It's Really Cold Outside - How To Stay Warm With A Walking Boot

So I know that it's cold everywhere here in the US but after being mostly indoors for the past seven weeks the outdoors seems that much more chilly. So when I was cleared to go back to work the first thing I thought was how will I keep my toes warm. Even with a sock on they are pretty exposed since the boot doesn't cover them. 
After going through my sock drawer I found my rain boot's fleece liners.

So I slipped them on over my socks and leggings to provide extra protection and warmth for the toes on my bad leg. It helped a lot and it doesn't look too shabby if I do say so myself =) Thanks to my Uggs and my fleece rain boot liners I was able to stay warm through this crazy Winter Vortex. 

Showering With A Cast

I was lucky enough to only be in my cast for only a week, but the tips and tricks I learned in the first week still help me to this day since I still can't stand in the shower. 

1. Staging - make sure you have everything you will need near you once you are done with your shower: towels, clothes, etc. 
2. Set Up  - It helps to have someone help you place a stool or chair that won't get damaged by water in your tub/shower. If you have a tub I found it easier to get into the tub if I had another stool the same height right outside. 
3. Covering the Cast - I didn't know how long I was going to be in a cast so I didn't buy a shower cast cover. Instead I used a plastic shopping bag and covered the foot part of my cast with a small towel under my heel. Then I used a trash bag and moving tape to cover my whole cast, using the tape to make sure to seal up anywhere water may drip into. 
4. Migrating to the Shower - First I would sit on my stool outside my tub to undress. Once I was ready I would sit on the side of my tub and place my legs inside the tub. Then I would use my arms to get me onto the stool inside my tub. 
5. Shower Time - I would wash my hair, scrub my body and be done in 15 minutes because showers are pretty uncomfortable. Then I would repeat how I got into the shower to get out and would rest on the stool outside my tub while I got dried off.
6. Remove the Bags - I would remove the plastic bags once I was dried off and voila clean as a whistle. 
7. Dress & Relax

TV Binge List

When you're stuck in bed or on the couch all day there's not much you can do except watch a lot of TV. So I've compiled a list of TV shows that I believe to be bing worthy. I will add more on as I finish my very own TV binges. 

• 30 Rock
• American Horror Story
• The Blue Planet
• Breaking Bad
• Community
• Dexter
• Downton Abbey (On Amazon Prime)
• Firefly
• Friday Night Lights
• Hart of Dixie
• House of Cards
• How I Met Your Mother
• It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia 
• Lost
• Mad Men
• New Girl
• The Office
• Parks and Recreation
• Pretty Little Liars 
• Revenge
• Scandal 
• The Walking Dead

*Updated: December 22, 2013

Tips For When You're Home With Your Broken Leg

I remember my head being stuck in the clouds while I was home. I was on my pain medication almost 24/7 and was always in a daze and was barely hungry. Here are some tips that I found invaluable during my first couple of weeks home from the hospital.

1. Pain Management- Know what you're taking and understand how much and how often. If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask.
2. Medicine Chart- Whether on a post-it or on your iPad make sure you keep track of when you take your medicine and how much. This will help especially when you are on enough pain medicine that you don't know what time of the day it is or if you are like me falling asleep the second your medicine kicks in. My fiance used post-its next to my nightstand table but I like the idea of using Google Drive because you can access it on your phone or computer. 
3. Stretching - Stretching your arms and other available body parts can help you avoid feeling like a big blob.
4. Isometrics - The physical therapist I met with at the hospital said to make sure to do them every day. It's easy just tighten and release your muscles, this will also help with circulation to your bad leg.
5. Elevation - Make sure to keep your leg elevated above your heart when you're laying down. This will help reduce the swelling in your leg. 
6. Sleep - The first few nights are the most difficult but hopefully your pain regiment will make it easier. Sleeping with your leg elevated on a couple of pillows should help too. 
7. Entertainment - Subscribe to Netflix and pick up a new show that has a ton of seasons. Ask a friend or family member to pick you up some crafts that you can easily do from bed like crocheting or knitting. 
8. Food - Eat a healthy well balanced diet. Your body is rebuilding your bones and your muscles, ligaments and tendons are recouping from any damage. Eating well will help your body heal by giving it the nutrients it needs.