Completely overwhelmed.

[hillsdown]

I am just feeling really overwhelmed and sorry for myself today . I am in the middle of calving, and one thing after the other has gone wrong. Besides calving, so far the girls are popping them out on their own. But I have been putting in 15 hour days and a few all nighters .

Now my husband broke his ankle yesterday morning at work and will be out of commission for at least 2 months. It was a very bad break in three places and he needed pins ,rods and screws put in to place it back together. So above all that I had to do by myself before ,I have an invalid to look after as well ,until he can at least start moving around better on his crutches. He should be released today and I am trying to figure out how the h@ll I am going to do everything now as well as care for him too. I cannot bother my neighbors all the time as they have their own problems and it is almost impossible to find any part time help around here that knows anything about farm machinery let alone wants to work on a farm . My husband will be completely useless here , as a farm in a cast and on crutches, especially winter and calving do not go well. So I imagine his @ss will be planted in his chair in front of the TV all the time .. :help:

I know I should be grateful for all I have and I really am, but I really do not know how much deeper I can dig and get from myself .

Sorry to vent, but does anyone one have some words of wisdom to share or some helpful tips from going through the same situation ?

Thanks for listening to me rant . :cry2:

 

[backhoeboogie]

I truly wish I had some words of wisdom or maybe even some encouragement. It sounds like your plate is full!

Being laid up is no fun. Two months from now you'll look back and wonder how the time flew by but it will drag while you're in it.

Plan something big for May. A treat for yourself. Look forward to that.

 

[Jogeephus]

I know how you feel. I work seasons and when the seasons overlap there are times that there just isn't enough time in the day. For myself, I've learned not to worry so much about calving as they do not need as much help as I once thought. I'd suggest just prioritizing your time and not sweating the stuff you cannot fit in to your schedule. Good luck with it, I know its easier said than done but your health, family and sanity are of much more importance than say the calf you might have saved.

 

[MO_cows]

I feel sorry for both of you! He's gonna have pain, boredom and frustration to deal with - you will have everything else. Maybe you would have better luck finding domestic help than farm help?? Anything you can do to take some of the load off your shoulders.

If your husband isn't one of the ones who does really well on crutches, get a walker. Walkers have the advantage that you can put a bag/basket on them and he can carry stuff by himself.

 

[I luv herfrds]

Just one foot in front of the other. No pun intended.
When he starts driving you crazy go out to the cows they are less demanding.

Time will be flying by and it will be over with soon.

 

[regolith]

Hoping things go smoothly for you.

Remember - he has all day to do a bit of housework, cook a meal, catch up on the farm accounts... He'll be slower, but I doubt there's any realistic need for you to be looking after him and yourself and the house.

Your neighbours are there for emergencies. Don't worry about asking them if you really need a bit of manpower or some machinery know-how to get going again.
And follow your instincts. I find working from with a male boss this year that there's reason why I do things the way I do - the guys think nothing of lifting a loaded trailer onto a towball, unscrewing a nut they've jumped on a lever to tighten... As you get used to working alone, you'll find you can change a few things or set things up for yourself so it doesn't take excessive effort to complete a task.

It'll get easier before you know it. Hang in there.

 

[john250]

I'll repeat some of the things JoG said about letting the cows be on their own. You don't have to be there at birth, most of the time.
I lose fewer calves now than I did when I was getting up at midnight to check.
I know your conditions are a lot more severe, r.e. the cold, than mine, so I see how you could use some help. Tell folks you trust and let them spread the word. Some bums will turn up, but some acceptable help will usually come along.
Or, as with horses gone lame, you could just shoot your husband. Suddenly, you have full time for the ranch. :lol: Maybe just show him the gun. He could get mobile in a hurry. :lol: `
I don't mean to make light of your situation. You have some real challenges there. Good luck. :wave:

 

[Anonymous]

Don't know what else to add but good luck. I'd help out, but I'm not exactly nearby

 

[ALACOWMAN]

good luck,, aleast your calving season will be over soon and you can settle down

 

[jkwilson]

Some things can be let go when things get hectic. Let them go. Canned soup for meals skip the chores that don't have to be done etc.. You have an excuse and we won't talk bad about you too much :P

I was laid up a little better than a year ago with my knee, and I know my wife was busy, but I just about came unglued being stuck in a chair that long. Three days in and I was a nut case and told my wife to steer clear because I was going to yell at something soon. :D

I'd honestly rather have been the one doing everything, as strange as that might sound to some folks. I'm not used to enforced sitting. Good luck to both of you!

 

[hillsdown]

Thank you everyone for the kind words and encouragement. Cold temps do mean that I have to check all the time just to make sure babies are up,have nursed and are dried off enough to stay outside .

Mr HD is being discharged at 9pm tonight , he needs to have a final shot of antibiotics . I told him I could just give him a shot of long acting pen here and he could be discharged sooner . :lol:

A friend of ours (also his boss) is picking him up for me , he also got hubby some things he will need at home like a stool for the shower etc. So that really helps out alot as I spent half the day getting supplies for the cows and then still had to finish chores plus get the house somewhat accommodating for him. BUT our home is definitely not designed for anyone who cannot move around freely, so he had best get really good on crutches fast .

Really thought about buying him a ticket to the Netherlands so he can recuperate over there and get to spend time with his dad . ;-)

Thanks again for all of the support , it means alot to me. :tiphat:

 

[1982vett]

I am just feeling really overwhelmed and sorry for myself today . I am in the middle of calving, and one thing after the other has gone wrong. Besides calving, so far the girls are popping them out on their own. But I have been putting in 15 hour days and a few all nighters .

Now my husband broke his ankle yesterday morning at work and will be out of commission for at least 2 months. It was a very bad break in three places and he needed pins ,rods and screws put in to place it back together. So above all that I had to do by myself before ,I have an invalid to look after as well ,until he can at least start moving around better on his crutches. He should be released today and I am trying to figure out how the h@ll I am going to do everything now as well as care for him too. I cannot bother my neighbors all the time as they have their own problems and it is almost impossible to find any part time help around here that knows anything about farm machinery let alone wants to work on a farm . My husband will be completely useless here , as a farm in a cast and on crutches, especially winter and calving do not go well. So I imagine his @ss will be planted in his chair in front of the TV all the time .. :help:

I know I should be grateful for all I have and I really am, but I really do not know how much deeper I can dig and get from myself .

Sorry to vent, but does anyone one have some words of wisdom to share or some helpful tips from going through the same situation ?Thanks for listening to me rant . :cry2:

HD...I don't know...I think of this often..."I have got more then what I deserve, but less then what I desire."~unknown... Doesn't really make matters any better but I understand your grief. (Oh, and thanks for making my self-pity even more trivial) :(

As far as the workload... You are just going to have to prioritize and let some of the non-essential stuff go. Just have to get that sorted out later when you can. And yes, as hubby gets better mobile, he needs to help with the domestic stuff...even if it isn't done correctly. :) ;-)

Best of luck and trust in your maker. Will be putting in a good word for you too.

 

[farmwriter]

Bless your heart, girl! I know you must be about ready to take a long walk off a short pier, but hang in there. You'll make it. Like others said - learn to let stuff go.
My husband is the WORST at helping out around the house, but I learn to overlook how awful he is at folding clothes and such when I just cannot get it done. I'm slowly trying to get my house back in order from the rush of calving (including all the twins) when it was so much colder than we're used to a few weeks back. There's still some furniture with so much dust you could write your name in it, but really, who cares? As long as I take 10 minutes to keep the toilets clean, I can stand the rest of it gradually getting back to normal over time.
When I'm in it up to my eyeballs, I tell myself, "If it didn't get done, that must mean it didn't have to get done today."
Hugs to you!

 

[Ryder]

Some of these trouble makers you should not listen too. I feel for you with all the work that is on your shoulders. BUT, your husband has had a serious accident and injury. He needs a lot of tender, lovng care and a lot of peaceful rest so that he can heal faster and get back to the farm work.

It is a known fact that domestic work slows down the mending of broken bones. (If it is not a known fact it should be.)
An easy chair, snacks, good books, and his favorite beverage will go a long way in bringing about a speedy recovery. Oh yes, make sure the TV remote control is at hand for him..

 

[3waycross]

I don't suppose he has any family that could come over and at least help you with the housework and taking care of your husband. It's worth a try at least.

Best wishes and give him my best. I feel for you both. :frowns:

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

HD it won't be as bad as you think. I will give your husband two weeks and he will be out and a helping you out.

 

[hillsdown]

Thanks everyone, he should be getting discharged right now.

3way I will send him there first before I let them come here , I know his family (with the exception of his dad ) and they expect me to wait on them hand a foot . So NO thanx .. ;-) I know you were kidding though . :)

Ryder he will get to rest until he can at least put weight on his foot which will not be until March 1st at the earliest when they take this cast off and remove the pins. Hopefully a walking cast can be put on and he will be more mobile. Then I/we are hoping he can go back to work, he will need a driver but at least he will be able to run his wireline high pressure well truck and get back to what he loves to do. I should add that he really is not home at all to begin with, he was home maybe 5 days since November so I am used to doing everything by myself, but then I don't have to care for him full time either so it is not that trying.

I know I will figure it out, I usually always do but it sure is a great feeling to know I have so many CT friends here that support and encourage me and let me cry on their cyber shoulders when I need to.

Thanks again for all of your very kind words of wisdom as well as the smiles ,chuckles and all of the heart felt PM's. You guys are the best ! :heart:

 

[rockridgecattle]

Sorry for all you are dealing with. I am sorry no words of wisdom here, except prioritize. I would take a few moments and put them down on paper. Then when i start to feel frazzled, look at the list as a reminder. Keep it short sweet and simple.
Praying for ya!

 

[MistyMorning]

I feel sorry for both of you! He's gonna have pain, boredom and frustration to deal with - you will have everything else. Maybe you would have better luck finding domestic help than farm help?? Anything you can do to take some of the load off your shoulders.

If your husband isn't one of the ones who does really well on crutches, get a walker. Walkers have the advantage that you can put a bag/basket on them and he can carry stuff by himself.

Great suggestions here!

Sounds like a lot on your plate HD, take care of yourself too as best you can.

 

[GMN]

I am just feeling really overwhelmed and sorry for myself today . I am in the middle of calving, and one thing after the other has gone wrong. Besides calving, so far the girls are popping them out on their own. But I have been putting in 15 hour days and a few all nighters .

Now my husband broke his ankle yesterday morning at work and will be out of commission for at least 2 months. It was a very bad break in three places and he needed pins ,rods and screws put in to place it back together. So above all that I had to do by myself before ,I have an invalid to look after as well ,until he can at least start moving around better on his crutches. He should be released today and I am trying to figure out how the h@ll I am going to do everything now as well as care for him too. I cannot bother my neighbors all the time as they have their own problems and it is almost impossible to find any part time help around here that knows anything about farm machinery let alone wants to work on a farm . My husband will be completely useless here , as a farm in a cast and on crutches, especially winter and calving do not go well. So I imagine his @ss will be planted in his chair in front of the TV all the time .. :help:

MEN-they are such babies !

GMN

I know I should be grateful for all I have and I really am, but I really do not know how much deeper I can dig and get from myself .

Sorry to vent, but does anyone one have some words of wisdom to share or some helpful tips from going through the same situation ?

Thanks for listening to me rant . :cry2: