Dearest Readers,
I have not abandoned you and have been thinking of you each day since that last post on December 22. Three days after that post, on Christmas morning in fact, I woke up early feeling nauseated. Turns out I had contracted norovirus. On my way to the bathroom I lost consciousness (as is common with this virus) and fell, hitting my head on a small marble table (a stylish, Mid-Century Modern one made out of travertine marble designed by Bill’s late dad) and awoke in a pool of blood and convulsing from the nausea. Merry Christmas. Oak Park’s finest EMTs graciously spent their Christmas morning hauling me to the hospital where I would get eight staples in my head and be hospitalized for four days to be rehydrated with an IV as the virus was brutal and be observed and tested for the head injury.
As I reflected on Facebook, if I had passed out 2 steps earlier I would have fallen on a down-filled sofa but if it had been two steps later, I would have tumbled down a flight of stairs. Coulda been better. Coulda been catastrophic. I’m left with what is called Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) which is not fun. It is characterized by headaches, dizziness, diminished cognitive function (“What did you just ask me?” “Uh, what’s her name again?”) and fatigue. It is exacerbated by “screen time,” bright lights, lots of noise, stress and lack of rest. I warned Bill that for the next few years I will be playing the “decreased cognitive function” card with abandon at every opportunity.
While I was resting and limiting my screen time, those nasty deadline fairies refused to finish my projects for me or post here. Alas, poor Bill was heroic being Dad, Husband, Professor and Business Owner while doing my job too, filling in for me at an out-of-town teaching gig and everything else. Alas we had a deadline for a new line of fabric and I have dedicated most of my allotted screen time to that, the website and working on Issue #5 of Modern Quilts Illustrated, to the neglect of this blog.
I am told that PCS can continue for up to a year after an injury so I’m pacing myself accordingly. I’m hoping it will be shorter but certainly it will be if I can rest more. I will write as often as I am able here because I have so much to share with you. My next big gig is at QuiltCon and I’m going to do my best to be rested for it. Happily the scar is covered by hair so I don’t look like I had staples in my head recently. In fact, my next post is part of the QuiltCon Link Party. Thanks to those of you who have left kind messages for me on Facebook. I have appreciated your encouragement and good cheer.
Is it 2013 yet?
craftnectar.com 
Good grief! Do take care of yourself and take it easy! Best wishes from sunny southern Australia…
Holy cow! What an ordeal – you poor woman! What a tremendous sense of humor you have (and I hope that is another thing your good husband shares with you)! I was kind of wondering what was going on, but I thought you were in the middle of your creative process and loving the flow. I am really enjoying your Craftsy class, but you need to get some rest. Be well and please take it easy! Take care, Byrd
Please do take care, thanks for sharing and yes, we miss you but want to make sure you are healthy! Plus, this gives me incentive to read the back ‘issue’ posts. Good luck at QuiltCon!
Weeks, you MUST take care of yourself first and foremost. You are a young professional, but also a mother of a young daughter. All your professional desires should take a back-seat to the need for you to care for yourself. I am so appalled that you have gone through this. Having just lost a 39-year-old son, I can tell you that, despite your humour about your situation, your loss would be devastating to your loved ones. I have followed your career with great enjoyment over the past three years. Your creativity will return, your enthusiasm for your journey will continue, but if you do not give yourself time to heal, none of that will matter. Please, please, please stop apologizing and go get well. Just a Mom, saying…..Kathy
I’m so sorry you went through this!
I had a grade three traumatic brain injury a year ago today (!) and it truly does take a long time to get back to normal… I could type but couldn’t speak for over a month, and I still “lose words” when under stress or when I’m tired. Be gentle with yourself, know that you will have good days and bad days, and don’t expect too much from yourself. Notice when you are on sensory overload and give yourself frequent breaks. You have permission! :)
Sending you all my best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Whoa….I am still recuperating from my concussion that happened on July 3. I was riding a chair lift up the stairs with the laundry when the screw came loose. My husband came home from work to find me unconscious on the floor…for months..no driving, no reading, no computer, sunglasses everywhere…but in the quiet of my sewing room I could piece. TBTG. Eight months later I am well…not perfect but almost. It has been quite an experience of humility that I would not have missed for the world. I am sending you hugs and encouragement.
I’ve admired your work for quite sometime and am a beginner quilter. I’m wishing you the best as you recover and conquer your latest challenge.
You are amazing! :)
Oh my goodness..what a way to spend any day, but especially Christmas Day! I hope you heal up soon and that by taking it step by step you find your way to full health soon. ((hugs))
Oh dear. What a terrible trauma for you and you family. Take care of yourself and best wishes!
Wishing you a continued, fast, and complete recovery!
Rachel Hershberg
Beit Shemesh, Israel
Weeks,I think all here are appalled at your injury and frightened that it could have been worse. Please do your best to give in to the quiet space, leave the thoughts behind for just a few minutes and BE in the silence of Healing.
The work that you and Bill have done has enriched our lives and sparked our creativity and that cannot be lost. The mundane work will get done…or not….and it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you release any pressure on yourself and allow the healing to occur. Thinking of you both with enormous Love.
What a way to spend Christmas and New Year! Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.
Oh my goodness! So sorry you’re going through this, and best wishes for a speedy recovery! Rest and pacing yourself is so smart (what decreased cognitive function??), definitely worth taking it slow! Get well soon.
So sorry to hear of your injury and the longer lasting effects. Count your blessings in a wonderful family that is willing and able to jump in there and allow you the time to recover. Hope to meet you at QuiltCon.
Hope the New Year becomes better each day! I know with your work ethic all will get done in due time. You need to follow the Dr. directions and heal.
Hello Weeks,
I am so sorry to hear about your illness, do take care of yourself and get well soon. Those who love you don’t mind waiting….the important thing is that when you get back to work you are 100% well. This is a great time to enjoy being with your loved ones. Get well soon.
So sorry to hear all that Weeks. Do hope you make a full recovery soon!
And to think most of us use a cold as an excuse for not blogging! Hope you’re feeling better soon.
I hope you start feeling better soon! Sending you prayers and warm wishes. Take care of yourself.
Sorry to hear about your head injury and the norovirus. Hope you are feeling much better.
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