Make Some Lemonade

And when life gives you lemons--well then make some lemonade!!

Hi all--I have been trying to wait until I am not so tired to write this--but I don't think that day will be here for a while--so here goes. In case I haven't told you all--the lung cancer is in remission. That is a good thing. The MRI of the brain did not show any signs of cancer, but since small cell lung cancer almost always metastisis to the brain--we are going to start a course of preventative radiation to the brain. That will start today. It will be generalized--milder than if treating actual cancer--and only 15 sessions. Continued prayers will be appreciated. I guess that is why I am writing this today--because I know from past experience that the radiation will probably wipe me out. I figure the preventative radiation will be better than being told in a year or so that I have brain cancer--so I am going ahead with it.

Well--after the remission was announced and my blood counts were normalized I figured I could hug and shake hands with my friends. Now we all know that handwashing is the single most important means of preventing infection. So that was a big mistake on my part. I may be getting better--but my lungs are not yet healed. Within 2 weeks of shaking hands and hugging I caught a really bad cold--had it over Easter weekend. By April 29 I was in the hospital with a really bad case of pnuemonia. Was there till May 3. Came home on oxygen, inhalers, antiobiotics, prednisone--only 4 more days of the steroids--woohoo. I do not like that drug--but won't complain as I am breathing pretty well.

Lots of people tell me I look great--I work hard at that. But I don't want anyone to think this was a picnic. Cancer Treatment is very difficult. But I have a God who has given me the grace and the dignity to handle it well. I have been able to do it without whining--and that is really good for me. I have had the support of friends and family--and you know who you are. A wonderful husband--couldn't ask for a better one. And we are beating this thing. Happy knitting to all!!

Good News

Hi All--got good news from my radiologist today--I am cancer free. Now if I could get over this cold and quit coughing--LOL. He is going to schedule an MRI of the brain to check for mets. If there are mets of course they would be treated. If not he will do a preventative mild radiation to the brain. It is time to celebrate here. Love ya all and thx for all your thoughts and prayers. Happy Knitting

Happily Knitting

Well--I learned something new a coupla weeks ago. Fair Isle, Stranded knitting--and it is so so easy. I am already making my second pillow and hope to do some hats soon. The pattern is called October Fair Isle Pillow (Ravelry Link) from KateJacksonKnits. She is a designer on ravelry and owns my favorite LYS in Chardon, Ohio called Knitting on the Square. She is also published--but can't think of where right now. I know that Vogue knitting has published her, but not sure who else. KotS is the best little yarn shop I know where you can go and knit, knit, knit. I have made great friends there. And my Mom and daughter love to go also.

I knit about 20 Chemo hats and donated them to the Look Good Feel Better program for women that is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.The pattern can be found on this page by scrolling down. It is called the Saturday Afternoon Hat--and if you have ever made hats, you know they go pretty quickly. I made the 20 hats in 2 weeks.

I will not have any test results until next week. Happy Knitting.

Quick Update

Thought I'd let ya know that I saw my oncologist today. I will have a CT scan on April 5 and will see him again April 14. When I know--you will know.

Child's Fingerless Mitts

Just thought I would toss this little pair of fingerless mitts in as part of my knitting. I modified the pattern for Maine Morning Mitts found in The Knitter's Book of Yarn. I used a double knit yarn and size #4 needles. Knitted 3" to the thumb gussett and a total of 6" for the length of the mitt. Otherwise I followed the pattern Ravelry Link Happy knitting to all.

Yes--Some Knitting

The little bag is made from a pattern called The Gelato Bag by Fiber Trends. It is made from Paton's SWS Color Natural Denim. The striping is very subtle, but it is there. Ravelry Link

The sweater is called Mandarin Jacket from the book Knitting Simple Jackets. It is made from Cascade Ecological Wool color #9451 a green heather. Ravelry Link.

So between not feeling too well there is knitting getting done. I also knitted a few things I gifted before taking pics, alas.

My chemo was postponed till next week d/t low blood counts, but things are looking good. Happy knitting to all.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all--and happy any other holiday you are celebrating. May your holiday season be blessed and full of love.

Lung Cancer Treatment

As many of you know we are about to start a journey into uncharted territory. I had a medport placed last Wed. and will be receiving my first chemo treatment on Monday Oct 26. I will receiving chemo 3 days in a row every three weeks for 6 sessions.. Some time during the course of chemo they will be doing radation 5 days a week for 5 to 7 weeks. You will only be receiving these updates when I feel good enough to write them--but I will do my best to keep you all posted. We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers you have been sending up for us. Thank you so much--much love to you all.. We are keeping our positive attitude and trusting in God and know that all will be well.

Little Lucy Felted

Well here she is Kel--your little lucy felted and I just love her. Thought I would post pics so you could see her. I will try to either have her lined or to have the lining ready by Monday. Have a lot going on so we shall see. See ya Monday. Happy knitting to all.

My daughter Kelly knitted this bag.

Picture Heavy--Word Light

This is what we did for my 60th Birthday--the day after on June 8--and we did it again last Monday without the presents. Can't wait to do it again.

some knitting and crocheting

Hi everyone--it isn't that I have lost interest in blogging--life has just been very very busy this year. with weddings, graduations, showers, open houses, doctors, etc. What more can I say. DH is going the 22 of this month for testing of his heart function to see if he is a candidate for an implanted defibrillator and pace maker--let's all keep our fingers crossed. I had 2 grandkids graduate high school this year--so hard to believe. Where has the time gone. And DH's grandson is getting married the 26th of this month. Going to try to post more often, but with all that is going on--no promises.

I have made about 16 of the necklaces in the pic above. They are truly instant gratification knitting and are lots of fun. They can be found in the 101 Designers One Skein Wonders book. Ravelry link.

The afghan is a wedding gift for Dave's grandson and the bride to be. Ravelry link I made it with leftover acrylic yarns. Please don't moan--it will get a lot of use and many washings I am sure--so acrylic is the way to go.

So until the next time--Happy Knitting!!

Happy Birthday to Me

Yep it is the big six-o. Never thought I would live this long. And I am so grateful to be here. Even with all its aches and pains--my life is so full. Three lovely daughters--and their spouses--and they have graced me with 10 grandchildren ages 19 months to 18 years--2 graduated highschool this year. Wow! I still have my Mom and am married to a wonderfu man who spoils me rotten. How good does it get?

She Graduated

WooHoo. Sunday May 21, 2009 was the big day--we are all so proud of her. She and my Grandson are my first grandchildren to graduate. Jordan was homeschooled and is having his ceremony and open house on June 13 with pics to follow. I can't believe I am getting so old. Where have the years gone?

Happy knitting!

Another Dishcloth

The post below wouldn't allow me to add another pic--so here it is--another post.
Isn't this a lovey cloth for a shower gift? I absolutely love this pattern. It is made from Sugar'nCream cotton--color rose pink--on size #7 needles--and the pattern can be found here.

Happy Knitting!!

They Grow Up Too Quickly

Just a little eye candy for ya. There she is in all her glory. She picked the dress herself and it is gorgeous. Oh to be so young and skinny. But I am happy with where I am in life, and to have such a beautiful grandaughter. You will see above--a back view of the dress, a pic of her with her date, and a pic of her with her mom and dad.

They had great weather, low eighties at 6:30 pm and no rain. How good does it get.

Happy knitting to all.

Prom and Evening Bag

My grandaughter's senior prom is tonight. And I knitted her this lovely evening bag out of Noro Daria Color #24. The pattern was given to me and I don't know where to tell you to get it. Daria is not really a yarn, but rather a shiny cord. It was pretty easy to knit with and this was a quick knit. The pattern does not call for a closure, but I crocheted a loop and attached a pretty little button. I really hope that she likes it. I will be off later today to take pics and hopefully post tomorrow. Happy knitting to all!

What's For Dinner

Almost 17 months old. How time does fly. I got my invite to ravelry the day before he graced us with his presence. He is truly loved. Grandkid #10 and loved like all the rest. How good does it get.

What's Up?

Well I haven't been real active here. Had a minor surgery a coupla weeks ago and it isn't healing real well and is causing some pain I don't care for--but such is life--This Too Shall Pass.

So here is some instant gratification knitting. A tribble and a petal dishcloth--my favoite to knit--so fast and easy. Made with Lily Sugar'nCream color faded denim. Was almost done with this when I realized I was using a size 5 needles in stead of an 8--it is rather small--but this enabled the tribble from the same skein. Happy Knitting.

Christmas Crunch Day #2

Hi all. Hope that you all had a Very Merry Christmas--Happy Hannaka--or whatever you all celebrate. Yesterday we had my hubby's family and my Mom and I cooked lunch and ate off of real dishes with real silverware. There were 8 of us.

Today--well my clan comes. There will be 30 of us--Oh my how the family has grown. I made a 20 lb. turkey and a 10 pound ham yesterday. Today is leftover turkey and ham sandwiches--on you guessed it--paper plates, with plastic silverware cups etc. I don't think I have enough real dishes for this many. Will be pretty casual and hectic today.

Yesterday was quiet and relaxing with no little ones running around. But I can't wait till everyone gets here. The little ones really make Christmas. I will have 10 grandkids and 3 great nephews and 1 great niece. All my kids and their spouses--my bro and his spouse--my 2 nephews and their spouses. My Mom and my Aunt. I am looking forward to a really nice day.

Sorry no pics--maybe next time. No time today. Happy Knitting!

Aren't They Sweet?

And there they are--the 2 biggest loves of my life. And then of course there is knitting, and my mom, and my kids, and my grandkids and the list goes on. I have so much in my life to be grateful for and my life is so full. Hope you are all well. Happy knitting :)