Two months now since my last post and thank you all for your kind comments - apologies to anyone who didn't receive a reply from me I was having a difficult time!!
I'll bring you up to date with progress on my Seven Seas quilt, not touched until yesterday for two months. you'll see that I've deviated from the pattern. There should be two long strips of small Flying Geese in this quilt but things were such that I had no energy or patience to fiddle with those. So, strips here and there separated the blocks, it doesn't sit well with me but the best I can do right now.
Hand quilting I'm finding extremely relaxing and still working on Northern Lights
difficult to see the stitches unfortunately, only the solids will be quilted.
I've been trying to come to terms with the results of my tests after it was found my platelets were a problem - last post. Without writing a medical dictionary here the result was that it became necessary to have bone marrow biopsy. So Bone marrow duly carried out mid October going into the back of the pelvis into through the bone to take a liquid marrow sample and a piece of bone, these were sent off to the research people in Melbourne. Boy, they do complicated testing, it's amazing.
Confirmed now that I have a rare form of Leukaemia - CMML - Chronic MyeloMonocytic Leukaemia
which is cancer of the blood forming cells of the bone marrow. I have a score of 2 (intermediate risk) and a median survival of 26 months! This could drop when the last bone result arrives back. It could also transform towards the end of that time into Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Chemo is going to be in place asap. Difficult to get a hold on all this - so making the effort in the midst of this rotten news and fatigue to head into my sewing room. - and I've bought a few new fabrics!!!!! Got to try and stay positive. Although somehow in the midst of this they have to find a way and time to fix my aortic valve! We need a magic wand.
Cutting going on with AMH fabric Iconic, the pattern is Paris Metro from These Clever Hands
and my 2 and 1/2" strips are all hung neatly on the back of my door in the sewing room
these will morph into a Wallpaper quilt courtesy of a KF pattern. The reverse side will be used in lots of these fabrics.
A collection of new KF/William Morris fabrics below
these will mix with solids for a 16 patch quilt - notice I'm going with simple and easy piecing.
Change of tack now by showing a book I first saw on Instagram @itsalovedayfor - this is the account of Lindsey Dickson Creative. She had been sent a book - surprise - Soulful Stitch - Finding Creativity in Crisis by Cas Holmes and Deena Beverley and shared a few photographs along with her thoughts after looking through the book. My copy arrived yesterday and this book couldn't have arrived at a better time for me - see last photograph!
here's a closeup of the book below rather than the quilt top! - Sailing through Suez!
I can 't wait to be turning the pages!
That's all from me for now but will truly try and show some progress in my next post.
Take good care of yourselves and your loved ones.
Maureen
15 comments:
Happy to see you are continuing to sew and create new works, Maureen--you have been through such difficult times;((( -- such a dastardly disease!! Sending prayers and good thoughts your way...
Hugsx2 Julierose
I'm a bit stunned this morning reading your news, Maureen. I'm ashamed I haven't commented much though I have you in my permanent blog list and read it all the time. I have always adored your quilting and choices. You have a lot on your plate but with modern medicine, they can treat so much these days. When I walk my land today, I'll think of you and send good thoughts and wellness wishes into the air for you. Enjoy your delightful fabrics and book. Take Care, Jocelyn
(((Hugs))) I held my mums hand through the gathering of bone and marrow samplings. She had AML. It's good to see that you are positive and able to sew. Those pieces are so bright and colourful and so very you. Take care and sew when you can.
I should have looked when I was in the far south, everything you need or want is there, I'm sure a magic wand was somewhere !!!Fabric to look at is therapy all by itself. XXXXX
What a challenge lies ahead. Glad you are determined to do your best to stay positive - we are all pulling for you no matter how near or far we live. I have a copy of the book you mentioned on order - learning to cope with a life in chaos due to medical stuff in the household was why I started quilting in the first place. Sending hugs your way.
Staying positive and doing what you love to do is the only way to get through our 'golden years'. New fabric always brightens a day.
Seven Seas is pretty and since I don't know what the pattern looks like, this arrangement looks great to me. I don't know what is missing and what is there looks good.
Good wishes and prayers for you are flying through the air to New Zealand from a lot of us.
Despite a dispiriting diagnosis, here you are sewing again and even buying fabric. Seven Seas looks fantastic to me. You've made the pattern your own. Hopefully moving toward warmer weather will lift your spirits. Having a positive outlook makes a real difference. I add my good wishes and healing vibes to all the others.
Pat
OMG Such unpleasant news...Life can be upsetting sometimes..TBTG you have quilting and fabric and quilting friends Thank you for putting it out there for us to see and hold your virtual hand. i hate that I have lost most of my contacts...Do not know what happened... I am healing from my hip replacement so I can have my second shoulder replacement....Then I will have had them all...2 knees and 2 hips and 2 shoulders...sigh.. I think you do not have to be positive. This is not a positive disease...Listen to learn/ share to heal.. That being said, It is not over until it is over so celebrate each day ..xoxoox Love.u xoxo
Prayers and love being sent your way. Is there any possibility that you could benefit from a bone marrow transplant if a compatible donor could be found? I'm glad you are taking such a positive approach and continuing to find joy in your quilting projects.
I'm sorry to hear this news, Maureen. I think keeping such a positive outlook is wonderful. There are all sorts of great treatments out there. Keep on quilting!!
Thinking of you and sending positive thoughts. I love those new fabrics.
Sending you prayers, positive thoughts, best wishes to add to your positivity! Glad you feel well enough to do a little stitching. All those bright colors and fabrics are certainly uplifting. My son in law has acute myeloid leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant and has passed his 5 year mark.
I am so very sorry that you are going through this. Your positive attitude as very inspiring and I wish you a very successful treatment. I'm glad you are surrounded by beautiful fabrics to cheer you on.
Hello Maureen. I have been praying for you; your name is on my prayer list. I'm anxious for you to get started on chemo, though I'm also glad to know that in the meantime, you're moving forward. There's nothing like playing with fabrics, and being at the sewing machine to provide good therapy. Please know I continue to keep you in my heart, and will look forward to your posts (or emails) whenever you feel like sharing. Be strong. Hugs.
I've been thinking of you, Maureen. So glad you have a treasure trove of pretty fabrics & great sewing plans.
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