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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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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Adapting. Kind of.

I am not a sit about and do nought kinda woman; I'm constantly in some kind of motion, even when I'm sitting, I'm knitting.
This post-op business has me well and truly knackered.
I slept well enough last night, Petey let me lay in until 9:30. Bad pain this morning. I think there's still gas needing working out, but my entire abdomen is just tender and delicate. Walking is ok in the shortest increments.
We got up, sorted out the puppies, coffee and did a bit more on the Stitch Surfer sock


, started the Sublime Mock Cape


, and then I was back in bed by 4:00 for a nice 3.5 hour nap. which is less of a nap really, and more of a proper nap repeat of the AM - feeding, walking puppies a couple hundred feet, (they are so good! I normally walk at a brisk, energizing pace and the puppies are trotting along. But now, they keep pace with my deliberately dawdling lack of speed without issue), making something to eat. very much focusing on protein intact to aid in physical recovery These 20-30 odd mins on my feet, perhaps especially at the end of the day, have me utterly done, pain not insignificant.
This is going to be a long, slow row to hoe. I am listening to my body, but it's frustrating.
Amanda's been helping out, but she's back to her life this afternoon. Chica was so happy to see her again, it did my heart good as well.
Helen is being amazing; I am grateful for such a friend.
And all of you - chatting me up on FB, texting, and calling; I'm in the best of hands.
Mostly I go to my bed to nap, but yesterday I just tipped over, the puppies found their places that don't hurt me,


and we dozed a bit. I am currently watching Dr Who (new series) which keeps me thinking.
Tomorrow is a new day; looking forward to it.

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Good Mail

So I saved up my Rowan 58 & the Fall IK and wow!!


First impressions - I could be very busy indeed!! The first 7 projects in the IK all appeal to me - it's a fantastic issue. I can't wait to go back (after a nap), read the patterns, knit in my head a bit, and read the articles.
As always, Rowan presents a lovely mix of patterns in a stunning format. One go-through is never enough.

I selected this Lima as my subscriber gift


and it will do the hat pictured and a pair of fingerless mitts. The picture is a bit dark, but it has a bit of lacy cabling I believe. I went with not blue, something s bit different to brighten up my fall accessories.

Earlier this week, I received these tools in the post.





They are for measuring feet/socks. Beautiful and functional. Megan from BurningImpressions2 even offered engraving at no cost!! Helen and I are just giddy, and I'll be making use of mine as the bending over to try on socks is uncomfortable at the mo.

Speaking of socks, I've been working away at the Stitch Surfers the last few days.


I'm very much enjoying the process and the result.

I had no cream this morning, so I set off to Tim's, (just one block away) at a slow mosey. That and a shower and I'm ready for a nap. I think I'm still feeling some effects from the anesthetic, but whatever, I'll be minding my body and taking it as easily as I need to. Though it's going to be a challenge - I'm not good at not doing much.

Helen went to the post office for me and what a lovely surprise!! Elise and I spoke last week, and she had mentioned that she was sending it, but this knitting belt is so much more brilliant in real life!!


Joan had found and gifted me with a traditional one years ago. I use them mostly for sock knitting; if I'm not wearing jeans, the knitting belt protects my t-shirt and my tummy!


There was also a surprise skein of Buffalo Skies DK; not sure what it will become, but I look forward to hearing what it whispers to me.

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Finally

So it's finally here - no more delays, Hysterectomy Day!

I saw Myrelle on Saturday and learned a couple more notes that involve some coordinated shifts in fingering, and some more advanced (but very basic) music. I still seem to be challenged by longer note shifts, but I'm not displeased with my progress. I'll have much to practice!!

I swatched for the next sweater for The Needle Emporium. I've neglected to take a picture, but you know I wouldn't lie, especially not to you! I love the fabric, and the stockinette stitch will be a nice recovery knit.

But then I go and cast on for the Stitch Surfer socks!!


LOL!! I have loved this pattern long time, I found the perfect Biscotte & Cie yarn on our recent yarn crawl, Helen gifted me with the perfect complementary MadTosh, so I'm learning a new technique!

I played my last mixed game on Sunday; winning was a nice last game!!





I'm going to miss playing, but I'll be so happy to play a full, pain-free season next year.


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Best Laid Plans

What's that they say about best laid plans? Oh yeah, you're fucked!!

So my surgery is bumped to next week because some other womans need is greater than mine. And I get that, deep down I do. But I've been with so long already, that I'm just





And then I'm like


just kinda makes me have angry feelings that another man has decided that I'm the lowest on his priority list. Yeah, probably not necessarily a fair assessment of this particular situation, but my gut feelings on the matter nonetheless I just have to rearrange a few plans, hope Amanda can as well, put a call in to my Doc for a few more meds to see me through, and keep on knitting.

So yesterday I spent 4 hours winding that skein of yarn barf into a ball of potential.
I find untangling knots relaxing, therapeutic. Pardon my touchy-feely for a moment, but it's like life. You get handed a shit storm. You sit down, take its measure and decide that it's worth sorting out. Everything needs to be kept loose, no tightening or getting tense. Follow that strand, see a path through the mess. Pull through. Over, under, around. Sometimes it feels like you're going backwards, never gonna get undone, but then you start making progress. The neat, new ball of potential is getting bigger, you can see that what you've got ahead of you is so much greater than the mess behind you. Then you're through. It feels so good to have made the effort, when throwing it away seemed like an easier path. But easy isn't my style, and I like my style. I really loved this skein of yarn,


now a ball of potential.

Tonight I'm chilling with my Iris socks.


I want to finish these up so I can start on these Stitch Surfer socks. As ever, the puppies are not far away.

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Rub Some Dirt On It

It is an expression in sports. In general, it means to suck it up and keep playing.
I took it rather literally tonight. I slid, hands first (which wouldn't have counted had I made it to first base as it's illegal) and scuffed myself up.





The bandaid don't stick so to staunch the oozing I patted (rather than rubbed) dirt onto the wound. Yeah, not sanitary, but short-term effective. I redeemed myself in a later inning with an RBI that took us to 5 runs and out of that inning.

We ended up with a tie; acceptable, considering that they had three hitters who could easily hit it out of the park (and did).
A fantastic last (for me) game. I made new friends and had a great season.

I will miss playing ball. I love the game, straight up. But I'll be going as soon as I can to cheer my teams on! We all do what we can.

I got a ride today, so I was able to take all the Rx and a few supplemental beverages. While it's a "beer league", I am the least imbibing. But my period hit today, and needs must.
Petey sensed my pain and tucked in for most of the day, ignoring Chica's pleas to play.


Have I mentioned how much I just love this dog?!?

Chica *did* get a new collar from my last visit to PetSmart.


She is just at the cusp of no longer being an XS.

Elise called this afternoon. Just hearing her voice, especially this close to my surgery date, made my day!! We got all caught up, then my son called. He's likely coming up tomorrow, so I'll see him before I go under the knife. It was a happy day all the way 'round!!

I am going to have to sort Petey out a step up to my bed. He is just not quite able to jump up on his own, (my Queen bed is a bit high up) and he is my night time sleep buddy. Chica gets daytime napping privileges as she *can* jump up on her own. Post op, I'm am limited to lifting less than 10lbs for 4-6 weeks.

I am ravenous, and know I shouldn't, but I am craving mac & cheese something fierce!! I'm off to the kitchen. Y'all enjoy the rest of your evening. I'm going to spend it with SOA, knitting, and a bevvie or two.

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Routines

I do this silly thing mornings when I'm home. After I've sorted out the puppies, I open the curtains and sing this song.

The puppies think I'm as daft as Amanda used to, but it makes me happy, and it starts my day off with a song and a smile.

I played my last ladies softball game on Friday night. It's a great bunch of women who play with heart and for the live of the game. I hope to get out to cheer them on once I'm up & about.
I play my last mixed game tomorrow afternoon. I'll miss that too, even though it's my first year with them, it's felt good.

So. I'm not on holidays, but I'm not working. I'm psyching up for being in different pain and being fairly helpless for awhile.
I've got my knitting lined up, and way more than I can possibly do. LOL.

Petey is practicing taking care of me. I love this dog - it makes my chest hurt a bit I love him so much!!


I think I'll have to hide Chica's ball post op for a bit. What was I thinking getting a replacement?!? I love her hyper little self to bits as well, so I was thinking about her, not me.

If you follow me on Facebook, you'll know I'm a bit of a sucker for those quizzes. I did this one today, and got this result:



Sometimes these quizzes are eerily on target. This describes my humour sensibility rather well.

I'll leave you with this thought tonight.


It resonated with me and describes my headspace lately.

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Good Post

Post as in mail.

The great thing about only checking the post sporadically, is that when I get a good postal day, I sometimes get an excellent postal day!!




That's my Rowan 58 and membership gift. I'm saving this for post-op perusing.

My August Ipsy bag is the pink package. I was skeptical about this at first thing. I don't wear a lot of make up, and the first couple of months were kind of meh for me. But since then I have gotten so many lovely bits and bobs that I really use, I'm totally sold!! And if it's items that I don't use, Amanda usually will. I'll save it for stocking stuffers. Win-win!!

The last package is my Sugru! Awesome stuff, and if it does nothing more than extend the life of my iPhone cords, it's worth the investment.






The carrot cheesecake was a unanimous success!! Christina declared that, "it tastes like more", Shanyn vowed a hatred for me for putting such a thing before her, Tammy joked that she would lick the crumbs off of my face, (I don't really think that she was joking!!), and Teresa just hugged me. It *was* good. Definitely a new fave.

Almost no sleep last night; hoping for a significant improvement tonight!! Damn stimulants. It's a tiger by the tail, but I choose it over the pain. And shortly I'll be done with that too, so I can deal.

W
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Domestic

The laundry didn't quite dry yesterday, so that went back up on the line. I love having a clothesline; the smell of fresh air lingers and spreads throughout the closet after I bring the clothes in and put them away.

I finished the carrot cheesecake today.


It was baked in a water bath so that the carrot cake base doesn't dry out with the 2^nd baking. I didn't have extra wide aluminium foil, so I layered up what I had; hopefully water didn't leak through into the cake.





My base looks a bit more flat than the original recipe, but that was a lot of cheesecake on top of it!
It looks fabulous and I'm excited to take it to work tomorrow so that I can have a slice.

I had more beets today. Man, I love beets!! Baked perfectly, salted and buttered - I could make a meal out of just that!!

I've been knitting - spent most of the day fixing an error, but in back on track and making forward progress.

I've been watching Sons of Anarchy on Netflix. Overall, I'm enjoying it, but I'm in season 3 where there is a lot of the Irish connections. This is where I start losing track of who is allied with whom. Like the mob story lines in my fave cop shows. Yeah, I confuse kind of easily.

I've been sucking up pain like a milkshake through a straw. I don't know why it's so bad, but I've got too much to do to be sleeping the pain away. And when I say sleeping, I mean too drugged to be vertical, but too drugged to actually sleep.
I've been sleeping poorly - taking an oxy with the T3's in addition to the codein contin - I'm dopey, itchy, and buzzy. But I'm balancing it so that I can be not useless.

"I'm having surgery next week." I said this aloud to the puppies today, and it brought tears to my eyes.
I don't know why. I'm eager to have it - this constant pain is doing my head and body in. Between the pain and the drugs I'm endlessly exhausted.
And I'm historically good at surgery - no complications and excellent recovery.
So I don't know. It's an odd feeling of apprehension and trepidation.


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Whatta Thursday

Nice easy pre-op physical - I'm relatively fit and totally hot. not going to argue with a professional ;)
Dropped of some stuff by Amanda, who is making her way, slowly and on her own terms, but she is doing it and learning a lot.
Then a lovely drive out to The Needle Emporium. I miss seeing Julie, touching the yarns and seeing the colours in all their glory!! I spent a lovely afternoon knitting, chatting and picking out all sorts.

I'm made marked progress on the Secret Project, but have had to go back a bit, (silly mistake), but I'm back on track now.

The Manos del Uruguay Alegria that I had purchased on the last couple of yarn crawls had been whispering to me. After going through Julie's stock of Alegria, I knew I had to answer its siren song.



Yup - Sweetspot. I am very pleased and can't wait to do an Alegria Strip!!




A Namaste BYOB to make toting my Knitter's Pride set easier.


A couple of magazines that had projects I want to do.


A Mountain Colors Perspective gradient kit for a yet undecided cowl.



I was utterly smitten with this new colour Hummingbird in Satchel by Mrs Crosby. I set to finding a shawl pattern and after much fancying about in Ravelry, selected Chevry as the winner. Hollywood Cerise was selected as the companion colour, also after significant study. Crème Fraîche, Spicy Habanero, and Icebox Watermelon were all contenders.

I also picked up a project to work on after my surgery. I know, but I don't want to run out of something to do.


Stockinette, but shaping to keep me mindful.

On my way home yesterday my rear wheel bearing seized on the passenger side. Could've been a disaster on the 401, but fortunately I had control of my car, was near an exit and was able to ease into a garage. Active Green + Ross, while they were able to find a wheel drum that same evening and do the repair, fucked me hard on pricing.
But I am going to count the multiple of blessings that kept me safe and got me back home to my puppies, who held it long time!! *\o/* yeah for crate training!!!

Today I scored the remains sets in the BSG (new) series


for $30!! and found myself a new creative outlet. My teacher, who is also a friend and a knitter bonus, was impressed with my quick study and sent me home with an extra note (beyond the beginner three) to practice on. Clearly I'm a natural


The puppies weren't sure what was going on, but ignored it soon enough. (And yes, a seriously unflattering pic of my arm!) This will give me something to occupy my fingers & mind whilst on my convalesce. Not that knitting can't do it, but I am expanding my horizons.

Whew - it's been a busy couple of days, but I am feeling quite content within myself. This vacation came none too soon!

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