Creating, collecting & recycling textiles & papercrafts. I love preserving the past for the future.

Saturday 2 July 2011

Slowly seeing some improvement

7 weeks post op TLIF now. I am now able to kneel and carry out such thrilling tasks as brushing the dog and cleaning the toilet....Yay for me! 
 I have also done 2 x small wash ups this week.
Anyhow it's all progress.
Would not have been able to do this even one week ago.
Walking a bit further as well.
I saw my surgeon for the 6 weeks post op checkup and he was very encouraging.
I left feeling as though I was walking on air.
He said just the way I walked into his room was great.
He was also very impressed that I am taking only over the counter pain killers.
He told me a lot of other patients take morphine based pain relief for up to 6 months.
WOW!
I only took that sort of medication for 2 1/2 weeks.
I have to say that the side effects from coming off Endone and Oxycontin were horrendous.
Thumping heart beats, insomnia, anxiety etc.
Not good.
Only lasted for 2 days but was just terrible.
Anyhow Dr said not to expect too much for at least 3-6 months and probably more like 12 months.
Will see him then with a follow up CT scan.
The fuse is not even expected to 'take' for at least 6 months.
This week also had a surprise visit from my parents.
I was out walking, a car horn tooted at me, I looked up and saw them, did a double take, it was funny.
They decided to go for a long drive, 1 1/2 hrs from Karrabin to Oakey, so came up to see me.
Mum and I went for a long walk after lunch and ended up at the local cemetery which is always an interesting place to visit.
I have not been living here for very long and the names are not familiar to me but they are still similar to the names from home.
 A mix of german, irish, scottish & english, so the same mix as my home area of Rosewood/Ipswich.
Mum also brought my show winning cards and prize money from the Rosewood Show 2011.
I won 7 x 1sts, 2 x 2nds, and Champion Off Page Scrapbooking for a 70th birthday box I made for Mum in 2010.
$71 prize money does not sound like a lot but it is in the needlework section. LOL
Started a card for my SIL yesterday. She is not well atm, so I thought it might cheer her somewhat. I am having trouble as usual trying to fit too many elements onto one card. So I clear it all and try to keep it simple. I'll post a photo of the card if I am happy enough with it.
Warmer here on The Downs this morning so that is welcome. Only wearing 3 layers instead of the usual 5-6. We are in the dead centre of winter atm so there is sure to be lots more cold weather ahead.
Talk soon.