A bloody hic-up

I have had my post op. follow up and my wound has bled. Not fresh blood, and although DH and I had noticed blood on the dressing on Tuesday morning, the stain had grown by Wednesday morning, but all contained by the dressing; however in the afternoon when the nurse helped me take off my cardi and blouse it had bled a lot more. Dh and I hadn't seen this because my cardi is navy. The consultant was concerned,  so I have been given an out of clinic appointment next week, isn't that amazing, junior Drs striking and the consultant willing to see me in his lunch hour! This appointment is prior to the probability of admission to hospital to release the large blood clot behind the healed wound. This is not the sort of clot in veins but a haematoma, a bruise in the tissues. I might have to stay in over night and if I do I will be prepared this time,  because when I had my op. I had no food for 40 hours!! So this time I will have biscuits with me!! Not the news I wanted but I appreciate that all is being done for me.

I did however have a weepy moment last  night trying to get comfortable in bed with three pillows behind me and two under my arm which helps to reduce the pain. I still have to sleep sitting up. Lovely DH has soaked and washed my blouse and cardi twice and the stains have gone. I came home in a hospital gown under my jacket!!

Although things are not perfect,  I still feel I have many blessings from friends, my house is filled with cards and flowers.

XX

 

 

Laughter heals

I chatted to an old school friend Terri yesterday  we had such  a laugh.  She and I were boarders together at school. She had sent me a card which was a painting she had done herself and had professionally printed so I phoned her. And we laughed and laughed. We went to local dances together in our teens and I reminded her of her orange coloured PVC jacket she always wore, that crackled as she walked and had that plastic scent,  so I used to say to her that you could smell her before you saw her! She is still a drama queen, just how she was when we were 15!
It was like we were young again talking to her. All those times remembered when 4 of us in our dorm eating biscuits and whispering after lights out, we thought it was so daring and naughty! NO, not 4 only 3 of us,  Michelle Donovan wouldn't as it was against the rules! How did I just remember that? Such lovely times remembering, we used to swoon reading Keats poetry and we said we would only marry someone  who was a romantic like him. What went wrong?  And also I had flowers from my friend Jenny in Australia! It was such a wonderful surprise, I had beautiful flowers from my two step daughters too.
I have had so many messages and phone calls, I have even had mails from my friends on holiday in Spain and a young couple I know from Church who are missionaries in Laos!!
It made me feel better and the pain is less except when I try to get out of bed, my body gets out but my arm stays behind! Ouch!!
But another day nearer to getting better.
Thank you for all your good wishes, I am blessed with wonderful friends.

XX

At last!!

On Thursday 10th March I went into hospital at 7:00am! At 12MD I went to theatre and had this pesky arm operated on. It was successful, I can move my hand and fingers so I am on the way to being able to use both arms sometime in a few months time. It has been eleven months since I broke it.
It is very painful and the right side of my chest is very tender but it will all be worth it. I was only in hospital two days and it was ok. Some very dedicated nurses with a lot of patience. There were some moments which I was dreading, eg.  going to the loo. I had to use a commode which was ok but I needed help, how do you wipe yourself after a wee when one arm is in brace and the other connected to drip, so I had my 'tuttsie' dried by a nurse. I haven't ever had that before!! Home now with my lovely DH looking after me. I won't be going out for a week or two, I need to take things gently for a while.
But I'm ok I survived the op.  A big thank you to the surgeon, Mr Ravi Ray who worked with a Nurse that he had worked with for several years helping, as the junior Drs were on strike. I am very grateful to him and of course to all my Christian friends who have prayed constantly for me, thank you to everyone else as well.
I am  very blessed with amazing friends..

XX

Happy memories

St David's Day today, hence the daffodils.

These are in a shaded part of my garden so not quite fully open, although fifteen years ago there wouldn't have even been green growth above the ground. How the weather has changed over the years. Gardeners know the world is heating up, plants are flowering so much earlier.
As a child, in Wales on St David's day, I went to school in the Welsh National dress with my tall black hat held on by the elastic under my chin and a daffodil pinned to my shawl.
Although,  I was very aware that we didn't have a lot of money. I wore nice clothes,  but many were second hand as my auntie's friend worked for a Dr and so I had clothes from his daughter. And one thing I hated I was always bought Birthday sandals, not Clarks. They lasted me two summers because the second year, I wore them with the toes cut out!! Our meals were supplemented with a lot of vegetables as we had an allotment until my grandfather died when I was 8. My auntie kept it going for a year or two after he died,  just to harvest the veg, I think. I can remember being wheeled to it in the wheel barrow and sunny days playing in the dirt by the water butt, making mud pies. I doubt children have these experiences these days but I loved days on the allotment, especially with my grand dad. We had jam sandwiches and cold tea in jam jars midday.  Such happy memories, years and years and years ago!
Any Welsh ladies reading this...... hapus dydd dewi sant!

XX

These children are amazing

https://www.facebook.com/daniel.atagana/videos/10153310823872932/

So worth watching..

Enjoy and rejoice!!

Christine xx

Should I spend so much time thinking about food???

Some clever person said if you are always thinking about food you have a problem! Well I must have a problem, but I would argue it's a good problem because it means I think about what I eat.

I am always battling with my weight, ever since January 1988 when I was first diagnosed with an under active thyroid.

I gained a lot of weight but thought once my thyroxin dose was sorted I would lose weight, not so... ever pound I have lost, I have fought for! 

 

This was my lunch today followed by a yogurt and a fresh very delicious pear. The beetroot was from our veg. patch which have lasted through the mild winter. I also had a slice of wholemeal bread toasted. So for each meal I am having 3/4 of the plate filled with greens, either salad or veg. I shall keep everyone posted, even if I fail!
So anyone else with a plan to lose weight, any tips would be gratefully received or do you have a sure fired way to lose those extra pounds?

XX

A ta-da moment and a wip

This knitted shawl is finished and I have used it while sitting in bed reading. Perhaps I could have knitted it bigger but at the widest part I had over 350 stitches, which was too heavy for my arm. Disappointingly the colours  don't really show here. I am going to knit a pair of bed socks to go with it.

 And here is, 'La foret Enchantee Printemps' by Tralala. It's the chart gifted to me by Ingrid. So I am stitching but oh so slowly!

I think I will make the effort and finish this before I start that lovely Sunflower Inn.
Hope like us, you're having some bright sunny February days, although cold, so much nicer than those damp dreary days.. come on spring we're ready for you.
Happy stitching.

xx

Friends are so lovely

When some one sends you these you have to get stitching.

  I love love them.. I have a large sunflower picture, from my #1 DS in my kitchen and a sunflower teapot and plate from my DD.

And this would look lovely in my conservatory on the wall opposite to where I sit so I can be reminded daily of how blessed I am.
Thank you Sue of As if by Magic..
When I sent my Christmas cards this last Christmas, I popped in a typed note to say sorry no letter this year, because I had broken my arm and I have had wonderful note lets back wishing me well. It is so good to have friends.
And a big thank you to all my blogger friends too, it is wonderful to know people are thinking of me.
Very, very happy days!

xx

A prayer from WENDY BLIGHT

Lord, I don’t know who or what will cross my path today. But I do know that You  are my Rock and my Fortress. You are my Shield and my Strong Tower.

Help me to anchor myself to You today. Teach me how to stand strong in You and  choose only Your way today. Help me walk by Your Truth and not my feelings.

Help me to embrace anything that comes my way as an opportunity to see You

at work and as an opportunity to point others to You.

Thank You that You love me and nothing can ever take that away from me! Even if I fail today and fall short, You whisper Your unconditional love deep into my soul and remind me that Your mercies are new every morning.

That is truly amazing, Lord.
Thank You for meeting with me today and wake me again tomorrow with the
same sweet whisper of Your love. I can’t wait to meet with You again. I ask all
this in the powerful and majestic Name of Your Son, Jesus! Amen.

You, sweet friend, are now armed and ready, feet

grounded firm upon the Rock, to start your new day.

From my heart to yours, 
Wendy Blight
 

If you receive a daily post from Proverbs 31 you will know of Wendy, an amazing Christian. This daily post from the team of Proverbs 31 keep reminding me that hope is always there.. and I thank them daily.

Chris xx
 

I still have a useless arm but still trying to do crafty work.

I have had my hospital appointment to check how my arm is after the 3 months ultra-sound treatment and my bone still hasn't healed! I am very down about it. I will now have to have surgery, which I am not looking forward to, in fact I am terrified of going in and having a general aesthetic. The date has been fixed on March 10th; while it's nice to have a date, it is another 6 weeks to have this useless arm. So I am full of dread.. but I am keeping myself busy. I should be trying to lose weight, but my resolve seems to have gone out of the window, so not good.
Anyone any tips how to get back on the slimming wagon???
But look what I've done and while my hands are busy they can't put food in my mouth!!LOL

These mitred squares have grown, but I then wondered what would I do with them? I am going to knit some now and then,  as they are nice to do and I like them!

And I have done some stitching too, so this is growing but only slowly.......

....... because I started this knitted shawl in this beautiful variegated pastel coloured yarn.

It's to wear in bed over my shoulders when I am reading!

Yes I am old enough to want some sort of shawl/ jacket in bed!!

 

There are some wonderful signs that spring is on its way, so isn't that wonderful!

Happy days

XX