Since the last day of October, my older sister Nancy has been in Oakville Trafalgar Hospital. She was rushed there the same day as my younger sister Beth celebrated what she called "Radiation Graduation".
Beth had just completed a full week of radiation for her lung and brain Cancers. (We have to wait until mid-January to find out how successful this was). During her cancer journey for the past couple of years, sister Nancy has been going with her to scan appointments if allowed, but always bringing her to her home in Oakville to await results that Beth didn't want to face alone. Her last scan, after several clean ones, led to the treatment. Nancy was by her side the entire time.
As Beth made her way to Oakville to celebrate, Nancy was in the ER department of the hospital, where she has remained ever since. After 6 weeks of scans, MRI, ultrasounds, X-rays and almost daily blood work, there is still no diagnosis for her. Liver disease is expected to be the culprit for the fluid build up around her lungs and abdomen, but there is no clue as to what has caused the liver to fail. No alcohol. Not obesity. Not diabetes. Not hepatitis. A big mystery. This week's doctor - a new one each week in their rotation - is the first one to suspect that it might have something to do with her lymphedema (which she has suffered with for years), so yesterday she had yet another ultrasound, this time on her legs.
Needless to say this has been a very stressful time. For everyone. And we just keep hoping and waiting for a diagnosis, so there can be a treatment plan.
I have never been so grateful to be a fibre person. My hands have been very busy. And my mind stilled, as I knit, hook and craft the hours away. Beth has done a million jigsaw puzzles and has been staying at Nancy's to look after the cat and make dinners for brother-in-law Bill who spends every day at the hospital.
Ironically, two of the things I have created are kind of symbolic. For a mug mat exchange, I ended up hooking an angel. Not sure where that came from, but it was a comfort to hook.
The second piece was a request from a friend when she saw my "yarn painting" of Starry Night. She wanted me to hook a sign in that style that incorporated the saying "I Love You to the Moon and Back". It is a gift for her sister's baby, expected in late December.
Now there are several Christmas ornaments on the frame that I will get finished in the next few days.
I made a bunch of hats, including matching ones for Charlie and his dad. Charlie's is adorable. His dad's was much too big, despite his huge head.
Everleigh and Jackson got to choose their hats, which they both love. Hers is a pattern called "Ice Princess" and his is "Pokemon Poke Ball"
I knit a little cropped sweater/vest pattern called "Alanis" from yarn that I purchased for another project. The number of mistakes I made while knitting and the resulting "frogging" were a sure sign that my mind wasn't quite on the project. But after lots of stops and starts, it is done and I like it, especially the black and white striped pocket I knit. Despite the hiccups, I would knit this again. Just the right amount of warmth on a cool day. (here's a horrible selfie).
On my needles now, my 10th Shift cowl. This one is for my sister Nancy, who will need something to keep her skinny self warm over the winter. I used Edition 3 Shoppel and I love the way the colours moved through it. Nearly done - on the last section, so will be able to deliver it if we get to Oakville this weekend.
And socks. Lots of socks. I always have a pair on the go which I work on in the car while Rick drives. Sure makes the trips fly by.
Some Christmas finery to be sewn for the "grands" and all these projects will definitely keep me busy till Christmas. No Barbados this winter. With all of this health craziness in the family, and in the COVID world at large, it is not the year to go.
In case I don't get back here before Christmas arrives, have a wonderful holiday. Stay safe. Stay healthy.
