Use left hand; with increased use, non-dominant hand dexterity will improve.

I’m sorry you had that accident. Hope you recover quickly.

Have you had a bone density study done? Many times the first signs of Osteoporosis is a broken bone.

Jlch so sorry to hear! I have broken bones-- many bones-- but they were all when I was younger and not as complex a break with plates and pins. I would hire out and call on friends to at least help address some of the chaos and prepare outside beds for winter. That will take some of the stress away so you can relax and heal.

Not too long ago, i nicked my ulnar nerve which resulted in a very quick loss of the use of my non-dominant hand and surgery. Just losing the use of my non-dominant hand was surprisingly limiting. I had trouble buttoning shirts and putting on jeans. Luckly it was in summer-- as is the case for you-- i found dresses the easiest to wear. Hopefully you have some help for dressing, meal prep and such.

Wish you well and a quick recovery!

Thanks so much for words of encouragement. On an intellectual level, you know that things happen and will pass….and then there is the a more base emotional response! I’m an independent person, and it doesn’t come easy to ask for help. I’ve had a few friends drop off meals and that is hugely helpful and appreciated. I suspect more are coming. I just happen to have a bone density test scheduled in a few weeks. With covid it had been delayed.

So sorry this has happened to you. I know it can be hard to ask for help, but at times like these, it's a lesson for us independent types to learn. And people are often so glad to be able to help. You could also look to hire a high school kid who can finish up some of the work for reasonable. We have a community-based site that people recommend people and get info on other services and such available....perhaps there's something like that in your area?

Sorry to hear about your injury, and it sounds like a severe break.

I broke my wrist when I was 36 and was trying to get into my apartment through a second story window when I had locked myself out. I learned not to do that again. I was lucky in that I broke my left wrist, and so I only needed a cast. I got a waterproof cast, which allowed me to stay in my swim class, but I got rid of my cast after six weeks. If yours is going to be on for three months, then your injury is much more serious.

I was taking art classes at the same time and still managed to do the projects mostly with one hand. I also painted my cast in a checkerboard pattern with black, magenta, turquoise, and yellow fluorescent paint - just to make me feel better. That way I could easily tell people that they were not allowed to autograph it. I think that used to be a thing.

My brother had hernia surgery two weeks ago, and he told me that now we are going to have to hire people to do a lot of the chores here, such as maintaining the garden.

I've pretty much sworn off ladders, and I got very dizzy the last time I was on our roof.

Now you have a good excuse to get help and you have to listen to yourself when you need it.

So sorry you are going through this. I've broken a few bones and but it has been 8 weeks max.

Don't take chances and get your bone density checked as said above. I know a few people who discovered health related situations when they broke bones so better safe than sorry. Make sure to stay on top of your pain as well. Pain can be very depressing. Believe it or not

So sorry.

Not a broken bone, but I tore a tendon in my ankle. Both my ankles have been weakened from sprains from past injuries. But I was surprised to get such a severe injury missing the last step of a flight of stairs.

As we age we have to be aware that we might not be able to bounce back quickly and our injuries are more severe.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

You’ve had a very serious injury 🙁 A complex break in several places is terribly painful. i broke my wrist about 12 years ago and it hurt like the dickens for a few months, and was no where near as serious as yours. Take care of it and do not try to rush the healing process. I agree with others who have advised hiring out these pending tasks.

Last month a woman i know locally stood on a cooler on their pool patio to reach up and adjust a window awning. it slipped out from under her and she also broke her arm and wrist in several places…..a mutual friend who was present reported that one of her bones protruded through the skin. She was kept in the hospital a few days and says she is still in a lot of pain. Falls are dangerous!

I am so sorry you were injured and wish you a full recovery. 🌹

So sorry to hear this. I agree with Annie, get the word out through friends or neighborhood networks that you need some help with these projects. Or if you are a member of a church or other community group.

I used to love to paint and I’ve done pretty much every room in my previous places and in this house, including the ceilings. But I am DONE. I would work by myself during the day and no more will I get up on ladders even though I mostly used the stepladder. And our contractor painted our MBR in one day—one coat early, one coat in the evening. Seeing how quick the pros do it is worth the money and convenience with less risk to me.

I am so sorry you fell. Please, follow all the doctor's directions so you can heal fast. I have back and neck injuries and love PT. It does more for me than any medications. Though, pain medications are also a blessing.

As a smart independent woman, you understand you need to ask for some assistance to heal correctly and completely.

Gscience, a friend broke her shoulder tumbling off a short step stool.

I've never broken a bone (whispered so as not to alert the broken bone gods) so no experienced advice but agree with others that if it's financially feasible, hire out as much as you can. I know the mental chaos of seeing and living among large unfinished projects would impact my health and probably my healing. Hoping you mend quickly and find a proficiency with your left hand that you didn't know you had.

I could not use my domminant side for much after a stoke and learned great patience, and perseverance during my recovery. After clearing with your doctors what is safe to do on your own just focus on doing what you can and ask for help or hire out with urgent things that can not wait to be finished and wait for the non necessary things until you are able to do so again. Really we only need a safe home. A pretty and neat home are great bonuses but not as important as your recovery. Do what you are able to do and the rest can wait until you have recovered.

So sorry this happened and I hope your recovery is speedy and thorough.

I am sorry to hear about your injury. I experienced a similar break, and had same surgery this past February. I am 56, I mention this because age does effect healing time. I had not broken a bone before, but my two sons, both had. DS1 was also the wrist, he had same procedure, DS2 was ankle, but also has plate and screws. I had the memory of their experiences to carry me through.

I think my doctors told me worst case, so I wouldnt be disappointed in my recovery pace. They said, for example, I might not be able to do downward dog, or plank for a year, malarkey! You do need to listen to your body, because overtaxing the healing joint can cause a tendonitis, which will slow the process.

Once the swelling goes down you will feel much better. Another big milestone is moving to a removable cast. Remeber, you’ll get through this and you’ll see improvement constantly.

Poor you! Right in the middle of all,those projects, too. You dontnreally have a choice but to put them aside for now or hire some help. I recommend getti g rid of the plastic on the floor to,prevent a slip. Maybe now is the time to focus on less physical tasks like sorting out old pictures. So sorry this happened

Not fun! Several years ago I ruptured the ligament in my right hand and had to have surgery (with several pins inserted ) to repair it, and was in a cast for about 6 weeks. Being right-handed, this was indeed a challenge! I practiced daily to learn to write with my left hand, and after a few weeks, I could sign my name as good as any first grader! But, I needed to when using my credit card at some stores. Other kinder stores just let me sign with a shaky "X" (LOL)!

Elastic- waist pants and shorts were my friend, as were slip-on shoes and tops that didn't button. At this time, DH and I were empty nesters, but he was still working long hours, so I was home by myself M-F. I'll be frank, it wasn't easy, but he did help me as much as he could. He combed my hair and helped me dress before he left for work in the mornings. He was NOT adept at using my hairsetter, and so I resigned myself to long straight hair for the duration. Putting on makeup takes some serious practice, and using mascara can be especially dangerous! My DH cutting my food at dinner was a huge help. For my breakfasts and lunches while home by myself, I just focused on foods that didn't need much cutting.

One item that helped me immensely, though, was a pair of kitchen shears. NOT regular scissors, though! I found that I was able to use kitchen shear with my left hand very easily and they helped a lot! In the kitchen and elsewhere. But, I do have to add that mine were not the very bulky shears. Another item to get is a waterproof cast bag to use when you take a shower.

I actually became quite the cast expert, as after 6 weeks in a cast, it came off and the pins removed, AND one week later my little dog tripped me going down the stairs and I broke my left hand in two places! That cast was on for six weeks. A month later, I had to have carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand, and was back in a cast (a removeable one this time) for about 3-4 more weeks! Good luck with adapting! I hope that you get more helpful suggestions here.

I broke my right wrist about 10 years ago when my dog at the other end of the leash saw something irresistible and took me with him. I have a plate in my wrist. As I was healing, I found that I was able to do a lot of things with my left hand, but I am sure painting would not be one of them. I was able to maintain flower beds by weeding, but edging and filling with soil would not have been possible. You either need to pick up the plastic and sawhorses to make your house reasonably comfortable or hire someone to do the painting for you.

The occupational therapist warned against doing things with the wrist that could cause long term damage. They will tell you what you can do and what not to do. I followed the instructions and faithfully did the exercises assigned. I got back almost complete range of motion. My advice is to take up walking to keep yourself in shape, but accept that your right arm will be out of commission for a couple months.

And get one of these so you can shower: cast cover

I have no advice, but wanted to say how sorry I am that this happened. It really does sound like a bit of a nightmare. I hope you are able to have others help or possibly hire someone to take on at least some of the projects so you can take some of the mental pressure off. Bad enough to deal with the physical, but having to look at the undone would do me in. Take care.

jlsch - I'm glad you are starting therapy so soon, it sounds like you are getting good care. Is there a teenage neighbor or relative that can pick up the big items around the house and tame some of the chaos? Sending healing vibes your way.

Lynn, I was thinking about you when I read this thread. Every time I start to struggle with a jar lid, I just hand it over to DH.

Lynn- that is crazy! Honestly this has created a healthy fear of falls and I find myself approaching things more slowly and carefully.

Thanks for every response. I do have the meds figured out now so pain is being better managed. They did a nerve block for the surgery that I’m not sure I would do again. It resulted in a flaccid arm that had no sensation or muscle control. It was a bit surreal and felt like i had someone else’s lump of an arm attached. I wonder if it didn’t cause a rebound effect as when it wore off i had a lot of pain. It was just a strange experience!

I am in a splint which I suspect may be removed on Tuesday in OT. I am doing ok with figuring out how to do things with my left - patience, flexibility, and a sense of humor are key. I will follow all your advise and look at getting help for some things, and let some things go for now.

I wanted to add that the kitchen shears I used were actually the angled poultry ones, not the ones that are basically scissors that pull apart to clean. Like these:

And, yes, as Deegw mentioned, I actually ruptured the ligament in my hand while simply trying to open a very tight lid on a grape juice bottle 🥴

Lynn, are they the spring loaded ones like these? https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Spring-Loaded-Poultry-Shears/dp/B000PGG7ZQ/ref=asc_df_B000PGG7ZQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167145808484&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6952084421755851806&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018896&hvtargid=pla-83804565206&psc=1

Oh ouch! I think I will swear off climbing on chairs, too, when I can't reach something. I hope the PT works wonders and the pain subsides quickly!

Much sympathy to you, jlsch, and everyones’s stories are sad / funny-sad. just out of one hand injury and into another would be a severe test. i will keep all this in mind as I climb a ladder or balance on a 5-gal. bucket while i work. ✌️

I was going to post this earlier, I really like my Cramer kik-step. It's sturdy, lightweight, easy to move and semi-stylish. I actually think I found out about it on GW about 15 years ago.

https://cramerinc.com/elevation/kik-step/