How will I manage with only one hand.........

[size6feet]

I have had the xrays and the nerve conduction tests and have a date for a carpel tunnel operation on the hand I use most.

How will I manage and cope afterwards for 6 to 8 weeks not being able to use both hands. Does anyone have any tips and advice please?
TIA

get someone else to do things for you?
Stock up on frozen meals beforehand so you don't have to do much in the way of cooking
Teeth are a useful substitute for a second hand in some things

What are you specifically worried about not being able to do?

Hi thumbwitch,
Well, I'm not sure what specifically. I was given the date for this only yesterday and now I suppose I am having alittle panic while I get used to the idea.
Both wrists need doing but will be done one at a time. So I have to avoid putting more strain on the other one. I dont have anyone else needs looking after so its just day to day things with me.

I like the idea of ready meals and I could get disposable cups, etc.

one hint I will give you. Learn to wipe your bum with the other hand. I had RSI in my R wrist a few years back and couldn't put any sideways pressure on my hand at all - not the first thing you think of as being a problem but believe me it was!

Also, make sure you have clothes with loose sleeves - pushing your hand through tight sleeves will be problematic, especially if you have some kind of cast on it.

I'll practice with that tip but thankfully won't need it till the next wrist is done .
I am looking forward to the 6weeks off work from August. Could wear skirts and dresses instead of struggling with trousers and possibly no knickers or big knickers.

knickers I could manage one-handed, although awkwardly. Buttons on waists were harder for sure - elastic waistbands (or none, i.e. dresses) = good idea. Tights = complete no-no.

You could try phoning the occupational health or physio dept pre-emptively to ask them what sort of problems people experience after the sort of operation you're having - they might have a help sheet, you never know your luck!

I had to manage one handed for about 5 weeks after my burn. It was challenging but do-able. I learned to wriggle my jeans on and do my bra up at the front and wriggle it round.

Slightly wry moment in a pub when my 10 year old dd had to cut my food up for me. How times have changed.

Writing wise I used my netbook for any notes I needed to take. Got very good one handed.

Cooking wise, well to be honest dh did almost all of it. I couldnt stir things on the cooker and I didnt trust my non dominant hand to lift things. It was little things like buttering my own bread that got me cross. ditto washing up as I couldnt get my hand wet at all and it was in a sling for most of the time.

My moment of triumph was potting on seedlings one handed.

My mum had both wrists done at once, and it wasn't that long that she couldn't do anything - I seem to remember about a week.

Loose elasticated clothes, slip on shoes, and lots of frozen meals which don't need cutting - and a spork will be your friends

Dh only has the use of one arm/hand and it is his non-preferred hand that he had to get used to using.

He can do everything unaided, pretty much. The only thing I do for him is cut his finger nails.

He also can't give the children doses of Calpol from a bottle (can't hold spoon and pour liquid at same time) but can use sachets.

When spreading butter on toast, rest the toast up against something solid e.g. edge of hob and spread towards the hob.

Use a damp cloth (or dycem mat) under a bowl when mixing or eating something, it stops it from moving around.

Put your affected arm in clothing first and then other arm and then over your head.

There is even a way of doing your shoe laces one handed if need be.

Obviously, you won't be able to drive (dh does, in a adapted automatic car)

Any other questions, let me know.

Oh, and use a small pizza wheel to cut your food up, or just a fork on soft food.

Thumbwitch Good idea -I will ring Physio.

BadKitten. I didnt think about the bras. I could buy some of those hook extenders.
My garden is fairly low maintenance. I think I can manage picking my strawberries but need to get someone to cut the grass.

CMOT - Both wrists at the same time! Your mom was very brave.

DaftApeth. Pizza wheel is now on my list to buy.

Lots of good practical advice here, thank you all.

I just practiced washing my hair in the shower ok but I think I will be walking around with ONE hairy armpit!

Or - you could be really brave and have them waxed!

I wouldn't - I'd rather live with the hairy armpit, but it's an option!

I'm sure you could get the worst of the fuzz off shaving with the same hand.

Bras will be tricky and can't ask dh about that . Perhaps a sports bra/crop top type?