Monday, April 1, 2013

The Spice of Life

Since last Tuesday's surgery, life has been about numerous things to keep me occupied, and be grateful for... 

First of all, cards of well wishes! Goodness! So many of them, some even from people I don't know! Neighbors brought flowers, and bread, and an Iowa friend sent me books. 

Two cards came from members of the Des Moines chapter of The Modern Quilt Guild. What a surprise! On the envelope of one was written: "So many well wishes and prayers from DSMMQG, we needed two cards!" Oh my friends... I am so touched. Thank you.

And if that wasn't enough, our daughter sent an envelope of notes from her family. These two "cards," from grandsons Tay (age 3-1/2) and Aesa (age 2-1/2) are so darned sweet. Mom asked each of them what they wanted to say to Nana, and then wrote their words beside their drawings. Such sweet sentiments, but Aesa's concern for me is a suggestion, "Some soup, maybe?" Yes my sweet boy, soup may help.

Easter Sunday was lovely. We spent part of the morning on parking lot duty at church. I thought you'd like to see the latest in parking lot attendant fashion. There's nothing so trendy as a darling aqua-and-navy dress/sweater set, accessorized with a neon-green vest!

On the church reception table, along with the morning's snacks, was this Easter egg tree. Those smocked eggs were made by me many years ago. They're one of the few hand craft items I saved in our move, and was glad to see them put to use.

Over the weekend, my Aussie friend, Lindi emailed to tell me I won the Jolly Jabber's fq bundle giveaway. I'm so grateful to Lindi for thinking to tell me! I haven't been so good lately about keeping up with blog-reading due to being a bit distracted. The fabs are on their way, and they sure look great. Thank you FatQuarterShop!

I'm making steady progress on this wall hanging of foundation paper-pieced Palm Tree blocks. After arranging the pieced blocks on my design wall, I took a picture. It's nice to see it in color and black-and-white, the latter being a good way to check value placement - the dark and light contrast that affects the visual impact of a quilt.

Saturday I straight-lined quilted along the edges of each FFP block to stabilize the piece.

Then, I marked lines with a red Frixion pen, and started big-stitch quilting using green #8 perle cotton. 

This hand quilting is taking longer than machine quilting, and my fingers are sore from tugging on the needle, even though I'm using a gripper to pull the needle through.

Tonight is our Central Florida MQG meeting. We have so many activities going! And this is the meeting where we're explaining changes in the Modern Quilt Guild, and asking people who've been attending since last November to make a commitment to join - AKA pay dues! With those monies, we expect that by July our chapter will officially join the national MQG. 

In exciting and relieving news, today I received the surgery pathology report indicating that my breast cancer was confined to the tumor that was removed last week. There's no cancer in my lymph nodes! I'm cancer-free! Thank you, all my praying friends, and praise God!

Tomorrow I begin the "insurance" part of keeping myself free from breast cancer - radiation. First, a savi catheter is being inserted in the lumpectomy cavity. (I'll utter a little "Yikes!" I think.) Then, a couple days later, a visit to a radiation specialist will make sure the catheter is positioned correctly, and a radiation treatment "map"/plan will be created. Then, we're expecting radiation treatments to begin next Monday - twice a day at intervals of six to eight hours apart, for five days. Prayers are still appreciated. I'm holding on.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
Linda

31 comments:

  1. Bless The Lord! Cause for celebration I think!

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  2. I was on parking duty at church yesterday as well! Traipsing around a parking lot in heels, is NOT fun, but at least it wasn't too cold or rainy.
    Continuing to pray for you.

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  3. Hallelujah! You're almost out of the woods now! So good to hear the pathologist's report! Your Hosanna blocks are gorgeous. I need to make that block into a quilt someday soon. Have never tried that block but suspect paper piecing is the way to go.

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  4. What brilliant news! I continue to pray for you, and your on-going treatment. I have to wear an orange vest when at school, on playground duty-very attractive!

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  5. Glad our cards arrived, ECSTATIC to hear you are Cancer-Free--awesome and great is our God!

    And you are looking fab, my friend, the short haircut is perfect for you.

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  6. Linda, I'm so glad that the surgery report was good. I still will pray for you and hope that the radiaton treatments are going well and you're back on track soon. Enjoy all the good wishes and all the cards you get from your friends.
    Edith

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  7. Your news is wonderful. Good to see that you are up and about and keeping very busy.
    Good luck for the next part of your treatment.

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  8. What wonderful news on this wonderful day no cancer in lymph nodes,I was thrilled to hear that. I will pray that you just sail through the next part of the treatment. It is nice to have so many lovely people out there supporting you..
    Hugs and blessing Sandra

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  9. Your grandsons are so sweet! It's cards such as these that are so absolutely priceless!

    Glad to hear you're holding on. Surprised to hear about parking lot duty! Nothing slows you down!

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  10. Bless your heart!! I knew it would be okay. I just knew!! The rest is a piece of cake. It will be over before you know it!

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  11. Fabulous news! He will never leave you!

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  12. The cards from your grandsons are so precious.
    Fabulous news that the tumour contained it all. Hope the rest of the treatment goes smoothly.

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  13. I am just catching up on some blog reading! What a fantastic result after such a worrying time for you and your family. I hope you sail through the radiation treatment as as you did through your surgery. Positive thoughts going your way!

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  14. Oh Linda, I can't tell you how happy I am to read your wonderful results. Will continue to think about you.
    Those fat quarters couldn't have come at a better time.

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  15. What a beautiful praise report! Praying the Lord gives you all strength during your radiation. God bless!

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  16. Gosh, Linda - those smocked eggs are beautiful. You *made* those? Was it difficult? I've never tried smocking, but it sure seems that doing it for an egg shape would be super tricky. And I love what you're doing with the palms' hand quilting. And THANK THE LORD!!!! I'm so happy for your free margins and clean nodes. :D

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  17. You certainly didn't sit back and relax for long, did you, dear Linda. I can imagine how energising and uplifting those messages from Tay and Aesa would have been (and I hope you tried the 'soup cure'). Good to kinow Lindi is looking after you. I might need her vigilance here too as I'm very behind in my own blog reading. Hang in there for this final part. You have my prayers, and those of so many others to carry you through.

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  18. It is so good to see your "moving forward" attitude"! So much of the healing depends on looking to the positive, and you will be blessed by God -as you are so many times over!- for the testimony of faith that you display. You have much left to do here Linda! The prayers are still coming ~
    :-}pokey

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  19. Wonderful news on being cancer-free. I pray your treatments will go smoothly. The note from your gr-kids is adorable. Hugs to you!

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  21. Great news, Linda.....God Bless!!!

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  22. It is so good to hear from you. Great news that you are cancer free!
    Pretty soon you will be back to normal and quilting up a storm!!

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  23. Great News!! God is good and you are blessed. Love your church parking lot attire -- very fashtionable.
    You will remain in my prayers and thoughts.

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  24. Wonderful news, but I'm not surprised really as you have so many people praying for you. Now just "a spot of radiation" and you'll be as good as new.

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  25. Hooray for the good news! Blessings to you. Also, I really like the palm blocks. Let me know to whom and to where to post my CFMQG dues.
    Lynda D.

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  26. Hi Linda, So glad you're dong well keep the faith.

    Irene

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  27. Such a relief to hear your news Linda....I will be keeping you in my thoughts.

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  28. So glad to hear your good news. My prayers are continuing for you. I love the palm wallhanging. The pearle cotton hand quilting is perfect!

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  29. Great news! I guess you started treatment today. Praying that it goes well for you and you don't hve too many side effects. :)
    Loving those palm blocks!

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  30. Linda,
    Deb shared your news with me and I am praying for you. You have such a positive attitude and spirit that I only see the best for you. Take care and keep your strength up to keep fighting (and quilting)!
    Many blessings,
    Wendy

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  31. Linda, I am so relieved to hear your good news from the doctor/lab!!!! Thinking of you this week as your radiation treatments continue.

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