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the good, the bad and the quilted...

3 years ago

Like many of you, I am Sheltering in Place and it has been not fun. But I’m getting used to it now and managing to keep my sanity most of the time.

First, the bad news: since Nov. 2019, I’ve had neck pain from degenerative neck disease. Yes, it has a name, but basically this happens “as we get older.” Had an MRI and two doctors said I was not a candidate for surgery. So now, I’m getting physical therapy and acupuncture every week and it seems to be helping. Also, my PCP put me on a low dose pain medication and a muscle relaxer. All these efforts seem to be helping.

The good news is I’m getting some sewing done, baking bread regularly, and found a stash of fabric for clothing that I’d forgotten about. So now I can do more sewing!

Here is what I finished this month:

Sweet and Sassy Quilt for our Crossroads charity for women and girls who have been abused:

And 2 + 4 quilt, a baby quilt for Alamance Pregnancy Services:

This is the start of my guild Round Ostrich project. We take a center block or panel, add a checkerboard (the first round), then a row of flying geese, then a row of our choice and maybe a few more rows, but I am stopping at my next row which will be raw edge appliqué - which I will post when it is finished. The center butterfly is from a group of butterfly blocks I bought years ago at a big Labor Day flea market in Hillsville, Va.

Stay safe, dear friends! I’ll check in again soon.

Teresa in North Carolina

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Comments (10)

toolgranny
3 years ago
I'm so glad you are getting some sewing done. I worry about your neck. I hope you stay down and follow doctor's orders. Let me know if you need more fabric.
nannykins
3 years ago
Hell-o Teresa

i was just wondering about you yesterday.

Getting older is the pits! Your description of your neck pain has me thinking. Last fall, I was diagnosed with three spinal compression fractures In the upper back. (That has chopped an inch off my 5’2”.) But since then I have constant neck pain. I was blaming it on my pillow but now I am thinking differently. And sitting at the machine doesn’t help.

Liking your quilts. A neat way of using HSTs in the first. The second one is very much like a mystery quilt I did several years ago. I really like it. I have never done a Round Robin. Yours is going to be lovely.

Stay safe, stay well.

Theresa
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msmeow
3 years ago
Hi, Teresa! Your quilts are so pretty! I’m sorry to hear about your neck problems, but glad the current measures are helping.

Donna
bev2009
3 years ago
Very pretty quilts. The first one looks very calming. Sounds like it will be going to a good home.
Char
3 years ago
Very nice, Teresa! I especially like the small squares in the chevron orientation. I have several hundred 2x2" scrap squares to use in a future undecided project and will keep your pattern in mind.

I understand your neck pain. I have 2 bulging discs in my neck that I do regular PT exercises to keep under control. Sometimes I still wake up with pain, though. I'm glad you are getting relief.
Sharon Gratz
3 years ago
So good to hear from you, Teresa! I'm sorry you're having pain and hope the therapy you're doing now will continue to help ease it for you.

Your quilts are cute and really like your Round Ostrich design.

Be safe and take good care of yourself. We wear a mask the few times we go out and about but we mostly stay home......like we did before the pandemic. lol
loisflan
3 years ago
Pretty quilts, Theresa. I particularly like the colors in the first one.

So sorry about your neck and the necks and backs of all my quilting friends. I have degenerative issues in my lower back, L4, L5 and S1. I was 5'6" in my younger years, and I am now 5'3". I used to always stand in the back row, and now I'm constantly told to move forward 'cuz I'm short. I just had another spinal injection three weeks ago. The pain travels down my right leg. My spine surgeon says the only solution would be a fusion of those vertebrae, but I'm not going to do that if I can deal with it with exercise, injections and possible ablations. Getting old sucks, but so does not getting old. Wear your masks when you go out, everyone. It's the only way we can all stay healthy until a vaccine is developed.
grammyp
3 years ago
Teresa, so sorry to hear about your neck. Glad the treatments seem to be working. You have been busy, love the quilts.
polardream
3 years ago
Theresa, So sorry to hear about your neck. Follow instructions and don't overdo! Very cute quilt finishes. You have been busy!

Sue
fran1523
3 years ago
Lovely quilts, all of them. I feel for you. Nagging pain is the worst. I have spinal stenosis and arthritis in y ankles. Some days I can hardly walk.

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