Tips on coping with leg in plaster please...

Aw bad luck Queenie! I was in an Aircast for six weeks which admittedly I could take off at night but I was still on crutches during the day and did find it incredibly hard to get around and found myself quite housebound too.

The only hint I can give from my own limited experience is don't be afraid to ask people for help with fetching or carrying or whatever. I always felt really guilty asking but you really shouldn't. ?

I spent 5 months on crutches last year and my ankle has been in an Aircast for the last 4 months (but no crutches) so finally it's going to get sorted

Only had knee operation 6 weeks ago on the other leg, so just want it all to be over now - boo hoo

Sounds rubbish. hope it all goes ok

Cushion it as much as possible - sleep with it on a pillow, put a cushion in the footwell of the car if you are going to be a passenger, get one of those proper bag-thingies for showering - i didn't and made do with a bin-liner and gaffa tape. wish I hadn't. teach your husband how to cook if he can't already ?

The very nice cast man at our hospital said when going up or down stairs remember to 'Go up to heaven and down to hell', in other words lead up stairs with your good foot and down with the bad one. Worked quite well for H, and don't make the fundamental mistake we did when having it removed and forget to take a shoe for the foot with a cast. Most people managed to hide their sniggers at H leaving hospital with one trainer and sock on and one wrinkly, white withered, bare foot ?

Flowery - I was looking at those leg things for using in the shower - will definitely invest in one now

Portia - that made me laugh about the shoe, but great tip

When it does come to taking it off - take someone sympathetic with you.

I had one plaster cast when I was about 8. My dad took me to have it removed. I couldn't understand how the saw could cut through plaster, but not hurt flesh, even when they demonstarted it on my hand. I was petrifed, and he still takes the mick.

The 2nd time I had a cast I was 19 - i went to have it taken off by myself. The took it off, I said "great, thanks, bye!", got up off the bed and promptly fainted.

I really hope this (the cast, not my ridiculous stories) sorts out your problems, and makes it aaaaallll better!