Monday, March 15, 2010

I'm OK

I know that I have not posted for a while. I've been in a funk. Today is my son's birthday; he turns 30 and is still in denial. LOL. We had a party for him yesterday and there is nothing like grand-children to snap you back in to place. I loaded up on hugs and kisses and even got to page 2 on my Little Red Riding Hood (on the kindle, no less) before my grand daughter, Madison, decided that she wanted to read the story herself. Hey, it was jibberish but I encouraged her to continue. It is never too early to teach the love of books.

I am over my cold, though it took a while. It was hard to sneeze and cough because my back hurt so much. It just never ends. Well, I went back to the doctor because my back still hurts. She finally found the x-ray (that the hospital lost) from 2 weeks ago and I have something called a compression fracture on one of my thorasic vertebrae. Ah, HA, no wonder it hurts. So my doctor is scheduling me for an MRI and if the insurance approves, I will have back surgery soon. Hey, it's outpatient so I'm OK with that. They just stick a needle in your back while they flourescope the spine to verify they are on the bad vertebrae and then the shoot some glue in there. I'm sure it is a bit more complicated that that but that is how I read it. Recovery time is days vice the weeks I would have to wait for it to heal on its own. So I am actually looking forward to the surgery. Plus I think that fear of the unknown was bothering me. I did not want to malinger and be some sickly wuss who can't stand up to some discomfort. Identifying it as a fracture made it OK to be in pain - oh, I really am hurt.

I have been fortunate enough to have an apprentice for the past week. Her name is Lisa and she has an 8-yr old Gammill without a stitch-regulator. She only used it for her own quilts. So I made a deal with her. I will teach her some cool quilting techniques while she quilts my customer quilts. Of course, I will be supervising all the way. And she is learning and loving the use of the stitch regulator and my IQ. Of course, there will be some monetary rewards also. She does all the work. I can't even pin the quilts on without pain. So far, we have done 2 charity quilts, 2 pantos and panto with borders. I think it is working out.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your clean room puts me to SHAME ! Will see you real soon !!! Can't wait ! Glenda

Anonymous said...

Linda - I hope they are able to help you out with your back. I had a three-level spinal fusion in November 2008 (L3-S1) and I am still not recovered from it. Getting older is not for sissies.

Linda

Anonymous said...

Hope you are feeling better soon!!

Wow, your cleaning lady helped to clean your garage??? I think she is a keeper!

Kathleen said...

linda you have been through so much...my heart aches for you especially since i know what thoracic pain is like

am so glad you have someone to help you with the quilting...the pinning out of the quilts is a nightmare at times when one has spinal issues...do your customer's quilts come ready basted?

i feel for you as it is awful being so ill and having orders hanging over one's head

kathleen
xx

My life has changed in the last couple of years - some bumps, I retired from quilting, and then I moved to Texas. I'm anxious to see what new adventures await me in the next phase of my life.

About Me

My photo
Ramona, California, United States
I started quilting when a quilt shop opened in our little town in January 2004. I have been hooked ever since.

Blog Archive

Followers of my blog

Books I"ve read lately

  • The Help (Kindle)
  • The Appeal by John Grisham
  • Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
  • Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
  • To Kill a Mockingbird (again) by Harper Lee
  • Bleachers by John Grisham

This is called Fruit Cocktail

This is called Fruit Cocktail
It is all batiks