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Posted 10/24/2006 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
I have trouble with my left leg being numb and tingling.  I've fallen a couple of times lately and I'm trying to make my life as simple as I can.  My problem is the laundry.  I have trouble carrying baskets as I lose balance (I can't use my cane).  I try to do the laundry when no one is home because my husband and son come running when they see me carrying anything.  I've always been independent, but had to quit work, can't do my volunteer work, and can no longer even take long walks.  I still have to feel that I can at least handle my housework.  I'm looking for something similar to the baskets on wheels that the laundry mats use, but much smaller.  Has anyone seen anything that resembles this?  Thanks for the input.
Posted 10/24/2006 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Pegleg

What about a wheeled shopping cart? U know those kind u see little ladies pulling around in town? Well they're wire cage type and would be light weight as well. My grandmaw used one for years and she was very weak, yet was able to work well with that. Another thought...if all else fails, lay out an old sheet and pour it out on it. Drag u'r laundry to the laundry room and have at it! ;) Just a thought from one determinded person to another!

rhonda
Posted 10/24/2006 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks rhonda: I tried the wire shopping cart, but it has areas that causes pulls on some fabrics. I have a large basket I drag around. Maybe someone out there wants to get rich and design one! Any takers? Make it small to go easily through doors. Maybe after my neuro appt tomorrow, things will start to look up. I had a 75 yr old woman come up to me in church Sunday and told me how fit she was and how the gym kept her looking young. I guess seeing me use my cane made her think that giving me a pep talk would get me started on a fitness routine. I felt like saying that a year ago, I was running circles around people half my age... but I just smiled, thanked her and told her how good she looked. I could tell by her husband's face that he wanted to use my cane on her. ha ha I have 3 recipees that I enjoy making, doesn't take any effort, little time and people wonder how I can stand in the kitchen for long periods making these dishes. Boy do I have them fooled! Anyone out there that has a recipee or two that are simple, easy to fix? I would like to start a MS cookbook. Just because we get fatigued, doesn't mean it's going to stop us from enjoying a good homecooked meal. My recipees are for Loaded Potato Soup, Gumbo, Red Beans & Rice.
Posted 10/24/2006 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Pegleg

What a great idea! I'm no cook at all...we live in the New Testament times at my house...we very often have burnt offerings, but there are some things i can make as well. How about some kind of site we can all go to and offer our easy recipes? Seems like we should be able to do something like that easily. "Food" for thought...any takers??

U know, people can't see u'r illness and understand what u'r dealing with. The nervous system can do some pretty horrific things to the body, as we all know, and they come and go and leave their marks on the inside all to often. I'm sure the lady at church meant to help as u said. All u can do is accept it for what it's meant to be and, as u did so kindly, thank her for her help. It's hard to swallow and just say thank u unless u keep in the front of u'r mind that they just don't know or understand.

I'm gonna do some research on the cart issue and i'll let u know what i find.

rhonda
Posted 10/24/2006 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Pegleg

Check out this link. I found several on Amazon, tho they may not be what u'r looking for. Hope u find something that works!

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&search-alias=kitchen&field-keywords=wheeled%20laundry%20hampers&page=1

rhonda
Posted 10/25/2006 12:36 AM (GMT 0)

Simple recipee for the fellow "fatigue" pack:

Loaded Potato Soup: tongue

3-4 lg potatos; 2 cans cream of potato soup; 1 pkg shredded Mexican shredded cheese (not hot, just 4 different cheeses make better flavor); 3 cups milk; 1 bottle/pkg bacon bits (real, not fake).

Cube, boil, & drain potatos.  Add all ingredients and heat in microwave or on stove until cheese is melted.  No need to add salt as soup contains enough salt to taste.  Add pepper if desired.  Takes absolutely no time and people will think you slaved in the kitchen!  My son says it tastes better than restaurant soup! yeah

Posted 10/25/2006 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hi pegleg

Can totally relate about how fit you were a year ago.  Me too. Went to the gym 5 times a week, took pilates and now hunched over and using a cane.  I feel like I went from a young, athletic 40s to a 90 year old lady in a matter of 1 1/2 years. Elderly people are holding doors for me and helping me, and not that I don't appreciate it, but hard to take sometimes. 

Would one of those laundry baskets on wheels help you?  I have seen them in the pottery barn catalog and same thing but cheaper at Target.  They have three compartments for different colors too.  Might make sorting easier too. I am going to get one of these when we do our addition and move the laundry upstairs.  Right now my husband has to do it as laundry has to come up & down 2 flights of stairs.

I like your idea about easy recipes.  Why don't you start a new thread and we'll add on to it. 

Posted 10/25/2006 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
KIMC:  I found a great laundry cart online at Targets...it's especially designed for those w/med needs.  It's called a Drive Medical Winnie Wago, $29.99, has lg rubber casters, folds esily, used for laundry, shopping, etc, handle is designed for those of us who have to use a cane or walker.  I went to Target today, but they did not have that specific item ... I'm ordering online tonight.  With it I can do laundry, carry my groceries from the car without hubby, and shop in the mall.  We have a 2 story house, so I'll throw laundry down and then place in cart.  I'll start the recipee w/ease thread tomorrow ... hopefully everyone that sees it can add on or use the recipees.  My neuro put me back on steroids today (last time was 3 months ago) ... seems too soon.  Seems my life is still out in space.  Neuro MD asked if I was depressed since I can't work ... told him not depressed, just mad about not being able to control my health.  Told me he would see me in 3 wks.  What are your symptoms and what do you take for them?

Posted 10/26/2006 8:30 PM (GMT 0)

Hi  Peg Leg,

What about a walker?  I've seen one at Sam's Club for about $80. It's pretty nice and sturdy, and from what I remember you may be able to place a laundry basket on the top rail/basket area.  It might work as long as you are not going very far with it and not carrying a heavy load.  Good luck in your quest.

Disfan74

Posted 10/27/2006 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
DIFN74 & KIMC: Thanks for your input. I bought a folding grocery/laundry cart w/2 lg wheels on bk & 2 sm ones on front at a med supply store. I felt like I just bought my 1st car! I started using it as soon as I got home & it's made everything so much easier! I see an OT on the 31st. My MD said there are a lot of items now available to help make housework easier. I never thought I would be excited. I'm used to working w/people in hosp to make their lives better (resp therapist), not having it done for me. I'm extremely independent and whatever it takes to keep my independence, I'll do. I use a cane most of the time outside of the house now ... beats falling or tripping into a stranger's lap in a restaurant! My symptoms will not go into remission, so I'm taking the "bull by the horns" and making lemonade out of lemons. Beats sitting and feeling sorry for myself! I'm also suppose to start PT ... looking forward to that. Just because my lt leg doesn't work, doesn't mean I want my muscles to become mush! Thanks again for your inputs!
Posted 10/29/2006 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hope this post helps others that are in the same situation. I use a rolling/foldable cart for EVERYTHING! It has a handle that collapses inside itself, and folds up when not in use. Some of them even come with a lid for stacking other items on top. They also come in different sizes and colors (black or gray is most common). I have several that I use for home and work. I bought them at Big Lots, KMart, and Staples (other other office supply stores) and have paid between $10 and $30.
Posted 10/29/2006 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Sunday p.m.

 

Very good afternoon, Pegleg:

 

Greetings.  I don't know how I recieved this catalog....

 

But it is Dynamic Living...a catalog  of tools and aids for us...

 

http://dynamic-living.com

 

In this catalog, there are several laundry carts.  I recommend checking it.

 

Great Luck.  John

Posted 10/29/2006 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Motown John: Thanks for the website; they have the cart which I bought. I can't believe how much energy it saves! I go to OT on the 31st and can't wait to see what else I can get.

Hey Gracie's Mom: I would love to have a ROOMBA, but unfortunately it doesn't have a chance around my 2 miniature dachsunds! My g'daughter had a remote toy & Sebastian thought it was especially for him. It gave us a good laugh. I have a friend who has one and thinks it's a better invention than the microwave.

Hey MoscrapbookQueen: What dept did you find these in? Household? I would like to have one for my laundry room.

Thanks everyone for the input! Since getting my little cart, I feel that finally I'm beginning to get a hold on this!
Posted 10/31/2006 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Pegleg,
I needed a quick meal tonight since it's trick or treat, so I made the potato soup. OMG it is sooo good, I couldn't stop eating it. Thanks for the recipee I know I'll be making it alot. I liked the idea of started a thread for easy recipes.
Thanks again
Jen
Posted 10/31/2006 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
TiaJoy,
Glad you enjoyed the soup. I'm getting some more quick & easy recipees together that taste like you've been slaving in the kitchen. Only you & the kitchen knows for sure!
Posted 11/7/2006 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there,

My name is Kavit, and I am a Design student at NSCAD in Halifax, Canada.

I am actually in the process of re-designing the Laundry Basket, and seeing so many of you have been talking about it, I was wondering if I could get some information from you, to help me with my design.

1. To determine the size, I would need to know how often people do their laundry.
2. What is the most common type of residence that people live in, and where the laundry room is located.
3. What kind of laundry baskets do people use presently.
4. What changes, in your opinion, need to be made to existing ones.

Also, if you could give me your approximate age, I know which age group I am gathering this information from.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Kavit
Posted 11/7/2006 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
KavitShah: You are definitely a breath of fresh air to those of us learning to "redesign" our housework. I needed something to keep me from having to lift baskets and become tired. Have you seen the large silver baskets that are used in laundrymats? It would be ideal if someone could design one similar, but w/o the bar over the basket but at the same time have an area below the basket to place other folded clothes. Must be easy to maneuver and easily fits through doors and around furniture (approx 24" sq). I am 52 yrs old and do either clothes or towels/linens every 3 days. Also you need to have a handle that is similar to one on a cart for us to push. This gives me balance and I don't have to use a cane. Looking at me you would never know I had anything wrong. I'm 5'4", 127 lbs, and looking at me, you would think I exercised routinely. Good luck and keep me apprised. Let me know if you need anything else!
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