I went to the Orthopedic doctor last week to get results from a MRI & xrays. He looks at me and says How flexible are you? Pretty good I answered. Surgery next week or the week after okay he asks? Sure I said...whatelse could I say. He turns to his Nurse & and to me and says...Good, I'll see you tomorrow morning at 7am! So I ended up having shoulder surgery on Tuesday last week, with no time to get prepared. Christmas is 6 weeks away and I'm in a sling for the next 10 days still, can't sew, quilt or bake. I have 2 kingsize quilts waiting to be finished, 1st is the nightmare of my daughter's and the other is a wedding gift for January. Sooooo frustrating! Thanks for listening folks...I just wanted to vent some frustration!!!

Sounds close to what happened to me. I went in to see the OBGYN and they asked if they could put me on the short notice list if a cancellation came up, I said sure, thinking that I still had a while, I saw her on the Tues, got the call on the thursday just before Easter long weekend and went in the Wed for abdominal surgery which put me out for 6 weeks. So I had a bit more notice.

Poor you at least you have a good reason not to get them completed in time - hope you heal quickly

Quick recovery is what you need; and healing prayer is what I send.

Just try not to spin your wheels or push too far ahead of your healing and therapy, this is a time for rest no matter what's looming to be done.

Best to you!
Jan in VA

Oh Quilterella, I know what shoulder surgery is, I just had it on Aug. 28. What did they repair? A torn rotator cuff? There's several on this board that have had the surgery, and there's lots of us here who can relate to your situation. Just don't slack off on your physical therapy, it's a bugger to try to start it again (I should take my own advice!) Praying that you get better soon....Debbie

Originally, 3 yrs ago, had rotator cuff repair. This time, it was to repair the repair, remove 2 bone spurs and remove approx 2-3" bone in the shoulder, that didn't heal properly 3 yrs ago. This will be a long recovery...I can't even start physio for 2 more weeks. Get stitches out in ten days...then I guess we'll see from there.

I think you need a gentle hug. Get well soon.

I hope you have a complete recovery to full use of your shoulder and that it will be pain free.

As far as the quilting projects go - they will keep - you can send a note and a photo to the would-be recipients explaining what is going on.

You will need to treat yourself the same as you would for a relative.They know you can't sew/quilt....don't let anyone lay a guilt trip on you!
Be thankful you had a surgeon ready to fix your shoulder.Some ppl have to wait months....then they try to do everything & cause more damage.
Take it easy & be glad it's 2 wks till therapy. That stuff starting the day after is the pits!

Oh my, i hope your recovery is just as quick!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery so you can get back to quilting. Everyone will surely understand the delay with your projects. The important thing is to rest emotionally AND physically. Take extra good care of yourself right now so you can make that quick lasting recovery. If you end up presenting your gifts after the holiday, they will shine brighter with more focus on your beautiful work!

Hope you have a speedy recovery! Don't do anything that will delay the healing process.

Well, for me that's the way I would want surgery scheduled, at least you didn't have to worry about it for weeks. Definitly follow Docs orders and dont' do any more than you should til he gives you the green light. Everything will work out! If you have to, put them i a box almost done, and wrap them up. Your family will understand!

just do what the doc says, no more, and you will be back to sewing in no time!
here's to quick healing!

This sounds like the perfect reason to simplify your Christmas. We did that many years ago when finances were particularly tight and have never gone back. Along with simplify, you need to delegate as you're just not able. While lovely huge quilted gifts are wonderful, Christmas will happen whether they are finished or not so just don't worry about them this year. Start some new traditons,- socks and gift cards? Your job should be to heal, nothing else. Make Christmas dinner pot luck and you only supply the beverages and buns. Seriously take it easy and get better.

(((hugs))) Sending up prayers for your shoulder.

I have had 2 shoulder surgeries myself and am still taking meds every day for shoulder pain. Don't overdo it, let yourself heal. Those on your gift list will have to understand that the quilts will come when you are physically able to do them. From my experience neither will( or should) be done by their deadlines if you want a good recovery! Try not to STRESS over it - those who love you will understand! Sending good thoughts for your complete recovery!

I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. Yes it may be frustrating that things have to be put on hold, but, can you imagine for a second if you had pushed yourself over the limit and done more damage than was repairable? Where perhaps you would not be able to sew anymore? The surgery being pushed up was meant to be.
Look at it in a positive way, the surgery is done, and you will be able to sew pain free for a very long time once you get thru therapy. The projects can wait, your health comes first.

OMG you're on my daily prayers for a quick recovery! Warmest Hug!!!!!

I am sure that most peeps will not worry about the gifts being late knowing what has happened to you, no worries, stay with the PT and listen to the doc and you will be fine.

Glad the surgery is behind you and glad you vented. We all understand the frustration. Sending you hugs! :)

Your family will understand. Right now, you have to take of you. Sending you hugs and a prayer for a full, speedy recovery.

So sorry - I can feel your frustration. Why not take a picture of the quilts in progress and wrap that up with an IOU? I am certain everyone will be very understanding! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

I so agree.....think we only have ourselves to blame, for making holidays crazy! Just think how much simpler holidays would be if the men were in charge of them! The very thought causes me to laugh.....

Time is the great healer and patience a virtue, Grasshopper. There is a lesson here to be learned. :lol: :D :D :D Hang in there!!

Hugs, and get well soon!

Okay -- but where would you have been had you NOT had surgery? Would you have been able to do the quilting and baking??? Seems to me he gave you a choice!?!? Thankfully you were able to get fixed. Am sending you prayers for quick recovery.

Look on the bright side ... you had probably already met your deductible for the year. That means ... more money to spend on fabric!

I sure hope you heal quickly. Last year I had my right shoulder repaired on the 7th of November. I was in a sling for 6 weeks, off work for 10. Make sure you follow your Dr's instructions.
I have been still having pain in mine, one year later. Just got back from the Ortho after another MRI. I have thickening of the tendon and some atrophy going on. No surgery at least but it still hurts doing certain movements!!!

Good Luck in your recovery. Just tell them their gifts is gonna be a little late and they will understand because of your surgery. Don't worry. It will all work out.

i kinda wish that had been my schedule.

I just had surgery friday, but they gave me 6 weeks to stew and stress about it. I was full-on ugly-face crying and the pre-op wednesday, a mess thursday, and sobbing friday morning as i went in. i was scared.

of course, everything went well and i'll be just fine. lots of stress and tears for nothing.


i need to work on what everyone is telling you - to recover first. i just want to do something besides lay here and hurt. but anything right now is just too much.

we can vent to eachother as we heal!

Oh I sew understand your predicament. HUGS. I am putting off my elbow surgery till January. Gotta finsih those gifts. Hope you are healing quickly. You can watch quilting shows while you rest.

Ditter - I really wish you were my neighbor.

Thankyou everyone for the encouragement and warm wishes. It is the quilting board that will keep my sanity for the next 8-12 weeks. I go on Monday 22nd to get my stitches and dressings removed...YEAHHHH I get to take a shower. The people on this board are the BEST... Thanks for caring!

A hot tip:

Don't be too flexible around holiday and vacation time. The clinics and hospitals are empty those days (and the equipment does not amortize ....).