Things are improving

It's almost a fortnight since I had my knee replacement surgery and things are slowly improving. Because of there being a mass shortage of beds the hospital allowed me and the lady in the next bed to come home early. Unfortunately a sickness virus going around the hospital causing wards to be closed down and the bad icy weather bringing trauma patients in daily caused them to discharge those who had back up at home. Barb (my fellow escapee) were thrilled to hear the news, we had been sadly lacking in sleep not even averaging an hr per night due to a very vocal elderly patient in the bed opposite. The nursing staff were run off the feet daily and no break in the night time either.

Everything went well I did have a scare when I met the Anaesthetist he told me because of my health, my reaction to the GA and there being no spare bed in the ICU ward I would have to have an epidural, my heart sank to the floor. I couldn't be awake during the op I knew I couldn't cope with it. He promised me he would give me a sedative so I wouldn't be to aware. I am much relieved to say he was right I didn't I only remember hearing one strike of the hammer which hits the joint home that was it. I was in a lot of pain but wasn't suffering in my usual way after a GA which was a great relief.

I did have one pleasant surprise, because the lady who's bed I was going in couldn't go home I was put in the private wing for 2 days. Very posh and I must say quiet however they moved me up to the original ward and although I missed the peace & quiet of my own room I had the socialisation with the other 4 ladies in my bay.

I had my op on Wednesday 13th Jan and came home on Monday 18th Jan. The district nurse has been coming in to see me and made her last visit today to take out my stitches and take another blood test. Do you like my new fashionable stockings? :o) I need to wear these for the next 5 weeks to help to prevent DVT. Because I came home early and the Tinzaperin injections are continued until a month after surgery Neil has bravely stepped in to administer them to save me having to do it. Sticking a needle in my own stomach every day is not my idea of fun! The stitching is neat but he evidently went offline a little on the knee cap :o)

The strong pain meds finish today so I'll be going back to my normal ones hoping they will help with the pain. The stiffness will ease with time, I'm doing my exercises and walking to get the leg moving properly. Driving is on hold until at least 6 wks post op so I get to be at home merrily stitching away.......yeeeaahhh.

The sampler I was stitching 'Heavens Gate' wasn't suitable to take into hospital with me due to me needing a stitching lamp to see the threads. I started a new sampler instead on 28ct evenweave, it's by Anchor and just called A Victorian sampler.

This is my progress so far, I am thinking of tea or coffee dying it when it's finished to age it a little.

My other good news is two of my girls have come home, I've really missed them, they are both a bit clingy at the moment I don't think they trust me going out of their sight just now. Angela has looked after them really well as I knew she would, they both came home freshly groomed and looking gorgeous. Angela thinned out Nulies coat for me and it's hanging beautifully now. They both had little diamante butterfly clips in their hair to finish off the look...... gorgeous!!! Thank you Angela for being such a good friend.

I now have to prise my other two girls Mia & Georgi girl from the hands of my other friend Dionne, she has enjoyed their company so much she's reluctant to hand them back. I think they're coming back sometime in the next two weeks. It gives me longer to get more steady on my feet.

Well I'm off to do more stitching before the phone rings and stops me.

Take care

Hugs

Peg xx

Another New Year

Another new year makes her appearance, once you've

turned 60 the days seem to go faster than I can walk :0)

2009 was a year all about dogs, the rescue I 'work' with was busy from day 1 and as of our 1st birthday on January 7th we have rehomed 250 dogs. I have met some wonderful dogs, some so afraid they knew nothing better than to bite. Anxious ones leaving their beloved owners who were having to give them up due to health reasons or a death in the family. Not all dogs come into rescue because they've been abused or abandoned. I've met some very special people who've made a big mark on my life and I know will remain lifetime friends.

The photo is of my little munchkins when we were at a country show at Tatton Hall, Cheshire. The little beige Shiddie on the left of the pic is Caeser a foster boy I had who was adopted not long after. The golden boy on the right with the black lead is Milo a Lhasa boy belonging to Dionne another of our staff members all the others are mine. I wouldn't have been able to take them all if my two granddaughters Ellice & Molly hadn't come with me, we had a great day.

I haven't accomplished a lot of finishes stitch wise the dogs have been a priority this year but I have missed it so much. I've been collecting fabric for my quilting, so much so that I am now going to have to store some containers in the garage! I have enough I think to last me 2 lifetimes. I'm busy at the moment trying to catch up on ironing, I'm behind with it lately. Even if you're not out collecting or transporting dogs a lot of time is spent on the phone arranging for other dogs to come in or finding foster homes.

I've been busy clipping the long coats off my girls, I haven't had the chance to keep up with the grooming and don't want them suffering being matted. I'm also going into hospital on Wednesday for a full knee replacement and won't be able to do it for some time. The only one I've left long is my little Nulie Noos, tomorrow is not going to be an easy day. Nulie Noos and Poppy are travelling down to the south coast for a holiday with their Aunt Dionne, Mia & Georgi girl are going to Wakefield to stay with their Aunt Angela. Both these lovely ladies are having my girls whilst I'm in hospital to take the pressure off Neil a bit. I'm used to them but he's still at work and would need to get up 2 hours earlier each day to take them all out before work. Megan, Livvy, Nemo & Paddington will stay with Neil it'll be easier looking after 4 instead of 8. I'll miss them so much, I love them all to bits. It'll be strange having a bed all to myself I've usually got Poppy, Georgi & Nulie laid on me.

I'm nervous about going into hospital but at least I don't go in the night before this time, I go in to the ward for an injection on Tuesday evening then have to be on the ward for 10am Wednesday and the op will be in the afternoon. I'm praying the GA won't affect me as badly this time. My family were really concerned when I was a long time in recovery. The consultant told me I'd be in between 7-10 days but most people I've spoken to have only been in for 4 days so am keeping my fingers crossed I'm home this time next week. Then I'm hoping to catch up on my stitching.

Well I wish you all a wonderful healthy, peaceful and happy 2010. I've already started catching up on your blogs and have really enjoyed everything I've read. Thank you.

Hugs Peg xx