to catch up lol

Ohhh were both 'SPECIAL' ah how funny is that.
Yeah the referral has been sent to St Vincents, hopefully i wont be waiting too long as it's REALLY sore, even more so after being pushed and pulled today.

i rang and made my own appointment!i chose to wait til then - i'm pretty sure when i rang a fortnight ago you could get appts late july at st vincents and mid august at mulgrave

Cool i might wait until Tuesday and call them myself and see if they have the referral and try and organise an appt.

he is a good doc - he didn't freak when i woke up during op - he talked me through it! heheheh

Hmmm yeah that makes me confident ;)


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oh pfffffffffffft to that - i wake up from surgery very easily - always very much awake straight away!
i opted for a heavy sedation (same as they use for ivf stuff) and it didn't last. given my medical science background i asked if i could watch rather than sleep again! no biggie - they could have drugged me again and i'd not remember lol

Thats been my biggest fear in every surgery i've ever had.. GROSS :p
Nah it's all good, i know they know what they are doing, i just want answers and a fix.... it's KILLING tonight so hanging for the girls to head to bed then going to lay in bed & relax and take a panadeine.

ice it - you can do that while the girls are awake
do you have nurofen or something similar? panadeine is good - but it won't take inflammation out of the area like nurofen

I've had nurofen already, it hasn't worked - i iced it a bit earlier when i got home and it numbed a bit but back with a vengence... i know it's aggrivated cos he moved it around so will wait to bed, have a panadeine and hopefully get some rest... got a BIG day tomorrow.. YAY

do you have any voltaren cream or similar?

keep it strapped overnight - just lightly - to support it so you get some sleep

Might have some voltaren :)
can't strap it much it makes it worse :(


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Hey Lovely, FINALLY I get access to the internet! You will be in safe hands. Just remember, the public has a long waiting list but once you get IN to the clinics, it is a very quick turn around to get into surgery.

I'm sorry it's so sore. And so complex. Let me know when you get your appointment :) Maybe we can catch up. I can come keep you company for a bit ;)

Thanks hun, you will be the first person on my list of people to tell.... so i can have some company if your on a break... :rofl: or you just wanna sneak away and pludge :p
You have a really important patient to liase with right ;)
I know i will be in good hands, might call tomorrow and see if they have my referral and work from there :)

no need to sneak away - I'll just go! :rofl: I'll put you in my diary and they won't blink an eye! I'll bring coffee :) Real coffee :) The GOOD stuff! I know where the good Barista is!

Ringing to make sure they have the referral is a great start :) Ask for an appt ETA too.

Will do... Typing invoices tonight killed, DD2 pushed on it today... OUCH!


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