One of my Jan. projects for Heart In Hands Scraps

Ok, is it wrong to be thrilled with how something turned out, because I am loving how these little ornaments turned out! :) These were created using Chrys' Christmas Ornaments class over at Heart In Hand Scraps. It's a great class and you aren't restricted to using a Christmas theme. Check it out as well as the other super classes that the fantastic designers have posted. You won't be sorry!

I had PT today, and I must confess that I was pretty nervous about going. The last time I went to pt was Nov. 21st and it was always painful for me. I was worried that the ultrasound would be uncomfortable and painful as it always has been in the past and that I would walk out in pain, which I didn't want since yesterday was the first mostly pain free day I've had in months and months, and today was starting out pain free too. Thankfully he didn't use the ultrasound. He decided that it will wait until next week so the area around my incision has another week to heal. Much to my surprise (well, my determination to move forward helped a bit ;)) I even made some progress today. Minute as it was, I was able to tolerate some stretching, light foot massage, strength exercises and some light floor weight-bearing WITHOUT any severe pain!!! It was amazing! Even my therapist was amazed. He didn't think I would be able to handle any of it with the way things were in the past. Now I won't be running marathons anytime soon, but I might be able to get my foot to a 90' angle in a few days which is progress. Maybe by the end of next week I will be able to run through all the sets of my at-home exercises without tiring out. That would be another huge accomplishment. Slow and steady. Slow and steady. The last thing I want to do is fall back. ;)

Today was testament that surgery was the right option. Today tackled my biggest fear. I will heal and not have to deal with this pain any longer. It's been 2.5 years since I have been struggling with this issue (first dropping the TV on my foot in Aug. of '05 and then before that fully healed, spraining my ankle back in May of '07) and it's been a long road full of many ups and downs, self-doubt and plenty of stress. I had tests and x-rays and MRI's and nothing ever showed up, so we all just figured it would pass someday. I am a slow healer, as I have learned through this process. I have a pretty high pain tolerance and when I hurt, it's not because it's something little. I always figured if I can have natural childbirth then everything else is cake. Not so true. There are worse pains that aren't rewarded by a sweet new life to make it worth it. Fortunately we (myself and the dr.) hit the dead end and the only option left was surgery, even though there was no guarantee that she would find anything. I am tough and determined to keep pushing forward and this was the direction. There isn't any lingering doubt in my mind now. If anyone has dealt with a long-lasting injury you are well aware of how mentally and physically draining it can be. Today was a huge step forward. Both physically and mentally. I can start closing all the doors behind me instead of having to leave them open because I would needed them when I fell back. I feel "new". Invigorated and refreshed. I feel better than I have in so long... and it feels wonderful.

Well enough about that. I didn't scrap today, but that's OK. Tomorrow is a new day. :)