Merry Christmas

Geez I didn't realise I had been missing in action for so long. Good news My Mum is doing well and so am I. This week I had a wee bit of surgery to stop my body producing oestrogen which fed the type of cancer I had and today was my final intravenous herceptin treatment. 

So 2016 is going to be all about getting my health back on track, either the gym or swimming will feature in that and of course stop eating rubbish and focus on healthy foo ds....after xmas!

Also stitching is high on the agenda as I have an awesome new sewing machine, a Bernina 720, whose name shall be Beatrice. I'm going to be spending the next couple of weeks making friends with her. Of course there'll always be handstitching to do. I finished this on Monday, Merry Berry Xmas, designed by my talented friend and also now my boss, Helen Stubbings.

Merry Christmas to all my blog friends, I wish you all continued happiness and good health.

Hugs

Jo

What a Week!

My dear Mum had a massive heart attack on Tuesday, she had 3 blockages, one which was fixed by a stent and the other two far too calcified so they were bored to allow blood flow. In the early hours of Wednesday morning one of her arteries leaked and caused blood to surround the heart and stop it from pumping. The doctors revived her and managed to drain the blood away. She was then put on a care flight from Launceston to Hobart. She spent the next 24 hours in ICU, intubated and sedated. Thursday they removed the tubes and yesterday she was moved to the Cardiology Department where she now waits for Triple By-pass Surgery. She's very tired but she has colour back in her cheeks.

This is my mum, Lundy.

I have to mention she was ironing at the time the attack occurred, I always knew ironing was hazardous for your health!

The surgery is planned for Monday week, she's a tough cookie so I'm positive she'll come out of it even stronger. 

My brother has flown down from Queensland and is staying with us, my sister and Mum's partner stayed here too but my sister has returned to Launceston and will come down for visits and Mum's partner has chosen to have his own space at moved to a hotel.

This week also saw my Dear friend Fee's son Josh undergo surgery yesterday. Josh had a leg amputated a cople of years ago and unfortunately his good leg has suffered the same fate. Josh has a young  family and could do with as much financial help as possible so Fee has established a "Go Fund Me" page which you can find here if you can help, even if it's only a little.

And also this week my Dear friend Helen's family's pooch, Bentley, underwent surgery too. Hopefully the surgery will ensure a pain free life for the beloved ball of fluff!

So it's been an exhausting week all round but I can't help but be positive. They're all in good hands and I'm sure my Mum has an angel watching over her.

Loving Life

Okay, okay I know, I'm a slack blogger but I've been busy.

I have been stitching pieces for a project folder.

And also some blocks for a Quiltalong that will be starting soon over at Hugs 'n Kisses.

Plus embroidering some blocks by Gail Pan

My hair is getting thicker

So overall life is good, just that I'm a slack blogger!

Improving all the time

Look at my luscious locks now

Even my eyebrows have sprouted again!

I'm about to start my final week of radiation. It has gone really well, my skin is looking good, it's been protected by a dressing so I haven't had to apply creams.

I've got plenty of energy and even managed to visit Dark Mofo to take in the sights and sounds

It was freezing outside but the city was buzzing, fabulous for the middle of winter.

I still have no stitching to show you, I've been preparing for A Stitching Affair and I've still got a mini quilt challenge to put together and I'm quickly running out of time.

Just a brief update

 I am into my 3rd week of radiation treatment and all is going well. It gets a bit tiring driving to the hospital each day. Parking takes longer than the actual treatment.

Good news is my hair has started growing again and I have a soft fluffy covering on my scalp.

I'm wearing beanies more now as it has gotten quite chilly. So there's 3 more weeks of radiation to go and most of the hard work is done. I will still go in every 3 weeks to receive Herceptin but at least that's manageable.

On a stitching note I've been doing a bit of secret squirrel stuff and also preparing for a retreat with Helen Stubbings and Gail Pan - A Stitching Affair. Luckily it's the week after radiation finishes so I can get some girly therapy.

I'll be back later to show you what I've been making.

For Sale - SOLD

Whilst at Quilt Market in Pittsburgh last year I purchased 3 kits to make quilter's charm bracelets, one for myself and 2 to sell.

Each kit includes 15 charms and a bracelet. I had put them away and almost forgot I had them.

Here's a pic. If you are interested in purchasing  a kit it will cost $45 including postage in Australia. That's less than $2.75 per charm. So email me jo_in_tas@yahoo.com.au, first in, best dressed. SOLD

Tilda Swapping

My online group has just finished another swap with the theme being Tilda. I couldn't miss out on this one as I love all things Tilda. My partner Jen made this Tilda notions holder including some notions.

I've got a few more bits in my stash to fill those empty spots but then its going to make it hard to part with them on future projects!

I sent to Sue but she hasn't revealled yet so I can't show you yet what I made.

Time flies by

i'm doing well, only two more chemo sessions to go. I lost my hair two weeks after the first round.I wear  scarves  mostly but when I am at home I rock the bald look. Chemo is pretty horrid, I've lost my taste buds and weight. I spent a week in hospital after the third round after I picked up a couple of viruses and a bacterial infection, they bought out the big gun drugs to fight those. The staff at the Royal Hobart Hospital are absolutely lovely. The fourth round was much like the first, it wasn't as hard but I'll be glad when the last round has worked its way out of my body! The next phase will be 6 weeks of daily radiation but that will be easy now i've been made redundant!

So enough talkabout about chemo, I have been stitching and even made it to a couple of gatherings.One was a fundraiser and the other was with Helen and Lynette, I wasn't going to miss out on either of these days.

I've been working on a Tilda swap for Friends in Stitching so I can't reveal that yet and also a mini quilt for Helen, here's a sneaky peak

I'm really looking forward to feeling well again, for now I am a stay at home mum and am enjoying giving myself time to rest.

The nicer side of life

The only secrete stitching I did for xmas was for our online Friends in Stitching group's pressie swap.

I had to make for Kerri of Willow Grove Quilting. I chose a cute Gail Pan pattern and used a variety of Hugs 'n Kisses fabrics.

I really enjoyed putting this pattern together.

My gorgeous boy turned 18 on the 29th December, he was such a cutie when he was little.

Now he is so grown up and very independant

(This is Lachlan on the right with his cousin Matt)

Towards the end of my chemo session last week Helen arrived with a special delivery

a lovely quilt made by all my wonderful "Friends in Stitching"

I've snuggled under it quite a few times now and will take it to all my sessions.

I'm very lucky to have such a wide community of supporters, I feel very blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life.

Thank you to everyone who has emailed, left a comment and sent well wishes, it means so much x