Hobbling and a Compass

Recovery from any surgery is difficult, but I am finding this particular recovery annoying. Having surgery on a foot means not walking. Walking is a very important part of my daily routine. If for any reason a foot is impaired due to injury or pain, it impedes the daily progress. I finally succumbed to the surgery as the pain was unbearable. Doctor said 'about 6 weeks' recovery, but every case is different. Well I'm the 'different' one. Having animals, gardens, yard work, all of which require needing to walk. I am so thankful to everyone that has been able to help me through this recovery that seems to be continuing ad nauseam.

The first week of recovery I thought I'd watch my online classes, I kept falling asleep. That would have to wait until much later.

I thought when I was planning for this recovery period I could handquilt an antique quilt. I washed it, I checked all seams for strength, fixed holes in seams and marked it. I couldn't sit in a comfortable position and elevate my leg for this. I was disappointed.

By week #3, I had to be able to get around the house and be able to stand occasionally, feed dogs, let animals in and out of house and be just a bit mobile. I was able to do this! And I was even in a wheelchair. The dogs got used to it, and even would go between the wheels to get past me  LOL

I was not able to sew with my right foot, so I started practicing with my left foot .. I wasn't too successful with the control, so I hunted around to find things that I was able to accomplish. The other side of this was I couldn't hang my leg down for a long period of time, so I sewed only in short spurts. So, I pulled out a UFO from 1985, an afghan made with 12 blocks to cross stitch on ~~ I counted up 11 blocks, so I have to make just one more. So I cast on my stitches and I started. I need 66 rows, and I'm up to 44 ~ woo hoo !  Here's one of the finished blocks ...

 
So, working on something made me at least feel like I could be productive. Week #4 I practiced a bit more sewing with my left foot because for Week #5 I would be sewing with my cousins ~~ an expected quilt for my cousin's oldest son for his high school graduation.

Having an army to help me was awesome, but when my cousins got here, everyone got to take a break .. which was good for everyone!

Sydney and Jack (find the boots), shown here with Melody and Shadow, had the chance to play with the horses .. but I think the horses enjoyed having them just as much! They hadn't seen me personally for 5 weeks now, and all these strangers. Shadow had just been brushed before Melody here, but he didn't want to be out of the picture  hahaha

So the graduation quilt was cut, sewn and we got a good amount done.            

2nd half is almost ready to attach to first half, background is sewn and needs to be squared .. and I have found letters to applique onto the background for compass points ~~ woo hoo !!

So while I was sewing on the compass, Sydney learned how to use a sewing machine and cut fabric for her own quilt. She made a lot of progress in just one week, hoping she continues with all her fabric once she gets home ..  I had wanted to do a kids can sew camp during the summer, but since the surgery, that was not going to be a possibility. Teaching Sydney was a good choice !


Now that it's been another couple of weeks, I've had a checkup with the doctor and have given up the crutches, the walker and the wheelchair. I am using a walking boot and started doing my own chores.  I was told that both walking and elevating will reduce the swelling of my foot. I haven't found that yet to be true. I have to wear two different size boots to do things outside, and I sort of hobble through chores. However, after doing any chore, I have to elevate and ice, then back into the walking boot.

I am continuing to sew in spurts, trying to find small things that will get completed and crossed off the -to do list-, clean a little bit at a time, elevate regularly, and pray that one morning I will be able to wear a real shoe.

I know there's light at the end of this tunnel, I am amazed that it's been 8 weeks since the surgery. And now I'm getting really good at sewing with my left foot. And one day, I'll even be able to drive again.

Til the next time, I will be hobbling around ...

Stitch on ~~

Dee