Broken Wrist, Might Need Surgery and Have Active Toddler - Need Ideas!

Ask around at church, if you have O..

College students?

Sitter city.com

Care.com

Good luck!

Last year, right around this time, I had surgery on my wrist. It wasn't broken, I had a ganglion cyst, but it was still surgery... On lucky me, I'm allergic to anything stronger than Tylenol in the pain relief area.

The good news is you will learn very quickly how to do everything with one hand. The bad news... It kinda sucks, Lol.

I was in a cast for a week. I was in pain for 2 weeks. I had help for 1 day during that time period. My toddler, who was about 18 months at that time, survived. He certainly took advantage of my wound and got into EVERYTHING, but we adapted and we survived. You will too :)

That being said, if you really think you are going to need help, go on www.care.com and look for some short-term help :)

I broke my wrist a few years ago, shortly after my son turned 1. I have to admit, it wasn't easy. But, like Victoria said, you get by.

My husband also worked long hours, and I couldn't give our son a bath. So, for the 6 weeks I was in a cast, our son simply did not bathe as often. He survived.

The hardest part was when I had to pick him up. I was very lucky that he was small for his age (under 20 lbs), but it was still hard. As my wrist healed, it did get easier.

Does your daughter still sleep in her crib? If she does, you might consider setting up a different place for her to sleep (so you don't have to lift her up and place her into the crib). A mattress on the floor works great. That's where our son first slept when he stopped sleeping in his crib, and it will make things so much easier for you.

I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to drive. When I broke my wrist (that day) I could still drive. I just drove with one had. Again, not easy getting my son in and out of his carseat, but it can be done.

Right now you really don't know what the situation is and what the doctor will recommend. Try not to worry until there's something to worry about. Wait and see what the doctor says. And remember, you can do this. I know if feels overwhelming right now, but you can do this.

Talk to the daycare - maybe they have some ideas or contacts. Also, perhaps additional care might be helpful through your insurance? Or if there is a college nearby, perhaps a college student would be willing to help and drive you and your daughter to/from daycare. What about hubby's parents?

Find a high school kid. You said you saw MRI report and think it is bad. Before you make yourself crazy, let the doc determine that. Then plan.
High school kids are great for short term help. Your husband will have to just plan on getting home a bit earlier and be home on weekends. Necessity necessitates. This might be a good time to set some of your neighbors. I am sure someone would help. If you are going to be home, I would forgo the daycare. That is asking a lot of someone unless you are willing to pay well.

Updated

Find a high school kid. You said you saw MRI report and think it is bad. Before you make yourself crazy, let the doc determine that. Then plan.
High school kids are great for short term help. Your husband will have to just plan on getting home a bit earlier and be home on weekends. Necessity necessitates. This might be a good time to set some of your neighbors. I am sure someone would help. If you are going to be home, I would forgo the daycare. That is asking a lot of someone unless you are willing to pay well.

Look in the phone book for RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program). They do a lot of volunteering in child care centers around here, in mine they would come in a read to the kids, dress up and do short acted out plays, they do all sorts of volunteer work in our community and they also go to senior places and just visit with the old folks.

There are many organizations that have volunteers that go into the community to help different agencies. I'd start calling each and every community agency to try and find someone that is a volunteer but also through an agency that does background checks for your family's safety.

I would think, that this is a couple "problem."
I would think, that your Husband... would be or should be, concerned about your mobility and condition.
AND in the help... you need, to handle everything and with a Toddler. You cannot expect a young child, to just be quiet and behaved and quiet and not need help. Everyday, a Toddler is very... active. And you cannot expect... your child to behave differently because you have a broken wrist/hand.

My sibling, had a broken wrist. And she was in a cast for about 2 months. During that time, she still had pain even if it was in a cast. The Specialist... told her to KEEP it mellow, per her activities. She even had a hard time, typing on a keyboard and writing. She ALSO, even if in a cast... she could not, carry anything on that arm/hand/wrist... and was told by the Doctor, NOT TO.
Even her being bumped on the arm, by my kids, hurt her wrist. Even if it was in a cast.
Then, when her cast came off... she had to, for several weeks, see a Physical Therapist... to get her wrist/hand working again. Properly AND so it would not get, re-injured. AND during that time, even if the cast was off... she had to, and was told by the Therapist and Doctor, to take things slow. Do not... just go about heaving heavy things on that hand right away. AND she still, had pain. Her joints were a tad stiff and frozen etc.
And it took TIME... for the rehabilitation of her wrist. And she even took off work, because being at work and working with her hand at her desk job... hurt.
And... this sibling of mine, is single and has no kids. But this is what she went through.
The hand.... has MANY bones in it.

So... keep this in mind. This is what happened to my sibling. AND your HUSBAND... needs to take an ACTIVE role, in helping you problem solve this. He is a spouse. He should be doing decision making about this, too.
TELL him.
It is not... only "your" problem.
You have a toddler and the home to care for. And your Husband should be getting help, for you.
If you want your hand/wrist, to heal... PROPERLY.
It is no laughing matter.

What about finding some quiet activities to do with your toddler. At that stage reading is always good, maybe some puzzles. Make it simple but encourage her to help as much as possible.

I would start the reading now too. This way it does not come as a surprise to her.

I had ankle surgery when my daughter was around 2 years old. My husband works long hours also. When I came out of surgery my entire leg was in a cast, despite what the doctor had told me before hand.

I hired a nanny to come help out and she stunk. The first night she was here, she said she was too tired to cook dinner and said Nanny's have hours. I fired her the second day and used my crutches. I was able to drive right away, so I put the kid on a leash and did it myself.

It wasn't easy, but it worked and it wasn't forever.

You can do it too. Just plan ahead of time. Freeze some precooked meals and the rest can wait until you are better.