What a life! It has almost been 4 months since I had the surgery to repair my Thumb Arthritis. I have kept up with my walking and being as active as I can with limitations of my predominant right hand. Here is a recap – short and sweet of how I am getting through the 4 month Recovery.
December – Thanks to Caremark they kept my mind going with problems, so the first month was not bad not being able to do anything with the right hand.
January – Things began to improve, out of the casts and into a splint. A little boring, but not bad. I figured out how I could cross stitch using my left hand and did read a couple of books (BORING!)
February/March – Things really went to hell in a hand basket. My foot slipped in the bathtub and to balance myself I used the right hand to steady myself and yes, I used the right hand! Well, I lost the use of the right arm. I could not lift it, etc. Long story short – Doctor visit – X-rays, and 3 Physical Therapy sessions and that problem is resolved. BUT then the PT flared the Fibromylgia problem.
I am finally over the negative effects of PT for my arm last week, but ONLY to do more damage by trying to get a Gator Aid out of the plastic holder for Clay. I used my right hand to hold the 6 pack and the left hand to pull the bottle out! If you ask “why not use scissors to cut the plastic ties?” Answer: STUPID IS THAT STUPID DOES!
That hard push has now caused Tendinitis in the Tendon in the right forearm with a possible partial tear in the Tendon. OH JOY! My doctor told me to keep on with my exercises for the hand and use Arnica Pain Relief Gel (I do not like Steroids) and it has worked! The pain is gone and apparently it will totally be healed in a month! I just need to be more careful, but after 4 months of restrictions it is difficult to not just jump in and do whatever!
Before I really messed up I made a small quilt, playing with a pattern from Fat Quarter Shop for a Postage Stamp block. I finished it last Sunday and it was later in the day when I got hit with the Tendon issue.
As I look at this little project, I realized that our moods appear to impact our choices of fabrics and my mood was not that great! I used a fabric line by Betty Chutchian called Eliza’s Indigo. It is a beautiful fabric line, but I am having a difficult time in firguring out what type of pattern to use to make a pretty quilt! The fabric line came out in 2015 and Moda Blockheads had a post on the fabric.
During the 4 months, I did not read posts as I knew it would only depress me more seeing all the beautiful work being done by other quilters when I could not participate in my beloved hobby!
New goals – I will start by reading posts again and responding to all! Continue to baby the right hand and try not to do anymore damage with stupid actions!
Have a blessed day – it is time to quit typing for the day!
Hugs,
Nanette
Nanette Chopin Cook at Doitrightquilter.com 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nanette Chopin Cook and Doitrightquilter.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Linking To: My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away; Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts; Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Slow Sunday Stitching Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party; Design Wall Monday, Scrap Happy Days, Quilting Patch Linky Party, To Do Tuesdays
Chopin - A Passionate Quilter From Texas 
I love the quilt. Normal? What’s that? I think you are doing wonderfully.
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Thank you Lori – Thx for your support!
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Oh, Nanette! I am so sorry for all you’ve been through. I’m glad that you’re a little better and will be healed in a month.
I love your postage stamp quilt!
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I was going to do a larger one, but changed my mind on the fabric when I realized I did not have enough of the background! Hugs
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It’s nice to see your back and I hope you continue to improve. I actually find the postage stamp quilt fabrics quite calm and soothing – in other words I really like it 🙂
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Thank you Sharon. I am so happy to be getting back to me! Hugs and missed everyone.
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Nanette, I am so glad to see that you are doing better. It is so good to read your words and see that you are working with threads again.
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Thank you, the months went by fairly quickly (UGH) and now I am working back to getting out of having to just sit and dream of quilting! Hugs
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I am so sorry about about all the problems you’ve been challenged with the last several months. Hopefully you will stay safe and balanced! I think your checkers quilt is very cute!
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Hey Gretchen. I made it and so glad to be back in the groove. You are doing such a beautiful job on quilting your quilt! I hope to make one soon. I will be getting the long arm going as this makes 2 quilts to quilt (small ones). Maybe in late April when the tendon heals. Hugs and thx for your sweet thoughts!
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Hi Nanette, I guess you weren’t able to travel during this time either? That is quite the journey you’ve been through. I’d probably have messed my hand up completely – it is really hard not to use your right hand! I’m amazed you were able to do any cross stitch or sewing at all – you’re a trooper. That is a pretty postage stamp quilt, I like the fabrics. I would not have the patience for a postage stamp quilt! 😀 Take care my friend.
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Travel? That Duck is sitting exactly where it was in August 2023. OH the pattern for the postage stamp is strip piecing! Easy. Check out the free pattern! I am going to try to catch up with everyone now. Going to do Melva’s SAL this time. Just need to decide on fabrics.
I have gone through 6 surgeries on my right hand now. This was the hardest! If I had not done the 2 stupid things jamming my hand I would be at 100%.
The surgery was a great success – had the best doctor ever!
Hugs
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It seems you have been on a little side journey, one hopefully, never to be repeated again. I do hope your hand continues its healing and you get to keep doing the things you love, including quilting. That’s a sweet little quilt there, btw. Anyway, welcome back and as my dad used to say, all’s well that ends well.
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I tell you Jocelyn, not being able to be able to do things like quilting, etc during the day, the 79 year old body has really been lazy. I would probably still be sitting if I had not pushed every day to do my 1 to 1.5 mile walk each morning.
Those walks keep us going and in shape. The stupid jamming I did with the right hand has cost me dearly the last month, but now I am released to quilt, limited to 10 pounds to lift and just be careful. Successful surgery – poor hand – 6 hand surgeries on it!
Glad you are feeling better and got that check up that provided you great results.
Hugs
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I do pray that thing will keep looking up for you!🤗
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I would name that quilt stormy sky, and make another to go right next to it called sunshine!
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