Monday, May 11, 2015

HOME AGAIN WED.

It has been almost 5 months since I last posted and what a 5 months it has been.  First we flew home for Christmas to be with Sue when she had her surgery.  We were able to spend Christmas with the 2 families and our 6 grandkids.  The Mon. after Christmas Sue had her surgery and I was so glad we decided to go up.  She had a very bad surgery - much more intensive and invasive  then her colon surgeon had anticipated. As he said, you never know what you are going to find until you get in there.  He found a massive tumor which had invaded her colon and bowel and it all had to be removed.  The one good thing is there was no cancer.  She was in a lot of pain that they could not control well and both Jon and I took turns being with her until the weekend after when she went home on the Sunday.

The horrible thing was Jon's Father Phil had a massive heart attack on the Fri. morning (the day after New Years) just as I arrived at the hospital they had called Jon and he left immediately.  His Father passed away before he got there.  Phil was cremated and Ann had a Memorial Service for him the following Mon.  Sue could not attend because she could not get around.  She did put together a wonderful family eulogy that a good friend of the family read.  We were all there and there were more people then I have ever seen at a funeral.  They invited all back to dinner at a nearby restaurant who could make it and I believe there were around 120 there plus all the ones who did not stay for that.  In the midst of this there was a raging snow storm and I wondered if we were all going to make it back to our homes.   It is usually about an hour drive from  St. Charles to our house.  Took us about 2 hrs. going 20 miles per h r.

  We stayed in Chicago a couple of weeks then back to Florida.  Sue had to go in for reconstructive surgery 6 weeks after and we did not go up for that.  She has healed well and we are so thankful.
Jon had a business dinner in Hawaii and they decided to take all 3 boys (school breaks all co-operated) and they had a great time.

I continued to have some health problems with my shoulders, neck and a persistent migraine type headache that played hell with me off and on for months that meds could not take away.. Some days I could hardly move my head. We took x-rays and finally an MRI and found that  I have 3 degenerative disks in my neck at C3 to C6.  They sent me to a pain management Dr. and he has started a series of epidural cervical shots.  I have had 2 - 2 weeks apart and my 3rd. is tomorrow morning.  This is why we are still in Florida.  They have really helped and I am feeling like my old self for the first time since last year.  Until then I did not feel like blogging, talking on the phone, etc.
I am also on muscle relaxants  3 times a day.  Will see what happens when I go off them.

I did continue working on my hexagons when I could and finally finished last week.  They were such fun to work with I hated to see them end.  I actually made more then I needed for a wall hanging and I will have to find something to do with them.  I have one idea that may work.  If I can remember how to post pics I will do so.









It was such fun working with colors like orange, lime green, hot pick, etc.  Have no idea where this will hang but someday maybe one of the grands would like it for an apt.

Thank you for being my friends and inquiring about my health as some of you had wondered where I was.  Well FredaB is back and I am also on Facebook.

7 comments:

Magpie's Mumblings said...

You have been on my mind so much over the past while, so I was really happy to see this post and to know that you are okay. I'm so sorry your daughter has had to cope with so much - that has to have been such a worry for you. Happy to hear that at least you have a diagnosis of what has been causing all your pain - at least now something can be done about it. It's so much harder to deal with when you don't know the cause. Take care of you...much hugs (gentle ones!).

Cathy said...

I'm glad to hear you are doing well (and Susan too). I wondered why you were so quiet! What a beautiful he I've quilt!! Your talent knows no bounds! Hugs, Cat

Pamela Kellogg said...

OMG Freda! That is gorgeous!

It sounds like you've had your share of challenges lately but you made it through and created such a beautiful quilt!

I will email you shortly!

Hugs, Pam

Gina E. said...

Freda, so glad to see you back here, but sorry to hear you have been to hell and back with your family's health as well as your own!
The quilt is simply exquisite, I don't know how you managed to create such a beautiful thing while under such stress! I tend to lose my mojo altogether when I'm stressed, as I have been a lot this year, but nowhere near as much as you!

Carol in Clermont said...

Surely missed you this winter but can see how busy you've been! You don't need so many adventures! Happy travels and "talk" when you return! Hugs, Carol

Jillayne said...

So much news - I am so glad your daughter's tumor wasn't cancer... the surgery sounds like it was hard enough as it is, without the added worry of that. I hope she is recovering well...
Your trip to Ireland sounds wonderful - how interesting that your father's house turned out to be so close to your hotel. It is a wonderful thing to be able to walk in a loved one's footsteps, after many years, and many miles. Safe travels... hugs, Jillayne

Maggi said...

Not sure how I missed this but they look so jewel-like