Sunday, July 21, 2013

Slow Sunday Stitching

I was at my brother's house most of this past week. He had a very tough week of ongoing health challenges. He was in 3 different hospitals on 4 different days for countless procedures including his second chemo treatment, three blood transfusions (huge hugs and thanks to everyone who donates blood to save lives), four blood tests, a CT scan, two xrays, and a CT guided lung drain procedure. Each hospital outing is an exhausting production involving transporting the wheelchair plus four oxygen tanks to get through the commute and the waiting for procedures/doctors. 

We have been enticing him to eat since he has lost so much weight, has lost his appetite and feels nauseous most of the time.  This was one of my creative attempts to get him to eat :)



Part of my stress relief has been to work on my "toothbrush rug" in small bits of time. 
I am on the last round of colour, so it's very close to being finished. It has been a very relaxing and mindless activity to work on. 




As I was working on the stitches, look what I noticed - a heart popped out!




And I had some wonderful stress relief yesterday when my friend Barb and my sister and I took a quick road trip to see the Red Red Bobbin quilt show and sale. 



It was a beautiful day and the quilts were inspiring. 
I felt so much better after being surrounded by quilts and fabric and we even met some of our quilting friends there!

You wouldn't believe who else we saw... the Queen was there! 
She was lovely to visit with and even had her royal Corgi with her. 
So fun!







This is my sister and I peeking around the quilts, trying to find our favorites and examining the quilting details.

Thanks to Barb for encouraging us to attend and for the photos of our outing! 

I felt re-energized and ready to be a better caregiver in the coming days.



I hope you are taking time to enjoy some relaxation today.  Link up your blog post below and show us your hand stitching project.



20 comments:

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

Kathy, my prayers are with you and your family as you go thru this horrific time. Love that little heart, love those little miracles that give us hope.

Deanna W said...

You are such a great sister to be there for your brother. Wishing for you continued stress relief and friends to guide you there! Oh the Red Red Bobbin...that is such a fun store.The quilts look amazing too!

Amy said...

My thoughts are with you and your family; thank you for sharing the update and picture of your brother. Before reading your whole blog, I peeked at the pictures and saw the heart pop out too. Amazing little bit of life that brings a smile.
And the quilts.....oh! What a beautiful way to spend some time with family.
Happy Sunday dear; happy slow stitching to you as well.

Sherry said...

Prayers for you and your family. It is amazing how a dose of quilting can relax and renew us. Praying for a good week for you and your brother.

Linda said...

Sending prayers for your brother, you and your whole family. So glad you were able to get away for a bit and renew your spirit.
Such a serendipity moment when you found that little heart. Love those!

Gari in AL said...

Your brother's week sounded more like an endurance test. I know you all were exhausted. I hope this week is more restful for all of you and that what the doctors learned from last weeks test go a long way to helping with health and stress.

Ellen said...

So glad that you were able to spend a bit of stress free time with family and friends.

Hopefully all of the test results and procedures work out well for your brother. You are a very good and loving sister!

Missie of Traditional Primitives said...

Sorry about your brother. I know just how you feel as my brother went through it too. Prayers for a good recovery!

Barbara said...

Sorry to hear of your brother's health problems. Will keep a good thought for his recovery.

scraphappy said...

So sorry to hear that your brothers health has not improved. Taking care of loved ones can be emotionally and physically draining. I know he must be so thankful for your continued support. Glad that you are still finding little bits of time for restorative crafts. It is too easy to get run down by the stress and worry.

libbyquilter said...

oooooh, THE queen~! lucky you . . . although i've heard that she's been a bit anxious lately with the royal baby soon to be delivered and all . . .

LOVE that tiny heart within your rug and what a welcome sign it must have been for you.
i'm glad that you have been able to take some time out to have a bit of quilty fun. wishing both you and your brother strength, peace and love as you weather through this difficult healing process.

happy slow sunday stitching.
:-)
libbyQ

Sarah said...

It sounds like your brother is having a tough time! But glad you got a chance to have some fun at a quilt show. Love the way they have been displayed. Certainly couldn't do that in the uk the weather is so unpredictable except at the moment we have a heat wave here!

And as for the queen, you made me laugh!

Deb A said...

The little heart is perfect. Sounds like you needed that little bit of cheering. Glad the quilt shop perked you up. Being a care giver is a tough job but he is lucky to have you and your family there right now. Hoping he is able to breathe a little easier this week.

Teresa in Music City said...

Continuing to lift up you and your brother Kathy! I got a little taste of trying to deal with hospitals this past week, so my heart goes out to you both!!!

Loved the mini-quilt show, especially the picture of you and your sister peeking out from behind the quilts - too cute!!!

Barb said...

Hi
thanks for your recent visit and comment, it lead me back to you and your recent post really touched my heart. I've been on care-giver point duty many times and understand where are you are there.
I'm so glad you found some fun with your sister.
And to meet the queen - over the top fun!
xx
take care of yourself and don't loose your sense of humor - loved your pizza presentation!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Glad you got some quilty stress relief. You've earned it. Hope this week goes better for all of you.

Janet O. said...

Bless that brother of yours for all he has endured! And bless you for all you do to support and encourage him. I'm glad you got to get out and refill your bucket. Looks like a very fun place! And meeting the Queen--what a red letter day!!! : )

pcflamingo said...

Speaking as the former primary caregiver for my late husband - those quick getaways are important energy-boosters for the caregivers! Kudos to your friends for taking you out to recharge your batteries! Bless you for all you do for your brother.

Jean said...

Sorry to hear that your brother is doing poorly. Praying for your family that it gets better soon. Looks like a wonderful quilt show too!

Kate said...

I hope all the hospital visits are starting to pay off for your brother.

It's good you got a chance to de-stress a bit too. Looks like a very fun quilt show.