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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To fantasise about being laid up for six weeks with a broken leg?

103 replies

JockTamsonsBairns · 08/02/2018 23:25

I'm only half joking.
I'm mid-40's and, I guess like so many others this age, am into that juggling stage of young children, elderly parents, career, trying to run a household, etc etc.
I've got 3 DC's, 19, 10 & 8. 19yo away at uni, reasonably self sufficient these days. 10 and 8 year olds in the usual whirl of homework projects, extra curricular clubs, battles about screens, squabbling with each other fairly constantly. My mum is 80, recently had a four month stay in hospital but is now back home. She's quite possibly not fit enough to be home, but she wasn't ill enough to stay in hospital and refused point blank a nursing home placement. DF died many years ago, so she lives alone, and requires a lot of support. I'm 350 miles away though, so can't help much practically on a daily basis. I have four older DB's, but they're much too fucking Busy and Important to concern themselves with any of that (that's a whole new thread, and not really relevant to this one).
On top of this, I'm trying to maintain some semblance of a career. I work full time, but not senior enough to dictate my own working diary or anything. To be fair, my employer was fantastic when my DM was in intensive care for five weeks - I was given plenty of leeway for time off to go and visit. But, now she's home, I've had to get refocused on my job. Which is fair enough of course.
I do have a DH, works long (ish) hours - he's out of the house 7am-7pm, with the odd bit of travel thrown in. He does do his fair share of grudge work, but could probably do more of the "thinking" work iykwim? For eg, I very much doubt he knows what day the DC's have PE, so wouldn't take it upon himself to organise their kit. Similarly, I seriously doubt he's been spending any time on ebay lately, trying to cobble together a couple of costumes for World Book Day. So, yes, he could do more. But, we're both struggling with zero family help, so I don't want to be too harsh on him.

AIBU to dream about breaking my leg or suchlike? To wish I could just lay back on the sofa for six weeks in recovery, read a few novels, watch all the stuff on the Sky Planner which has been filling up for months, and just be brought things? Tea and snacks on a tray maybe? I'm not asking for much!

OP posts:
ziggy1986 · 09/02/2018 09:19

I was in a cast for a long time last year and it was utterly miserable. I didn’t feel up to reading much or even watching a box set. Plus my work only pay up to 4 weeks sick leave. I couldn’t do anything for months - leaving my house was difficult. And friends disappointing in terms of visiting etc. Be careful what you wish for!

tillytoodles1 · 09/02/2018 09:22

Sane here ziggy1986. I'm stuck on the settee with a broken leg and knee, non weightbearing. I'm bored stiff.

megletthesecond · 09/02/2018 09:26

Yanbu.

I'm a LP and had three weeks off with bowel surgery last November. It was bliss, loads of pottering and finally got the house tidy (trashed again by xmas). The only downside was not being able to go to the gym.

Walkerbean16 · 09/02/2018 09:50

I had to stay in hospital for two days recently with an infection. Was wonderful! Grin

NeverTwerkNaked · 09/02/2018 09:52

I know where you are coming from.
I was feeling like this so the other week I booked a days leave from work and just had a glorious day to myself Smile

MrMeeseekscando · 09/02/2018 09:56

I broke my ankle badly, had plates and screws.
3 months off work, full pay, lovely drugs, I had virtually no pain either.
It. Was. Bliss.

LunaDoot · 09/02/2018 10:18

My dream is falling masonry. A sharp knock to the head to render me unconscious for a lovely 12 hour sleep, followed by another night in for observation but no real damage done Smile

strawberrybubblegum · 09/02/2018 10:42

SocksRock - reading about you considering throwing yourself down stairs or pulling out into traffic, I had a sudden flash vision of my 5 year old DD: grown up, working and stressed, and considering something like that - and it's made my blood run cold.

I know most posters are rather more lightheartedly fantasizing, but actually this a real warning shot about our lives. Imagine your daughter feeling this way. What would you say to her? As women, we put ourselves last almost to the point of thinking we're expendable - when actually each of us is a precious, unique, powerful person.

Time to value ourselves and make the changes we need in our lives.

Scabbersley · 09/02/2018 10:56

LunaDoot Grin

MrsHathaway · 09/02/2018 13:19

When my thyroid was playing up (autoimmune) my consultant was considering irradiating it. DC were then 1, 4, 7.

"But I'm afraid it means two weeks in isolation," he said, seriously and sympathetically.

"WHEN CAN WE START?!" I replied.

Brew for the mental load.

Crazyladee · 09/02/2018 13:31

YANBU

I had a knee operation a few years ago and spent three weeks with my leg up. I drafted in a cleaning lady, organised my shopping online and binged on Netflix and box sets. I spent my afternoons eating my favourite chocolates and snoozing (when the codeine kicked in) I struggled to wash my hair so I got a taxi to pick me up and take me to the hairdressers for a wash and blow dry here and there.

I was gutted when the time came for me to be mobile and back to work. Blush (lighthearted)

AKAmyself · 09/02/2018 14:25

I had a small op a few years ago (inguinale hernia) and those 3 days recovery at home still count as one of the highlights of my life post children. So no, YANBU

Dorris83 · 09/02/2018 14:43

OP I could have written your post! I long to be forced to rest and for someone else to take care of me. I feel like I wake up on Monday and sprint all week. DH does different hours and we have a 4 y/o and we barely speak to each other most of the week, all spare energy goes to our kid. I daydream about an enforced stay in hospital for something serious but not too serious!

The80sweregreat · 09/02/2018 14:57

No, I broke my leg once and it was hell! Awful time and the pain. Not worth it 😀

bluestarthread · 09/02/2018 17:33

I had a foot operation 2 years ago and took full advantage of the 6 weeks recovery time offered. I'm mid-40s, 2 kids, elderly parents, 2 pt jobs and a husband - who I have to say was brilliant!
I lined up box sets to watch, had a good knitting project and a pile of books. It was fantastic.
I'd do it all over again - worth the pain of the operation Grin

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 09/02/2018 17:37

A colleague of mine years ago had an old-fashioned hysterectomy with 6 weeks off and not allowed to do much at all. She’d had such issues beforehand that she desperately wanted it done and said it was the best break she’d ever had.

ArkAtEee · 09/02/2018 18:16

YANBU. I recently had 2 weeks off for a very minor operation. After the first few days of pain, I really enjoyed it. Blush

ShoeJunkie · 09/02/2018 18:16

Yes! A non serious, fairly painless something that necessitates a short stay in hospital does appeal. Especially after two days of being stuck in the house with two sicky children!

Oblomov18 · 09/02/2018 18:18

I feel like this quite a bit. Assumed it was common!

MissEliza · 09/02/2018 18:45

I'll never forget my dm crawling upstairs with two broken toes because my 10 year old brother insisted he couldn't find his school tie. Meanwhile the little git was sat on the sofa eating his Rice Krispies oblivious to his poor dm. I thought I will never be a martyr like that when I have kids but now I can envisage myself doing that Blush.

SocksRock · 09/02/2018 18:53

@strawberrybubblegum that was the point where I realised I had serious issues. I went back into my office, picked up my laptop and walked out. I never set foot in that office again, once I resigned 5 weeks later the company sent a courier for the laptop and my office keys. Company were very good to me, I had 10 weeks of counselling paid for by them, which actually extended past the end of my notice period. I then spent 15 months recovering and then went back to work in a different role in a different company. I went back to work nearly 2 years ago now and have never felt that desperate since. I was one of the lucky ones to have supportive employer, husband and family...

ShatnersBassoon · 09/02/2018 18:59

Would it be wrong to bind my big toes with the aim of getting ingrowing toenails? Local anaesthetic for removal of nails, then say a week or so of carefully resting and avoiding infection.

My colleagues and I often discuss our fantasies about getting signed off work with unarguable need to rest.

Tiddlywinks63 · 09/02/2018 19:04

I had four months off nwb after severely fracturing my leg and it was anything but fun, just pain, frustration and boredom.
Five years later I am still in pain.
Be careful what you wish for indeed.

AlpacaLypse · 09/02/2018 19:08

@ShatnersBassoon noooo don't do it! Ingrowing toenails HURT!!! I've not been afflicted myself but someone I care for deeply has and it really wasn't funny!

RaindropsAndSparkles · 09/02/2018 19:09

@strawberrybubblegum the point I most valued my daughter and overcame a serious accident was when I wedge fractured by more than 50% a vertebrae. DD was back at school having lost a year to MH and a serious chronic illness diagnosis. I was in acute pain for 5-6 days. Got the psinkillers right and was back on school runs on the 7th day. Back at work after two weeks off.

The sheer grit dd's illness afforded me was best for recovery. Making myself mobile was best for her recovery too.