I don’t want to be missing, I just can’t find my way back. Recovering from this surgery and spinal cord injury is much harder than I anticipated.
There is name to my pain and it is hardware. This visual of my neck and all it’s lovely hardware puts that into perspective. On a positive note, I am back to my original heights of 5’9″ post surgery.

I think the part that is making this so difficult is the spinal cord injury. While I had some of the same issues before the surgery, my expectation was that these things would get better after surgery. While some things have, many have not. I did get most of the feeling back in my arms and legs, but am having a difficult time gaining any strength. I have very little stamina. So, I don’t sew much or in very small increments. This is very frustrating. It is my therapy and without it, I am not a very nice person.
I did make the gnomes. They did not take much effort. My daughter has claimed the pink one and named her JaGnome. JaGnome oversees her homework.

A Useful Tool
I have several binding tool makers that I never use. They are the metal ones that make binding like the premade binding you can buy at the store.
The one in the picture helps make binding like I make for my quilts. It is helpful because I don’t burn my fingers. It makes the binding that is folded in half. I bought an entire set of these on Amazon for like 6$. My local quilt store sold one (not an entire set) for 10$. They were all manufactured in the same place.
I would love to post more often, but I don’t have much to post, since I don’t sew that much at the moment. I know many of you understand that quilting is therapy (no one at my home gets it). Without it I feel a little lost.
Happy Sewing
Happy Quilting
HUGS HUGS HUGS … Pain is absolutely NO fun!!! Hopefully you can do a little bit each day!! Take care of yourself!
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I prayed for you to heal quickly with no pain and peace.
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I feel your pain and am still praying that you get better quicker! Love ya. Even a post to say I hurt is fine!
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Hi Lori. If all you can do is a few minutes here and there, or just sit and look at your fabric and plan future projects it might help you find some joy. Sending a hug and a prayer that your pain will lessen and you will soon get some strength back. Please post a note now and again to let us know how you are.
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Thanks Carol. I do spend a fair amount of time petting fabric…and buying patterns
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Perfect! Even if you can’t spend much time sewing you can plan projects with your fun notebook đŸ˜‰
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Very true
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Hang in there!
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Thanks!
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Hi Lori! I am so sorry to hear you are still struggling with healing. Gosh. I certainly can understand why you’re not able to sew yet you miss it. I’m so glad to see an update from you – even if you post now and then to just say you’re okay – we miss you! The gnomes are so darn cute. Good job! {{Hugs}} a bunch for you and prayers, too. ~smile~ Roseanne
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Thanks Roseanne đŸ™‚
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JaGnome, hahaha! This put a smile on my face! Thank you! I am sorry for your struggles. Sending virtual hugs! ((((hugs)))), may the wind return to your sails soon!
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Thank you!
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Hi Lori – Prayers for patience as you go through this recovery. Those nerve endings are trying, and we quilters know all about that therapy you get just touching fabric. When you do venture back to your sewing room, set a timer for 15 minutes. Spend that time working on setting your seat height, your reach for tools etc. Take it slow.
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Thank you
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I sympathize with your difficulties. Although I do not have severe issues I do have an irreparable torn rotator cuff that has really reduced my sewing time, so I understand the frustration. Even a few minutes a day is worth it though. Feel better.
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Thanks Mary!
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Keeping you in my healing thoughts and prayers. You’ll get there and we’re here for you
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Thanks so much Sharon.
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Don’t worry about the frequency of your posts, Lori. You just do what you can and when you do post, we are always happy to hear from you. Just take care of yourself and things will gradually get better.
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Thank you!
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Getting better is a lot of work and takes time and patience. Enjoy some project planning, maybe some fabric sorting when you are up to it, and a bit of sewing. Spring is here, enjoy the greens of nature too!
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Thanks Kathy
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Sorry you are ‘lost’ in a long healing process. Sewing IS therapy for mind, body and soul. Do the little you can and enjoy being in the moment while you are doing it đŸ™‚
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Thank you
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Take care, healing is a step by step process, hopefully you can recover soon!
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Thank you
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I’m glad there’s been improvement, but I understand how disappointing it is that everything didn’t improve that you hoped would. I hope that is something that will change with time and physical therapy. I understand about the stamina. I feel like I’ve lost so much in the last 18 months. Is it Covid? Is it aging? I don’t know, but I don’t like it.
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Thanks Susan. I’m with you. I don’t like it either.
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Oh Lori I am sorry you are going through this and I am sending thoughts of healing and decreased pain so you can return to quilting.
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Thanks.
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