Monday, October 4, 2010

Today I Feel Like Whining

My good friend Ingrid is a nurse and she told me that while recovering from several major surgeries I would have good days and bad days and oh she was so right. I had a string of good days last week because I was finally out of the hospital and so glad to be home, eager to lounge on the couch and be taken care of. But then I noticed that the euphoria started to fade as the week wore on - and then maybe  because I was doing a little too much or thought I was recovering too nicely -WHAM! Suddenly I'm exhausted and feel like I've taken a couple of steps backwards. Simple things like washing a few dishes make me fatigued. All I want to do is sleep.

I'm counting my blessings every day and trying to be patient but there's so much to do around here that hasn't been done yet and all of that still hangs over my head. I'm not supposed to bend or stretch so I am dependent on others for simple things for awhile longer, like cleaning up spills, making a cup of tea or running upstairs for a box of tissue. I feel guilty sitting around reading or watching TV on the couch while everyone else is running around like chickens with you-know-what. My sweet husband has been working so hard to help -  he cooks and cleans and "fetches" for me when he can, and even watches my website for orders. On Saturday he went to the Post Office and mailed out some book and  pattern orders for me because I still can't drive for a couple of weeks. Funny how much time I used to spend out running errands. Don't forget, pattern #4 of  the American Schoolgirl Club will be mailed out later in Oct - probably very late, the way I'm feeling right now.

I am feeling a little depressed over what I CANNOT do for myself, even though I know I get a LITTLE better every day and I've only been home for a week. I become impatient easily and would like a  fast recovery NOW, please. Will I ever get back to feeling the way I did before?

The visiting Physical Therapist told me that spending 2 weeks in the hospital causes you to lose 30% of your muscles so we're slowly working on doing tiny leg lifts and stretches. Ouch, that hurts - in more ways than one. I was trying to get into decent shape and walked a lot before I got sick but now I have to start all over and then some and who knows when I'll get the ok to walk briskly again. 

Didn't guess I could be such a whiner when I was sick, did you? I'm afraid I do not make a very good patient, LOL.

Yesterday, however, I actually finished a novel and cooked a pot of spaghetti and meatballs in two sittings so I didn't have to stand for too long. Little accomplishments, but they matter a lot. Hand piecing the little pink and blue scrappy doll quilt got me through all last week. I pieced the blocks together on the machine and now have to choose a border. 


I have a few blue Jo Morton fat quarters I'm itching to use and for some reason I want to use this one, the busiest one, instead of  the ones that are more subtle. I'm usually more conservative with my borders for scrappy quilts but really love this print. What do you think? Too busy?






Last weekend I bid on and won (!) an antique doll quilt, a coming home present to myself. It arrived on Saturday and is so cute I decided to reproduce it with more pre-cut squares I had lying around.



I just love doll quilts made from squares - the simplicity speaks to me. That's good because simple is best for me right now - I don't think I can handle anything complicated.


This one will keep me busy this week, I think. I'm not a great hand piecer, but I'm getting some good practice. It's coming along nicely and is so much fun really. Maybe I'll even quilt it if I don't fall asleep first.

37 comments:

Jocelyn said...

Oh Kathy I so understand. I've been recovering from a compression fracture in my back, and it has been so hard to be still for 6 weeks. The fatigue is certainly the hardest part. I too had been walking before my fall, and now it is back to square one. I hope you will be back on your feet again soon, and sewing at your machine.

Jill said...

I can't imagine how hard this whole ordeal has been on you. I wish you good health and a speedy recovery. The doll quilts are wonderful. I just picked up a piece of the blue bird background fabric you are using in the 4 patch quilt. I like border #2 or #3, but it is your quilt do what you want. Have fun piecing your next little quilt. I hope this week is better.

Anonymous said...

Recovery time will be hard but you can do it! I am pulling for you. Lizzie

Anonymous said...

Kathy, 10 years ago I had a hysterectomy (which took longer to do than expected) - I was on the couch for 6 weeks, and my DS (and hubby) would not let me do ANYTHING! And I wasn't into hand piecing then or redwork, either. My sewing room was in the basement, and DH made me wait 4 weeks before he would even let me go for a short walk! DS cooked, cleaned, did laundry and groceries - AND I WAS ITCHING TO DO IT ALL MYSELF!! You go ahead and whine all you like (would you like some cheese with that? ;) )- you're allowed. I'm glad you can at least sit at the machine for a few minutes, it helps, and maybe with the new books you have (wow, wish someone had gifted ME with some back then - or when I had my breast cancer surgery 6 years ago - it would have helped - though I did have the library I could access) - now you can plan out some more little quilts for yourself or a future book or pattern series or whatever - just take notes and get out your pencil crayons (oops, you guys call them coloured pencils down there LOL) and have at it! The time will go quicker than you think. Yay! on cooking spaghetti and meatballs - I hope someone was there to drain it for you!

take good care, and God bless!
Gerda in Alberta, Canada

Anonymous said...

By the way, I like the third blue Jo Morton best with that cute little top!

Gerda in Alberta

Cheryl said...

Have faith, you will regain your strength and enjoy the pampering! What a wonderful husband you have! Now as to the border. You asked! I have all those fabrics and do not think they blend with the pinks. Have anymore of the blue with the little circles? Might be a Judie R. or Bonnie Blue. But what do I know! Take it easy and get well soon.

Hellen Sigurbjörg said...

I just love your quilts, and I read your blog regularly. I wish your a good recovery from your surgery, and you will be the same again! Greetings from Iceland

Susan said...

Yes it is miserable to be so dependent on someone else for such simple things......

I have been in the same place you are now. It was the last few good weeks of the summer and I had to lie there and look out the window and all I could see was the sky and the top of a few trees. It will get better...... You will get better. And then you will be back on track. Sleep a lot and rest a lot........ and think of all the fun things you can do when you are better.

We are all praying for your speedy recovery.

Jeanne said...

Kathy, as my mom used to say and I have etched in a silver bracelet, "This too will pass." One morning you will wake up and be all better. In the meantime, count your blessings and love your dear husband b/c he loves you.

Kathleen Tracy said...

Thank you all for the encouraging comments! I truly am blessed, I know. It could have been much, much worse. It is good to hear from some of you who also have been through similar situations - there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Wish I could see it more clearly today . . . .

Carolyn said...

I'm with you...I had surgery on Friday and I'm so frustrated with laying around doing nothing. I made dinner on Saturday night (just soup, very easy!) and was on the sofa for the rest of the night. Yesterday I went for a car ride with my DH and was wiped out for the rest of the day...and today as well! Baby steps and we'll both get there!

Quiltbenaco said...

Pazienza, ci vuole molta pazienza....
vedrai fra qualche giorno andrà meglio!
Io preferisco il bordo della seconda foto
Ciao dall'Italia
Domenica

Sharon said...

Hang in there! I wish I could come over and keep you company...we could whine together! I always tell myself that tomorrow will be a better day, and usually it is. Love the little quilt you made...enjoy this "down" time, read, quilt, try to be good to yourself and stop feeling guilty. You would do the same for your sweet husband if the shoe were on the other foot. HUGS and Prayers for you!

ann hermes said...

I definitely would go with the first border choice. I think it is perfect.

Heartsdesire said...

The first border choice I think. The other two are a bit bland. Love how the little quilt turned out. I've never used much blue, but after seeing all your quilts with blue, I've had a change of mind. Pink and blue look great together. And your new project is looking great as well. What a sweet little antique quilt you purchased. Take your time on the couch and whine as much as you want. In a few weeks, it will all be over and hopefully, things will be back to normal.

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Whine away. I tend to whine even though I don't have things to whine about. Makes me feel better. Take it easy and let the recovery happen - because it will happen.

Lori said...

Sorry to hear it's two steps forward one step back. Time will be the healer here.
Love your little doll quilt!!

Kathleen Tracy said...

I'm going to print all of these comments out and show to my husband the next time he says "No more whining, I can't take it anymore!" Finally, I have permission to whine away!

Anonymous said...

Kathy....I was layed up for 6 months about 8 years ago and I also "WHINED". I think it is just part of recovery and also part of being a mother and wife. I had many of the same feelings that you are going through now so I can totally relate with you. I do know that it does get better! Take it easy and everything will happen it its own time!
Also PLEASE don't worry about the doll quilt club...Quilters are very understanding people!
Take care of yourself!
Randee

quiltingnana said...

from my own experience...you will have bad days...but it will get better...just don't overdo it

Elyte said...

Stay positive Kathy and keep distracting yourself with the things that you can do. The rest will come.
I like the first border the best.

Julie said...

I agree with you; I really like the first border best. My second choice would be the third one.

Sandra said...

Hmmm....my first choice on the border is the thrid one, and your reproduction of the doll quilt is amazing! Beautiful! Hope you regain your strength soon:)

Beth said...

Kathy, you will get there and be up and running soon. Until then rest, relax, let your body heal. You have been through so much.
Love border #1, but I am a blue girl too so maybe I don't count. LOL
Feel better.

Anonymous said...

I too prefer the first choice of border fabric, makes a great statement. I love your 'recovery' quilt, another little treasure!
Thoughts & prayers......Merilyn

Anonymous said...

You just hang in there...this too shall pass and you will be feeling like your old self before you know it..I like the third border you show the best..But then I always seem to choose a dark border to frame it. Louise

Karen said...

I think your recovery is going well and the whining is part of the recovery process. It's important for you to relax and let your husband and daughter take care of you and the house. You work hard too and you deserve the "Royal Treatment" after your surgery. Your little quilt is adorable. I love the blue and pink combo. The first border is my choice. I think it compliments the quilt and makes it more interesting.
Take care and don't worry about the club patterns. Something for all of us to look forward to during the holiday months ahead.

Carin said...

Last december I had a hysterectomy and afterwards I staued tired. Tired for months, the doctor thinks it also had to do with my fibromyalgia and that my body needed the time to heale. After 9 months I'm still not the old one I was before, but everyday its going better and better, but also now ... there time I can sleep, sleep, sleep.

marian said...

whine away Kathy! in fact i think speaking out about how you feel is all part of the healing process. we take our good health for granted don't we. i think you're doing great with what you've achieved..reading a novel, making a little quilt and cooking spaghetti & meatballs, that's pretty amazing, you know! btw i love your little quilt & i LOVE the Jo Morton fabric you've chosen for the border in the top pic. oh and that sweet vintage doll quilt is a real gem! hugz, Marian x

Connie204 said...

I've been in your situation more then once. It always helps to have a wonderful husband. It's miserable to know that what your head wants you to do, your body doesn't agree. Hang in there it will get better. I worked with a gal that had breast cancer and mastectomy. About the same time, I had to have a stint for a 20 year heart bypass. We used to tease either other and we would allow each of us 5 minutes to be on our pity potty. Then we had to talk about fun things. It was a great stress reliever. So go ahead and whine, you have five minutes. Your doll quilts are adorable.
Get well soon and take care of yourself.
Connie204

Kathleen Tracy said...

Five minutes on the Pity Potty?? LOL, haven't heard that one but I'll have to time myself the next time I feel a whine coming on . . .

Anonymous said...

Kathy,
I'm new to your blog and your patterns, but I say "Busy" border is best!

As for the recovery, I had a foot surgery many years ago and was going thru the same pity party for myself as you are...one Sunday night, my foot was hurting so badly ane everyone was sleeping...and I started weeping and watching a movie called "one Special Night"--you should rent it! Here's a synopsis of the plot: Catherine (Julie Andrews) is a widowed pediatric physician and Robert (James Garner) is a contractor with a wife suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Due to an accident of fate (a winter storm), they end up spending Thanksgiving together in an abandoned cabin, away from their family and friends. The two initially wary strangers soon find they have more in common than either could have anticipated. The subplot concerning Robert's adult daughters is fairly extraneous (and predictable) but doesn't distract from the tender relationship at the heart of this made-for-TV movie. It made me sob even harder but it hurt so good!!!! Feel better soon!

Eileen

BonnieN said...

Hi, I am brand new to your blog, Temecula Quilt So sent me over to look at your beautiful doll quilts. I am sorry you have been so ill, whenI had a hysterectomy, I also had no energy for awhile, Dr said the energy you usually have is going to healing !! So,be kind to yourself and take it easy. On the other end of the spectrum, a local quilt shop woner had a hysterectomy, the old way with the big incision too, not the bandaid thing., was back in the shop in 3 days, had no pain, she isn't lifting of course, but she is something else. I had my nightie on for two weeks! Lived on Vicodin!! We just marvel at her! I read that isn't your problem,but so slow when the body says to!! Could you add an egg or two to that Special K for breakfast for more energy? Your work is just beautiful!!

Cyn said...

You are not a whinner, you are mearly sharing. I'm sending you bunches of {{{healing hugs}}} right now.
Love your blog. I arrived here via the Temecula Quilt Company. She showed a picture of your darling doll quilt in her newsletter.
They just found cancer on and in/under my nose so I will be having surgery in a couple of days. I hope my attitudes will be as good as yours. Thank you for sharing... it's so hard to be brave about things like this, isn't it?!
Hugs,
Cyn; -)

jtquilts said...

I just discovered your blog site and am sorry to hear of your reasons for 'whining'. I can't help but believe talking out your feelings helps bunches! I do like the blue and pink quilt and am drawn to the first choice for border. Good wishes for your continued recovery. Judy

AmyJo said...

Gentle ((((Hugs)))) I hope that you are feeling well soon !

Jantine said...

It sounds like you are getting better, with its ups and downs all right. Just take your time!
About the fabric border... I like both dark blues, not sure which one better. But definitely you should skip the lighter one!

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