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Thursday, January 9, 2014

What a Week

This week was... what's the word? Interesting? Maybe. Eventful? It was definitely full of good and bad moments.

How about the good news first?! On Monday morning, as scheduled, we were happy to hear of the birth of another grandson, in Texas. He's our fourth baby boy - all of them are four years old and under.

Luke John arrived at 9:26 am weighing 7 pounds 11 ounces. We've seen him only on FaceTime thus far, but I'll be visiting to help take care of both boys. Luke - though he's already been called LJ by his mom - is 3-1/2 year-old Austin's little brother.

As for bad moments, those came Monday afternoon when I had my second (right) leg catheterization. As expected, the femoral artery was 75 percent blocked. It's now opened up with a six inch-long stent. That's the good part! The procedure didn't happen without complications. Unfortunately, the cath balloon nicked the arterial membrane, causing blood to flow into the tissue of my upper thigh... and swell. While in the recovery area I started to pass out and was quickly reconnected to oxygen, an IV with meds, and a blood pressure monitor. The swelling was pretty painful, especially when they put a pressure cuff around my thigh and pumped it up to force the blood out of the tissue. Yeow! I was sent home scripts for pain med and steroids, both of which we filled. The next evening I saw the doc again for a follow-up. Happily, all is improving, and it seems that the right leg will be a less painful recovery than the left leg, which still has soreness in my calf since my December 13 stent insertion.

In consulting with the doc it turns out that the plaque build-up has been going on for "at least two decades." Wow! Years of routine cholesterol tests that showed all as "normal," were completely deceptive. I do have bad cholesterol. A more intense look at my LDL (bad cholesterol) found a couple of nasty, hereditary genes that have been causing all this. We're now insisting that our two children be checked for this hidden menace.

For the first time in my life, I'm on Lipitor so plaque won't build up. I am so fortunate that my oncologist recognized this as a real concern, and referred me to a cardio-vascular doc!  Otherwise, I would likely still be undiagnosed, and would be facing an eventual amputation - so the doc said! I shudder to think of it.

To give me some thoughts to noodle on, my daughter pointed out that if I hadn't had breast cancer, and needed to see an oncologist, this wouldn't have been diagnosed. Blessed to have had breast cancer? Hmm.

But I am... Blessed. Blessed. Blessed!

While I've been taking it easy this week - not permitted to use the foot control of my sewing machine - I hand sewed binding to my Riley Blake Challenge quilt.

The big reveal is at Monday evening's Central Florida MQG meeting. At the meeting everyone gets to vote to select a Viewer's Choice award-winner. A Best Design award-winner will also be chosen by the talented team of Jill and Marny of Modern Quilt Relish.

The other project I've begun - and I know I shouldn't be starting anything new! - is another EPP hand project. I so enjoyed hand piecing hexagons recently (for the pillow top that has yet to be sewn into a pillow!) that another EPP project was in order. I'm tackling the "Flower Ball" wall hanging designed by the uber-talented Geta Grama. Have you seen all her designs? They're exceptional! I managed to pick up a couple patterns, as PDF downloads, during a recent $5/pattern sale. That's a bargain price for the excellent instructions she offers. My friend, Cindy, recently won a bunch of Geta's patterns... the lucky girl!


Flower Ball is only as far along as these piles of cut out card stock pieces.

It took 15 printed pages, taped together, and cut out, to come up with these 199 pieces. Next is cutting fabric for each piece. These are my fabric choices. No surprise here. I'm sticking with my favorite color combo since I'll be working on it for so long.

Yep, this EPP project needs lots of prep work, but it's one of those #savoreachstitch projects that Carolyn Friedlander is such a proponent of.

So much sewing I want to do! Can't wait for health to return to 100 percent! Then watch me take off!

I'll be doing as Big Sam says in Gone With the Wind, "Horse make tracks!" Linda

27 comments:

  1. I am more than intrigued with that EPP project.will you keep it secret for long : )
    Glad they found the issue and you can get better. Congrats on that beautiful boy

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  2. Congratulations on the new grandbaby! I'm praying for a speedy recovery for you.

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  3. Welcome little Luke! Make a speedy recovery Linda, and you will be giving him a cuddle very soon! Loving the look of Challenge Quilt- I've just thought of a name- The Circle of Life! :-))

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  4. Yaya!! Welcome to Luke :D I'm so glad that after everything, this second leg is healing faster. And I just love Geta's work - so fun that you're starting this. :)

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  5. Well you just paper piece away! Wow, a Geta Gramma pattern!! hope you are feeling better soon! And CONGRATULATIONS on a new grandbaby! How exciting!

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  6. So happy that your newest member is here and healthy, congratulations! On the tough health issues, we really do need to see the providence of God in all things, He promises to work things for our good, case in point. I do so hope you'll get some better times ahead, and keep counting those blessings ~
    :-}pokey

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  7. Your new project is going to be wonderful, I know...your fabrics look so happy! I'm so glad that you are on the road to recovery. Take it easy, my friend!

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  8. How fortunate that your condition was diagnosed in time to take some preventive action, but sorry that you had such a hard time of it. Your hexie project looks so interesting!

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  9. Congratulations on your new grandson!! I'm sure you can't wait to see him in person! Hope that you're feeling much better and soon!!
    p.s. - heat wave in Iowa - back to the 30s this weekend :)

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  10. So happy for you on the birth of a healthy baby, he is beautiful. We saw Jack first by FT, and while it's not great, it was so wonderful to see that little face. Glad all your procedures are behind you, I hope for complete healing. Glad you have something fun to work on.

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  11. Congratulations on your new precious little grandson! I love that little look of a newborn snuggled up in a blanket.
    Sorry to hear about all your trouble with your leg, hope you get back to the machine real soon. EEP is a perfect resting up project.

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  12. You have been in my prayers all week. Luke looks like another cutey--I'm glad you will be able to spend time with him. And that you are on the road to complete recovery and that 2014 will be a healthy one for you. I'm in awe of Geta Gramma's patterns and even though I now have several I'm kind of frightened to start them. We should do an EPP-along with each other. But I would undoubtedly slow you down. :( Your fabric choices are beautiful!

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  13. It's always a blessing when good news can help balance out the bad....and there's nothing quite like a new grand baby to do that. I'll be watching your GG EPP with great interest! Take care of yourself. xx

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  14. Oh you poor thing. I hope you'll soon get over your last set back. From now on it can only get better ;)!!! I'm so glad that you are able to see the positive, even in a negative situation. That's really a gift. I've been intrigued by Geta's flower ball and I'm looking forward to see how it comes alive under your hands. Congratulations to your new cute little grand son. I'm sure you are itching to go see him.

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  15. Maybe you could sew with your other foot!
    Fingers crossed for the viewers choice on Monday night and good luck with the flower ball. What a project!
    Take care.

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  16. Congratulations on the birth of your new grandson! I know you're excited to go meet him in person. Glad you're on the mend and are finding some sewing projects to keep you busy. You'll be back to your sewing machine in no time.

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  17. Congratulations on the new little one Linda - such a blessing! I'm glad this operation has resulted in less pain than the last one and also glad you found out about the placque. I have hurt my back and am in bed on pain meds but when I had new xrays done at the chiropractor on Wednesday he told me he could see "significant" hardening of the arteries (placque!) in several places. My numbers are always good so it's likely hereditary - my sister has this issue as well. So it's off to the doctor for me - for the back and the blood tests again. :( blessings, marlene

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  18. What a week indeed! Congrats on your new family member. Glad you are on the mend from your procedure. Sounds scary in addition to uncomfortable. And no machine pedal use.. insult to injury.

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  19. So glad the worse is now behind you . . . hope you're back to dancing soon. Your new grandson is a sweetie. I want to hold him.

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  20. Congrats and welcome to your newest grandson. He looks precious. I'm so sorry you have had to undergo so much pain and suffereing with your legs. I'm glad they discovered the problem and have you on the mend. Please take it easy and get well. You have much to do and to teach us, but all in good time.

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  21. Congratulations on the birth of that new little guy. I bet you are just waiting anxiously to get your arms around him.
    I am you have survived your second procedure and pray that there will be know more complications. It is hard to be grateful that you had breast cancer but I guess it was a means to an end . Take care of yourself hon . Blessings

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  22. Glad to hear that both procedures are now completed and you are well into the healing. Congratulations on the safe arrival of your new grand son.

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  23. A blessing in disguise, huh? I'm proud of you - for keeping such a positive attitude since day one. You are my hero. I hope you are feeling better every day. I know it's difficult to sit quietly and recuperate, but you have set yourself up with not only a beautiful hand project, but a challenging one. Greta's designs are amazing!!

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  24. the baby looks so nice. How is he doing? And his brother Austin? Enjoy the boys when you are flying to Austin but first watch for your leg and I hope that soon you are 100% fit and can take off as you wish! ;-)

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  25. Congratulations on the birth of Luke. What a lovely addition to the family.

    I'm glad your procedures are behind you and am sure that you are up and about all ready. Blessings come in ways we least expect it. I'm glad this problem was caught and corrected in a timely manner. Keep taking good care of yourself.

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  26. Goodness! cancer--blessing or curse? I have heard other stories about the same thing. Cancer helped find other things going on in the body.
    So glad you are doing better. Congrats on your new grandson. He is so sweet.

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  27. Congratulations on your new grandson. He's beautiful, a real blessing for sure. Hope you get to cuddle him soon.

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