Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Thanks everybody!  Sorry, I forgot to mention that pain medicine does take the edge off the foot problem.  However, I ran out of my medicine Friday night, so we're trying to get a new prescription.  In the meantime, we have some pain stuff left over from my brother's surgery last spring

…provided that I use crutches or a walker.  I still have to use the wheelchair for longer distances, but my doctor told me I can divorce my wheelchair in two weeks.  Then I have to use the crutches or walker for at least four weeks after that, until my next appointment.  Being able to walk makes life a lot easier.  I'm getting pretty sick of being a cripple, although it does have its advantages.  For example, I get to be as lazy as I want, lie around and read books or watch movies all day, sleep 'til noon, and we get to use handicap parking spaces.  Actually, sleeping so much can be kind of annoying; I don't like being tired all the time.  My body wants to sleep a lot because of everything it's gone through, and the doctor said that it's quite common to sleep 12 hours and then take a nap in the afternoon.  Again, I have the advantage of being young and having a higher metabolism, so I don’t get as tired as someone older than me would.  My doctor also said that it'll probably take me 6-9 months to feel normal again, but he did say I'd be okay for rowing in the fall!
    Aside from being tired a lot, I only have two other problems.  One is that my wrist has been acting up from all the wheelchairing and my right hand isn't quite working perfectly.  The other problem is with my foot.  Part of it was numb in the hospital, and now it's anything but numb!  It's really hypersensitive and painful, which is actually a good thing.  It means that the nerves are coming back.  The first thing nerves do when they come back is send out pain signals (how fun).  It started with my foot just being incredibly sensitive, jumpy, and ticklish with an occasional hot zing of pain.  Then the jolts of pain became more frequent until now my foot will hurt for anywhere from a few minutes to an hour and it's a dry, burning, searing pain.  I really feel sorry for burn victims and people with nerve damage, yuck.  Anyway, just thought I'd let everyone know how I'm doing now.

Glad you're doing better.  Here're some more hugs, just for good measure   :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Oh Jodi, I'm so sorry   I'm praying for you, I'm sure God will get you through this fine. :pray:  :hug:
There's a song I learned in youth group that helps me get through rough things, so I'll share it.  It's just a few lines that you repeat over and over, getting louder each time.
"I've got confidence
My Lord is gonna see me through.
No matter what the case may be,
My Lord is gonna fix it for me 'cuz..."

WOOHOO!!  It's going to work!  Way to go on being persistent

Jodi F., I'm so sorry to hear you and your husband are splitting up.  My thoughts are with you :hug:

SO glad to hear he's alright

YAY!!!   :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

How awful!  I've never met them, but I'm so sorry to hear that.  Thanks for letting us know.
That's a great poem, thanks for sharing.

Aw, don't worry, we'll never get sick of seeing puppy pics!!

Oh no, that's awful   I hope you find Bubba soon!

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup: 

WOW!!  Wonderful job!

Great job!  Way to be adventurous!

Are summer bear swaps a tradition?  I'd love to take part!

Nice job!  Enter her!

OTT lights are absolutely wonderful.  My mom and I share, and we both love them.  They have such a great, pure, white light.  You'll be really happy with one.

Thanks Julie!

oo, he is amazing.  Looks like your swap went really well!  Love the bear you made too

Thanks!!  An update, I can stand on one leg now, it makes it a lot easier to reach stuff

Glad you enjoyed your vacation!  So glad to have you back!  I love these pics!!  I missed them.

Welcome back!  I know what you mean, I don't like leaving here either.

Thanks!  oo, dislocated pinky, that doesn't sound fun.  At least I can still sew.  And I have been taking lots of rest time!  On the bright side, at least now I have a really good excuse for taking it easy and not getting a summer job    Actually, I don't really hurt very much at all anymore, it's really nice.  It's more just annoying that I'm stuck in a wheelchair and can't really reach very much in my house, since I can only be on one of the three levels.  There's often something upstairs or in the basement that I need and can't get to   Oh well, at least it's temporary and I am healing quickly.

Thanks guys!
Maryls, how do I make a one inch teddy?  I wish there were some great secret or trick, but I just have a boring answer.  I make them just like you would a normal size bear, just on a tiny scale
Veronica, thanks, I like Berry, I'll give that some more thought.  Hmmm...
I really love this picture too

Glad to see you back Sarah!  Hugs to you to  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

I've been busy since I came home!  Here are two one inch bears I've just finished.  They're made of ultrasuede and thread jointed.  They're for the BAO online show.  The pink one is named Petunia and the blue one doesn't have a name yet.