Saturday, September 25, 2010

Stitching and Health Updates

It's been way too long since last I updated my blog and I do promise I will try to do better.



Let's start with a wonderful Get Well RAK I received from Wanda J, a member of my ILCS group.



Wanda stitched this adorable frog card for me and included the cutest kit from China. If you click on the picture you can see it better and this is something you don't want to miss. It sure made me feel better and put a BIG smile on my face.



Stitching Finishes.....



Before I went into the hospital I finished these two ornaments by LHN. I love this series and will start another one real soon.



Merry Skater

Stitched on 32 count Linen with DMC


I changed the color of the fabric called for. This color looked icy to me, more like what a skater would be on. What looks like would be a companion to this is in the JCS Ornament issue so of course I will have to stitch him on the same fabric.

"Fa La La"

Stitched on 32 count fabric

with DMC and Crescent Colours

This is my second attempt at this one. I had started it on a fabric I wasn't happy with and while stitching found several errors that was going to require massive frogging. I decided to restart on different fabric and it went much smoother the second time. No Frogging this time.

Now if you don't want to read about my latest medical problem that put me in the hospital you can skip the rest of this entry.

Health Update.....

Well I didn't take my own advise and waited to long to see the doctor and again ended up in the hospital for 6 days this time but thankfully not in ICU. It all started several weeks before with my feet and legs swelling until they looked like elephant feet and legs. Being the idiot I am I just thought it was from the heat or a reaction to my meds so I just tried to elevate my feet in hopes they would go down. It was no use they just stayed swollen. Next came some shortness of breath. It became very difficult to take a deep breath. Again I thought it would just go away but no such luck. This started on Monday and by late Wed night, early Thurs morning I was really having problems and Tracy insisted we call 911. The medics arrived very quickly with an ambulance right behind. The first thing the medics said was it look and sounded like CHF (Congestive Heart Failure). I questioned how could it be my heart when I had no chest pain other than the pain trying to take a deep breath. Off to the hospital again in the ambulance. They did all kinds of tests in the ER and the doctor came it and said it looked like I would be staying with them for several days and agreed with the medics, it was CHF. They feel it was caused as a complication of the diabetes and so now I'm on several heart meds, a diuretic, and a long acting insulin that I have to inject every morning. I'm still having episodes of not being able to catch my breath but if just relax and breath thru it, it doesn't last long. My blood sugar has now stabilized and is in the lower end of the normal level. All in all I'm getting stronger every day and am determined to go to the doctor at the first time of trouble.

Tracy and I finally had a "Date Night" and I will Blog with LOTS of pictures as soon as I can get them download.

Until Next Time....Happy Stitching

23 comments:

Virpi said...

Rene, I'm really sorry to hear about your health problems. I hope you recover quickly. You have stitched beautiful designs.

Debbie Jo said...

Your stitching is beautiful. Love the ornaments you have done. Great RAK from Wanda,,the card is cute and the kit is adorable. Please take care of yourself. I do hope the CHF and blood sugars stay under control for you. Glad yous had a date nite and could get out and enjoy yourselves.

Cindy in MA said...

Rene,

Please do what the doctor says. I had CHF 2 years ago. I also have emphezima(sp) from to many years of smoking. It is really scary. I was more concerned about the heart problem than the breathing problems. Now I have to have a CAT scan every 6 months & see the heart doctor every 6 months.
Hang in there.It does get easier with practice.

Janaina said...

Oh, sweetheart, really hoping you get weel soon.

htimcj said...

Don't wait so long! Although I am sure many of us do the same thing. I tend to wait until I'm on death's bed before I see the doctor! Take care of yourself!
Your stitching looks great!
Heidi-ILCS

Emily in NC said...

You need to take better care of yourself Rene you have tons more stitching to do.

EvalinaMaria said...

Rene, your stitching is lovely as always. Please be a good girl and listen to your doctors, do not ignore even a little swollen ankles. We love you and we need you!

Jodie said...

I'm so glad you're back and starting to feel better.

I LOVE the figure skater! Very cute :-)

Katrien said...

Lovely stitching.
Please take care of your own health!
Hugs

Angie said...

Take care of yourself. I love that LHN series.

GoldenAngelsWorks said...

Glad you got help in time. I am glad you are slowly getting better. Please take care of yourself.

I lost your blog link and for some reason I could not find your blog real easy. Time to write it down in my hard copy list so I do not lose it again.

Terry said...

Your stitching is lovely as always. Hope your health issues work themselves out now that they have different meds for you. Keeping fingers and toes (okay, only my toes when I'm stitching lol) that this was your last hospital visit.

Happy Monday!

Carolyn NC said...

Rene, I'm so glad you're better now! My mom has CHF and you just have to keep a watch on it all. Pls. take care. Love the stitching finishes, too.

Kathy said...

Stitching looks fabulous Rene.

My Mom had CHF. But it can be treated. Just listen to the doctors and take your meds. Take care and get well soon.

Vicky L said...

Your stitching is so lovely! I like the fabric you used for the skater.
So glad to know you are feeling so better. I know how it feels when you cant breath right. Take care of yourself. Wanda's gift is very cute.

Stitchnpat said...

Rene Rene....you must see your doc when things are messed up. LOL Your breathing sounds like maybe your heart is out of rhythm. Mine gets that way ever once in a while still even afer my surgery..But SOOOOO glad you are feeling better.You will get stronger each day and each day you will make one exta stitch. Card and stitchy so very cute. Get well..

Unknown said...

The card and kit from Wanda is just adorable. Wanda's stitching is lovely.
Your stitching is fabulous as usual.
Glad your better and looking forward to chatting with you on I.M xx

Blu said...

Beautiful finishes!
Do take it easy and take good care of yourself. Hope you feel better soon.

Mel said...

Stitching looks great Rene!

I'm so sorry to hear that you continue to be plagued by health issues. :(
I do hope that the new meds will help.
And do remember that it's better to be a bit more careful than not careful enough.
*hugs*

Anonymous said...

Your stitching is beautiful, Rene. Please take care of yourself.

Mylene said...

Lobely finishes, Rene.

I hope you are recovering well.

Donna said...

Rene, Rene, Rene! You promised you would take better care of yourself and not wait the next time you needed help. Tsk, tsk. But we love you just the same! And we want you around a long, long time. So please take care of yourself!
Love all your stitching!

Nancy M said...

Very nice of Wanda. Your stitching looks great s always. CHF is nothing to take casually, please listen to the doctors!