A few years ago, I started blogging here at Dorothy’s Daughter, and was very excited to expand it and earn a little spot in the online sewing community. Then November 6, 2016 happened. While playing with my grandchildren and carrying a toy down the stairs, I took a tumble down them that changed my life. I couldn’t stand or walk, so I had the lovely experience of riding in an ambulance to the ER.

In ER, they took X-rays and told me I had strained quadriceps muscles. A few days rest, and I should be good. Oh how I wish the story would have ended there.

A few days later, my personal physician called and told me I needed to see an Orthopedic Surgeon. They feared I had torn a tendon. I saw an Orthopedic Surgeon who confirmed by MRI that I had torn my left quadriceps tendon. His evaluation of the situation was that it was a partial tear, and that after 8-10 weeks in a brace, I would be able to rehab it back to normal.

Eight weeks in a brace and six months of therapy later, it had only slightly improved, so I sought a second opinion. Apparently, a complete tear needs to be repaired within 72 hours to have a good outcome. This surgeon confirmed a complete tear and repaired it, although late. I did recover some, but the tendon tore again. My surgeon at that point didn’t seem to know what to do.

Fortunately, I live within an hour of the University of Michigan, which is one of the top-rated orthopedic programs in the country. I am currently seeing a well-known knee surgeon there who is not painting false hopes but has given me real progress.

So why didn’t I blog all this time? Sewing in a full leg brace was difficult enough. Keeping a camera in my sewing room was just more than I was able to accomplish. Plus, after running a wedding photography business for 19 years, I had to close that chapter of my life, which took some time and emotional energy. So, I put this blog on hold for a bit. However, I did sew, and sew, and write some music too.

I wrote a song called, “Selah” because it was a season where God definitely had my attention.  The word, “Selah” is used frequently in the Psalms, and it literally means, “Pause and think about this”.  It was an instruction for the song leader in the Psalms, but I believe it is also an instruction for us.  I will attach the song at the end of this post.

With regards to this blog, I AM Dorothy’s daughter. And my mother never let anything stop her from doing the things she wanted to do. She danced after losing both legs, took care of my father through her own heart surgeries and more. I hope I have her spunk. And I hope you will read on as I attempt once again to carry her legacy of creativity and love…

Selah
Words & Music by Kim Koluch, 2017