Today was my 5 week check up with the knee surgeon. Still on crutches, but slowly taking a few steps with one. I have the go ahead to try climbing the stairs to my studio - while using crutches or a cane. Won't be running up and down them anytime soon, but a least I can attempt them. Tomorrow will be my first attempt! Scott has already moved my Janome back upstairs. Do you think he was tired of my machine on the dining room table, my cutting mat on the kitchen buffet, ironing board and iron in the kitchen, and fabric "piles" on the table? I think the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back is using his pool table as my design wall. LOL! (Don't tell him, but I was tired of it too).
I start Physical Therapy Friday. Scheduled for 3 x week for 4 weeks. Looking forward to getting some help with this very stiff and sore knee.
Have you ever had one of those days when you just shouldn't have attempted to work on a quilt project? A day when everything that can go wrong will go wrong, and you should have just left the rotary cutter and sewing machine alone? I had one of those days when I first started sewing after my surgery. Unfortunately I didn't realize it was one of THOSE days... until I tried assembling my blocks a few days later. I usually ALWAYS do a test block to double check my pattern. I did test units, to check the outside unit dimensions. Perfect, came out to 5" unfinished exactly.No need to sew the test units together in the block. (YEAH RIGHT, I'm saying NOW). Good to go.... rev up that rotary cutter and cut pieces for 144 units. Then sew 4 quick corners on each. So far, so good. It took me several days to cut out all the pieces, and make my square in a square units. But..... when I went to sew them to the next unit, matching diagonal seams - something wasn't quite right..... My quick corner measurement was off! OH NO! Since I had already cut off the excess I couldn't use them again. So..... back to the drawing board, the cutting board, and the sewing machine. I had been collecting just the 'perfect' fabrics for this project for over 6 months. Now I'm back to hunting down some more fabrics, and starting all over...... Moral to the story: Don't start a project while on pain meds. Put the rotary cutter down, and go back to bed.
I'm still on 2 crutches, but am making progress towards being able to go with one. Knee is VERY tender when I put weight on it, or try to straighten it completely. Still swelling a lot, especially if I'm standing, so ice packs are never far away.
I was able to get out of the house this last week. Driving is a lot easier for me now, as I can get in and out of the car without too much trouble. I drove Mitch to and from chess camp all week, 30 miles each way. On Wednesday I decided to drive to Tulsa after dropping him off. I spent some time at SewFlakes and Quilt Sampler. Was so good to be around quilters and fabric again!
I am making good progress on the quilt top I'm piecing. I have most of the block units made, and will hopefully get the blocks together this week. After this one is done I only have 3 more projects for the new book left. YAY! Claudia is stitching right along, and has most of her projects started or completed. We have the rest of '09 to put the finishing touches on the book. It will be released Oct 2010.
This evening I drove my ATV down to my big flowerbed near the pond. I drove along close to the rock wall, and was able to do a little weeding along the front of the bed - while still sitting on the ATV. One of these days I'm going to be able to climb the rock steps and get in that bed and really get after those weeds and so some deadheading!
I want to thank all my friends (those nearby and my internet pals), who have helped keep me connected to this wonderful quilting community while I've been laid up with my knee surgery. Your visits, phone calls, cards, and emails have been so appreciated!
I SEWED!
It felt so good to sew again. I have been working on a project for the new book for what seems like months. I had the blocks in rows, so all I needed to do was put the rows together. The border will have applique, and those fabrics are up in my studio - out of my reach right now. So.. I set the project aside once again, and am working on the next one.
Mitchell helped me lower the ironing board, so I could sit and iron the fabrics for the next project. I tried sitting on a tall stool to cut dimes from the fabrics, but after a short while my knee was giving me fits, so I had to stop for the day. But.. I feel like I made great progress!
I updated my website last night. It needed freshening up for a long time. Check it out: www.persimmonquilts.com
Scott is still a little stiff and sore from his motorcycle spill, but he's getting around fine. He has a lovely HUGE bruise.
It has been 100+ degrees for the last few days, and this weekend is expected to be even hotter. Good time to stay inside and sew a little!
Knee Update
Day 13.. Today was my post op visit. What a day it turned out to be. I have to throw in some things non-knee related to this post, as it tells the whole story of how my (& my family's) day went.
I had an 8am appt with the surgeon in Tulsa. I was listening to the radio in the car. The DJ gave the Tulsa traffic update, and said only one slowdown near 51st & Hwy169 exit due to a motorcycle accident with EMSA on the scene. Just then my phone rang.......
Yep, you guessed it. Scott decided to take his motorcycle to work.
When I answered my cell phone I didn't understand most of what was being yelled at me on the phone, except that "Some dumb $!&$^+ just cut me off and ran over me on the bike, I gotta hang up". OK... I'm travelling 75mph on the turnpike, mind racing, heart thumping, and trying to figure out how to get off the turnpike and find him. I took a chance and called his cell phone. He answered, and was 'somewhat' calmer. First thing..... "Are you OK?". He said he was just checked over by EMSA, and he's OK, but his bike wasn't. (At this point who cares about the bike!!!!!.... ok maybe he does). He tells me to go on to my appt. He was having his bike hauled back to his shop.
Surgeon's Office: By the time I got to the surgeon's office I was a wreck! I decided to drive myself, and had taken a little test jaunt last night to make sure I could get in and out of the car ok, and manage to drive. Thank goodness for cruise control...enough said! I didn't have a handicap permit, so I parked in general parking and hopped on crutches across the parking lot, up a steep incline ramp, and down a long hallway. Huffing and puffing the whole way, too, lol! Still panicky from Scott's call.
Had my pretty blue stitches pulled out, then waited for the doc. He was pleased with my knee, and told me I could begin to put a little light weight on my leg, while using the crutches. After a week or so I could try using just one crutch, and by 3 weeks I might be walking without crutches. That's when I go back to see him. He didn't want to start physical therapy just yet, but told me to keep doing my gentle exercises. He said I'd start therapy after my next visit, and would start out slowly and work to a pretty strong protocol. He told me no stairs. Unfortunately my studio is upstairs, so this was terrible news.
I got up off the exam table, put my foot on the floor and tried to take a step. Did you hear the scream? OMGosh... I saw stars. He thought maybe it might be awhile before I tried that again, and to "take it easy and slow". How much easier and slow does it get??? It was one measely step! Sigh.....
Flash forward to Scott's shop... I called our daughter, Mandy and asked what the "real" scoop was on Scott, and if he was hurt or not. She said he had abrasions on his elbow, and his hip was hurting. Oh boy... On my way to Scott's shop I called my regular Ortho doctor in Claremore, and asked if they had an opening to see him today. They did.
When I got to the shop Scott was limping around, still pumped with adrenaline and raving about his poor bike. It wasn't mangled, but it wasn't a pretty sight either. He related the story of the accident. He was was cut off by a van as he was making a left turn in a 2 lane turn. Just as the van was about to run over him, he bailed off the bike. The van ran over the bike, sending it end over end. Scott ended up in the median. Fortunately they had just been given a green light, so they were not traveling more than about 10mph.
We went to lunch, both of us gimping along. A friend loaned him a cane, and I had my crutches. After lunch we went to his Ortho appt. Good news! X-rays ok. Looks like he bruised a hip bursa, but will be ok with time.
I am writing this as I'm sitting with my knee propped up high, with ice packs. My dear hubby is laying on the couch with ice packs on his hip. Poor Mitchell is bringing us Tylenol(Scott), something a little stronger for me, water bottles, dinner, and fresh ice packs. Another exciting day in the Weaver household.
Looks like we won't be dancing in the street anytime soon....... I was going to ask him to carry down my heavy sewing machine, but I think I'd better xnay on that for a day or two.
Knee Surgery Update
Day #8.. Still progressing, and knee feels better. Swelling down, and not so stiff. Am having a little trouble with exhaustion still, but I think it's because I'm inactive. I really hate being stuck in my recliner all the time. I try to take short "strolls" on my crutches, as often as my strength allows. I spent a couple hours on the patio last evening, while Scott grilled burgers and I read several days' newspapers.
Tonight we went out for dinner and a trip to Lowe's. I had such cabin fever! Dinner at Peppers was a real treat. I tried not to mow too many people over at Lowe's. Those motorized shopping carts are tricky. LOL! Picked up a shower chair and hand rail, then stopped at a fireworks stand so Mitch could get some fireworks. I stayed in the car in the A/C and rested. By the time we got home I was so exhausted. My big night out on the town lasted about 1 1/2 hoursl
All the kids and grandgirls are coming this weekend. I plan to enjoy my forced relaxation time in my recliner and enjoy the family.
Next week..... Look out.... thread and fabric are going to fly! I'm going to try to do some piecing. I am having awful withdrawls from my sewing machine.
