Knit Your Square to Give Your Share - PART 4

mioliere

Hi, everyone. I can see I have some catching up to do on here, and I am desperately trying to get Edna out of my head. She keeps turning up and annoying me! I think it's basically worrying about Sam all the time - I breathe a sigh of relief every time I hear from my son, but the thought of how sick he really is keeps my mind on little else. I try and focus on the positives - that he's allowed to stay at home all the time in between treatments (and as long as his temperature doesn't go up - which it did a week ago, so he had to go straight back in for antibiotics), and that, so far, he has not had an adverse reaction to any of the treatment. His most recent chemo session was last Thursday, and he was given anti-sickness medication which knocked him out for a couple of days, but he perked right up on Sunday. He had a blood test yesterday, and will stay at home until they test his bone marrow (under general anaesthetic)on Friday - the results will determine the next stage of treatment, so we are all sort of holding our breath until the doctors come up with their plan. What saddens me is that Sam is becoming needle-phobic and he absolutely dreads having injections, and especially have cannulas inserted. The upside is that, once they have decided what to do next, he can have a cannula inserted into his chest; it will have the end sticking out, but will enable the chemo to be given to him that way, rather than having the cannula put in each time. Obviously, he has opted for that, so I shall be glad when he reaches that stage. Strangely enough, he doesn't mind the blood tests. Anyway, that's the story so far - the doctors are happy with how things are at this stage, which I know is positive. My son says he is handling it very well, apart from the needles. There are some really distressing cases on the same ward, so I am really pleased that Sam is at home most of the time, but my son has told me of some of the other cases, and I can't get them out of my mind, either. It sort of makes me question why children have to go through such awful things - and their parents, too. (I have a great nephew, younger than Sam, who has just been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, and is currently in hospital being injected four times a day,so that's another worry) My daughter-in-law has stopped work for the foreseeable future (she's a geography teacher), and my son works from home most of the time, so that means that one of them will always be with him. After all, they are the experts on him, and will become the experts on his illness.

Jean - I will study that video of the knot; I can tell it must be good because everyone is enthusiastic about it. I tried to Pin it but it said the link was broken, so I'll bookmark it instead. I hope you can sort your car out. I can't think what you can do to keep the mice out - it's not a problem I've come across. Mrs Moneypenney's suggestion is worth a go. Hope DH is doing well.

Chalky - I hope your DH is recovering well. I've done my square for Sam, and will post it tomorrow.

I've also done a square for the Theemuts Cancer challenge that Mrs Twins has, and want to do one for her 1,000th Blanket challenge - I have pm'd her for the details (size, colours, and so on).

Ginnynit - I am sorry that your OH is having to spend most of his time in bed.

Psso - well done on all the fundraising - it's for a great cause. That raffle raised a fantastic amount of money!

Welcome to you, Azzabazza!

Nursemaggie - I used to do a lot of Aran knitting, but I can only crochet these days due to painful hands. Someone has recommended some gloves that are made for arthritis sufferers, so I'm going to get some of those, and see if I can knit again. I enjoy crocheting but I miss knitting - it was the first thing I learned to do, and I had been knitting since I was five years old, but just had to stop about three years ago. I am so sorry that your son has arthritis at such a young age.

It's been very cold here lately; we had a few flakes of snow the other day but they didn't amount to much. We wake up to really hard frosts and the water I put out for the birds is rock solid ice every morning. I have no idea how those little birds survive when it's so cold.

Thank you, all, for your lovely kind words about Sam; they make such a difference to me.

Jean - as you know, I haven't done an update for ages, so I will try and get that done over the next couple of days. I'm trying so hard to organise my time a bit better. It was one of my resolutions for the year, but seems to have gone out of the window already!

KathyXX

mrs-moneypenny

Thank you so much for the update on Sam, let's all kep holding on to the positive things and sending him supporting get well soon vibes.
Sounds like you really have a lot on your plate at the mo kathhy, make sure you look after yourself. Hugs to all that need them and I hope everyone is as well as can be.
Welcome to the new posters in the thread.

psso

Kathy, I'm not surprised poor Sam dreads those cannulas going in. Some of the staff are absolutely terrible at inserting them.

I had a young doctor tried to put one in, I eventually told him to go away and practice on someone else. Not very nice of me I know, but I was feeling stressed enough as it was without more pain being inflicted. A nurse came along a wee while later and popped it in no bother.

Blood tests are a different kettle of fish I found. The phlebotomists are so adept at sliding the needle in and out before you realise it.

I can imagine your brain is in overdrive, even although you know everyone is doing their absolute best for Sam, you just want to BE there to give them all a loving hug. (((Hug))) just for you, and DH too of course as he will be feeling just as bad.

Don't worry about updates at the moment, far more important things to be dealt with. I haven't even got round to clearing my last year's signature, never mind posting an update for the start of the year.

Hope everyone else is well and keeping warm. Hugs to anyone else who is feeling a bit down.x

psso

Signature cleared and ready for action.!

mioliere

Thanks, Elaine, for your kind words. It's not the people putting the cannulas in. My son said they are really gentle and patient, and even had a psychologist talk to Sam about it. It seems it's squeamishness rather than pain which is causing the problem. Whether he will ever conquer it, I don't know, but I am hoping he will just get used to it. He accepts all the other treatments easily, so I think it really is a 'mind' thing, bless him. I think we will all be happy when his treatment has been decided, and hopefully it will become routine. He's in very safe hands. His mum and dad can't fault the care he's receiving. Just wish he didn't need it at all.

It's so cold here today. I think we'll all be so happy to see the first signs of spring!

Kathy XX

roamin_in_the_gloamin

Kathy, lovely to hear all your latest news regarding Sam and the family, there goes another week, soon be Friday and you can get to the next chapter, so keep the faith.
I have a day off tomorrow - DH is going shopping (his favourite passion) on my behalf - only the supermarket but am I happy bunny ! Shall I do the update on your behalf?? Happy to sling it in - won't take me too far away from my crochet along project honestly. Oh and I have found that if I sprinkle peppermind oil around it will keep the mice at bay - well that's what the internet says so will go see if I can order a whacking great bottle full.
Lots of Love and squishy cuddles to you all.
x

POSTED AT THE SAME TIME........I used to faint with any kind injections - but could donate blood no problem.... it was a mind game in my head!

don't laugh but about three years ago DH bought me a heated body warmer (batteries in the inside pockets - I left it abandoned in the wardrobe till last week - it is now my new bestest outfit! I also have a huge box of batteries to fit it.....

mrs-moneypenny

That's along the lines of what DD1 meant she said mice dislike strong smells and mothballs was the strongest thing she could think of, peppermint oil will smell more pleasant.

mioliere

Hi, Jean; if you don't mind doing the update this time, I would be really grateful! Thank you so much for offering; you really are a star! I faint when I give blood (DH says I can't spare a pint because I don't have enough). The last time I did it (in the UK - haven't done it here), the nurse said she didn't think I should do it again. I actually thought I was dying, I felt so ill, and it caused a lot of fuss and drawn curtains in the clinic, so I felt I was less help than I could have been. My eldest son, on the other hand, donates regularly - blood and platelets which he's been told are in big demand all the time. As Sam had a blood transfusion the night he was admitted, I am truly grateful for all those who donate. I don't mind injections, though.

Your heated body warmer sounds wonderful. My best investment for this winter has been the fake Uggs I bought last year from Amazon. They only cost £15, and they've been fantastic- this is the first winter here that my feet have been as warm as toast! I'm going to buy another pair so that I always have them 'in stock', just in case they ever stop making them! I also bought some thermal vests, and they've been brilliant, too. Never needed anything like this in the UK!

Hope the peppermint oil works, and have a good day off tomorrow!

KathyXX

roamin_in_the_gloamin

No problems Kathy, should also mention if you get anywhere near either Demart or climbing, sports or ski-ing shops buy what is known as 'base layer' clothing - its the stuff right next to the body - but breathes, I have some great silk stuff that was on offer in the sales (ski wear - not that fancy frilly French Knickers stuff I hasten to add), clogs on my feet with hand knitted socks (or machine when I get the rotten thing working to my satisfaction), lots of thin layers are better than chunky stuff - but DH don't listen to me....... I climbed in snow most of my life he grew up in London (nuff said).

PLEASE clear your 2014 totals - prior to tomorrow afternoon - thank you....... :T:laugh::j

mioliere

Thanks, Jean - you mean you don't wear frilly French knickers with your clogs? I thought everyone did in rural France!! I do layer up and thin layers are definitely better than thick ones because at least you can still bend your arms!

I will go and clear my sig now. Thanks again, Jean!

KathyXX