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5 weeks post-op -- 5 incisions healing very nicely

In the last couple of weeks I’ve received several inquiries about the status of my knee/ACL reconstruction surgery and recovery.  Here’s a quick summary:

When I saw my surgeon on Tuesday for the 5 week follow up, he was extremely pleased with my progress.

He released from Physical Therapy after completing just 4 weeks.  I can achieve a greater than 120 degree bend in the knee.  I can fully straighten the knee.  I have been walking crutch free for 3 weeks.  I have been back to my spin (indoor cycling) classes for a little over 2 weeks. I’ve been back in the pool, swimming freestyle with no kick (using a pull buoy to immobilize the legs).  I can go up and down stairs (relatively) normally alternating feet in the stepping motion.  I still go slowly on the stairs–especially coming down–but every day is getting better.

I still have a some swelling, but it is going down little by little every day; although, it does flair back up when I have been on my feet too long.

Things I am not allowed to do: NO running, twisting or lateral (i.e., shuffling or sliding sideways) movements for another 3 – 6 months.

My surgeon has given me the go ahead to get on my road bike whenever I am ready (no clipping in tho’ — have to use plain/open pedals).  If the weather stays nice, I will give it a try tomorrow.  YAY!!!!  Oh yeah, I am excited.  And a little nervous.

Thanks so much everybody for caring and for your support over the last few months.  It really means a lot to me.  HUGS!!!

Happy Spring and Happy National Quilting Day! Did you know that the National Quilting Association has designed a free pattern for your group or guild as you celebrate National Quilting Day?

Check it out:  http://nqaquilts.org/nqday/nqday2010.php (this link opens in a new window).

I want to say a BIG “Thank YOU!” to everyone who wrote such warm and encouraging notes (both on the blog and through private email) to my last blog post.  It meant more than you can imagine! I really, REALLY appreciate your all your kindness, concern and understanding.

Status update – I have made good progress this week. I am down to one crutch (comfortably) and doc says I can get rid of it as soon as I feel ready.  I am ‘shooting’ for Tuesday, but we will see.  I have been diligent in working on my Physical Therapy, home exercises, stationary bike (I’m up to 35+ minutes now and have added resistance & a little speed), as well as the 6-8 hours a day on the CPM. It’s still a little (OK, a LOT) frustrating how much time is eaten up by all these requirements; but I believe that my investment of time and energy now will pay off.  In fact, I am already beginning to see proof of that.

Patience–especially with myself–has never been my strong suit, so I am learning life lessons on many levels. Thanks again for your kindness, encouragement and understanding.  I truly feel like I’m well on my way back to my energetic, creative self.

Last week I had one of my best ideas yet for a new free pattern/project. It has all of the characteristics I love for free projects:

• The project is quick and easy — perfect for beginners
• It doesn’t require any unusual materials
• It’s useful — virtually EVERYBODY can use the finished product

Because it’s such an easy project I *thought* there wouldn’t be any problem having step-by-step pictures prepared and instructions ready by yesterday. So, of course, I announced that in the eNews last weekend because I was so excited to have a new project to share with subscribers.

I was so excited.

Then reality set in. What was I thinking?!!!  The required 6 – 8 hours a day I have to spend attached to a CPM machine (no, that’s not me in the video) for my knee rehabilitation in addition to the extra physical therapy has seriously diminished my available time.

As much as I hate to admit it, my body is still recovering from the trauma of surgery and the painful rehabilitation.  Just completing the normal, required personal, family and business tasks each day put me past my limit.  It’s frustrating and disappointing.  But it is what it is.

I’m not seeking sympathy nor am I making excuses. I’m human and this situation is what it is. An honest reality check that I can only do what I can do. I don’t want to get bogged down in self-pity or become depressed.  I must keep moving forward, adjusting as I go.

First, I apologize for not being able to meet my own publicly announced deadline.  Second, I am forgiving myself so I can accept the lesson and adjust. Third, I am moving forward.  The project is still in the works and I am making progress on it, even if it seems SO slow.   I am getting stronger every day and as I become stronger I will begin to have more time to spend.  I truly *hope* that it will be finished by next Saturday/Sunday but I can’t promise that (yet). I don’t want to rush and risk errors or poor quality.

I can only say for certain that I will announce it and provide the link in the FREE eNews just as soon as the project is ready.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

In the end, circumstances are temporary and we can choose how we deal with them. We can give up or we can adjust as necessary and keep on going.  I have decided that I will not let what I can’t do today get in the way of what I can do today.

If you’ve been a SewThankful eNews subscriber for a little while you know that I tore my left ACL (ligament in the knee) in early January this year. After several weeks of strength training and stabilization of the muscles surrounding the knee, I was scheduled for surgery to repair/replace the ACL with an allograft.  My surgery was this last Wednesday (March 3rd) and I am very pleased to tell you it was a success. I was able to have same day/out patient surgery and sleep in my own bed that night.

As was expected, the first few days were the most challenging for the body to adjusts and recover from the surgical trauma (the new graft & screws), anesthesia,  pain medications and regaining strength.

I am very thankful for Jeff (my wonderful husband), our sons and our fantastic employees.  Jeff, Jared & Jacob have taken such great care of me. They make sure I have everything I need every day and they are patient when the pain becomes difficult.  Jeff and our amazing employees, Cindy and Heather, continue to keep SewThankful running smoothly while I’ve been confined to the bed and limited to working on the laptop.

My mobility and strength increase more every day and I am looking forward to returning to full function (business wise) next week.  I have an appointment early in the week to have the incision clips removed and set up my rehab plan.

In the meantime, I am focused on recovery, recovery, recovery.  I’m having fun using my crutches dressed in Quilted Crutch Coats™ and  I have come up with a new FREE project idea to share with you (no, it’s not the quilted crutch coats–it’s something else but it is very practical and virtually everybody can use it).  If all goes well, I will have the pattern/instructions finalized by the next eNews, so be sure to stay tuned! If you’re not an eNews subscriber, be sure you sign up to receive the link to the free project.  Click here for the sign up page.

These delicious cookies are our family Valentine tradition.

Chapman Family Valentine Cookies

I make the dough — Jared & Jacob help me cutout & decorate the cookies.  Once baked & decorated, these cookies never last long!!  Click here for a printable file of the recipe.  It’s a fun family project.

NOTE:  The recipe file link is a PDF which requires a recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, available for free from adobe.com .

Chapman Family Valentine Cookie

Click here for a printable file of the recipe.

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup (8 ounces) cream cheese
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 ¼ cups sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract

Also required: 1 heart shaped cookie cutter

Allow butter & cream cheese to soften at room temperature at least 30 minutes.

Combine flour and baking powder in a separate bowl until evenly distributed.

Use an electric hand mixer, cream together the butter and cream cheese. Beat in sugar until well mixed. Add vanilla and egg, beat well.

Use low to medium mixer speed and gradually add in flour/baking powder to the butter/cream cheese/sugar mixture. Mix until completely and evenly combined.

Divide mixture into two even parts.

Wrap each part in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator approximately 2 hours or until easy to handle.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Remove chilled dough from refrigerator.

Roll out to approximately 1/8” thickness on a well-floured surface. Cut out heart shapes with cookie cutters. Place on un-greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 for approx. 8 – 10 minutes (time may vary depending upon your oven, altitude, etc.).

Remove from oven. Cool completely, spread with your favorite icing & sprinkles, as desired.

ENJOY!!

Click here for a printable file of the recipe.