Will be having carpal tunnel surgery beginning of June. I won't be able to quilt or knit for awhile...What will I do to keep myself busy????

Read! Pick out more patterns for that to-do list!

How about books and magazines??? Also quilt videos on Youtube and Missouri Star Quilt Company (and many others)
Good luck and hope you get better soon!!

OOOO!! I love Missouri Star Qulit Company. They have great videos. My problem will be that I'll want to start a project asap. One more problem...how will I do my hair???
:-O

About your hair, I don't know, is there anyone who could do it for you???
I never had the surgery you are having.

If you cut pieces now, you will be able to sew them together fairly soon after surgery.
You may only be able to sew for short periods of time at first, but it can be part of your PT :D:D:D

I had this surgery done, I was amazed at what I could do one handed LOL I got very good at being a lefty :D:D:D
Maybe start practicing now :wink:

Good luck with your upcoming surgery! I had both hands done at the same time back in 1999.

Here's to hoping for a quick recovery!!!

I had it done on both wrists one week apart, you will be glad you did. You should be able to sew in a week or so.

Best news I've heard to date. THANKS!!!

I wish I could have it, the docs say mine is not bad enough for surgery, just bad enough to make me wear splints at night, which is forcing my arms into weird positions and bothering the rest of my arm.

Oh, yes, that's how mine started. Then I started to drop things inexpectedly, wrist locked, shooting pain, couldn't make the bed in the morning or pull on pants without difficulty, and trying to put on my bra was painful, difficult driving without splints, couldn't ride my bike because of the angle of the handles, woke up at night with discomfort even with the splints, then the discomfort just wouldn't go away no matter what I did. Ouch! I'll be glad to have it done.

I was knitting the day after my surgery. You will have less strength but will probably still be able to sew at teh machine. No pain at all and most of all I felt like I had my life back, best decision I ever made.

My doctor said it would be paid for after splinting had failed for a minimum of three months. I had splinted in bed at night for years with no success.

Looks like between now and then you might be wise to make your own kits ... precut your fabric, pattern, thread etc. all ready to go.

Sitting and sewing will probably be one of the first things you will be able to manage in short spurts.

As someone mentioned, start practicing using your other hand more and not relying on the one that will be recovering.

Good Luck with on your surgery!

Wishing you the best on your surgery... wht to do while recovering.... hunt and peck with your other hand...lol It is hard to be away from this board.

My mother had carpal tunnel surgery in her 70's and went on to quilt until just a short time ago and she's 95. Look forward to when you can sew again, not how long it will take or what to do in the process. Me,I would do just what I said to do but then I would hit every darn fabric shop and find and buy some really special fabric to mark the coming out of Catherine Marie. Edie

My doctor did my carpel tunnel through the palm of the hand - a less-than-1-inch incision, and I went home with a band-aid on my hand.....was crocheting that evening. My suggestion - find a doctor that will do it that way - I'm a church organist, and had the surgery on a Monday - was back at the organ the next Sunday! I'd NEVER have it done the old way!

Wishing you a quick recovery, and do as so many have said here - cut now - sew later - prepare for the future - and the in between, can be used in watching video of tutorials and reading quilting magazines, etc... or a very good intriguing book!

Shop therapy!

:XD: :XD: :XD:

The worse part of the surgery for me was trying to brush your teeth with the opposite hand. They wanted me to move my hand right away (25 years ago) so hopefully they havent' changed that now. Best of luck

I had similar surgery when I broke my wrist and I found a cheap salon (Great Clips) to shampoo and blow dry my hair every three days or so. They were so nice and it was pretty inexpensive compared to the stress I would have caused myself trying to wash (never mind dry!) my hair one handed. Even if you just do this a few times as a splurge, it's worth knowing you look good!

I had that surgery and it is amazing how fast you recover. My doctor wanted me to start using the hand right away….therefore no therapy needed! Good luck on your procedure and you will be amazed just how much better you will be. Take care! Read, plan your next projects and keep up your contact and input here on the Board. Hugs!

I had the same day surgery about 25 yrs ago & recovery wasn't very long - no therapy. I'm sure the technique is so improved, you will be back to using that hand in no time. Prayers that all goes well & a speedy recovery.

I had carpal tunnel surgery a few years back. I went back to work 4 days after the surgery. Did everthing with my left hand. I put a plastic bag on my hand and jumped into the shower. It was awkward, but I got it done. Now curling your hair with a curling iron is more difficult. If you have long hair just pull it back for awhile.

The healing didn't take long because it was done orthoscopically.
I even watched the whole surgery on the monitor. The whole thing was worth it. You will feel better.

I had both wrists done, a week apart, and the only things I couldn't do were lifting anything more than 5 pounds, get my hand wet until stitches came out, or anything that required bending at the wrist. Now some things were a bit tricky.....try using toilet paper with your not-normal hand....requires a bit a practice. But healing was very quick and it gives you a break from household chores....lol.

You will plan ahead, and be ready to do some studying online. Learn something new. You only need one hand to 'mouse' with, and looks like you will be doing lots of 'hunt and peck' typing. lol! (We're here for you. Hope all goes well!)

I am also having carpel tunnel surgery. Friday 5/27 I have to have a tendon release (tendonistis) done on the right hand along with the carpel tunnel so my recovery will be alittle longer but I am hoping to have the left hand done a couple weeks later. I am going to watch utube videos, check out some of the quilting related websites and of course go shopping for fabric for a new quilt. I am a newbie so I have a lot to learn and stash to collect. I am looking forward to having some time off work to explore! Good luck with your recovery I am sure you will find lots to do. I read somewhere that a real luxury was reading a book and eating bon-bons- sounds good to me

Get more patterns bookmarked, buy more fabric for them, and about your hair...no solution other than just letting it get pampered by a beautician! :thumbup:

I had it done on both wrists several years ago - 2 weeks apart. All that practice doing things one handed with a baby on my hip, way back when, came in handy. And I agree with OHSue, it was the best decision I made. Recovery was quick and I really had NO pain afterward. the trick is to do everything the doctor tells you to do - they want you to get it moving again right away and give you exercises to do, and be sure to massage the site a lot to make the lump go down.

Good luck to you on surgery and rapid recovery.

Oh, I feel your pain!! I broke my right (dominant) arm/wrist and had to have surgery to put it back together, and now have a permanent piece of metal in it..... You learn to do a lot of things left handed! Personal hygiene is one of the toughest. You can go to the salon for a shampoo, but everyday bathroom things can be a challenge. Take care, and God bless.
PS: SherriB, How in the world did you manage with both hands out of commission? Poor baby!!

try reading. It is relaxing

Garden walking......go check out all the nice gardens in your neighbourhood. Good exercise and inspiration for all the next projects once you're healed!

I had bone spurs in my thumb removed at the same time I had carpel tunnel repaired, so I was limited in that I could only use my fingers...my thumb was in a cast for 6 weeks. Even so, I could still manage to sew some. Try to have a few things cut out before your surgery. Using the iron may be a bit awkward at first, but you should be able to get some sewing done while you heal. Good luck!!!

Patti

You don't, you go have it done or have a dear friend to help you out. I know, I've been in that situation, no the same surgery but couldn't use my left hand and arm. I'ts amazing even with being right handed how much I couldn't do. Good luck, it will come around...I hope you take advantage of the physical therapy after surgery.