My broken ankle and DH - not sure if I am being completely U

[Crutched]

3 days ago I broke my right ankle. It has been a complete disaster. The pain is awful, I am struggling on the crutches. My eldest DD has to walk her younger siblings home from school and I worry the whole time as they cross a busy road.

I am sleeping on the sofa, I smell (am going to try a shower tonight). But worst thing is being completely dependant on DH.

His attitude is like he is cross with me, which I sort of understand as it was my fault (was doing something stupid), my ankle is broken. But he is so dismissive. I sent him links to 'hands free' crutches and a sort of scooter you put your knee in so you don't need to use crutches and can get about easier. He said it was too much money.

He and DD have a sports game at the same time as DS has a play. A friend offered to drive me and DS to the play but DH said it's not fair to burden her with having to help me (I need a lot of help, down the stairs of the house and into car and then the other end). I can see that but it makes me feel like I am trapped in the house for the next four weeks.

Also he called to inform me he has booked a cleaner for next week. Fair enough the house does desperately need help and we were planning on booking someone but only after tidying first (his mum is coming to stay). I said I'd rather it wasn't next week as I will feel awkward being stuck in the living room/still in a lot of pain, can it be the week after and he said no! It has to be next week and it's not like I can do it myself.

I don't know what I am going to do for the next month. I feel so trapped and tearful. I get it is massively inconvenient but DH doesn't want to help me he is just leaving me to fester on the sofa. He yelled at me for trying to help make dinner yesterday.

[Meow75]

As no one else has mentioned it, be aware of the possibility of DVT and PE (Deep Vein Thrombosis & Pulmonary Embolism)

My DH broke his ankle in 2009, doing enforced PT as he was still in the RAF at the time. Playing volleyball, landed on right leg and incomplete fracture of outside bone as his ankle buckled. Massive bruise by the next day, had to wait till day 3 for swelling to go down enough for a pot.

He went to a number of appts to the GP, and one of them he described how his leg throbbed when lowering it to get up for the loo or to go to bed. GP says all normal, but at 4 wks, we were on holiday in Derbyshire and he was struggling to breathe, and at one point lost consciousness. Took him to Derby Royal Infirmary where a CT Scan confirmed massive blood clots blocking 85% of the access to the alveoli in his lungs so his blood could collect Oxygen. He spent 10 days in hospital and 6 months on warfarin at the age of 32.

Once you can bear it, the last thing you should be doing is remaining immobile on the sofa. (I'm not suggesting you carry on as normal though - listen to your body) You have to keep everything moving as that's one of the things to encourage the breakdown of the blood clots. Bones have a blood supply just like everything else so the break will have created a bruise - clotted blood.

There's no need to panic about it, just be aware as my DH was not warned.

[cottageinthecountry]

Most places I've looked it says don't bear weight for 6 weeks or so. That doesn't mean she shouldn't exercise to get blood circulating but that would be toe wiggling and leg lifting rather than hobbling about heroically, risking bumps and knocks to her pins and splints.

[SilverHawk]

When I smashed my ankle any kitchen work eg.frying an egg would make my toes turn an alarming colour and hugely increase the swelling. I really did have to keep it elevated.
A definite yes to wiggling the toes.
I had some alarming rides in a hired wheel chair! My friends thought that it was great fun pushing me around but it kept my sanity. Just a trundle round the block can help that stir crazy feeling go away.
I hope that it heals well OP but don't be a hero, it's just not worth it.

[Iflyaway]

It's times like this you really find out who is in your corner....

he sounds like a dictating dickhead Sorry.

[SilverHawk]

I don't think that he's being horrid on purpose, he is just behaving like most men in this situation. It is a mixture of panic and caring. He has suddenly had to deal with a situation that he knows nothing about. He wants to do his best, my DH thought 'cleaner'. I gratefully accepted but also used her for ironing and hanging the washing out. Show him the way....
I stayed with the crutches, sling a bag over your neck for a pouch and get other people to keep water jugs/kettle/thermos topped up in each room that you will use.

[BoneyBackJefferson]

I can only think that those calling the DH names don't understand how serious this type of injury/break can be.

[SilverHawk]

Don't be tempted by the mobility aids, you need to heal. Think of how many hours of home help/cleaners you could get for that price!
IIRC I had them coming in twice a week.

[SensationalGirl]

I bet he thinks yabu. You can barely go to the toilet yet here you are making plans to go out, go downstairs and get into a car for a bumpy ride. Seriously how is that going to happen? As hard as it will be for you you really are going to have to spend the next couple of weeks resting. Sometimes doing nothing is the right thing to do.

[Smooshface]

The owner of peglegs has seen this thread and is keen to point out you will be able to sell pegleg on eBay after for £100-odd pounds. You also have 15 days to send it back if it isn't suitable :)