9/3/13

A Day of Finishes

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Today I finished the final two borders on the White Trees quilt. It ended up at 58 x 73 inches.


It's a little larger than I expected it to be, but I still think I can quilt it on my domestic sewing machine. I'm going to give it a try anyway. It still needs a back, and I'll be on the hunt for that while we are traveling this month.

So what else did I finish today? I finished getting second and third opinions on my knee. I liked the doctor I saw today very much. (I'll call him Dr. R.) Dr. R was on time, took a good history, asked appropriate questions, looked at *all* of the pictures available to him, including the MRI and x-rays, did a good exam, explained his thinking, and pretty much gave me confidence that he was on the right track. 


(And since I don't have any pictures for the rest of this post, I'll just entertain you with some random stuff, hopefully related to what I'm saying.)

He spent a good half hour with me, which is almost unheard of these days. He listened to my questions and concerns, and was generally a nice guy...young, but not too young.  

So the right track is this...at least for now. Dr. R. feels my symptoms are caused by a combination of several things: (1) my patella isn't tracking right (I've heard that before), (2) the cartilage is thinning and that means that my tibia and my femur are not well-cushioned, and that means that the ends of the bones can bruise. The MRI shows that both bones are bruised and he believes that is what is causing most of my pain. He says that kind of injury can take a long time to heal. (3) Also, I have bursitis and tendinitis. 

So he is suggesting a two-week course of prescription strength anti-inflammatories and more physical therapy with a different therapist that he has recommended.  While I hate the idea of more physical therapy, I am willing to give this a try. I'll start the PT when I get back from my trip. In the meantime, the anti-inflammatories will have a chance to do their work, which will make PT bearable.


Yeah. That's the best I could come up with. I'm withholding my smile for now. But enough about that. I'm sick of thinking about it, and so I'm sure your sick of hearing about it.

And here's the final finish of the day: Erik and Mae are finished house-hunting! They found a house! We had dinner with them last night, and they informed us that they made an offer. Real estate is moving very fast in Portland right now. Houses are flying off the market as fast as they are listed. Erik and Mae were one of four offers on the same house, which had only been on the market for four days. They really liked the place, and so they offered to beat the highest offer by $500 (and the seller had to show them the highest offer). The offer was good until 5:00 p.m. today, and at around 1:30 today, Erik texted me to let me know their offer had been accepted. And that, my friends, is that! 


It's very exciting for all of us because this will be Erik and Mae's first home. They are already pre-approved for a mortgage, and so the only thing to do now is sign the papers, take possession, and move in. It's a sweet little house, just right for them, and in a good location. It's very close to the park where Sue and I walk on Fridays. Mike and I are thrilled for them. So, now I guess I'd better get busy on that stitchery I started yesterday!

Oh, and I guess there is just one more finish for today. I'm finished with this blog post! I hope you had a good day. 


Just one more thing...this is your reminder that the August NewFO Linky party closes Wednesday at midnight. If you haven't linked up, your time is running out.

21 comments:

Quilting Babcia said...

Sounds like good news on all counts! Congrats to Erik and Mae, the first house is always so exciting. Your white trees quilt is lovely. I picked up the pattern last winter after Den saw it in the LQS window and remarked how he really liked it. Had thought I might make it for him for Christmas - guess I should get started!

Brown Family said...

I am glad Dr. R is listening to you and trying to find answers!

Congratulations to Erik and Mae.

Teresa in Music City said...

Congrats on the finish! That's a really cool quilt :*) And congrats to Eric & Mae - maybe now they can get down to giving you a grandchild. I mean it's the least they can do considering all the pain you are having to endure in this life, right?

Tami C said...

Congratulations to Eric and Mae. Getting their first house has to be so exciting! I had never heard offer a certain amount over their best price. Glad it worked for them. It sounds like you really like Dr R. I sure hope what he is suggesting works for you.

Lynne said...

What a great report on the doctor situation. Congratulations to Eric and Mae; very exciting!

Kirsty said...

White Trees is looking great, I really like this one. So pleased you had a better time of it with Dr R. Well done on getting a second opinion. Very good news about Eric and Mae. All in all, a good day!

gpc said...

It sounds to me like Dr. R reads your blog and knew he had to mind his p's and q's! I'm so glad he took some time and gave some options, and hope that it will be smooth sailing from now on. It makes sense that we heal more slowly once we're grown, and of course we keep re-injuring our ouchies in daily life, so hopefully those anti-inflams will do the trick! How wonderful for Eric and Mae, a first house is such an exciting event! :) And I LOVE your white trees quilt!

Dana Gaffney said...

This is all so encouraging and I'm so glad you liked him.
Congrats to Eric and Mae, they must be so excited. I think your "I've got time" for the present pushed the cosmos in their favor. :)

Diane Wild said...

I'm glad to hear you have encouraging news about your knee situation. Hope it heals soon. Patience seems to be in short supply when it comes to aches and pains in our bodies. Congrats to the kids on their house purchase. How exciting for all of you.

Debbie said...

I like the sound of the new doctors track! Time and rest may make a big improvement for you.
So love the birches trees and cardinals....I have enjoyed mine.

Ray and Jeanne said...

Love the quilt! I've done that size on my domestic machine - you should be fine. Hope the knee situation gets better soon! I don't like going to PT but I love the results - hope you get great results! ~Jeanne

Lyndsey said...

Your new doctor sounds nice as does the strong anti-inflammatory drugs. Hopefully the treatment will help. The doctor is right in that the type of injury you have will take time to heal.

Your white trees quilt top is delightful. Such a lovely finish.

Great news that Erik and Mae have got their house.

Snoodles said...

It makes such a difference when you find the "right" doctor....the really good ones are few and far between, in my book, but perhaps I am being too cynical. Anyway, I am over-the-top glad for you that you found Dr. R! And congratulations to your kiddos! Sounds wonderful!

sunny said...

Love the quilt. I have the pattern and the fabric in a basket somewhere. Glad you're on the right track with the new doc.

giddy99 said...

glad you have a Dr you like and trust! And I love the trees quilt!

Sher S. said...

I'm so glad you had a different doctor give you such a thorough exam. He sounds like the right one to work with. And the fact that he listened to you about your history with your knees makes a difference. Your white tree quilt is beautiful, your work is top notch! I hope you have a fabulous trip to Colorado and back and find some great quilt shops on the way.

Tish R said...

Glad to hear your new doctor is taking in all the facts for his decision. Hang in there and try to enjoy your trip, get in some fabric therapy along the way!

Great job on the quilt! Really like this pattern, and since I keep looking at it and coming back to it, I may just have to make it too! Congrats to the kids on their new house close to mom and dad - so convenient when the grandkids start showing up!

quiltzyx said...

I really like the way the White Trees finished! I am finding that I really like simple lines & white backgrounds lately.

Thumbs up for Dr. R. I hope the anti-imflamatories work well for you while you're on your trip.

And HOORAY & Congrats! to Mae & Eric on their first home!!!

LethargicLass said...

a) feeling optimistic about Dr. R.... hope he keeps giving me reason to LOL

b) You decided *not* to give Eric and Mae the wall hanging and weren't worried because you had lots of time as they didn't have a house yet... Sooooo... my theory is, make a baby quilt, decide *not* to give it to them, blog that you aren't worried as you have lots of time as they aren't pregnant yet and boom! Bob's your Uncle!

Kate said...

White Trees turned out beautifully. Looking forward to seeing how you decide to quilt it.

Glad that you what sounds like a reasonable path forward on your knee. Hope the anti-inflammatories allow you to enjoy your trip a bit more than you would have otherwise.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I thought of you last week, when I saw a sample, just like your quilt above, in a LQS. Glad you like this doc. He sounds like my doc (takes time, listens, etc). Hope the anti inflammatories work. Have a fun trip!