Catching Up

I have had some insomnia lately; my brain trying to sort out all the flotsam and jetsam in my life at the mo. And there's just been so much not sleeping followed by napping that knitting progress rather slumped like an airless blowup doll.
yeah, not sure where *that* metaphor came from!

I ripped out to the commencement of the heel shaping on my Stitch Surfers.


There were giant holes on the heel corners as the last 2 lines of the heel shaping were a bit off to my interpretation, but Helen didn't have holes, so I wasn't going to have holes either!! I know, her glee at my misfortune is rather transparent
I'm back to where I was; full steam ahead!!

I have finally finished the Mock Cape!!! It needs a finishing blocking, but all the ends are done in.


I found the pattern a bit odd. Vague in some areas (no indication of # of dec reps, just the final stitch count to work to), but then overly detailed in others (endless stitch counts on the collar for the pick ups).

I got my hair trimmed and my fringe restored at Connect Hair Studio during the Canada Cuts fundraiser for Gilda's Club.


Thoughts of cutting it shorter flitted through my mind, but I am still loathe to do so given how long it is. Four and a half years since I finished chemo.

I stopped by the LCBO and the selection, even in Angus, of boxed wines was impressive!! My go to red, Bodacious, is now in an economical boxes format!!


What a gorgeous kick off to Autumn we had today, the Autumnal Equinox. I took full advantage.


The puppies are still adorable.





as if you doubted it

Amanda popped in yesterday. Not sure who was happier to put eyes on her - the puppies or myself!!! They went quite mad jumping around her, vying for attention.





We had fun trying to get an un-squinty one as we were facing the setting sun. Two beauties regardless!!

Healing is going well. Spotting is all but done with. I am still crampy if I walk too far/too fast, and I had some random, infrequent stabby pains yesterday. My surgeon is moving offices, so wasn't available today to check in with, but as its not happened today, my medical opinion is "normal".
All of the external stitches on the laparoscopic entry points have healed and fallen out save one. It's quite scabbed over, so I have put some covering on it to encourage softening and healing where it's not rubbing and catching on waistbands.

Ok - back to my Stitch Surfers. Yarn laying about everywhere, telling me what it all wants to be!!

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Baking Day

I have made a bit of progress on the RF of the Mock Cape,


but mostly I have napped and baked today.
When bananas become this ripe


and so near the end of their edibleness, there remains just one thing to do.
Yup, banana bread!!


scratch & sniff mode



It was also a good morning. I was in Barrie after having -finally- dropped off my ROE, and a friend was in need. So I pulled over to talk to her. Didn't I see something a bit shiny and blue floating my across the parking lot in front of me. Not quite believing, but insatiably curious, I got out to get it. Yup. This happened.



My friend said that I should buy a lottery ticket. Maybe, but I didn't, and I still am $5 up on the day!!

I'm in Ssn 7 of Dr Who. I might just be in time for someone someone, anyone, Bueller? to download the new Dr Who for me. I really am rather useless at it :(
I really think that the writers have gone all out for the Matt Smith series. He gets fantastic one liners, and the rest of the cast gets in on the humour. I don't think I've laughed so hard yet! The writing absolutely suits his interpretation of the character.



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Progress

I loathe cardigan bands that are knit separately. They are just a PITA. I think that this mental block has been, in part, why I've been so slow getting on with the finishing stage of the Mock Cape sweater.











But I've pushed through the left front and am well started on the right front. I may take out the LF and adjust the band:sweater ratio depending on what I work out on the RF

Petey and Chica enjoyed the pond in Springwater today.











They don't go in far, but they love the freedom of trotting through the forest. We don't go in far at the mo; just a nice stroll.

I am waiting to hear back from a couple of yarn stores, but at the moment I can confirm that Gaspereau Valley Fibres carries the Nature Spun sport required for the Dr Who scarf. Result!!

This is a video of them encountering a cat for the first time on our morning walk the other day. It looked like a stray, and all parties were wary and cautious.

On the hysterectomy recovery front, my doctor is firmly supporting my recuperation at home. Apparently I'm quite the asset at work, it's ok, I had quite a laugh as well but they will have to make due for another 2 1/2 weeks. I still need a solid nap even if I don't do much of anything. I am still spotting, but this is completely normal. I do have crampy bouts, but it is more discomfort than pain, and insignificant compared to what I was suffering before.

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Slow and Steady

This describes can my progress on the Mock Cape. I have seamed and done in ends.





I am ready to do the front edgings and collar. I am not optimistic that this is going to get done tonight. I know, it doesn't look like much.

Yesterday at the fashion show kicking off the Canada Cuts fundraiser for Gilda's I saw my oncologist, Dr Bryn Presnail, who as the head of the Regional Cancer Centre, spoke about the positive and necessary human impact that Gilda's has for those dealing with cancer, directly and those with family affected. He remembered me and was pleased to have it be so long since seeing me, and that I was doing so well.

I also had the pleasure of seeing some ladies that I'd known from Gilda's, and as they were sitting behind me, we had a lovely catch up.
L.A. was one of the hair models and when she came to sit down, she sat with her mom behind me! I was knitting of course, her mom told her a few things about me, then asked my name again. I said, "Wannietta". L.A. exclaimed, "Not Wannietta, the fastest knitter?!" I have to admit, it was a moment.





I had to take a pic - her hair is fabulous and totally matches her personality!

I am still napping every day. Solid 2-3 hour naps, with a full nights sleep to boot. I quite unaccustomed to this, but when you think about the internal damage that my body is trying to repair, it's not so unbelievable. I'm being diligent about eating well, giving my body sufficient tools to repair. So as my recovery is slow and steady, it's reflected in my knitting output. I will accept this, not rush a recovery, being happy as it comes in the fullness of time.




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Almost!!

I was trying so hard to get the Mock Cape done for the Knitters Fair, (just for convenience of drop off, not as a display) but alas, not quite.
I love the smell of wet wool; maybe that's a contributing factor to my passion for finishing.



I still need much sleep, and the knitting/finishing will wait; recovery needs immediate attention.

The puppies are good; they don't trample or lay on blocking pieces. They have been wonderful while I've been diligently knitting.


I love watching Chica stalk Petey.





He's completely oblivious, and she is so intent!! If laughter is the best medicine, these two are champion dispensers!

It was a good mail day yesterday. I haven't signed up for a club in a long while, but the GnomeAcres Randomini Club whispered it's sweet fibre love words to me. I am not disappointed.





The colours are a delight, and the yarn is squishy and soft. I'm not certain what I will be doing with these lovelies yet, but they enchant me and you can't rush inspiration.
I'll definitely get the next shipment, then give it some thought. For what I'm paying, I can get an full skein to make a pair of socks. The club offers variety, but roughly 1/2 the yardage.



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It's coming!!

The KW Knitters Fair is just two more sleeps away!! SQUEE!!!! One of the premier and knittingly-exclusive shows in Southern Ontario, it is not to be missed if you knit!!

I will be going with Helen. She is my Keeper and Head Nurse these days. Her status as Protector is trumped only by Petey.
I'll be at the Needle Emporium booth for a bit - who could resist?!? Check out Julie's blog for a heads up on what she'll be bringing with.
If you're going and want to meet up in the AM, text me or FB message me.

My Stitch Surfers have stalled; I've been diligently working on the Mock Cape. Body pieces are blocking.


I love the smell of wet wool!! Seriously.I'm targeting having it done for the Fair, and you know about me and deadlines.

I am still napping () most every day unless appts interfere. The puppies are still in mosey mode with me.
The pain is seriously so much better!! I still have crampy days; things are still healing/settling and any kind of abdominal effort - too much walking, sneezing, not knowing how much something weighs - can kick off spotting and pain. So I see, feel, and obey.
I just started driving, (being given the medical permission), and am being sparing with that as well since, as I drive a standard, the clutching does put some stress on my abdomen, so carefully I go.

I have booked a hair cut through Canada Cuts for Gilda's. There are various salons participating throughout the GTA, supporting Gilda's GTA & Gilda's Simcoe-Muskoka.
Get a great cut at a special price for a great cause. Help me keep the promise that no one faces cancer alone!!

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Ugh

I have been doing not much.
I had a few days off of my flute, and it showed in my practice yesterday!! But I set to with a passion and it all started coming back.
I find that the mouthpiece gets slippy rather easily, so I went with a trick that Myrelle mentioned - a piece of envelope sticky.


It serves as an oil/sweat absorber - brilliant.

The puppies got a bath. Petey hacked up something that he felt needed laying, and if one is getting wet, might as well do both!


They are funny, grooming each other afterwards!!
And they like Helen, acting as if I pay them no attention all day long!!


Petey is a sucker for a belly scratch!!

I have made it to the heel shaping on my Stitch Surfers!!


My Soxyzz told me so, which is just as well, as given the stitch distribution and being at the instep, it is almost impossible to try on my foot with any remote hope of accuracy.
I love this gadget!! It's portable, durable, and esthetically pleasing.Throw in that it's less than $15 Cdn and, more importantly, it's a Canadian indie shop, click that link and get one for yourself!!!

I helped Helen string beads Friday afternoon - I find the process of using a bead bowl much more fun than she did.


Helen was chasing the jumpers!!



I am working the fronts of the Mock Cape at the same time.


I find that the pattern is not as well written as could be hoped, so while I'm making notes, this ensures symmetrical accuracy.

I am knackered. Utterly exhausted. The Allergies are in full effect. The sneezing cannot be good. Given that lifting more than 10lbs is verboten, sneezing is clearly off the charts!!
I had no bleeding at all the first week. It has since started and increased, along with an increased degree of overall discomfort abdominally, along with some shaper pains, even at rest. Given that in really doing nothing more than increasing my walking distance/duration, (though not the gait), I'm chalking this up to sneezing.
I'll call the surgeon and my family doc on Tuesday to see what actual doctors think, and see if I can get some stronger/more effective symptom meds.

I hope that you are all enjoying the long weekend!!



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A Day of Rest

Today is 6 days post-hysterectomy.
Yesterday I had brunch with a friend, walked Costco (direct route 'round the outside), the song is now in your head; you're most welcome and did the most inconsequential of tasks. Yet my body, by the end of the day, was reprimanding me for these efforts.
Helen made me promise a day of complete nothingness and rest! And considering that I fear the consequences of her displeasure, I complied. There was a lot of actual resting, and until I had to sort out a Shepherds Pie for dinner, I didn't even have the energy to knit!!

Things seem to be settling internally, finding their places in the new world order. Since yesterday, the constipation from the massive amounts of pain drugs has begun to correct itself. But with that is wracking pain, especially with the least amount of gas. It's improved over the day; hopefully it's a very temporary thing.

I know this might seem like TMI, but you know me - I'm a sharer. It documents my own journey, and gives an account for anyone who may wish to know what to expect. Not that it's the same for everyone, but knowing some of what to expect can help ease the mind.

The Allergies aren't helping, and I'm sure that they are contributing to my overall exhaustion, but aside from Reactine & Strepsils, there's nought much for it.

As I mentioned, I have knit an underwhelming amount.


The raglan shaping has begun, so there's that.

I'm hoping to get some more done tonight; time will tell.

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A Better Day

I was not in nearly as much pain this morning as I was yesterday morning! Much less constipated and I think that the gas is working out; I'm feeling less bloated.
I had thought that most of the pain would be in my lower abdomen; and while I am tender there, mostly I feel the effects where they went in laparoscopically. Dr Margell did well; the small incisions are well done and my belly button is not horribly affected.





The large scar that crosses both pics is from my reconstruction. There are 5 laparoscopic incisions, including the belly button. not a major concern, but I would like to have my belly button pierced again since I am - hopefully - done with procedures requiring the piercing to be removed. My tongue piercing can be out for longer than my belly button without it growing over! I did the minimum again today; the puppies are so adorably understanding. They seem to have toned down their jumping up, though if they're not on their halters, they are still prone to pulling, which hurts.
I am just over 1cm from beginning my heel shaping.


I am loving this pattern so much; I picture more in my future. And yes, the soxyzz is very handy; I can recommend it unequivocally!!

The Mock Cape saw progress as well.


Clearly, despite still requiring g a proper afternoon rest, I am being more productive.

Helen dropped off necessary provisions (wine and cheese), then whisked me up the street to have coffee and a knit at Coffee Culture. Normally an easy walk, today, a necessary drive. We had a lovely time (my incessant texts notwithstanding and actually adding to our amusement). She got started on her own Greek/TARDIS themed Stitch Surfers. She did well under supervision - lol!!






The Dr Who marathon continues. I have been feeling a bit off still - mentally clouded - so I have watched most of the 2^nd series twice. Not necessarily a bad thing, but out of character for me.
I just finished Love and Monsters. Probably the least Dr-centric episode ever, but I did enjoy the comic relief. Peter Kay is always a welcome appearance!! And Moaning Myrtle popped in as well.

To bed shortly; I am throwing as much rest at it as my body can take. Nought much can be done until I get my 6-week check up with my surgeon, but I want to be at the top of the curve for improvement!! I'm properly motivated.

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