Being a Mother has broke me.
This time, it all started with a little overzealous vacuuming.
My arm hurt, like a pulled a muscle. Note to self: get back to the gym, pronto.
A couple Motrin, a busy day, and I forgot all about it.
Late that night, I grabbed the blankets to flick across the bed before crawling in, and when I raised my arms, my right shoulder snapped a hot, fiery Hell and my arm went weak. F#$%^&!!!
I went to bed disbelieving the pain. I woke up knowing I was broken.
A couple hours in the ER, and I walked out with a prescription for anti-inflammatories to help heal the deranged rotator cuff, an appointment to see the Orthopedist for an MRI, and a sling on my right arm (yes, I’m right-handed).
That matched my 7yo son’s sling.
It was laughably inconvenient. I had 3 relatives coming in from out-of-town to stay over, 2 kids to get at 2 different times from school, a wedding to attend that night, my husband traveling that weekend, blah blah blah. It made me notice that I physically can’t do certain things left-handed. Like blow my nose. Seriously, I cannot efficiently blow my nose with my left hand. What IS this?!? Also laughable: I had Spanx & an evening gown to try to wriggle into while one-armed.
But it forced me to slow down. To stop. To let everyone help me out.
The doctor’s instructions were clear: No vacuuming, laundry, cleaning, sweeping, lifting things, doing dishes, taking out the trash. NOTHING.
I’m used to doing everything. All the time. So “Nothing” has been nice. Even typing hurts, so I haven’t been getting much done online, either. It has been strangely…restful.
As a mother, I’m constantly ON. From 6am-9pm every single day of the week I am preparing for, caring for, or cleaning up after my kids. I’m also running a house, doing my writing, trying to maintain friendships, and Oh! Who’s that guy with the wedding ring on that’s over there on the couch? Yeah. Marriage. Kind of important, too.
So as much as busting my shoulder hurt and as inconvenient as this all is, I’m enjoying the perks of being broken and taking this as a hint to slow the heck down.
Because when you break yourself making a bed (<– not a euphemism), it might be time to give yourself a break. Period.
I had a chance to stop this summer and it was weird at first, but nice to get help.
Hope your feeling better soon!
Hope YOU’RE feeling better soon. Darn morning brain.
Thanks, Mel! I knew you meant to wish me well. But yeah, it’s also nice to get some help around here.
Ugh. If that ever happens to me, I have NO FAITH that the cat would take over doing my chores. I’m screwed.
Abby recently posted..Hyperthetically Speaking
The cat will be pissed that you can’t scoop poop fast enough. He’ll END you.
We have an agreement.
http://abbyhasissues.com/2012/09/19/my-hairy-little-roommate/
Abby recently posted..Hyperthetically Speaking
Love it.
I love that you’ve got help! I broke my wrist and I think it took a couple of days for the family to realize what I do everyday!
Joy recently posted..ToothLess Wonder…..
It’s as if magical little fairies make the house run smoothly. Duh. We shouldn’t have to break for them to see what we do!
As a fellow rotator cuff victim, I feel your pain (literally and figuratively).
::tries to raise arm to offer high-five; fails::
twobusy recently posted..Blue and Wonder
If we just kind of walk past each other with our hands by our sides, we could do a Low-Five. Still cool…right??
Ugh… I did the same thing a while back. However, depending on the rotator cuff injury, you may be in pain for a while. I have been living with it for 2 years, and this year went thru countless hours of physical therapy, a cortizone shot and possible surgery down the road.
Heal quickly, cleanly, and hopefully you won’t need what I do. I feel your pain, literally.
Thanks so much – and I hope yours heals soon, poor thing!
Ouch! Feel better. But when you do? Keep getting the other people in the house to help out with the chores. Those should be family responsibilities anyway!
Jester Queen recently posted..On the cutting room floor
I’m trying to round up some troops to help, and so far people have been great.
I never make the bed because I’m getting old and frail, but maybe I should start doing it – and vigorously!
hollow tree ventures recently posted..Top 10 Autumn Must-Haves
I only did it because I wanted more blanket on my side. NEVER AGAIN.
Yep…. been there. Tore my rotator cuff about 18 mm. If it had been any longer, they wouldn’t have even allowed me physical therapy option, they’d have operated to repair. PT has done wonders, though I still have days where it bothers me. Did you know these damn things don’t heal??
Anyway, I feel your pain, my dear!
Ouuuch! That sucks. Right now I’m just feeling thankful for Naproxen. Whomever invented that deserves big wet kisses.
I love the image you included. I make my kids help out with any chore they are capable of doing. My 6-yr-old takes out the trash and brings in the containers, and my 2-yr-old puts the clothes from the washer to the dryer. They feel so important when they help. I always make a huge deal out of it. My husband grew up in a culture where everyone had a maid and a nanny, and children and husbands were never asked to lift a finger. I kid you not, when we started dating he did not know how to sweep or mop. I refuse to send my children out into the world without knowing how to do every chore around the house. Enjoy your break (and feel better!) and consider this a learning experience for everyone else!
<3
Kristen Mae recently posted..Defending My Kid Against Douche Canoes
Oh yeah, my kids do a lot of stuff around here. Thank goodness, or else I’d be totally screwed!
“Deranged rotator cuff,” ha! I love it! I mean, not that you have one… You know.
Jenn @ Something Clever 2.0 recently posted..The Boy Has Stolen My Halloween Spirit
When he said “deranged” I totally laughed. It hurt like hell, but I could not help it.
Feel better soon! Enjoy your doing nothing!
Sanstrousers recently posted..Parental Advisory: Explicit Content
Thank you! It was nice while it lasted.
I had my rotator cuff torn by (lifting) a baby!
Got the surgery and had to wear a platform shoe-like sling thing and button up shirts for several months. Mother in law happened to take a photo of me, the kid and husband while I wore button-up shirt with the sling thing.
My husband happened to be wearing a suit and looks “sooo handsome” according to her. I have my boobs mostly on display thanks to the sling thing and button-up shirt that is being pulled way too far to the side.
Some advice for you- go out and get some nice fitting button up shirts while you’re in a sling and/or do not stand next to a handsome man if someone wants a picture of him in a suit for the first time since his wedding.
Hope this helps and I hope you feel better. I have to go ice my other shoulder now.
LMAO! Saaaaaayyyy boobies! *click*
I always come back from my sister-in-law’s house somewhat ashamed at how little my eight-year-old son does around the house. So then I have to remember not to put his dishes away for him, poor his milk, butter his waffles, pick up his toys, put his clothes away, etc. I rather thoughtlessly do everything! I’m actually not doing him (or me) any favors. His future domestic partner is going to kill me.
So thanks for this reminder. I think everybody in the house is happier when everybody does their part. Even the little everybodies. Don’t even get me started on the two year old.
Mandy Fish recently posted..Writing Is Stupid.
2yo kids are just shout demanding mess makers. But older kids can be quite useful. I have a Swivel Sweeper in the kitchen, so after the kids eat they know to clear their plates then run the SS under their chairs. Win!
Ha! I hope you heal… exactly as quickly or slowly as you want to.
Annabelle recently posted..Trifecta: Uneasy Lies the Head
Somewhere in the middle would be just right.
I’ve been having trouble commenting on people’s blogs, and jetpack is trying to help me get fixed. That means I’m leaving test comments right and left to see where I’m still disconnected. Ignore and delete this message at will.
Jester Queen recently posted..Blood and Violence
It worked here!
My advice? If it comes to deciding between months and months of PT or the surgery, just go for the surgery and dont waste time. If you spend months on PT then wind up in surgery anyways it will just extend your down time. My hubby had the surgery and while the couple of months it took to heal were rough, once he did his arm was way better than it had been in years and NO pain at all. From what I gather, even with extenisve PT, you may still struggle/suffer some. Just my 2 cents.
Get well supermom!
Thanks for the advice!