What chores can I help with??

I had a TAH BSO Friday Sept. 22nd, I have taken it real easy and stayed down it is now driving to the point of insanity. It is okay when I am at my mother's house but when I come home to see things left undone I go crazy! Are there any small chores I can help with??? What I mean is I ahve been staying with my mother since my hubby works shift work and we have 3 young ones so I know there is just not enough time for my hubby to clean and run the errands for me. i just want to help out now that I am back home. Any suggestions??

Before my Mom's heart surgery, I premeasured laundry detergent into little dixie cups, covered with a little scrap of foil, and left then on top of her dryer. She then scooted around the house picking up little things to wash... and then put them in the washer. My mom used BBQ tongs until we had a grabber for her. She wasn't able to bend over to take things out of the washer tub -- but the she used the tongs to slowly extricate things and dropped them into a basket for the dryer. Since her dryer was a side loader -- that was out of the question. But she ALWAYS had her washing caught up. We teased her that we felt she was hovering when we stopped to visit -- she and her tongs -- waiting on a dishtowel or wash cloth.

She also could stand at the sink and do very light dishwashing. She had a soap dispenser so no need to get it out from under the sink. Like her basket of wet, clean wash, there was always a towel across the countertop with sparkling dishes drying. She wasn't able to reach up any so the dishes stayed there until a visitor or my dad was able to put them away.

I hope this helps you some! I've started using these little tricks myself though I hate to do too much and end up with a setback!

I a

NOTHING!! You can shower yourself & you can lift your feet when someone comes around with vaccuum/broom. You can delegate & get used to things not being done the way you would do them. I know it drives us crazy, but you HAVE to recover. Don't let DH guilt you into doing things you shouldn't do. Pamper the princess!

Don't you dare do any laundry!!!! I was forced to do everything myself from day one because my "helper" stole my pain meds, then ran away the minute she knew I knew. I did as little as possible, but I had to have clean jammies & dishes. Laundry doesn't seem like a big deal, but lifting & bending & especially lifting wet clothes pulls on your surgical parts ALOT. My dryer is in the garage & washer is in the kitchen, so I would take one or 2 items from the washer to dryer at a time. Don't do it, don't even sort laundry. Don't put dishes in the dishwasher or take them out & put them away. I could wash just a few dishes at a time. I had to get my own groceries. I had to sit down in wal mart even though I would just buy a few items at a time. It would take me forever to get them into the house because I had to take very little weight at a time. Then a lovely 3 hour nap followed every time.

Your family is there to help you, make them help.

At 6 days post op I was back to doing laundry, emptying the dishwasher, and cooking meals. Simple meals at first and I rested in between. I went back to work 2 weeks post op. I still do not vacuum or lift really heavy objects, although I did do the grocery shopping myself last week. My doctor is aware of all of this. He just has a very different approach. His only warning was to rest when I was tired. Before the surgery I never stopped moving (compulsive cleaner). Now my husband has to actually share the couch with me. I still listen to my body. I do have a hematoma but my doctor said that was from complications of surgery (everything he touched started bleeding) and not from overdoing. Everybody has different situations and what is right for one persons recovery may not work for another. I say consult your doctor. Mine sent a form home with me.

One final word. My kids are all grown. If you have 3 young children, and there is someone that is willing to help you do chores, take advantage of it. You'll be back to supermom status soon enough. Enjoy it while you can.

Rhonda

Pamper the Princess!!!This is not the time to be superwoman she is on vacation..This is the ONLY time you have to heal for the rest of your life...Please listen to other Princesses who are asking you to rest and listen to your body...Please take care there is only one you!!!

I didn't do a thing for 3 weeks. Then I started by folding some laundry and I washed a few dishes. I progressed to putting some laundry away but my DH lifted the baskets etc. I didn't touch the vacuum or a broom for 10 weeks. If you have family to help, let them so that you can heal properly. Choose smaller, lighter tasks to do and then rest. You build up from there. The important thing to remember is not to overdo it. Good luck.

I can understand wanting to do things for yourself after awhile,and helping out at home. I had an lavh, so my rules may be different than yours. I am allowed to sit/walk as much as I want. I was told I can do light chores, but no vacumning or lifting heavy. I helped fold laundry while sitting yesterday here and did ok. A grabber tool is a must. I had one before surgery cause I am short, but anything that falls I use that or to reach up to grab out of the cabinet.

Everyone's restrictions are so different I have found reading these boards. It's all up to how your doc is with her rules. What you can do for your specific need is call your doc tomorrow and talk to her or the nurse and ask more specifically what you can and can't do. They will answer that for you. Then you know for sure.

Good luck and take it easy. Don't get too crazy though and set yourself back.

Hugs

You have to learn that things aren't undone, they are just done in a new and different way. If you can sit and peel your veggies for dinner, thats ok,but if you drop that peel on the floor, thats where it stays til some other kind and lovely soul picks it up. Buy a grabber, learn that resting is an art form, relax. All that stuff you want to do ? It'll be there waiting when you're ready.
Catopurling

I was one of the people who recovered 'quickly', meaning I was feeling great and was able to do things early.

I had my DH and DS put their laundry in the hall on laundry day. Because I was able to get up and down with out any problems I would sit on the floor and sort the laundry. Laundry was downstairs so I would wait for them to come home and do the laundry. They would then bring it upstairs and I would sit on the couch and fold the laundry.

I made easy dinners for most of my recovery. I would load and unload the top rack of the dishwasher and if anything belonged on the second shelf in the cupboard DS and DH would put them away.

I did no vaccuming or sweeping. My daily walk by myself would be one block down the road to get the mail. Longer walks were accompanied by DS or DH.

I only ironed the item that was needed for that day, nothing more. DH has always done his own ironing, so that was helpful, I only had to do a shirt on work day.

Good luck and be sure to take it easy, if your body is tired, REST and do not worry about the housework.

read a book, call friends, catch up on horrible day time TV. Think good thought, pray for others... those are wondeful things you can do to help! Take care of yourself, be pampered be pampered and did I mention be pampered?