FOUR WEEKS POST SURGERY TODAY!

Haven't been home for four weeks, and it is hard to believe that four weeks ago was my quadruple bypass surgery, but I have been making steady progress and getting stronger every day. So here is a little update.

I saw my cardiac surgeon yesterday and he cut me loose, and said I never wanted to see him again (he was right about that). He also told me I could lift my hands above my head. Celebrated that treat by washing my own hair today. He also said I could start driving on Saturday. Yep, you can consider that a "heads up" for those of you planning to be on the road. My weight restriction went from 5 pounds to 12 pounds.... Just all kinds of good things happening here!

Speaking of good things happening here, my dear demo friend, Nancy, came to stay with me today, and she brought some great cards to make--it was several hours of stamping fun in the Rubber Room; and after four weeks of no rubber and ink, this day was way awesome!

I visit my cardiologist next week and I am hoping for the okay to start cardiac rehab. It is strange how I never liked exercise, and now I realize what a privilege exercise is and cannot wait to get started again!

The only bad thing is that Nurse Judy's stay is coming to an end. She went home this morning (I am sure her hubby and doggies are way happy to see her), and she won't be back until Monday evening. She will be back to help me get all my gardens, flowers, pots, deck....all cleaned up and ready for Winter. And maybe we can get a little canning in. She will help me transition into cardiac rehab and then head home and back to a little more normal life for her. I will be way sad to see her go. She has been my rock and so supportive through this whole thing. Always encouraging me to walk a little farther, or try going up that hill, or do just one more step. But she was always reminding me not to do too much, take nice long naps, and LET THINGS GO! I will way miss her!!

Plan to spend more time each week in the Rubber Room, and will hopefully be posting some stamping stuff again soon!

Classes, clubs and Rubber Room events have all been cancelled for October, but I do plan to be up and running in the Rubber Room in November.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Big hugs, Chris

RECOVERING SLOWLY BUT SURELY!

I wanted to take time to let you all know that as of yesterday, (Wednesday, September 19th, 2012) I was three weeks out of open heart surgery for my quadruple bypass. I am making great strides in my recovery, but it is going slowly. My incisions are healing wonderfully, and I am stronger each day.

The stairs present a big difficulty for me, and today is the first day that I have made it downstairs into the Rubber Room. I am way happy to be here, though! Rather than put stress on myself to be ready for classes and stairs in October, I am going to cancel all October classes, clubs and Rubber Room events. I do plan to be 100% by November and celebrating my recovery success by getting back to work in the Rubber Room!

I thank you all for your patience, your prayers, your thoughts and your friendships. You are all blessings in my life!

If you would like to place a Stampin' Up! order while I am recuperating, please feel free to call me at 248-652-4606 or email me at ckolly@wideopenwest.com or use my website at www.cre8withchris.stampinup.net to order online 24/7.

HOME HAS NEVER FELT SO GOOD!

I have made it home! I am so glad to be here, and still have much work to do. Have not made it upstairs or downstairs, but I can walk to the mailbox. And I love to open it up and find all those beautiful cards and well wishes! You guys are the best, and I really, really appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers. As much as I would like to see you and visit, I simply am not ready for visitors yet. My "Visitor Goal" is to be able to sit up for ten minutes without being winded or needing a nap. I will keep you all updated on my progress.

Thank you all so very much!