Saturday, April 07, 2012

Challenging Journey

I cannot even believe that it is Easter weekend! The past week has passed in a complete blur. My brother has been very sick and in ICU for a week now. That means a family member needs to be with him as much as possible, so I have been to the hospital (3 hours of driving there and back) for some part of each day this week.  I wrote a blog post about my inspiring brother about 5 years ago - click here to read it.  It is so hard to watch someone that you love while they struggle to breathe. A simple automatic reflex for most people is excruciating for him right now. He has a lung infection which has resulted in what they call "a white out" which means his left lung is not functioning at all and appears on the Xray as a blob of infection. He had to be on a respirator to be able to do the CAT scan, and at last count he has 13 tubes coming out of him. At the end of the week he was also diagnosed with a blood infection.
The only good thing about hospitals (besides the hope for healing), and about ICU in particular, is that you spend a lot of time waiting... which can be put to good use as stitching time! I have been working for the last 5 years on the "Journey of a Quilter" pattern (by Leanne Beasley). It seems that I only work on it when on vacation and am away from my sewing machine, so it has stretched into a very long term project.


I am working on the 9th (and final) block and made lots of progress on it this week. The french knots in these flower centers were very relaxing to stitch.
If my brother's recovery continues to be so problematic, I will soon have this whole block finished. 
I am hoping that Easter thoughts of rebirth and the promise of new life will encourage my brother (and all of us) to not give up on the journey toward healing and renewal. The love of family and friends (and the meditative process of hand stitching) sure do help to keep us on the right path!

30 comments:

Darlene said...

I'm so sorry that your brother is suffering with such health challenges. I'm sending healing thoughts and prayers; keeping him in my prayers, as well.

Teresa in Music City said...

Kathy, I will be praying for your brother and your family! What a difficult time it is when a beloved one is sick - life just slows down and focuses on that situation. I am glad you have a wonderful project to keep your hands and mind busy, and it seems to be a pertinent one to your life right now too! I'm going to have to find a shop locally to get this pattern through because it doesn't appear as though Leanne sells directly - I just love it!!!

swooze said...

Wishing him a speedy recovery!

Mary said...

Prayers coming your way for a full recovery. Good you have something to do while you are waiting. Very Pretty!

Jean said...

So sorry to hear of your brother's ongoing health problems. I hope they are able to get rid of the infection and get him back on the road to recovery. Your family is in my prayers.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Oh Kathy, I'm sorry to read about your brother's challenges too. I'll keep him in my T&P's. Your stitching is gorgeous~

Ellen said...

Wishing a speedy recovery to your brother!!

dortha said...

I hope your brother recovers soon. It is hard to have family with chronic illnesses.

Janet O. said...

Sounds like your brother has had many health challenges throughout his life! It is so hard to be a bystander when someone you love suffers and there is nothing you can do but "be there".
My prayers for his recovery will join the others--and for you to be given the strength you need!

AnnieO said...

Chronic, debilitating illness is hard on more than the patient but I'm glad you are all helping him as modern medicine does its job. Sending healthy thoughts for your brother and hopes for another long stretch of NOT working on this project because he is better and out of danger!

Diane said...

It is so difficult to watch a loved one suffer so. I'll be praying for your brother and your family.
Easter Blessings
Diane

Candace said...

I'm very sorry to hear of your brothers illness. I hope that the doctors are inspired to provide him the very best care possible and that your family is able to celebrate the season with encouraging progress on his part. You and yours are in my prayers.

Candace said...

I'm very sorry to hear of your brothers illness. I hope that the doctors are inspired to provide him the very best care possible and that your family is able to celebrate the season with encouraging progress on his part. You and yours are in my prayers.

Judy D in WA said...

Sending healing hugs and prayers to you and yours.
Stitching is quite comforting.

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

Sorry to hear of your brother's hospitalization and complications, Kathy. Will keep him in my prayers. Beautiful stitching, though. This project will have special meaning to you now, when it is done. Wishing you a happy, healing Easter. xo

tubilinha tiacarminha said...

Sinto por vocês,doença é tão desgastante para todos.Estaremos pedindo por seu irmão,Se JESUS é por nós quem será contra nós.Um forte abraço.

Wendy said...

My thoughts are with you and your brother this weekend.

Debbie said...

Oh my Kathy, hope your brother improves soon. How very scary! How good it is that you can be with him. You do have a fun project to work on.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

My thoughts are with you and your brother. I hope he improves and gets better soon.

Sarah said...

Thinking of you and your brother right now. Hope he is on the road to recovery soon.

soscrappy said...

Prayers for your brothers recovery. I am sure having loved ones nearby will help him get the care he needs. Glad you are able to get a bit of work done to help pass the time.

Elaine M said...

Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

Sally Ann said...

Happy Easter Kathy,Sorry to hear about your brothers health issues coming around again. Keeping him and your family in my prayers. Your stitch work is beautiful!!

Diane Kelsey said...

Best wishes to you and your family, especially your brother. I am also working on this quilt and need to move on to block 9. The embroidery work has certainly taken much longer than I had initially anticipated.

Liz said...

Best wishes to you and your brother at what is a very difficult time. X

Thelma said...

My thoughts are with you all, best wishes!

Kate said...

So sorry to hear about your brother. He and your family will be in my prayers this week.

Libby said...

I am sorry to hear that your brother is having to deal with this set back. I will be keeping him (and you) in my thoughts.

ShinyNewThing said...

Sorry to hear about your brother and I admire you for being able to see some positive sides to a very difficult time. Best wishes, Sharon

Happy Quilter said...

Kathy, you may not remember but the quilt you made for your brother so many years ago is absolutely one of my forever favourit quilts. First, it is beautifully done and secondly, it is so special with memories. I hope he is doing better now.