One Year Later … 2016 Is Looking Great!
One year ago this past weekend, I was just on way my home from a second trip to emergency. Three days before, dinner was in the oven and almost ready. The kids were scattered throughout the house and the dog was in the backyard. It was -23°C with the wind chill outside – a good day to be cozied up inside. I pulled on my boots and put on my coat to run out and bring the dog inside. He’s a Tibetan Terrier. He loves winter. Nobody heard me go outside. I passed my cellphone on the counter as I went out.
He is definitely a snow dog!
It happened so fast. Black ice and whop. I thought I would never forget the sound of my head hitting the frozen flagstone patio stones. It is fading. No hat, no mitts. I don’t think I was outside for long and I was able to manage to make my way back into the house, calling for the kids as I collapsed on the kitchen floor.
Diagnosis: Complex concussion.
The next three weeks were spent in bed, in a dark room, watching paint dry. No screen time. No reading. No music. Few visitors. You get the picture. Total rest. And then the slow climb back.
At two months intensive therapies started. I am so grateful to all the research that has been done on concussion recovery in the last two years. I got to benefit. I am truly indebted to my physiotherapist for her passion on the subject of concussion recovery. At six months the doctors told me I had exceeded all expectations.
At the end of June I took the subway for the first time since I fell. By July I was walking 5 miles a day. In August I tried sewing again, with tears streaming down my face because I could do it without wanting to throw up! And I taught my first class again. You gals in Grand Rapids were awesome! And I got to watch a half hour of TV.
String Piecing Tell All class in full swing!
In September I got my licence back. In October I drove two hours to a speaking engagement. I took the scenic route home to enjoy the view.
And at the end of October I took my first plane (and ferry) trip to take a Gwen Marston class with friends.
Intently reflecting on the progress of our quilts. Chocolate chip cookies from the cookie jar helped a lot!
In November I went back to a more regular program at the gym. On December 9th I was discharged from the outpatient Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic and I took on a new interior design client and I took another plane trip, this time to Austin.
And January saw me teaching in Kentucky. What an amazing group of women.
And February … I am enjoying extended screen time to be able to compose something like this blog post.
It’s been a journey.
So one year later, I am celebrating! Celebrating good health and recovery. Celebrating silver linings … I have learned to pace myself (a solid life skill to have). I finally took that formal meditation class I had on my bucket list. I am celebrating and am incredibly grateful for family, friends and colleagues who were beyond supportive … those who made phone calls on my behalf, the ghost writers of letters, emails, and blog posts, the readers and proofers of copy for magazine and quilt projects that were on the docket, and those who posted on Instagram and Facebook for me (and for Siri for dictation) … for the friends who brought meals … for my walking team, who went with me on my daily walks, first just halfway up the block and back and then in the end for miles … and for those who were my drivers to my many appointments. I am thankful for the understanding of the guilds and groups whose events I had committed to and had to cancel.
I missed out on things, sure, but it was what it was. I was doing what I needed to do. There is one thing though that happened during all that time that I missed: the launch of my first fabric line, Modern Country. It has been very well received, even if I missed out on being more involved in the launch of it. The folks at Windham were just so incredibly awesome and understanding. Still I have to give a shout-out now to the fabric and and later this week I will share some of the quilts made from it, just because I am so thrilled with the line.
And I am so glad to be back! And I am grateful. So very, very grateful.
And our dog remains ever faithful. By my side.
Last year I fell just one week before I was to be heading to Quiltcon in Austin.
We were shooting my #helloquiltcon photo for the Instagram campaign. Is he photobombing my photo or am I photobombing his selfie?!
But I am going this year!
This year’s selfie for #helloquiltcon on Instagram and buttons for the button swap.
Will I see you there?
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OMG!!!!!Elizabeth, so sorry to hear of your fall, but glad that you are finally feeling better.I hope you enjoy QuiltCon.I hope I get to see you there, but if not I’m looking forward to it, and I hope you have a wonderful time too. Take care.
Thank you Ginny. Great that you are heading to Quiltcon too. Is anyone arranging a #quiltconeh event this year?
Sorry, I haven’t heard anything.
So glad you have recovered. I didn’t know we have Tibetan Terriers in common. My Oreo (our 2nd TT) just turned two. Take care and further best wishes for 2016.
Thank you so much Cathy. I didn’t know we had TT’s in common either. Aren’t they the best? So darn smart! Best wishes to you too.
Sorry to hear about your fall. So pleased to hear of your recovery. Holding you in the light.
Thank you so much Jean. Hope you are keeping warm and well. Are you still working on the RKS collection?
What a year you have had! So sorry to hear about your fall and the following treatment. Hoping this year brings all the best of health for you and your family.
Thank you Joy. Life is good. Wishing all the best to your and your family too.
I am so sorry to hear about your injury, but so glad you have made what sounds like a full recovery. I wish you all the best as you get back to the busy quilting life.
Bernadette, thank you so much for your comment. I am so thrilled with my progress and being able to enjoy a full life again. Happy Stitching to you.
Whew! Glad you are going better. And so excited to get to meet you this weekend. Yay!
So glad I get to meet you too. Still have not unboxed my Juki. Hopefully tonight!
Oh my goodnes – I had no idea of your injury!!! I see you are back doing trunk shows. Can you get in touch with me – want to know if you would like to speak at Mississauga GUild. Did you go to Quiltcon??? I was there!!!! So much fun.
Hi Elaine, So happy to be back at quilting and teaching. Just emailed you. Talk to you soon!
So glad you recovered from this. Enjoyed seeing you at Jabez in January even though we had to leave early. YOu are a very nice lady and maybe you can come again sometime. Paula in KY
Thank you so much Paula. I hope I do get back to Kentucky one day. I loved meeting you all. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality.
I love rpthese fabrics! I am not a “green” person but I love love love the green with a small print. It just shouts happy!
Oh Carol thank you. I really wanted a line that was cheery and fresh and bright. So glad you stopped by!
Mary Elizabeth, I just read this post. What a year you have had. So thankful for your recovery.
Christine from Ontario
Thank you Christine. I am so thankful too. Appreciate you commenting and stopping by.
I’m new to your blog. I have been reading a few of you posts and will be reading a lot more. What an ordeal you have been through. So glad you have recovered. Love your fabric. I haven’t done much with reproductions, but I am going to have to check them out better. My granddaughter wants a quilt and your fabric may be just right for her.
Hi Bonnie, thanks so much for stopping by and getting to know my blog better. And thank you for your kind words. Having fun making that new quilt for your granddaughter.
I am new to quilting, and in NC but was born and raised in KY. So sorry about your accident, and it can happen so quickly. I am so glad you have recovered and are now able to do what you love. I love your new line. It makes me feel happy. It is so cheery. I want it for sure. I have joined your mailing list so I can follow your happenings. I love the cheddar too with the Red of course. Glad Bonnie Hunter mentioned you so I could find your site. Can’t wait to see your fabric so I can touch it and pet it.
Elizabeth,
I think you are so courageous. I especially appreciate that you are writing about your experiences in recovery. You have put words to some of my feelings and I find them encouraging. Thanks you. I have been a long time fan of your work and am so glad that you can continue to be creative. Best of luck as you continue to heal.
Heidi Haynes
Heidi thank you so very much for your kind words. I am guessing from what you have written that you have also had a challenging road to travel of late. Best wishes to you too.