My body had been getting somewhat creaky over the last few years as, unknown to me, osteoarthritis had gradually crept into my hip and began to destroy the bone structure.  I fought it for some time, thinking it was a muscle related issue or that I required regular chiropractic adjustments, but I became, increasingly, locked into a hunched position as my body compensated for the internal injury that I was not aware of.  I had no pain, just limitations to movement.

My physiotherapist suggested I get some X-rays done, and sure enough, this simple diagnostic revealed severe OA.  A specialist referral and a face to face meeting later, the verdict was delivered – “I can do it now and fix it, or you can wait and it will get worse, then I can fix it.  Which way would you like to proceed?”

I made my thanks for universal health care and private medical insurance and booked in for the end of April just gone.   Into hospital on a Monday afternoon, they threw me out on Friday morning with a new titanium hip and a rehabilitation program for the next few months.

Rehab has gone well, recovery effected without a hitch, though I had a couple of commitments that I was lucky to get away with.  After slightly less than 4 days in hospital, my husband collected me and drove me home – about 280 km and 3 hours in the car.   An hour from home, I received a call from a friend who arranges Outback Tours.  He had a group of 12 ‘en plein air’ artists doing a trip through our area and wondered if we could do morning tea and a studio visit, tomorrow!  “No problem”, I said, “if you bring your own morning tea.”  I grabbed the walker my sister had given me for just in case I needed it, hosted the visitors the next day and made sure to put my leg up for half a day.

I was booked to conduct a workshop for a group of quilters 8 days after my exit from hospital.  The workshop had been locked in nearly a year earlier, not realising that I would be having surgery.  I didn’t tell them about the surgery as I wanted to avoid a panic and I was pretty sure I would be able to do the workshop, even if in a wheelchair. I got through, though I was very tired at the end of a full day with 20 students.

So, to reward myself for enduring the whole process, I decided that I need a new pair of leggings.  I am considering a really flash pair of leggings, exotic, loud and bright. Now, I must find exactly the right pair to finish off the story. My quilt includes references to walking, cycling, a park run, touring the sights and various patterns of leggings.

Size : 1060mm x 1060mm

Materials : Commercial cotton yardage and scraps, Hi-Viz vest, recycled clothing

Techniques : Bonded cotton applique