Learning to Adapt

 Happy Wednesday!

I received two emails last week asking about the status of my hands since the surgery.  Thanks for asking!  

Recap:  Trigger finger in 8 fingers, no longer responding to cortisone shots, first surgery in late November to fix 2 fingers on less dominant (left) hand.  

So how's it going?  Good days and bad days.  Learning to adapt is the best way to put it.  Fortunately one of my doctors had the same surgery about 6 weeks before me and we compare notes frequently.  There are days (especially cold ones) when we find that both of our hands hurt so bad that we have to check which one had the surgery.  

The swelling in the hand with surgery persists and the physical therapist told me that it could be anywhere from 6 months to a year before I might be able to wear my wedding ring again.

I tried binding this past weekend and timed it for it only 15 minutes.  The next morning I couldn't use my right hand at all, not even to grasp the coffee pot.  

Binding was always one of my favorite parts of quilting---especially in the winter when a nice quilt on your lap helps keep you warm.  

But I'm learning to adapt to all the challenges these days.  Fortunately most of my quilts this year are going to family members, and many to kids.  No one cares if the binding is machine sewn on.  Here's a recent finish for my cousin's little boy Brennan:

Other elderly neighbors are helping too.  One suggested I get an electric spin scrubber to clean the shower and that has been a godsend to my hands and knees.

My doctor friend and I also talked about how we are going to garden this year.  I've been reading reviews of tools for elderly and am interested in "Grandpa's Weeder."  The reviews look good but I'm wondering if any of you have used it?

In the meantime, I'm plugging along as well as I can with projects.  

Take care of your hands folks!

Have a safe and happy day!