Sorry it has been so long since I have updated on this blog and I thank those loyal followers who have hung on. There has been so many things that has happened since August that I sometimes feel overwhelmed when I think of all that has happened since that time. Aunt Berns passed away 7 1/2 weeks after we discovered her cancer very peacefully on August 17th. While we miss her, we are very glad to know that her suffering is over and she is beside her beloved husband of 58 years. She passed the day before her 60th wedding anniversary and it seems to be a little poetic that it all occurred that way. Becky started 7th grade and Ray is a 5th grader this year. We had a major hurricane come up the East coast about a week later and wreaked havoc from North Carolina to Canada. We loss power at our house for over a week and luckily had the camper to stay in. Some water came into the basement, however we can not figure out how. Since that time, no water has been seen, even with days of rainy weather and so we are cautiously optimistic that it will not happen again. Girl scouts and Cub scouts kicked in full gear shortly after that life seemed to become a whirlwind.
At least until the weekend of Halloween. We had camping plans with my brother and his family up in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. The meteorologist called for a possible 1-3" of snow on grassy surfaces only and for Sunday to be sunny with a high near 60 degrees so we figured that everything would be fine. We woke up that Saturday to 6 inches of snow covering everything! Later that day, I went to leave the camper and slipped while stepping down on the first steel step. When I landed, I realized my lower leg was grotesquely twisted backwards and my sole of my shoe was touching the calf of my leg. Luckily, I can say that my EMT training kicked right in and very calmly I reached down and put the foot back in anatomical position. A very hazardous ride to the nearest hospital in Charlestown, I had a diagnosis of a triple fracture of the fibula and ankle joint. The injury would require surgery, however the doctor's there only reduced the severe dislocation and soft casted me until an orthopedic surgeon could take a look.
I was operated on November 2nd and had a 7" and 2" plate along with 13 screws put in to hold the bones together and allow the tendons which were destroyed to start knitting together. I will be having another surgery 4 months later to remove two long screws which run completely through the actual joint that is helping hold the tib/fib together and helps anchor the broken end of the tibia in place as well. The first couple of weeks were completely unbearable without the aid of pain medications but the last week or so I stopped the medications and am working on dealing with the discomfort of the injury. My cast is to be removed in mid-December and I will start placing partial weight on the joint again. I will be facing several months of physical therapy to learn to walk, gain movement in the joint and hopefully to run again.
Initially, nothing could keep my attention due to the pain levels and the medication. I felt like I had been wrapped in cotton batten and could not gain enjoyment from anything. Slowly I started reading and looking at stitching supplies which had been long neglected.One day I decided to pick up thread and needle and since then have managed a few small finishes and some knitting as well. I did take another knitting course the weekend before my accident to start a stocking cap or knitting in the round. Eventually I hope to get to get with the instructor and learn how to decrease and complete the project. The local shop,
The Knitting Boutique, was very gracious upon hearing of my injury and has said they would work with me when I was able to come to the shop.
So without further ado, let me post some pictures of progress made and finishes since August or so. Hopefully this shows a little progress and I will be posting more regularly as well.
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| Knitted Dishcloths I have been working on for something little to add to Christmas presents this year. This is 4 of the ones I have completed so far and I'm hoping to knock out a few more in time for the family gatherings. |
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| Completed bookmark I made for an exchange I participated in for September this year. I loved how this turned out but I can tell you cutting out the aida fabric so carefully after stitching was tedious! |
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| Completed Prairie Schooler mini-ornament which I am planning on finishing off for the Christmas tree this year. Very fun stitch! |
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| Lizzie Kate June Stamp-it. Still not done..... sigh..... but progress is progress. I think I'll be working on this piece this coming week. |
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| Current WIP: Festive Times ornament by Turquoise Graphics and Designs from the 2011 Just Cross Stitch ornament magazine. Hoping to finish this over the weekend. |
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| Completed stitching! Sam Sarah design named Yikes which was picked out by Ray. He loves bats and I am planning on finishing this into a Halloween ornament for him. |
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| Starlight Sampler by Little House Needleworks. This is still in progress and I'm slowly seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully I can make some more progress on this this weekend as well. |
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| Finally, The Musician by Joan Elliott. She hasn't been worked on since my injury because I didn't want to be messing her up while on medication. Hopefully soon. So far I have about 6,000 stitches in and about over 16,500 left to go...... |
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| Knitted stocking cap being worked in the round using Plymouth yarn. |
Until next time, keep your stitchin' needles and knittin' needles moving, spend time with friends and family and most of all enjoy life!
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