Here I am. A bit less than I was, in terms of body parts, weight, and height, but overall what remains is whole and mostly functional.
I am not going to go into the all the details, but I will say that I am incredibly lucky. So many things can go wrong during and after a 12-hour surgical procedure that involves many tricky bits near major nerve centers. But I am happy to say that my chordoma tumor was removed successfully, along with my coccyx and more than half of my sacrum. I will have to have a deep survey next month for surety, then be on lifelong watch to make sure it doesn’t recur, but for now at least I am cancer-free.
The surgical team was able to avoid some nerve damage, and to install a rather elaborate truss system to support my spine and hold my pelvis together. Those two things let me walk again, and even climb stairs – things I had hoped to be able to do, but realistically was accepting that I might not. I’m wobbly with a walker, and need a spotter on the stairs, but each day brings new strength as I exercise and practice. I am hoping that by the holiday season I will be off the walker and on a cane, headed to unassisted ambling.
The one area that is lagging behind is sitting. As you would expect, with that much alteration to my fundament, sitting would pose challenges. So far I am able to sit on a special cushion for about 4-5 minutes. I continue to train for improvement.
Weight is an expected loss during cancer treatment, and that did happen. But height? In my case because my lower spine was amended, a certain degree of shrinkage has occurred. I used to be 5’8″. I’m now 5’7″. So it goes.
And as you can tell by the presence of this update, I have computer access again. I’m using it as an inducement to get out of bed and stand, above and beyond the various exercise routines recommended by my physical therapist. Time however is limited. I can do a couple of short sessions a day, but no more. That means posts here will continue to be few and far between, and that no substantive work will be happening on The Third Carolingian Modelbook, or on corrections to Ensamplario Atlantio III (or for that matter EnsAtl IV).
I can however stitch again. I can do it laying in bed, sort of. Like the computer work, sessions are limited by endurance, so progress is slow. But there has been progress.
Compared to the last post, the dragon square is finished, and I’ve begun the voiding on the top strip. Nice and mindless, simple work.
So there it is. I’m still here, slowly recuperating. I do thank my spawn, siblings, mom, inlaws, and everyone else who sent encouraging notes, showed off their work from my designs, phoned, sent gifts, memes and silly bits to cheer me up, or visited. Your sharing buoyed me through a very challenging two months.
I also want to thank my surgical team, attending specialists, nursing staff, therapy staff, cleanliness/safety staff, and everyone else I interacted with at Rhode Island/Brown University Hospital, and in Newport Hospital’s Vanderbilt Rehab wing. That I write this at all is testament to the quality of their handiwork and care.
And it goes without saying that he who is precious to me – my Resident Male – deserves major thanks for his constant presence and support, gentle nursing, firm coaching, and patience. He drove hundreds of miles back and forth to Rhode Island between 17 March and 29 April, and has catered to my every petulant wish since returning home.
Stay tuned. I intend to keep these posts coming, and pivot away from tedious health updates back to the needle arts.
String-Or-Nothing 
So good to hear from you. So glad you’re getting there and that they got it all–and that they’ll be keeping tabs to keep it that way. Continued prayers and best wishes from here towards your recovery.
I have been thinking about you lately and was worried that you hadn’t posted. Hurrah I am glad you slogged through. Recouping is indeed a difficult and long task. Keep it up.
Blessings.
Holly Dumont
OUTSTANDING!!!
I’ve been disabled since 3.5 months old with polio. I’ve not had cancer nor any surgeries nearly as exciting (?!) as yours but good job to you and resident male on surviving, it tales a lot out of a body.
I can no longer stitch due to fun stuff with polio however I so enjoy your work and your pattern books.
Keep up the rehab, it truly is a female canine.
Marcie In Colorado
So glad to see you posting and read your good news! Recovery is hard work, so please be kind to yourself. Hopes and prayers for continued good results. Hugs
Welcome back!
It’s wonderful to see you posting again! Continued recovery!!!
Rachel Braun
Such (nearly all) wonderful news! You are a testament to the power of determination! Another old lady, but with still too much bottom, Laura in Oregon
I’m so glad you’ve had such excellent medical care and the support of your dear ones, especially the Resident Male. I hope that your progress with walking, standing, climbing stairs, and sitting continues smoothly.
Oh, it’s wonderful to hear from you, and wonderful that things went as well as could have been hoped for. Continue to take care, do the rehab and celebrate the baby steps! And it sounds like your Resident Male is doing the caregiving just right (loving, firm, and supportive), also wonderful.
So glad to see this post! Here’s to your continuing recovery!
[heart] Linda Lassman reacted to your message:
Good to hear from you, and to know that all seems to have gone remarkably well, even if now you have a lot of work ahead of you in rehab and restoration. Sending all good wishes and my thanks to your wonderful support team on behalf of all your readers!
Welcome back to blogging! Very glad to hear that things are going well, and that you’re able to stitch a bit in bed. I know how boring it can be after a surgery while the body heals. I hope recovery continues apace and you’re able to do more of the things you enjoy.
Welcome back. Best wishes for a superb recovery,
Hello, again:
Would like to add, if there is anything I can do–please let me know. Glad to!
I’m glad the surgery went well, and hope the recovery continues in an orderly manner. I had to look up what was removed…wow that’s a lot that had to be replaced. Great that you are stitching again, mindless fillings is just the thing to keep you occupied.
Thank you for popping in to let us know you are OK and slowly on the mend. And kudos to Resident Male for his efforts too.
Incredibly good to hear! I’ve only stumbled on this webpage last month, but you’ve been in my and my family’s thoughts and prayers with every minute of calm your patterns brought to my hands and mind. Best wishes!
Wow! Kim, So sorry to read about this terrible ordeal ! I had not idea! But, so happy to know that you are recovering nicely now. May you continue to gain strength and mobility. Sending lots of healing and positive energy. Thank you for sharing with us. Keeping you in prayers. Love love your stitching. You are so inspiring! Hugs. Zonia.
*”**Love is not to be learned from people; it is one of God’s gifts and comes as a grace.”* Ma’ruf Al-Karkhi *El amor no se aprende de las personas; es uno de los dones o regalos de Dios y viene como una bendicion.*