It's been seven weeks since I had surgery to repair a ruptured thumb. The surgeon reassures me that I am on target with my recovery, even though, at times I question whether I will ever get full use of my thumb.

I knew that for a number of weeks I would be down to using one hand, so I prepared in advance by doing the following:

1. Put elastic laces into my running shoes. My dentist, who had surgery for carpal tunnel, wished someone had told him to do this. I can credit my hip surgery requirements for this little tip.

2. Squeezed some toothpaste into a small jar.

3. Purchase an easy-to-grip sanding sponge from the hardware department of the dollar store to make it easier to file my nails.