back to business

yes indeed the vac came off yesterday....still getting used to not having to think twice about moving around the apartment.  OT has been notified and will be here when schedule permits.  still 2-3 weeks for complete healing but new skin has already formed over part of wound.  after a day of packing up the infirmary,  it's back to normal diversions.  

did you hear?  100 days to christmas.  better get going on my scrappy quilt top for the senior center.  miss sunny and i are re-bonding....

before the vac came off, the stash got a quick re-org and fine tuned....some uninspiring pieces got flung and others got unearthed as the muse prompted...

healthy enough but not overwhelming....pieces on top are for some winter warmth garments....

however, this piece came out to play....first task was to separate the columns...

pulled some complementary pieces..few ideas percolating and final plan awaits...getting back into the groove in baby steps....this whole arm thing and its lengthy resolution took a huge stressful toll on me and finding that a bit more effort and rest has been required.  

and can it be true?  robert redford. movie golden boy of 70s and 80s and beyond has died...thank goodness for film....one of his that was a sleeper movie but really good...'the milagro bean field war'.  catch it if you can!

wrap up week

that is how it's shaping up to be....the puzzle is nearly done....anxious to box it up and use the sewing table to SEW something!

 friday evening did get in a bit of zooming with my like-minded peeps...until the nurse arrived anyway...

all very busy doing pretty things....very inspiring!

and stop here if you think you're a bit squeamish.....i am posting a photo of my arm in its near- healed state....looking very much like the wound vac is a wrap this week as well....

this is 1000% improved from post surgery....imagine it 2" deep and about 2" wide from my palm up to where the change in color is just below the elbow....sutures at top and bottom since he did a carpal tunnel release also...the remainder wide open...down to the muscle looking very much like a piece of chuck roast....though the wound vac is ideal for this, it was supported by a gazillion prayers from so very many... i am choked up with gratitude for each one.   a bit more to go but won't be long at all...

so looking forward to two functioning hands, some PT and getting back to routine not to mention quilting and sewing.  God is so very good isn't he???

but cap'n.....

she folded her napkin!  so says mrs. keller in the movie 'the miracle worker' after helen and miss sullivan destroyed the dining room acquiring some mealtime etiquette.  well, cap'n, she tied her shoes today!

now that is progress!  the OT was here the other day and she says use it, use it, use it, meaning the hand and fingers even tho a couple are still quite numb.  after wound vac off she'll be back with exercises to move things along.  the knitting is definitely helping....

just about ready to start on the body of the sock....and just like quilts, from the back of a galloping horse it looks pretty good...awkward getting used to 4 needles with 2 numb fingers but i shall persevere.

the wound is healing at an astounding rate tho not yet completely closed....nurse said it should do that on the wound vac so leash remains in place for now...the surgeon did carpal tunnel release as well and that incision in my palm is tender and a bit sore, aggravated using the rollator.  

the puzzle is about half done and still very challenging....may start rotary cutting some squares soon....thankful to be left-handed.  gotta awaken the muse you know!  have a blessed day!

new tricks!

 

occupational therapy eval this week but thought i would get a jump on it and start my socks....i never knit with 4 needles before but after a few youtube videos and then doing the opposite (i'm a lefty) got it going!  i hope this will awaken the sleepy nerves in my arm/hand/fingers...and that the socks fit of course!

what else?  dug out this kaffe puzzle i've had 4-5 years...with a couple of weeks ahead still thought i could get it done...i think i had about this much done the first attempt....i can only do this in short bursts...makes my eyes cross...LOL!

these diversions are keeping me mostly calm from the drama at the apartment complex....i've said all i'm going to say, they'll either do their job or they won't.

weather is superb....cool nights with cozy quilts, 70s daytime with breezes and sun....anxious to be free of the vac but nurse says will easily close up the wound entirely and graft won't be necessary.  since it's a question of major inconvenience now versus pain and suffering later, choice is simple.  

i have a couple of free streaming services and unearthed a couple of good movies that you might have passed over....one is "the ghostwriter" and the other is "georgetown", the latter based on true events...and i finally saw "where the crawdads sing"....and one more, "small things like these"....stars cillian murphy as a man who needs to choose between head and heart....have a blessed day...

no escape

apartment living for anyone with medical issues is now a game of russian roulette.  legalization of marijuana is the bullet.   management turns a blind eye, and those of us at risk pray fervently for rescue or at least to survive the never-ending storm.  i've now had TWO spontaneous bleeds while on Coumadin...one at Frederick housing where pot use was rampant and now here in Odenton where a solitary individual has given me the summer from hell.   why do they smoke it when gummies and other modalities keep others safe?  beats me.  thankfully God in his mercy has kept me safe so far...but i don't know what to do going forward.  a tiny house in the woods is one solution....the need for community services makes that complicated.  but with God all things are possible, so will try and be patient until the rescue comes...me i just don't like the wait.  

not quite yet

but soon i hope.....quilty muse slowly coming out of its coma.....trolling blogs to encourage it more....but arm still a hindrance.  hand and arm more uncomfortable past couple of days which i hope means healing and re-awakening...anxious for first PT visit to get more details.  can now type a bit with affected hand tho fingers still somewhat numb--index and middle and part of thumb.  keeping up with important things better and regular showers...in spite of assault by weed devotee in building, akin to pouring salt on open wound.  should have gone to ER but just could not. *** today probably last farmer's market day...season over too quick if you ask me.  grocery order now includes cool weather food prep items.  loving the cool weather tho and it can stay forever.  gratitude list still overflowing despite wearying days that can't be over soon enough.

saturday news

wound vac still working its magic....looks like 2 more weeks, if that.  majority of wound now healed and flush with surrounding arm area.  first visit with hand specialist and he says ready for graft...which is no small procedure, especially on top of events to date.  he only operates in baltimore--travel issues--plus graft and donor site (thigh) means TWO new wounds (plus pain), meaning dressing changes and possible rehab stay, not to mention post-surgical limitations...i was overwhelmed and teary.. skin graft for aesthetic purpose only...am i vain enough to need this?  no way!  it will fade over time anyway.  do i have the inner strength to take this on?  no way!  PT has been ordered and that is my limit...still a way to go to regain strength and flexibility.  i've decided to knit a pair of socks which should be good therapy don't you think?  and i still need a rejuvenating vacation!!!!  hoping soon to report some sewing news....

so many gifts

first the gift of another birthday.....always grateful for each and every one.

all the other gifts are from the army of caregivers who got me thru this recent medical crisis...so many went above and beyond using training, skills, over-and-above compassion and patience...keeping me as comfortable as possible, orchestrating care and follow up across state lines, getting me ready to fly, fixing many night-time mini crises and comforting barrels of tears, many many prayers along the way....angels every one.

still housebound tethered to the wound vac leash, finally making steady healing progress, finally able to see beyond the hardest part. nurse says halfway home!  God is good all the time even when His plan is known only to Him.  things slowly going south in the complex....more pot smoking doubly dangerous to me now.  devastated...like how do i get into these unsafe places?  

birthday surprise

it isn't until wednesday but i justified it was needed.....

a blue purse for essentials has been on my want list awhile and getting a package that wasn't medical supplies seemed a good idea....and it will take the place of the wound vac at some point.  this is from portland leather and much more reasonable than dooney or coach.  

another good report from friday wound change....all indications are should be free of the machine and leash sooner than first quoted.  so thankful for millions of prayers offered on my behalf and for a God who answers...have a blessed day....PS hunt and peck typing with 2 hands now!!!

slow and steady

 it seems as if madame arm is now in full healing mode...still months to go but all caregivers declare healing in progress, wound clean and pink....

see how pink the entire hand is now when previously swollen and quite purple....the bandage has been abbreviated a bit as well and pain with dressing changes down a bit...

i showed this gift before but now i have plenty of time to read in depth....i do not yet have mojo to tackle any projects right now...

once my fine motor grip and strength improves some i should be able to get back to sewing....i am a lefty thank goodness!