Tuesday 17 February 2009

Well.....

If you've been reading here for a while you'll know this is first and foremost a quilting blog. I don't post much personal stuff at all. But I want to share something that may explain why I've been so quiet lately. If you're not interested skip to the pictures a bit further on.


My daughter Jess ( 18 yo ) has been having a few medical problems lately. To put it bluntly she has been passing large amounts of blood from her bowels. So we have been busy back and to the hospital and doctors for some time. Blood tests came back clear. So then she had to have an endoscopy - small camera placed you know where. Still inconclusive. Next step was biopsies testing for cancerous cells. Then a wait for results. I have been a wreck and unable to concentrare on much. Anyway I'm sure you'll understand the sheer relief we felt when they came back normal. I feel so thankful - it is a huge weight lifted I can tell you. Although we still do not know what is causing the bleeding at least it is not what it could have been. So happy I could cry - in fact I have - rivers !!


So - onto my sewing - been doing a little. Found a nice little wallhanging pattern in this book.


Here it is.








Just summed up how I've been feeling lately. There seems to be so much bad news lately - the bush fires in Australia are so shocking beyond belief. ( I am waiting for payday to make a donation.) Sometimes I think people look at our hobby as if we are mad - they just don't get it. But I'm feeling that if we get pleasure from doing something in this occasionally terrible world of ours it can only be a good thing.


Here are the first couple of bom from Ellies quilt place. I don't think I'm embroidering the months names - may do something else.




Now I've got all that off my chest I'm going to dig out a UFO and put a bit of applique on it. One of the things I want to do this year is lose my fear of applique. That and grow my nails - lol ! Jess is doing a college course in Beauty Therapy and has booked me in for a manicure. I have always been a nail nibbler and you would not believe how hard I am trying to stop. Bad habit I know.


Take care xx

54 comments:

limpingalong said...

Glad that the tests turned out ok, and pray that there is a cause found quickly and that it is easily fixed.

Love your work!

Howdy said...

My youngest daughter had bowel issues all her life and especially in her teens and early twenty's - finally she went off all gluten products (a friends suggestion) and has found an end to all her bowel issues... check out Celiac disease.

Gluten Free Girl has an excellent blog... and lots of links to other resources to learn about this issue.

http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/

So often this is a self diagnosis thing... Dr's don't always consider it.

I hear ya - been there and done that sitting in the waiting rooms and waiting for test results.

Unknown said...

I can't imagine how these past weeks have been for you and Jess, but am so pleased the outcome is such a positive one.Very cute wall hanging.....

Anonymous said...

Glad they ruled out the worst thing, I am sure that takes some of the stress off. Hopefully they find the cause quickly.
Your quilt is beautiful, love the stitchery.

Unknown said...

I am glad to hear that all the tests came back normal. But I agree with Howdy, if you haven't already check for Celiac disease.

I love the stitchery it is beautiful. My thoughts are with you.

Idaho Quilter said...

Wonderful news for you and your family, no big C. I wondered what you had been up to. I check your blog often, yes hopefully the cause will be found, maybe simply a diet thing. Let us hope.

Sherri said...

Love your stitchery with the log cabins...it's absolutely beautiful!

Tina said...

I'm sorry that you guys have had to go through this difficult time of worry and stress. I hope that you can get some answers, because not knowing can be hard. Love your wall hanging stitchery.

KC Quilter said...

So good to hear that the tests for your daughter have come back good. Hope her difficulties are resolved quickly. Take care.

Gail said...

I am so glad your daughter received good news! I know first hand about all the worry and wait and I glad the worst is over for you!

The quilt is gorgeous, as is all you work.

I've missed you!

Blessed be,

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Sounds like you've had a lot going on. Glad to hear the tests are all negative, but really hope they can find a cause to put your mind at ease. ((hugs))

Winona said...

Andrea, I am so glad the test results for your daughter were good. I will pray that they can find the cause of her problem soon. Your stitcheries are beautiful! Hope you have a good day. Winona

Floss said...

Glad Jess’ test came back Ok, hopefully you will find out what is causing it.

Love the sticherys.

Lorraine said...

Great news the tests were clear....I love the little stitchery quilt you made...those little log cabin blocks are so cute!!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh Andrea, I hope Jess is ok and they find the cause (and that it is trivial). I love your little quilt you made! That is wonderful!

Valerie the Pumpkin Patch Quilter said...

Wow, I'm so sorry your family is going through this - and glad to hear the tests came back normal. I hope the cause can be found and remedied soon, I can only imagine how worried you must be.

Chocolate Cat said...

Oh Andrea, you must of been going through a terrible time. Thank goodness the results have come back clear. I guess the next step is to work out what is causing it and then deal with it.
That wallhanging is stunning and has such a special message on it that we should all heed.
Enjoy your manicure and look after yourself xx

Calidore said...

What a horrible time Jess, you and your family have been going through. So pleased that the test results came back ok. Just hope that you can find reason for why this is happening. I'm keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Enjoy your manicure - you lucky thing.

Gina said...

What an awful few months you must have had. I'm glad that the tests put your mind at rest. I hope that the cause is found soon.

I love the wall hanging

love and hugs Gina xxx

Teresa said...

I am so happy for you and Jesse that there were no signs of cancer. I hope they can find out what is causing the bleeding and that it is easily fixed.

I just love your wall hanging with the log cabin blocks.

Laura Jane said...

Yikes!

Glad it has a happy ending so far - but I would look at the gluten thing.

The BOMs are very sweet, and so is the new wall-hanging

Best of luck with the nails - it WILL be worth it, you CAN break the habit and be proud of all aspects of your hands - they already create the most wonderful things, now they can look pretty too.(I bit mine really, really badly until I was 12, but then I was determined to stop, so I DID!)

mereth said...

I thought you were being a bit distracted lately. I'm glad the tests were fine, and can understand the horrible suspense you've felt, hopefully now they can pinpoint the problem.Keep your hands busy, it always helps the peace of mind.

sewkalico said...

Beautiful wallhanging, so glad you're stitching again! I know you've been worried and I hope Jess gets well soon. What a wonderful course for her to do - she can practice lots on you!! (So stop biting!!!)
I am Gluten-free and can highly recommend it for clearing certain bowel complaints. I suffered with IBS for years and years and in the end saw a wacko guy who sugegsted I do an exclusion diet to find out the cause. I've not looked back. OK, I miss the cakes etc, but my tummy doesn't!!!
Love to Jess and to you, xka

Anonymous said...

Disgusting habit nail biting...LOL Try to grow them, you will be so proud of your manicured fingers you won't want to bite them.
So glad all the results are ok. I have just had my second lot of abnormal cells removed, thats why its so quiet on my blog. Look forward to seeing more from both of us. Lets hope the future is bright for you all.
Love your wall hanging its so cute.

Maria said...

glad to hear from you, and that your child is better. your quilt is gorgeous.

Ozjane said...

So good to visit your blog for the first time and hear good news.
I love your log cabins around the stitchery. I must I must I must do more than make a sort of cushion top with log cabins.

Thank you for caring about us in the bushfires. They are in an area about 1.5hrs from me or less. My friend lost her son, his girl friend and her brother.just up for a week end. Another guy I used to sing with a bit back in the '70's who was an esteemed educationalist also died. But the daughter of friends near here, whom I have known since she was about 7 was saved with 2 young chn and dog and husband. Had to drive out through pitch black. Had built a new house 2 yrs ago. Both houses on the block have gone and it only has 2 letter boxes standing. They work in forestry so guessed they would probably make it to safety but no one would want a day like that again. My garden is so burnt it looks like a white/brown burn has gone through.
It is good to know that people care. Two to three or maybe more complete towns are lost. Two big ones...one a lovely tourist town.
Thanks.

Joyce said...

So glad that the tests were positive. Hopefully you'll find out what the problem is and that it will be easily solved.

Frogdancer said...

I don't know if you remember, but earlier this year I saw your batik quilt and emailed you about it. It turned out really well, and is now living with my friend who was burned out in the bushfires a couple of weeks ago.
Just thought you'd like to know...

The Calico Cat said...

I had a similar problem when I was your daughters age. They never did figure out conclusively what it was...

The doctor "guessed" that something I ate might have made a small tear as it was moving through or leaving my system.

Hellen Sigurbjörg said...

You have a nice blog and you have been making beautiful things. Quilting and sewing is so good for the soul. I can understand your anguish because of your daughter, our children are so precious to us. I hope she gets well soon.

meg said...

My son had that problem when he was young. They found out it was a vein like a varicose vein, & it would have been cauterized if it hadn't stopped.
So glad your daughter has been cleared.

Lisa Boyer said...

My best wishes for a quick solution and recovery for your daughter! Worry is just the worst--I feel for you. Celiac disease runs in my family (I have a problem with wheat AND dairy) and if that's the case with your daughter, living with it isn't so bad. My life became so much better after diagnosis and knowing that wheat/dairy was causing so many other mysterious problems. In any event, I wish you both well and that this comes to a speedy resolution!

Linda said...

Keeping your Jess and your family in my thoughts & prayers!
Linda

tami said...

I hope you find out what Jess's problem is soon. It is so good that your worst fears have been ruled out anyway.
The wall hanging is adorable. You do such good work.

Deb said...

Gosh what a relief for you to have at least those tests back negative. It will still be a worry for you until you find out exactly what is happening but that is always the scary thought ruled out. I absolutely adore your stitchery hanging, beautiful work and such a nice verse. As you say very appropriate for how you were feeling.

Unknown said...

I am so glad that your daughter is not seriously ill and hope she will get well soon.

Fiona said...

Just got back from a few days away and read your post - you must have been so worried. So glad to hear that the news is good and hope that they can find out how to stop it soon. All the best to you and your family.

Mad about Craft said...

So glad your DD's tests are clear.

Love the wallhanging!!!

Libby said...

So sorry to hear about the medical drama at home - I hope everything works out as well as possible.

Jeanne said...

Andrea, I'm so sorry you and your family had such a scare with your daughter's health. Sometimes the waiting can be worse than the problem.I pray the cause will be pinpointed very soon and be something that requires an easy fix.
I love the wallhanging with the stitchery. Might have to look for that book.

Kieny The Dutchlady said...

I'm so sorry Andrea you and your family have to go through all this. I hope things will get better soon. Good to hear they haven't found anything nasty. Try to stay positive. My thoughts are with you.

Unknown said...

Oh Andrea - what a relief that your daughter's problems aren't your worst fear, here's hoping they find the problem and sort it out for her PDQ - you must have all been so scared.

Sarah said...

Hey Andrea!
Greeting from Tasmania..... guess who??!! Lally's GD!! Thankyou So much for those BEAUTIFUL fabrics, you really didnt have to, but I DO love them!! I will have fun looking for the perfect project to use them on!!
I am glad the tests came back clear for your DD, and I do hope that you do all find out what the problem is real soon..... it must be a terrible feelling not knowing.
x Sarah

Isabella said...

Soo glad your DD test came back neg poor kid must be terrible for you all,i t's a small world I have been on here before so of course was surprised when one of my friends said you were her cousin, I'm a Scot living in Tasmania. i hope you get some results very soon for your DD

welsh penny said...

Hi Andrea,this is your cousin Gail from Australia,your mum's sister, lal's daughter. My daughter,Sarah, found you, and I am sure she will pop in soon. Actualy your work is very similar to Sarah's, she does wonderful thing with her stitcheries too. I am more of a lazy quilter, quick and easy for me! Glad to hear your daughter passed all those dreadful tests. I must say though that I was diagnosed with celiac about 5 years ago. After that came Graves Disease,a thyroid that swings between over active and under active. I am sure there is a connection with those two problems! Mum told me that one of Uncle Roby's sons was Celiac too! So could be a family history thing. Glad to have found your blog, will be checking in,maybe you can finish your mum's quilt before Mother's Day!Gail

Roseanne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Roseanne said...

Greeting from George Town Tasmania. I am Lally's GD, SIL .How nice that you have a blog. Your quilt is very nice. The fabrics that you sent over for Sarah are just lovely .I just love all the colours in the fabrc .

julieQ said...

I am so sorry for you and your dear daughter...hope all is well soon!

Kiwifruit-Shiree said...

Hi Andrea,
so glad to hear your daughters news, they never stop being our babies do they, and quite a harrowing time for you all, I can imagine.
I love the Bareroots quilt, it is so georgeous! You have really done very well, and made a lovely job of this! Hmmm . might need to osurce out that pattern,
cheers, Shiree

Julia said...

Oh Andrea, I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. But, so grateful that the big "C" tests came back negative. Most frightening indeed! ((((HUGS)))) to all of you!

I love the little stitchery!

Keep sewing, quilting and smiling!!! You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Pam said...

I hope things have settle down now with your daughter. So often scary things that happen turn out to be nothing to worry about but it is terrifying when there it is just the unknown happening. Hopefully it is resolved by now.

A Creative Life said...

Hi I am sorry to hear that your daughter is not well. I shall pray for her quick recovery.

Kymberly said...

I too thought of Celiac Sprue Disease when I read your post. My husband and youngest son both have it and had tramendous relief in their "issues" since going "Gluten Free". Certainly something for your daughter to check into. Would be happy to share recipes and info if this turns out to be the case.

And your stitchery is beautiful! Love your work.

Bea said...

Love your stitcheries! The one with the log cabin is beautiful! Thanks dfor sharing!
Have fun
Bea