Monkey Business

Not getting as much time as I had hoped to work on the Monkey socks, but I'm coming to the home stretch of the first one.  Here's my progress as of last night.

I am finding this pattern very fun to knit.  I understand now why it is so popular.

I'm working these on size 3 needles, which is one up from the size suggested in the pattern.  I was worried they be too big, but I slipped them on and they felt wonderful.  The recipient wears US size 9 shoes and I wear size 7, so I'm sure they won't be too loose on her.

Did I mention who the recipient is?  It is the lady who saved my friend's life by donating her bone marrow stem cells.  DeLynne is Dean's sister and she was doing what any sibling would do for another member of the family.  But that fact does not diminish the risks she took.  Without her Dean's chances were bleak.  Now, her blood has taken over his body and he is slowing gaining strength. 

Now, it is a beautiful Saturday and I'm not going to waste any more time on this blog.  Enjoy your day!!!

My friend who has been battling leukemia finally got to go home from the hospital.  His release on Tuesday ended a 122 day stay.  June and July were very rough.  After his stem cell transplant at the beginning of June, he developed a host of complications.  Every time he seemed to make an improvement, something would happen to backtrack his progress.  Nothing was simple for him.  Even a common side effect turned into a major complication.  Mid-July he was placed in ICU because of liver, stomach, and kidney failure.  After several days of dialysis, things started to turn around for him.  But through all of the struggle, evidence that the transplant worked mounted.  He is now finally home and trying to regain his strength.  Prior to his hospital stay he was exercising every day and playing racquetball 3 days a week.  Now, walking up one flight of stairs takes his breath away.  I'm confident he'll rapidly regain his strength now that he is home disconnected from all the IV lines and sleeping in his own bed.

The donor for my friend's stem cell transplant was his sister.  She accepted a lot of risk for her brother and will forever be a part of him.  Her blood literally runs through his veins now.  Everyone who has helped with tangible and intangible support has been asked to thank her in some way, even as simply as a 'Thank You' note.  I'm making her a pair of monkey socks out of some of the yummy yarn I got from Fiber Optic during Knitters Connection. I'm not as far along on these as I had hoped to be.  Tonight will be movie night at home, so I'll make progress then.

Last weekend I went on a roadtrip with one of my sisters, a sister-in-law, and two nieces to Myrtle Beach.  Here is a view of the resort from the beach.  The building we stayed in was behind these buildings and not visible in this picture.

We only actually hung out on the beach one day.  The resort had several very nice pools and we decided that it was more fun being there. I've come to the conclusion that sand and surf are not as much fun if there aren't kids to play with.

Several recent events in my life have taught me some things.  First, don't hesitate to show your love and appreciation.  You never know how long you will get the opportunity.  Second, prayer works.  It may not seem like it for a while, but God has a plan and if you open yourself up to it, things work out.  The ending may not be what you hoped for, but in the end you get what you need.  Third, don't dwell on negatives from your past.  Always look forward with hope instead of backwards with anger.  Fourth, strive to repair damaged relationships.  Life is constantly evolving and we need to continually try to make it the best it can be for ourselves and those around us.  Sometimes someone just needs you to reach out to them.  And finally, know when it is time to let go, whether it is a person or an object or an emotion.  Children grow into adults.  Anger and frustration are not productive and will fester if held inside.

Here is one of my favorite Bible quotes:

The LORD bless you and keep you!

The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!

The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

- Numbers 6:24-26

Hi! I'm Still Here

I can't believe I've been away for over a month.  It has been a very busy month, though.  Here's a re-cap.

We went to Orlando for Spring Break.  This trip was all about relaxing, so we avoided all of the parks.  Most of our time was spent here

or here

doing this

It was a great week.  I caught myself starting to think about work once, but I smacked myself and never did it again.

Before we left, my daffodils were starting to bud.  I was worried that I would miss their bloom.  A final blast of cold weather in Ohio kept them from blooming and shortly after we came home they opened.  It was a nice 'Welcome Home'.  Last year the daffodils didn't bloom at all.  This year they were gorgeous.

Unfortunately, there was some bad news after we got home.  A very good friend has been diagnosed with acute leukemia.  He went to the doctor because he had a nagging cough all winter.  The doctor ran bloodwork and found the leukemia.  Dean was ordered to check himself immediately into the hospital and begin chemotherapy that night.   Over the past month, he has had his first round of chemotherapy and several transfusions.  The bad news is that his leukemia is acute myelodysplasia leukemia (AML) and requires a bone marrow transplant.  A donor is being sought.  On a positive note, Dean's first round of chemo seems to have worked and his white blood count is going up.  He may be able to go home for a little while until a donor is lined up.  When a donor is found, he'll be back in the hospital for another month or two.  Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

Easter was spent in Cincinnati at my brother's house.  As usual, my sister-in-law Penny had way too much good food.  It makes you wonder how someone who was an only child learned to cook such big meals.  While we were in the area, Ed and I stopped by the hospital for a quick visit with Dean.  We had to cut it short, though, because Dean's medication made him sleepy.

Last weekend my sister Karen came for a visit. A couple of her son's friends play baseball for Ohio State.  The one friend, Alex Wimmers, is a starting pitcher and played Friday night.  The other friend, Dan Burkhart, is the starting catcher.  Friday night we had first row seats right behind home plate.  There were about 20 professional scouts in the seats right behind us checking out Alex.  Karen and I were joking that we'll end up with brain tumors because of the radar guns behind us.  If Alex decides to enter the pro draft this year, he is projected to be a first round pick.  He can throw 94 mph fast balls and has 2 other pitches to his repetoirre.  Dan is a very good player also.  He often throws our players trying to steal second base.  His hitting is a little off this year, but I'm sure he'll get back in his groove soon.  On Saturday, we took Blake.  He enjoyed hanging with Brutus Buckeye

 

and being on the field with Dan for the National Anthem.

On the knitting front, I'm trying to finish up a blanket for a friend's baby.


I'm down to the last few rows of the border.  My goal is to finish it this weekend.