A Quilt for a Cause

These photos just came from my in-laws. I designed this quilt ages ago, I cut and designed it, my MIL did the sewing, it was hand quilted by the Mennonite women of my MIL's congregation and it will be sold at auction in Sept 2010 to support the work of Mennonite Central Committee. I can't wait to see it in person, but for the moment these photos will have to do. It's king size, four colors. White, light pink, dark pink and black, all commercial cottons, pinwheel pattern.  It's draped over their double bed.

And while I'm at it I'll show the other photos my MIL included. This is a small quilt. I think my husband's grandmother embroidered the blocks (not sure on that) I found some colors in my MIL's fabric stash to make the sashing. My MIL sewed it all together and look how it turned out. There is a photo of her working at the hand quilting, I don't know if this is in progress or if she has finished it.  If it isn't finished, it will be finished soon because she'll be ready to get out in the garden.

 It's fun to see how things turn out when you are part of the team that creates something.  I'm planning on being there in September to see the auction, I've never had a quilt in the auction before and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

On the home front, I continue to improve physically.  I feel stronger each day, I'm off the narcotics and moving around - maybe a tad slowly - but I'm moving.  The parade of food from family and church friends has our fridge full to the gills, I put a bunch of stuff in the freezer this morning because were were running out of room.  It was warm here today and I spent much of the afternoon on the couch with a novel.  Tomorrow?  I want to finish that novel!  Sounds like a GREAT plan!

Happy Creating (or happy novel reading)
-Carmen Rose

The Blog Post That Saved my Life

If you are a woman facing surgery, then there is a story you need to read.  I read these words ages ago, and when I was in a hospital bed they came back to me.  I could tell that something wasn't right after my surgery.  I remembered her exhortation that no one knows my body like I do... and therefore I need to be proactive if I feel something is wrong!

Patricia Volonakis Davis

2009: The Year that Ended Dangerously

Read her (life saving) story, it may come back to you when you need it!

The amazing Patricia and her (wowza!) son Niko

I followed her advice and sent my husband to repeatedly "bother" the nurse until they understood what I was telling them.  As soon as they understood, there was a team of people working on me to get the bleeding stopped, I was taken back to OR to get things squared away.  Now I am recovering quite nicely.  

I looked up the blog post that had been in my mind as that was all happening and re-read it.  Her story could have been mine if the situation had gone unchecked.  (But with as dramatic as things got, that seems unlikely.)  I'm just REALLY REALLY grateful today for a great team of Doctors at UVA and people who were able to be there when I needed them.

I don't share this story to scare anyone.  Fear is of little use in times of crisis, when I was in the middle of the situation I can honestly tell you that I had no fear at all.  I knew the doctors would figure it out, I knew my faith and trust was in Jesus.  I also knew I needed to do my part by speaking up, by being a bother!  In the end, we are all our own *Primary* health care providers, *WE* are the ones who have to speak up when we feel things going wrong.  Then sometimes we need to let go and let ourselves be taken care of. 

I am very grateful today.  My story may be a tiny bit similar to Patricia's, but on the other hand mine was caught right away.  I didn't have nearly the blood loss that she did, I am only a tiny bit anemic and I am recovering steadily.  Four days later I am really doing quite well!  I am very grateful indeed.

Being PROACTIVE (and a bother) and perhaps even impatient,

(But alive and kickin)

-Carmen Rose