Monday, October 09, 2006

Blogging one handed

Here's me & my sister Em, taken in May 2004, when a whole bunch of family & friends came up to surprise me & celebrate my 50th birthday. It was one of the most fun 2 weeks of my life. Even though Em is 6 years older than me, we've always been really close. We slept in the same bed for years, we seldom fought, though Em still has a small scar on her thigh where I bit her once. Mostly we got along well, & got into only a little trouble together. We both love to quilt. Em won awards in High School for Drafting (something only boys did until she took the class), & for sewing a nice peachy suit, with a little hat, very Jackie Kennedy style. She was always my hero. I always looked up to her (no Em, not just because I'm shorter!) She has a wicked wit. Today before the anesthesiologist put her to sleep for her surgery, she told him to tell the Dr. to make the incions for her mastectomies vertical, since vertical lines have a more slimming effect.

She apparently went through surgery well, & will likly go home tomorrow. I called our Dad to find out how she did. I'll call her tomorrow when she feels more awake. I talked to the Recovery Room nurse in Michigan, & she was one of my old friends & coworkers from ICU. It felt good knowing who was taking care of her.

Of course the Dr. won't say much yet, as far as results, but told Dad that he only took 2 nodes & they appeared normal. It didn't look like the cancer had spread anywhere.

I went to my friend the Dr. today, & he says I have very inflammed tendons where they connect to the humerus. He injected my shoulder with steroids & a little Marcaine, which gave me some relief right away. Now he says "REST IT", hence one handed blogging. I felt queezy all weekend. Had to stop & get a few groceries on the way home. We were completely out of fruits & veggies. I felt worse when I got home, so I just warmed up some soup for supper. Warren built a fire, & I passed out on the couch. I vaguely remember him leaving for work. My shoulder & tummy both feel a little better now. I'm off work at least through next Monday, then we'll see how the shoulder is doing. I had to fill out FMLA forms at work. I feel like a jerk for needing to take time off like this, but know it won't get any better if I don't.
I guess I'll have to learn to quilt one handed. Thankfully I'm right handed, & it's the left shoulder that hurts.
I picked these leaves up in the parking lot at the grocery store. I think they may play a part in my October Journal quilt.
& I loved this Pomegranate. I thought it was cute. Now I want to use it somehow in a quilt design.....

12 comments:

Suze said...

Glad to hear Em's surgery went well. It's amazing how fast people get out of the hospital these days...
My sis has a wicked wit too...its so fun to get her going!
Hope the steriods and rest work their magic on your shoulder...

Anonymous said...

Here's to Em's continued recovery and good health. Glad the surgery went well.

Hope your shoulder improves, and you get the use of both of your hands back soon! Love the pomegranate

Ali Honey said...

Love your fruit photos. Your new personal pic is great...very natural and very young!
I wish your sister a good recovery and positive out come.
I do hope your shoulder improves very soon. I really like your new bag;lovely colours.
Thinking of you. Careful hugs from NZ - don't want to hurt the sore shoulder lol.

Anonymous said...

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery for both Em and you. So read a book or just look out your window. But don't feel like a jerk. Dr. Rian's orders.

I have two sisters. It's a special bond. I feel sorry for any kid who doesn't have same-sex siblings to grow up with, but I guess you wouldn't know what you're missing.

I see major potential with the pomegranate pics.

Barbara C said...

I wish both you and Em the speediest recoveries. Your leaves and pomagranate are really inspiring. Can it be fall already? Your new blog photo is very cute.

Helen said...

still sending hugs to Em's for everything going well. For some reason i feel like i should be doing one handed typing too... amazing what we take for granted when we think about it isn't it!

all the best

Melodie said...

Thanks to all your blogger friends for the good wishes! I'm feeling good but sore. I'd like to have stayed in the hospital a couple of extra days. They have these comfy air type beds that massage you and they now have room service! You order what you want when you want it (between 6:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.) from an extensive menu! The food is very good!
(I liked the old stuff.......anything I didn't have to cook!)

Digitalgran said...

I hope your sister Em and yourself recover quickly. A good dose of wit does help us through many of the things life throws at us from time to time.

Anonymous said...

Just popped in to see how your sister's surgery went. Glad to hear that she will be fine. Sounds like it is time for you to take care of yourself too!

Kay said...

You did such a good job of describing your sister. And that's a wonderful picture of the two of you. Both of you

Marcy said...

I am glad that my mom went very well and i got news that she is doing good and my older sister taking care of her awhile she is off day few weeks and I am so happy that she is all right ! whew! and Love my mom so much ! and thanks for keep company with mom on the phone!! winks love you aunt deb!

Lei Lei said...

Aunt Bee, your sister is my hero too. My mom sure is a tough cookie, and has such a sense of humor about the whole ordeal. I'll take good care of her, I'm off of work til the 28th. So, I'll make sure she's being good and not going overboard. Did you know you can dye fabric with pom juice? We tasted them in produce when we first got them in, and someone dripped juice on their shirt and it's definitely permanent! Love you Aunt Bee!!