Tuesday, August 9, 2016

I'm home...finally!!!

At the outset, I would like to say that I haven't been ignoring my blog.

I wrote the following post on August 4th from my hospital bed and was able to unload it to Facebook but for whatever reason, I could not upload it to my blog, nor could I access any of my photos.

The good news is that after six weeks, I was discharged from the hospital at noon today and I'm at home...FINALLY!  I'm still very weak and can't walk very far, even with the aid of my walker, but at least I'm at home.  

I promise to be more diligent with blog posts and will keep you updated on my progress.

I truly have missed you all.

Facebook post...


<<  This might be a long post so if you'd like to hear about it, why don't you grab a cup of what makes you happy, come back, settle in and read on.

In the wee hours of the morning on Monday, July 4th, the pain won and I was taken to the hospital by ambulance and admitted shortly thereafter.  Not only was I in excruciating pain, pain that even the pain meds couldn't conquer, but I couldn't walk.


My left leg had become numb and useless for over a month and I had lost the feeling in my right foot as well, making walking a virtual impossibility without Mr. Painted Quilt's help.


I spent two painful weeks in the first hospital during which time they conducted countless tests.  Then on Monday, July 18th I was whisked away to an acute care hospital in Halifax, about 70 miles away.  


After a brief consult with the head neurosurgeon, I was again immediately admitted and was advised that I would be operated on the very next day.  I found out later that the reason why they acted so quickly was because I had become incontinent on Sunday night.  Not only had my legs become dysfunctional, but I had also lost the sensation and ability to pee on my own.


Tuesday dawned and I spent the morning waiting to be transported to surgery. I later found out that I was on the operating table for 5 hours.  


Over the years, the spinal column in my lower back had narrowed to the point where two nerves had virtually fused together which not only caused the pain but also contributed to the loss of feeling in my left leg and partially in my right leg as well.  All the gory details were explained to me the day after surgery and I remember virtually nothing of that conversation because it took me about 4 days to fully recover from the anesthetic and the accompanying hallucinations. 


The best news is that I'm PAIN FREE for the first time in two years.


So now I am in the third hospital where I've started extensive rehab in order that I may walk again.  I still haven't got all the feeling back in my legs as yet but the doctors and physiotherapists are confident that most or all of the feeling will return over time.  I will probably have to walk with a walker for the rest of my life and if those are the cards I've been dealt, then so be it.  That little fly in the ointment certainly won't prevent me from shopping for more fabric...right?  *wink*  I'll just have to get one of those walkers with a basket!


I don't have a time frame with respect to how long I'll remain here before I can safely return home.  I'm working hard with my rehab team and am hoping to be home before too long.  I now feel strong enough to 'play' on the computer, do the newspaper crossword puzzles daily and I might just pick up some hexies to work on that I had prepped before this ever happened.


So if you've read this far, please accept my humble thanks.  You all know how much your support and caring has meant to me over the course of the last couple of years.   


I am ever so grateful for all my blogging and Facebook friends. My greatest wish would be that someday we could all meet at a quilting retreat and sew, laugh, eat and tell stories to our heart's content.  Who knows, huh?  Sometime wishes do come true.


Please continue with your thoughts and prayers because I know that they have contributed to my recovery.



Be well, sew lots and I'll touch base with you again soon.>>




83 comments:

Jackie's Stitches said...

So glad to hear you are home and pain free! Being pain free is not over rated! xoxo

marie said...

Pain free-----the most wonderful news. Glad to have you back to blogging have missed your posts. Take Care.

June said...

Continued prayers and good thoughts! Hope you continue to make good progress and are pain free. What a blessing that is! God Bless!

Unknown said...

hurray, you are finally home! Bet it feels like a castle after being in the hospital so long. May your recovery move along quickly and your days be pain free!

Rosie said...

I always look forward to your posts and was wondering what was happening since we haven't heard from you in quite a while. It's sounds like you have had quite an ordeal, but it is great that you are finally home and pain free. There really is no place like home. I'm sure that will contribute to your continued recovery.

Kate said...

Hugs to you Kaaren. Take care and I wish you a speedy recovery.

gracie said...

Oh mu goodness.....sending hugs and good wishes that you will soon feel great and able to enjoy the days.

barcord said...

Glad you are home. Mr PQ will give lots of TLC and you will recover your strength in time. Lots of love.xx

Carol C. said...

Glad you are doing better! I have missed your posts! So glad you are pain free.

Kristy said...

So glad you are home! We have missed you. Glad they could do something to help your pain. Thank you for sharing your journey. Keep your smile and your sweet sense of joy. K- lkw2x6-apq@yahoo.com

Donna~~ said...

Glad to hear you are home--always the best place to recover. Hope you regain your strength quickly and are able to get back to doing the things you love soon.

Tina said...

It's just fantastic that you are pain free!!! I'm so very happy for you and so glad that you are home! This is very good news. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Sharon said...

Glad you are home. Recovery is always better at home with your own 'things' around you. I caught your post on fb. heres to you gaining strength and reduced pain every day!

Janet O. said...

Wow--I had no idea! Not being on Facebook, I miss a lot of things. But I have continued prayers for you, and will keep it up!
I am glad you are home, and wish you a full recovery of feeling--or at least close to it! : )

mayme said...

So glad you are home and pain free. You have suffered for so long. You have such a wonderful attitude.

Theresa Waite said...

So good to hear from you. You've had quite the battles since your treatments years ago. Hopefully this will be the relief that will help you for many years. Take care and continue to recover and keep stitching.

Marie-Claude said...

Do take care, Kaaren! I am glad to hear that you are painfree, I hope it continues that way. You'll figure out the rest!

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

I am so glad you are home and you are pain free. My thoughts are with you and your recovery--I have missed you!

Unknown said...

So happy to hear you at home and pain free! You have been missed. I hope you have continued success!

Material Girl said...

I was wondering where you were! So glad you are home and pain free. How wonderful..using a walker doesn't really seem that bad, better than not walking- yes? I would imagine that you spend plenty of time sitting in front of your machine or doing handwork, or possibly even designing new fabric!? Enjoy being home....


Shirley--Knot-y Embroidery Lady said...

Glad to hear from you. Sending hugs and a wish for you to " keep on keeping on the sunny side of life."

KarenQ said...

Kaaren, may God bless you during your rehabilitation. My prayers will be with you, Mr. PQ and all of your rehab staffers. Reach out to Him and he will strengthen you.
In Christ
KarenQ

Lesley said...

Thank goodness! Thrilled to hear you are now home. Take your time and just enjoy being there. I know every day will get better!

sandi s said...

It's so good to hear from you. I hope you have nothing but good days in the future. You and Mr. P are in my prayers. Hugs,

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Light, love and big giant hugs that you continue to get better and better every day!!

Diane H said...

Wonderful update, Kaaren. Wishing you continued pain free days and only good things ahead.

Paula DiMattei said...

Welcome home! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers...😍

karmyl said...

Welcome back! Wishing you the best while you are recovering.

Maryannep said...

Great to hear you are on the mend again Kaaren!!!

Jacqueline said...

Yay! Enjoy your pain free life. So glad you are on the mend.

WoolenSails said...

I am so happy that you are home and doing better, you have been through enough the past few years.
Prayers that you will be blessed with good health in the coming years.

Debbie

Karen said...

Oh my! What a time you've had. I hope your recovery goes well. I feel the same as you. Using a walker would not keep me from fabric shopping. Maybe you can use one with a seat and basket. Or I am sure the women working in the shops would help you select what you need. And I bet you have plenty of stash to keep you going for a good while.

Barbara in TN said...

WOW! What a time you have had! Very happy you are on the mend and especially out of pain. Prayers going up for you and hoping you will be home sewing real soon!
Barbara in TN

T Holzer said...

Pain free after two years??!! That's a long haul, Kaaren! I will pray for you and your husband during this time of recovery and healing. Take care!

Ramblings from Randi the Wild Rose Quilter said...

Praise God for pain free! Wishing you a smooth recovery.

Clare said...

Nice that you can join back with us in blog land. I have missed reading your blog. What a blessing to be pain free. I have been thinking about you and you have been in my prayers. Happy Stitching.

Jo Chorlton said...

Wishing you a swift recovery

mamie poupette56 said...

heureuse de vous retrouver!!! bienvenue chez vous et sans douleur!!

poppiquilt said...

Kaaren, I'm very happy to read your post again. Now you need relax at your home. Buona guarigione!!!!

Donna Keating said...

Thinking of you and hoping for a good recovery.

Donna Keating said...

Thinking of you and hoping for a good recovery.

Unknown said...

Sending you a big hug and all the best for a quick recovery from The Netherlands! Glad you're back!

Unknown said...

Sending you a big hug and all the best for a quick recovery from The Netherlands! Glad you're back!

Louise SS said...

So glad that you are painfree and at home. Thank you for sharing, even though you are so far away ( or maybe I am the one far away!) you feel like a good friend:) I will keep praying for a fast recovery. Hugs from Louise in Sweden

Mary said...

Glad you are Home! 6 Weeks is a long time to be away. I missed the Facebook posting somehow. Many Prayers for a full recovery. Walkers can be outfitted to suit each person. Don't forget a Bell to use it in traffic at the Quilt shops.

Gretchen Weaver said...

Using a walker is a small price to pay to be able to be pain free! Rehab is a great place to be, they will really help you. Blessings to you and your hubby. Gretchen

dmf said...

Kaaren - so glad you are home, and doing better. We missed you, but please take care of yourself first!! Hope your rehab goes quickly - Dee

Deborah Smith said...

What a time you have had on the road to improving your health. I am so glad you are home and making progress. The wonderful thing about quilting is that it is portable and can be at a sewing machine or in your lap. Keep going girl!

Julierose said...

I will add my happy wishes that you are now home--it must feel great to be back!! And to be able to sleep in your own bed--that is what does it for me. I hope for continuing progress for you --Hang in there gal--we are all rooting for you. Sending hugs and prayers...Julierose

Gypsy Quilter said...

We're very glad to hear the operation was a success and that you're on the road to recovery. Dolly told me she wanted to send you the biggest get well hug of all. Do take care.

Quilter said...


Wonderful to hear your on the road to recovery and Pain Free has to be the
best thing of all... Take your time to get strong and before you know it
you will be making beautiful stitches... Missed your adventures but for now
you just need to take care of yourself - the other will follow once your
well.. Blessings for you and your hubby..

Unknown said...

Welcome home! So glad that you are back and on the way to a full recovery! As I scroll back through your past post I most admire the School house quilt. Wouldn't a tutorial on this be great with all the fabric requirements for a full queen size bed with plenty to hang off the sides be wonderful? lol..... Just a suggestion, maybe I'll be surprised and it will magically appear on this blog one day.
For now, just kick back with a nice cup of tea, a favorite book and let that float around for awhile. Mburnette912@bellsouth.net

jrsay said...

Glad you are on the mend sew you can get back to you and the fun of stitchen.
Onward to more healing and many blessings to you and your family.
Small steps get you going just like many stitches make a most amazing quilt.

Wendy Caton Reed said...

Oh my goodness, what an ordeal! I wish you a speedy recovery and lots of happy quilting time when you feel up to it!

Loris said...

It's a wonderful thing they were able to figure out what you needed. I'm so grateful they were able to relieve the cause of your pain and send you on a path to return to better function. Your persistent determination is going to take you the rest of the way. Kudos for all the hard work I know you are doing in rehab. I hope your strength doubles each day.

Gloria said...

I am so sorry that you have been in such pain but what a relief to know that you will be able to navigate again and be free from pain. Praying for continued healing and pain free living.

Karen said...

Oh my, what a scary ordeal you have had. I'm so glad they figured out what was wrong and were able to do something about it. Thank you for letting us know. Best of luck in your recovery.

Oneoldgoat1962 said...

Oh I am so happy you are home! What a summer you have had but I am glad that you were able to get it "fixed". No place like home, right? You are in my prayers!

Beth

Sandra said...

Mucha fuerza y ánimo, un gran beso desde Tenerife.

Nancy in IN said...

Prayers for continuing recovery and for hubby.

Nancy in IN said...

Prayers for continuing recovery and for hubby.

Rosa said...

So happy you are home and on the way to be better.Take care.

Lori said...

Welcome home Kaaren! I hope your recover continues on a fast path! XOXO

Charlotte said...


Great news. Hope you recovery is speedy and straight forward with no roadblocks.

Will keep you and your husband in my prayers and thoughts.

Charlotte

Carm said...

I was just wondering if you were having health problems. Then I saw this post. I'm so sorry to hear you've had such a rough time. Pain free is great to hear. using a walker won't be that bad. Get one with a seat and basket so you have two places to pile fabrics, LOL! You'll get there take your time and let the healing take place! God bless you!

Lynn S said...

I think of you often, like so many others. Take good care of yourself! There is only one you and you are very special!

Carolie said...

Kaaren, it is so good to hear that you are home and have some relief from the pain! You are quite a trooper having endured such pain for so long. I hope you continue to improve. Keeping you in my prayers.

Judy said...

I'm happy to hear that you are pain free at last. Your courage and perseverance throughout are inspiring to others. You keep on keepin' on, and we'll all look forward to soon reading a post about a new project. God bless.

Plum Cox said...

Gosh! What a difficult time you've been having. Well done for coming through it so far - and good luck with all the rehab. I'm sure that you and Mr PQ are ready for some time together at home now. I hope that you are both able to recover from your travails and that you remain pain free (or as near as possible).

Unknown said...

Kaaren, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Tough times don't last, tough people do.

Rina Spina said...

Glad to hear you are back home and pain free! I'll continue to pray for you!
Get well!
Greetings from Sicily !
Rina

Sylvie said...

You're a trouper! Good wishes winging there way from the UK; be kind to yourself and get well soon xSylv

Katie said...

So much good news. Pain free is fabulous. Happy sewiing! :-)

Lisa said...

Thanks for the update. I've been concerned for you and wish you a continued recovery.

Lisa said...

Thanks for the update. I've been concerned for you and wish you a continued recovery.

Heartsdesire said...

It must feel wonderful, Kaaren, to be home finally, and pain free. Take things easy for the time being, but keep posting your progress if you can. You are part of a very caring community, and we quilters support each other. Sending positive thoughts your way, and hope for a speedy recovery.

Sara said...

So glad to hear that you are at home again to continue with your healing. Pain free is a really good bit of progress.

Maggey and Jim said...

Oh, so glad you are getting better, will be praying for a full recovery. You must have been so worried and the pain must have been awful. Keep your strength up, eat well and get back to your old self,,, not that you are old, just sayin. I love your creations and have enjoyed your blog for many years.. Take care
Maggey

Marilyn said...

Prayers that you'll be home soon and pain free.

Penny from S.C. said...

So glad to hear that you are home and doing better. My mother is in the process of setting a date for her back surgery. She can't even stand long enough to get clothes out of the dryer or even sweep or mop the kitchen any more. Here's a prayer that you continue to heal quickly and so will my mom! God Bless You.

Anonymous said...

Haby to hear that you ar home again and on the mend. Fascinating what modern meds can do ....great surgeons are worth their weight in gold me think, Conitue with your physio and who knows, you might be able to take one step or two in the future.
Swedish Hugs!

Kim said...

That was a very close call you had and while I'm so very happy to learn that you've come through surgery and are now working on physical therapy, I'm shocked at how much pain you endured and for so long before the diagnosis was made and surgery performed to rectify the situation. You must be greatly relieved to have this becoming more behind you with each day that passes. You poor dear lady. I hope you continue to mend well and soon find the perfect basket for that walking aide! Can't keep a strong woman down for long! Good for you. Thanks so much for letting us know what's been going on.

Carole said...

You have been on my mind. So glad that things are getting better for you. Sending you a cyber hug!