[herr_oberst]

I spent December/January 2010 with a busted kneecap/busted elbow. This is my advice.

Before the operation, while you're still mobile, go out and buy something special for the person or persons that will be waiting hand and foot on your sorry ass! :-) Spring those little presents on them throughout your rehab, because your relationship will be tested. Be prepared.

Tell yourself right now that you will not lose patience with your caregiver. Stick to that coda.

Orient the furniture in front of the TV; surround yourself with tables. You're going to have every book and magazine dvd and pillow in the house piled high on these flat surfaces. Make sure your lamp is positioned where you can reach the on off switch. Make sure all the rugs are secure. A bonus is to orient the chair and the sofa so you can move easily between them and still see the TV. Even if you're not a TV watcher now, you will be. You won't want to stay in bed all damn day, and there's not going to be much else you can do, but you'll want to be uppanattem. Shaved, showered, shat.

Do the same for your bedroom. Easy ingress/egress, good lighting, no tripping hazards.

Do the same in the shower/ bathroom. I reckon the walker will allow you to ease that aforementioned sorry ass onto the can.

Get a couple of pair of brand new drawstring pants, and a nice robe. You'll be living in those for the next few weeks.

I would say take a few minutes to lock your leg and practice things like putting fresh underwear on, but you're gonna learn that quick enough.

Keep us posted. We're here to support you until you get better than we can go back to giving your grief.