Thank you all SO much for your positive, supportive and cheerful comments and wishes for my speedy recovery. It means so much! I had my follow up appointment with the surgeon that did my back surgery yesterday, and I’m doing great. I feel good. I have some intermittent twinges here and there and my left toes tingle a lot of the time– he says that will take months to go away but it’s totally normal. It’s such a relief to feel better not only physically but mentally too. It’s GREAT not to be taking any steroids or pain killers or muscle relaxers; they make me jittery and feel crazy (and I hate to admit it but I became quite irritable and kind of mean after days and days and weeks …of pain. Good thing my family loves me.)
Through this experience I’ve learned a LOT. I’ve always been strong and strong willed — I want things done my way and now! So I usually do things all by myself and don’t wait for Wes to get help me. And the way I’ve been able to lift and carry heavy things is by leaning forward and carrying it on my back — which created the problem (if not completely it definitely contributed). I realize I have abused my back for pretty much my whole life and it is week and I should never resume to doing things the way I was doing them.
And I hope all ya’ll out there are listening to what I’m saying and can avoid a similar situation. If you do: make sure you tell your loved one to take a pic of you in exactly this same post — tongue and all! We’ll be awesome weirdos together.
In the future when, eventually, I am able to resume somewhat normal activity, I’ll be a great advocate of using and teaching correct, ergonomic, smart, taking care of your back kind of DIY tactics.
Right now I’m just doing the coaching/bossing others around thing that I’m so good at! AND hiring some more permanent help. I’ve had some handymen helping finish the kitchen because we have to get that done ASAP. Bad timing for this all–right in the middle of the kitchen remodel but whatever. Moving on…
I can only lift 5-10 pounds, walk and climb stairs. I can’t bend or twist. Obviously I can’t do my thing so I’m looking for someone that I can teach and direct and delegate to so I can continue to make progress on my own home.
And while I’m delegating the heavy lifting I’ll have time to keep working with clients and drawing plans. And speaking of clients, I’m still not quite ready for any new ones so stay seated, I’ll let you know when I’m ready for that floodgate to open again. 😀
That’s the plan. I’m looking for my “real life apprentice”. Someone local and long term. You just never know what’s around each corner on the road of life, do you? I love teaching and think I’m pretty good at it so I have NO worries about this turn. None at all. really!
Ang says
You a a brave, strong woman. Glad you listened to your body and got help before it got worse.
I wish I lived closer. I would love to help and learn from you! I’m sure you will have no problem finding the help you need. Just get yourself better.
Cindy says
Sweet girl. Continue to be good and take care of yourself. Too bad my many-hours commute prevents this for me. 😉 xo
Stacy says
I was that advocate! I was trying to get you to stop carrying that drywall on your back. so hoping it was 1/4 inch. I injured my thoracic disc in the pantry and I am currently remodeling my house since 2009. My husband has the L5 bulging disc and had surgery in 2010 . We both feel your pain and its not easy realizing that I cant do things. I really hate it. I look at my floors and think okay if I didn’t overextend my back with a heavy appliance I could fix that. etc. most people if you did an MRI of their back past 50 have a bad disc and they just aren’t feelng it. keep your head up and ask for help it just becomes what you have to do and you will learn to use your feet. ha that’s what I do i put stuff on my foot and move it around. i also wear a good back brace my husband has a medical one that’s pretty expensive that he wears when we do stuff. the thing you have to do is stretch to help that scar tissue from wrapping all around that disc after surgery and they say stretches help. good luck
Kristy says
Wishing you a speedy recovery. I as well would love to throw in my application for this opening, but commuting would be a pain, but the knowledge would be oh so worth it.
Alima says
Oh man I so wish I could come be your apprentice!! I’m a little too far to come on a regular basis (Birmingham, AL), but if you ever needed someone for just a weekend definitely let me know! I would LOVE to learn from you!!
Nicole Gilbride says
if only I knew the first thing about carpentry I would LOVE to be your apprentice (and I live in West Knox!)- but I can hardly work a hammer and nail so I would probably be a really slow learner!
Christina in Cleveland says
Hi Sandra,
Sounds like Stacy and her husband have “been there, done that”. So…. being in good company doesn’t change anything except.. .having company. lol That said, I KNOW you will find just the right help you are looking for. Amazing how what we need will be put in front of us when we are willing to let it happen. At least it works that way for me. What if…. sometime soon… things are looking up SOOO well, you think “if this wouldn’t have happened then I wouldn’t be having this conversation with this person and this great stuff wouldn’t have come into my life!!”
Tons and TONS of healthy vibes and white light!
~ Christina
Nancy says
I’m ready to jump on the plane!
Take care of yourself!
Jaime Costiglio says
Sandra I would be your ‘help wanted’ in an instant BUT I’m not close by. Everything happens for a reason right 🙂 and you’re getting awfully swifty with those sketchup plans! Take care of yourself and I’m drinking to your speedy recovery.
Deb-IL says
I would be your apprentice in a heartbeat……….. If only…….too much distance. But I know you’ll find the prefect ‘partner’ and both of you will benefit in ways you probably can’t even see yet. It’s all a journey and I’ll toast to yours being a healthy one from here out.
Kathleen says
Darn! My brother lives in Knoxville. Why didn’t I move there instead of Kentucky. I so would love to learn from you. Oh well, I wish you a speedy recovery.
Kathy says
Sweet girl, it is so good to read my favorite mentor is on the mend… One day at a time. I wish I lived closer to you. I would be a kick ass apprentice!! I am loving all of the plans, though. Thank you so much for doing that!! Wishing you well 🙂
Marilyn says
Wish I was closer too! I’m here in sub-zero Michigan! Take care of yourself, continue doing what the dr says and if I have your permission I will send you some healing energy. :
Sandra says
Hi Sandra.
If my 10 year old son would just hurry up and get older, he’d finally invent the teleporter that he keeps telling me he is going to invent when he is grown up. I could then teleport to you in America from Australia and be your apprentice. Don’t you just love the naivety of children and how they think they can do anything!
Seriously though, I hope you get back up on your feet real soon.
Just today we finished our mudroom cabinets. We used your printer cabinet tutorial as a guide – thanks for your fabulous tutorials btw! We are so pleased with how it has turned out! Just have to do the floor now.
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking says
Wish I could help, but I’m too far away. We could get into a lot of trouble together!
(Hope you find just the right person)
Susan says
Hope you feel better soon! I wish I were closer, so I could be your apprentice – how fun!
Valorie Fitzpatrick says
Mike might be getting a job that would take him to Oak Ridge, TN– how far is that from you? I’d love to work with you in real life– I am working an office job full time and it’s killing me softly. lol I miss working on DIY. Hope you have a quick and speedy recovery Miss Sandra!!!
Sandra says
It’s about 45 minutes. That would be fun!
Nicole Gilbride says
I’m in Hardin Valley and would love to help but I am not that handy yet… 🙁
Terry Brown says
I’m in. I answered this very early this morning but I don’t see my comment. We have actually been on Skype together my name is Terry Brown and I’m the one who paid for the consulting fee but change my mind on my craft room and kind of put you on hold so I would definitely be willing to come to Tennessee if you are really interested in making this happen I believe you have my contact information already if not just message me on Facebook.
Cara says
I’m in, too! I am currently unemployed and bored and therefore thrilled at the idea of ruining your house instead of my own with my bad carpentry skills.
I’m in Kansas City. Is there a cheap motel in the neighborhood I could camp out in for a week or two? If so, I could drive to Tennessee with my implements of destruction. 😀 😀 😀
Maybe Terry and I could come at the same time?
Cindy says
Cara, I’m in Olathe. ROAD TRIP!!
Cara says
W00T!
nancy says
Wow, do I ever wish we lived closer! I have been doing small changes/improvements to my own home for the last year and would love to be able to work under your expertise. You produce such quality work, and really research and prep before doing the actual work. I admire that trait. If you EVER move to Georgia, I will jump at the chance to work with you.
Nancy S.