Saturday, November 16, 2013

Overcoming Obstacles

Madeline has been with us a little over a month now and has grown into an air of entitlement.  Her caution with the cat tree lasted about four days but the toy mouse I tied to it was pretty enticing.  She kept climbing onto the easy chair to bat at the mouse and then suddenly the light went on.  From the chair she jumped to the platform.  Now she owns it.  But of course, she does.
This is another sweater I finished during my confinement.  The pattern was knit in the round, from the top down.  There were 1400 yards in that hank so I just kept knitting and now I have a tunic.  I wore this to see the neurologist last Monday.  He took me off the cervical collar and has prescribed physical therapy, three times a week for six weeks.  That's a lot of time in the car and a lot of knitting.

I had an evaluation appointment on Wednesday with my physical therapy whose name is Kris.  He said because my surgical procedure is so new, he would have to speak to my doc before prescribing any kind of treatment.  Ian and I went back in on Friday and Kris was overjoyed.  The new technique will allow me to regain nearly full range of motion.  We began to work on strengthening muscles that don't want to work and boy are they complaining, but the stiff neck has got to go!

The pain is also improving, a little every day.  Hilary from Crazy as a Loom called me within the first couple of weeks after my surgery and explained what I was experiencing and what to expect.  That information was the most valuable of all.  My head is "exquisitely tender" and still sore to the touch.  Hilary explained that pain is from the frame that they screwed into my skull to stabilize my head during surgery.  The scalp is painful as are the bills that have begun to arrive in the mail.
We had three trips to town last week and will again next week.  I'm already wondering what I'm going to knit when this is done.  I'm so happy with the yarn and the pattern together.  Just think - if I hadn't ripped out the monster origami sweater, I wouldn't have anything to knit!


6 comments:

Hilary said...

I am jealous, with these rods in my neck, I will ALWAYS have a stiff neck......
glad to hear that you are getting better quickly.

Laura said...

Madeline is so cute! I can't wait to meet her. I'll bet you're very glad to have the C-collar done with. Sorry to hear you're still experiencing pain, but hopefully that will subside quickly!

Sara said...

You and Madeline both are an inspiration: keep up the positive attitude (and exercises!).

Wool Enough said...

I'm glad to see you recovering so well. You look terrific minus collar and in that lovely, cozy tunic with cute kitty.

benita said...

My boys would love a cat tree that big.

Actually, the tunic will come in handy this winter to keep you warm.

I am so glad that you will regain full motion with your neck. Can you spin yet?

Maggie said...

I'm so glad you're feeling better and are healing well. Thank goodness for knitting, eh?