It's a top!
Pastel Strings
40 x 60
Strings was the April theme in my sewing space to move UFOs and scraps forward. I didn't get very far because that month I called the ambulance for hubby John and he ended up an hour away in MICU and Respiratory unit for a week. And the reason he got aspiration pneumonia that put him in he hospital is because he has a fractured jaw and jaw bone infection. And since he can't swallow a lot of infection and blood built up and tried to go down his throat but couldn't so instead went to his lungs. The infection also tried to get out of his jaw and made a little hole under his jaw so gunk could ooze out. Reason he can't swallow and has fractured jaw is because long ago when he had oropharyngeal cancer he had radiation and all these years later the side effects of radiation are still taking a toll on him.
I made a few string tops in April but still have quite a few that need attention. Since the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) "color" of the month is pastels I thought I would sort out all the pastel strings for a little top.
And sew on...
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And now for the "Week in Review" part of this post...
June 12 - we made a trip an hour away to the University of Iowa (UOI) hospital and clinics for a presurgical evaluaion and ENT appointment. John was hoping for a free flap restoration of his right jaw like he had on his left jaw in 2016. At that time they took his fibular and blood vessels and made it into a jaw bone. This time they had told us they might take a bone from his arm to reconstruct his right jaw. John's goals were to get rid of infection in jaw and keep it from coming back, fix jaw fracture so he was not in pain. The jaw bone fractured because it is necrotic from long ago radiation. After much discussion it was decided that they would remove the bone but not rebuild it so he would have a "hang jaw". He doesn't need jaw to eat since he will always have G-tube so doesn't really need it. He will still be able to talk. The surgery will be easier on him as will be recovery. He was agreeable with all of that. Of course they placed a lot of emphasis on "quality of life over quantity of life". No date has been set yet for the surgery.
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June 10 - 16 - A lot of John's family were in town for a family reunion/camp out at the county park down the road. I took John over to the park several days for a few hours so he could visit with everyone. Thankfully the weather was beautiful most of the time. John(1st generation) is the oldest of 8 children. 3 are now deceased. He and his siblings and spouses had 25 children (second generation). Those 25 children (second generation) are still having children. I think the oldest of that generation is 54 and the youngest is probably 3. And we now have Scarlet who will be two in a month or so and the first of her generation. We took family photos on Saturday and 47 showed up that day although a lot of families came and went at various times so were not in the photo. A lot of the second generation and their families did not attend. They are all scattered across the U.S. from Oregon to Texas to Arizona to Missouri to Florida and probably other parts unkown.
A small fraction of the family.
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June 17 - I took John to UOI for Mohs surgery on the squamous cell carcinoma on his nose. Appointment was for 9 o'clock and they did not finish with him until 4 o'clock. It was an hour drive and in the morning I had to drive right into high winds and heavy rain. Thankfully I was on an interstate; however, at one point I drove with my hazard lights on at 35 miles per hour. And thankfully it was sunny and clear when I drove home. John's nose is so bandaged up that he can't wear his glasses for a few days. Sunday afternoon we take off that bandage and then I start wound care and thankfully for his follow up appointment on Wednesday I just need to take a few photos of his nose and add to his chart, they will review them and then follow up with a phone call.
Poor guy.
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Also this week the storms took down some trees I need to have my son help me clean up. And this morning I saw a raccoon on the garage roof I chased away. I think it has been sneaking into my garage. And I read four books. So more on all those things and the state of the gardens later.
16 comments:
it is hard to get everyone together for a family photo when it involves so many people, I remember two years ago trying to figure out how many there were of our large family (my side) and it was almost next to impossible that we would all be able to get together. Good luck on John's recovery - it looks painful
What a great Labath family photo! (Are you sitting next to him? Or do I recognize you on the far right?) I hope all the medical care works out okay. Those are long drives for your both. Hugs!
With a large family there is a wide span of ages in each generation. It's nice that the reunion is close enough to join in a few times. John has been through so much. I hope this current surgery heals well and that the jaw surgery will be a success.
I luv the pastel string quilt! I never have enough pastels for the makings of a quilt & now I need to fix thatš¤£
How lovely that you were able to visit with so many family members. Juggling hospital visits is never easy. I hope that John continues to recover. The pastel strings are so beautiful! Glad that you were able to find some time with fabric between visits to the hospital.
My husband is the oldest of eight children, and we are very scattered; living all over the country. All of us are making efforts to see each other more often. My favorite part of it is watching the cousins. They have a GREAT time!
Glad to see you had such a big family gathering! I hope John’s surgery helps his jaw pain. My husband had Mohs surgery recently too but on top of his head.
Your pastel string quilt is pretty and has a soft vintage look. Good job!!! What an awesome turnout for the family reunion. Your husband has gone through so much already. One of my best friends moved to Marion IA about 10 years ago to be closer to UOI for her husband. He has a rare type of cancer and his specialist was at UOI - and he is still doing well, far exceeding his original diagnosis. Such excellent medical teams there.
How wonderful you were able to take John over to the family reunion several times. My heart goes out to out to you and John as you deal with his extensive medical problems.
Beautiful pastel strings, Cathy! They make me smile. So glad you were able to take John to see his family at the reunion - those are special times. Hope all goes well with the wound care and upcoming procedures. Your quilty village is pulling for both of you!
Big families are such a blessing. Lovely photo of all of you who were present. It's hard to gather such a big "herd" for a group photo but I'm sure you snapped some individual ones too. Poor John! I hope things will brighten up for him real soon. Sending more prayers. Love your pastel strings top. So quiet and peaceful; perfect for a restful nap. Enjoy! ;^)
Good for you to attend the family get togethers. . .that is an activity that is fading. We too went to the annual family picnic. Now, the younger generation is scattered and/or too busy. I hope John's wound heals well. Poor guy is right! Love your pastel string flimsy!
I hope your hubby will be feeling better soon and that future treatment and recovery will be smooth. I bet the family reunion was a really special time for both of you. Your pastel string top is lovely. Pastels seem perfect for that kind of quilt.
So sorry for everything you & John are going through! May the both of you get some relief soon š - Beth in AL
Wow!! What a huge family! so glad you were able to spend time with them. The pastel quilt is so pretty .
John is pretty tough - that is a lot of stuff going on for him. Praying he heals fast. and for you <3
The family reunion was a once in a lifetime event and so pleased you were able to take john over. So sorry to read of the latest surgery and a little more of the history, sending prayers that all goes well for John and yourself
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