Saturday, September 20, 2014

Another Chemo!

I've come to understand that the body becomes used to the drugs used in various chemotherapy treatments. Laura has had carbo/taxol, Tamoxifen (in pill form) and now is being treated with Doxil/Taxol. Tamoxifen didn't lower her CA125 levels nor did it stop her tumors from growing so that's why she is currently getting monthly Doxil/Taxol, hoping that it will get her back into remission. She was diagnosed with OVCa stage 4 in January 2013 and has only been off chemotherapy from September until March 2014, which sounds like a long time but her tumors were growing in January 2014 but her doctor didn't want to start chemo until March. Quality of life is very important for people being treated. Quality of life goes down when you're in treatment. Laura hasn't been able to take advantage of much 'down time' since she was diagnosed. One trip to San Francisco last September was it.

One of her brothers lives here and spends a lot of time with her. Her sister lives with her and makes sure she has no house-cleaning to do including changing bed linens & washing sheets, blankets and comforters. Both brothers, one who lives in San Diego, CA and one who lives in San Francisco, CA, have both come down to visit her with their families. Laura is particularly close to her nieces and nephews; she has no children of her own.

Laura is tired and watches tv a lot but she still goes to work 4 hours a day even though her feet are killing her because of the neuropathy. I know she loves her job and doesn't want to sit around doing nothing all day but it brings tears to my eyes to think that, as strong as she is, she may not beat this monster that is growing inside her. :'(




He's here - Zayd Jama Ambdi

I drove from my home near Seattle up to the Douglas border crossing on July 9th and on to Vancouver BC to be at the hospital for the birth of my g-grandson early on July 10, 2014. I like to be on time for everything in my life, but it know not everyone does. My daughter, my granddaughter and her husband arrived very early for the 10am scheduled C-section. My son and I arrived well before 10am and visited with Ria before she was to be wheeled into the surgical ward. Surgical because, due to complications, a hysterectomy might be necessary after the delivery. Anyway....
Zayd

Tired mommy & Zayd

> 1 hour old

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Wednesday, July 02, 2014

I'm going to be a GREAT Grandmother....and I mean GREAT!

Ha ha, I probably will not be allowed within 10 feet of my new grandson after he's born on July 10, 2014. By caesarean!

Anyway, I'm making him a quilt. Not sure that I like it much so it's a work in progress! 


Is it cute? I made it with flannel - front & back, but now I'm unsure what kind of border it should have! The back is yellow flannel with little elephants on it. I quilted it 'in the ditch' but I want it to remain soft so I'm conflicted about quilting more on it, like my daughter thinks I should.

I think I'll get some more of the dark blue (elephant) and the pale blue (blocks) and do a double border then bind it in dark blue. Too boring? Well, tomorrow I'm going to do it and hope I don't have to rip anything off! I'm also going to quilt around the animals by about an inch. I'll quilt elephants onto the blocks. I'll show you when I've finished it. 

Friday, February 14, 2014

Also, I got a new serger


Life goes on.

I saw an ad at Joann's website for a Brother 1034D serger. It was $230 so I bought it. I have wanted a serger for what seems like my entire life so I'm very happy!


It sat in it's box for a couple of weeks while I read the handbook. Then I watched some videos on Youtube showing how to thread it. I wasn't worried. I cut out a pattern for a pair of pants 
The fabric I'm using to make the pants. Kind of silky - nice for Spring/Summer.


and started serving....until I ran out of thread in the lower looper. 

Yikes, I had to thread that baby!

So I did it, but didn't do it right so I'll be redoing all of it tomorrow morning. Grrrr....

Anger & Some Bewilderment

I had a friend for almost 10 years....I thought. Turns out I didn't. I don't know what exactly happened; maybe it was something I did or said and that's where the bewilderment comes in. All of a sudden, there was absolutely no replies to messages, no "likes" on Facebook....just silence. It was very obvious very quickly that my friend wanted nothing to do with anything I did or said, but strangely no explanation. This from a person who would write long, detailed emails to me about the most private parts of her life. Was she using me all those years? 

When my daughter was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and she then had to relate to me on a much deeper level, was it too much for her? Could she no longer discuss her problems because mine made hers seem lightweight? I suppose I can relate to that. Everything must seem immaterial compared to a potential death of a child. How can we have a lighthearted chat about life when one of the participants in the 'back and forth' is facing such a horrific event?

For those who have never had to face up to something like that, it is something I think about often during my day because I don't know how I can face life without one of my children but it also makes me consider my own future. At times, I hope I'm gone long before Laura and other times, I want to be here for her sisters and brothers who are going to have a rough time. I know what I went through when each of my brothers passed away....it is a time for reflection and a good time to have someone to talk to. I would like to be here to comfort them.

But there are many new treatments on the horizon and I'm hoping Laura will stay healthy, keep her tumors at bay, and will be able to take advantage of one of the new immunotherapy trials which will give her a very long life. 

But I honestly never thought my friends would desert me while I go through one of the scariest times of my life. I suppose it's human nature to wonder what would make someone do that but on the other hand, what in the world is there for anyone to say, huh? Life is short; look after your own self. I guess.

Happy Valentine's Day!
:'-((




Wednesday, January 01, 2014

Happy New Year!

haven't been quilting much, but have given it a lot of thought. I made a mug rug for my daughter as a hostess gift but other than that, not much going on. Hoping that 2014 will be a better year than the last.

Laura is doing well - has a CT scan appointment on the 6th so well find out how she is on the 14th when she sees her doctor. She looks great though and has managed to work a full holiday schedule lately. Fingers crossed!