What a Load a Scrap: Crib Top Completed & A Little Story

As I mentioned in the last post, I would share the finished top that was started in Shipshewana. I'm quite pleased with it! It is a replication of a full sized top that used a striped piece in the center. It was more fun to use some skinny strings! Now, here is the reason I haven't been more productive in the last few months.

After many years of living with numb, tingly, and, finally painful hands, I had carpal tunnel surgery on Thursday. So far, it's a breeze, and I can only be disappointed with myself for not taking care of it sooner. As I told the surgeon (who is really cute btw!), "You just don't go to the doctor because your hand hurts". He asked when it started bothering me, and I said, "Oh, the late '90's". See, I only have myself to blame! If you are contemplating taking care of your carpal tunnel problem, please don't hesitate. I may have some permanent damage because of letting it go. Feel free to learn from my mistake! Now if I could figure out why the text is white in my posts...I'll work on changing it because I know how hard it is to read.

23 comments:

Ginny said...: I love your crib-sized trip around the world. Who will you give it to?
I am glad you are pleased with the surgery, and that you got it over with. I'd do the exact same thing---put if off---so I sympathize, even if you regret the waste of time now.
All the best for 2013!; January 5, 2013 at 4:49 PM
Mimi said...: Wow....they really wrapped you up. You look more like you had your hand re-attached rather than just carpal tunnel! I am putting mine off, too; although I don't think it is that bad yet. I type ALL DAY at work and I know that is what is doing it to me and there are only a couple movements that I can't comfortably make....like cleaning...LOL, but I know I am headed there. Hope you aren't bandaged up too long and that there isn't any permanent damage. Love your quilt, too.; January 5, 2013 at 4:54 PM
*karendianne. said...: Great quilt. Glad to know you're moving towards healing rapidly.; January 5, 2013 at 5:01 PM
Dolly said...: Hope you heal quickly.....bless her LORD.......and thank you for the warning. You're so right, though. My hands hurt after using the computer mouse for an hour, but I figure that's MY FAULT. We can be so silly !

I just started to ask if you could change the white print. You probably need to click on design, then template, then customize, and then find the category for changing the text color. I have to change to something wild like red before I can tell which thing I'm changing. Then I choose what I actually want.
You probably know how to do that better than me, but I hope you're successful ! I have enough trouble reading the scrambled word and number ! But I like to see what you're up to, so I come back.
I sound like a big old griper....I didn't mean to !

(Verification characters didn't match, so I'll try again !); January 5, 2013 at 6:25 PM
Kyle said...: I'm glad your surgery went well. I'm not sure why we wait so long to take care of things for ourselves. Your story is a good reminder to us all. Your quilt is visually exciting, great job!; January 5, 2013 at 7:21 PM
Ann Marie said...: Love that top! Hope you heal quickly and remember to take better care of yourself in the future. You are worth it.; January 5, 2013 at 7:57 PM
regan said...: Sweet quilt! It sizzles! :o)

And I'm so glad you had the surgery! I had both my hands done about 8 years ago. I had waited and lived with the pain for over 15 years, but had heard so many horror stories about how the pain was worse after the surgery, that I didn't dare do it. All I could think of was 'what if I can't do my quilting?' Well, when the doc said if I waited another month, I'd lose the use of my thumb.....THAT got me in! And it was the best damned thing I ever did! (All the horror stories were way in the beginning of this type surgery, when they hadn't perfected it, I think. They really know what they are doing now!)

I remember in the recovery room, when I woke up, I started crying....and the nurses all came over, and wanted to know what the problem was. And I was bawling, cuz it was the first time in 15 years my hand DIDN'T hurt! I was so happy being pain-free! Then we all laughed!

Did you have Dr. Chance?....cuz he was a hottie, too! :o)

You'll be surprised at how fast this heals, and you'll be able to do everything, with no pain, really soon! And you'll want to, if you're anything like me, and your other hand is stupid and doesn't know how to do anything! lol

I'm so happy for you, Jan!; January 5, 2013 at 8:37 PM
Janet O. said...: Glad you got that taken care of.
I am so in love with this quilt top--and I think that extra touch of the strings in the center is great!; January 5, 2013 at 9:02 PM
Janet said...: Your little crib quilt is wonderful - love the strings :0) I hope your hand is completely well - SOON!; January 6, 2013 at 12:57 AM
Sue said...: Lovely little crib quilt and naughty girl for not going to the doctor soon. Hope your on the mend soon.; January 6, 2013 at 3:37 AM
Sue said...: Should say sooner. My iPad has a will of it's own.; January 6, 2013 at 3:40 AM
antique quilter said...: so glad your feeling better . The quilt is wonderful!
isn't it amazing how long we put things off for ourselves but it if was one of our kids we would take care of it right then.
Kathie; January 6, 2013 at 6:05 AM
Robin's Egg Bleu said...: Your crib quilt top is beautiful! Maybe I'll take your advice. My fingers and hands have been going numb for a few years now, particularly when I'm sleeping (thought this was due to my positioning) and now I find it happening to my right hand when I sew. Thank goodness I'm left handed. Never worked at a desk or repetitive type job so it never occurred to me to be carpal tunnel. Didnt' enter my mind I could get it from sleeping a certain way or sewing, but hey...maybe one can!; January 6, 2013 at 10:24 AM
Lori said...: I'm glad you finally got your wrist taken care of. Delaying sounds like my trick! lol
The TATW quilt is beautiful!!; January 6, 2013 at 10:27 AM
Pat said...: The best thing you could have done! And you are right, shoulda done it a long time ago!! Mine was done in 1978 & have never had a recurrence since. The relief was immediate too.

Wonderful quilt - and soon you will be back to even more stitching and pain free!; January 6, 2013 at 1:29 PM
Debra @ Life is a Stitch said...: Jan, glad to see the Shipshe finish! It's a cutie, for sure! Also glad to hear you've had your surgery and healing - you'll be back to stitching in no time, I'm sure. Happy New Year wishes and blessings to you.; January 6, 2013 at 1:35 PM
Jan said...: I'm so pleased that you commented. My early symptoms are what you are describing. Hope you attend to it soon, it won't improve! A cortisone shot can work for a few months, so maybe that would help for now? Keep me posted - I'm going to be an advocate for this issue!; January 6, 2013 at 1:49 PM
Meredith said...: Qutie quilt. Glad you are healing well. Many women I think but our own bodies last , good for you for sharing it and helping another woman doing the same thing.

I know I have done it. Again the quilt is GREAT; January 6, 2013 at 9:48 PM
One Minnesota Quilter said...: The Trip around the World quilt is very nice!

So glad you had your surgery and are on the mend. We are all our worst enemies aren't we? ;)

Judy; January 7, 2013 at 7:32 AM
Dawn said...: Great repro crib quilt. I like all the colors in it - and the center stripe.
Hope you are feeling better everyday - lots of stitching waiting for you!; January 10, 2013 at 8:43 AM
Anonymous said...: I just had that done yes people should know if you wait to long you can have permanent damage irreversible so the doc told me. I was a hair dresser for 37 yrs plus sewing etc so go figure. Yes is a breeze compared to a hip knees etc. Love the crumb along I linked it from my blog here. do you live close to ?or just a dear jane retreat gal or other. I live close to shipshe when I am not in Florida. am trying to go to the retreat this spring. I live in Warsaw.Debbie Kelly http://somewhereinstitches.blogspot.com; January 25, 2013 at 12:29 PM
Jeanne said...: Such a cute quilt! I hope your hand heals quickly and completely. If you had to have surgery, at least the doctor was a cutie! :-); January 26, 2013 at 4:27 PM
Nyla said...: Hi Jan, I had carpal tunnel surgery on 2-14. Still have a little numbness in fingertips which I hope will go away and still numb around the incision. I no longer am kept awake at night with a numb hand. Hope yours is doing well! Your trip around the world is very pretty, it's so nice to finish a project!; March 19, 2013 at 1:15 PM