Plaster up to my elbow - help!

[Netbawl]

Not yet, thankfully. But in November probably, I'll be in a plaster cast from wrist to above elbow for about six weeks.

What can I do to prepare? I have two preteens, so they can help a bit with house stuff, and my DH will be brilliant.

I am mainly thinking about washing my hair, tying it back, putting socks on, tampons(!), that sort of daily care stuff. I was going to get some baggy clothes so they were easier to get on and off.

Des anyone have any other good ideas/been there, done that?

What else do I need to think about that will be difficult?

I am not even thinking about the pain, just the practical stuff!

Long skirts are good, rather than jeans for loo purposes. A secret support vest can be stepped into, then the strap pulled over your cast rather than a bra. I found a boyfriend type cardi easier to get on
Get an electric tin opener and jar opener plus a non slip map to go under your chopping board. Always use a baking tray to put things in the oven on, and a silicone snappy glove is easier than a full oven glove
For washing your hair, get a Limbo cast cover and you can have a normal shower. Pump bottles are easier to handle, similarly the pump top toothpaste
Get your dh to put your hair up! If you want to dry it, you can get a hair dryer stand

I'm sure I'll think of other things - I spent 2 years with my arm in plaster or non removable splints and then the 8 years since then with a non functional arm/hand so lots of experience

@CMOTDibbler THANK YOU!!

That is a really helpful reply. The Limbo covers look great. Tips about pump bottles/can openers too - I hadn't thought about those. And bras! So much to think about

Sorry to hear you have been through the wars with you arm - it sounds really difficult and I hope you are doing ok now.

Been there done that and managed... I had no electric tin opener and most are ring pulls, so I put the tin on the floor, held it between my feet then used a knitting needle to hook the ring pull … But I am a former ballet dancer and still very supple,
I had no help either as I live alone - apart from the cats which is why I needed to open tins.
The worst was not being able to knit; I am an addict..

Driving was interesting. Thankfully it was my right arm so I could still change gear.

If you have any steep stairs make sure the bannister is on the right side. Lazy garlic/chilli/ginger and batch for your good arm cooking if you can. I went for heatproof gloves with fingers so I could get a really good hold of heavy hot stuff. A chopping board with 'spikes' in the middle is helpful for chopping round things if you can't uses your other hand at all. Sharpen all your knives beforehand. My top piece of equipment is a small basket that I can fit my phone, a cuppa and a biscuit in This is mine (but I definitely didn't pay that for it!) tinyurl.com/u2a39r3a

Sorry, the text got muddled *on the right side for your good arm and batch cooking!!!

For ring pull tins you can get a 'ring pull opener aid' and either hold the tin between your feet, or jam it between you and the worktop.
A Knork can be useful, but I just cut my meat on a chopping board in the kitchen, but take a knork out to eat.
And I like my contigo cup as it can be put under my arm while I carry other things as well as my drink.
If you normally wear trainers, elastic laces are a godsend. Lock laces are my favourite.
Have you got a warm poncho? A cape is very practical for keeping warm as you can't thread an above arm cast through a coat and can be picked up on ebay. A kind friend made me an oversized mitten to go on my cast to keep my hand warm in the winter which was fab
Depending on what you are having done, I found a small beanbag was great to let me keep my arm elevated and stable in the night

Oh God, I'd forgotten about laces @CMOTDibbler. I have to wear laced shoes for other reasons (related to why I've too much experience of broken arms/collar bones!) and had to get my kids to do them for me! Good shout about the poncho/cape. I also found that really helpful.

Front opening bras
Frozen sliced onions/peppers
Hot air brush for your hair (i had mine cut to shoulder length as I just couldn't tie it up/clip it or anything and the hot air brush actually gave me salon-perfect hair every time which made a big difference to my MH too
BIG knickers so you can hoik them up one-handedly
More pillows than you can imagine
Biggest zip-up hoody you can get your hands on