Notes from the Patch

Where Women Create

         

Where Women Create is one of my very favorite magazines so you can imagine how excited I was to learn that I could carry it in my store! This quarterly magazine is published by Stampington & Co. and features the studios of extraordinary women in all media who surround themselves with visually stimulating inspiration and unique organizational systems. Through this magazine we get a behind the scenes glimpse into their lives and to see what drives them to create.

You've seen where I create and although I'd love a studio worthy of a featured article I think you will agree I shouldn't be hold'n my breath!

Where Women Create is one of those magazines that you will want to keep and go to for inspiration again and again. Don't miss this exciting issue!

Encourage one another,

Results, show and tell, what I've learned and $10 off your next sewing machine service

Today's pathology reports:

Bill and I saw Dr W this morning to get my pathology reports and to have my stint removed. The cancerous tumor that was removed last week was stage two, which means that no further treatment is necessary.

Praise God.

I will have a scope in three months to make sure the tumor hasn't reoccurred and continue to be diligent with follow up checks for the rest of my life.

I'm so thankful!

This whole stint thing has fascinated Bill (Did you know he always wanted to be a doctor?) So after Dr W removed it, Bill asked if he could see what it looked like. I about fainted when I saw how big it was.  Bill asked if he could have it. Euuwww

So if you run into my sweet husband in the next day or so, don't be surprised if he doesn't whip that baby out of his pocket to show you! Actually you might want to avoid him all together for a week or so just to be safe.

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Here's what I learned over the last ten days:

1. Get regular check-ups and don't ignore troublesome signs that something might be wrong. I had off and on symptoms for more than two years and feel really blessed that it wasn't worse. Ignoring problems will not make them go away. Ignoring problems can cost you your life!

2. There are so many wonderful people in this world that love, support and care for one another and I am blessed to have so many in my life.

3. Sharing with one another brings us closer.

4. God is good and He answers our prayers.

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Now can we talk about your sewing machine?

Has it been more than a year since it's had a check-up? Good yearly maintenance will preserve the life of your machine and save you money and down time in the long run. Although I can't make you go to the doctor I can entice you to bring your sewing machine in for a check up by offering you $10 off your next regular service for the month of August. I just want you to know that I care about your health and the health of your sewing machine.

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I promise not to turn this blog into The  Cancer Chronicles. Although I'm sure I'll share good news as I have my follow up checks I promise to return Notes from the Patch to it's normal subject matter, pretty pictures and scrumptious  fabrics.

Thank you for your love and support. I'm going to be just fine!

Encourage one another,

  

Timing

When we arrived at the hospital last Friday morning the first thing we were told was that Dr W was running late. Although we needed to be there at 7:15 and surgery wasn't scheduled until 9:30 the nurses continued to apologize that Dr W was still doing surgery at another hospital.

I didn't want my surgery to be late.

By 8:00 they wheeled me into pre-op and by 8:15 Dr. W came in to talk to us. At 8:20 they wheeled Dr W's first patient into surgery for what he said should be a 20 to 30 minute surgery. I would be next. I asked Bill to open the curtains so I could see the clock hanging just outside my bed.

I didn't want to go to surgery early; I needed to go at 9:30 because that's the time I had asked you to pray for me and for my sweet husband who was not doing well at all.

At exactly 9:30 my nurse Sue came to get me. I kissed Bill goodbye and saw the look on Sue's face as she pushed me into the operating room. "He's not doing so well, is he", she said with a slight Scottish brogue.

"No", I replied.

It was 9:30 and we could definitely feel your prayers. Here's what Bill wrote later that afternoon on my blog.

At that moment I suddenly remembered all of our friends and business associates that were praying and supporting us and a sudden calm came over me as if God was saying,  "I've got her, don't worry,  I will take it from here!"

Thank you dear friends for your faithful prayers and for supporting us both though this difficult time.

They say once you've had cancer your life will be forever changed. I know that's true, but what they don't say is that your life will be forever changed for the better. Mine has.

Encourage on another,

 

Making memories

As promised...

Some happy fabric news.

We all have people in our lives who make us feel better just by being with them. For me Jill Ramey is that person. Bubbly. Fun. Talented. If she comes to your party you know everyone will have fun. So when Jill agreed to teach a couple of classes at Strawberry Patches I knew we were all in for a treat.

Jill says when you sew with friends you are making memories.

Won't you join us?

  

Zingg family updates

Many of you have asked how Nathan is doing and I wanted to share with you our DIL's latest report. Nathan had a good night last night after his fever broke. When the respiratory therapist came in to do treatments on him this morning she said he didn't need them! He needs to be fever free for 24 hours before they will discharge him so hopefully tomorrow he'll get to go home. Jake was there visiting his brother when I talked to them and I'm sure having his best friend there for a visit lifted his spirits.

I continue to feel better by the hour. Thursday I get my stint out and find out the results of the pathology reports. I'll be working tomorrow for a while and have some fun fabric related news to blog about. (You are gonna love what I have to show you!)

Bill is out back hosing down the boat and blowing off the deck. For those that know him, I need say no more.

I just want to thank all my prayer warriors who have lifted our family up and wrapped their loving arms around us. I will never be able to express to you what your love and caring means to us.

Encourage one another,

   

On the mend

Benjamin Franklin once said, "Fish and company begin to smell after three days". I think Bill might like to revise that to, "Fish, company and patients begin to smell after three days".

Poor guy. He's been waiting on me hand and foot. Cooking, cleaning, medicating, schlepping, blogging.

I think he's done.

I had a rough night last night and this morning we are both tired.

I do think I've turned the proverbial corner though and feel really pretty good today.

Now I just need to give my sweet nurse some TLC.

Encourage one another,

 

Prayers for Nathan

Bill and I received word this morning that our youngest grandson, Nathan was taken by ambulance to Stanford's Childrens Hospital for pneumonia. He is expected to be there at least two more nights.

Please join us in praying for his speedy recovery.

Encourage one another,

Thought for the week #39

        Encourage one another,

              

The Longest Day

Dick Butkus, Jim Brown, Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, would never have a chance going against this tough, but lovely lady on the field of battle!  Well, she is just as tough facing an adversary like cancer.  On the way to the hospital this morning she tried her best not to appear nervous, but after forty one years of living with her I could tell she was very apprehensive. She doesn't like to show vulnerability, a trait she got directly from her mother.  Her Mother never went to the doctor or took pills of any kind and it was always a chore just to get her to take a vitamin or an aspirin.

I was really worried that her anesthesia would keep her asleep for weeks.  She usually sleeps for one or two days with just one sea sick pill!.  On one fishing trip to Mexico I gave her a whole Bonine on Friday before we went out for Tuna and the following Sunday she asked when we were going out fishing!

Seriously, most doctors in any specialty would love to have her as a patient, and I hate to say this, but I know many men would love to have her for a wife.  She has made a life long commitment to keeping herself in shape and healthy.  This cancer scare made us both realize how fragile good health can be and how something like this can happen to anyone at any time.  The fact that she was in such wonderful condition is a very positive factor in her smooth recovery.  Well, all you docs and wandering men, eat your hearts out because I have been lucky enough to have her for forty one years, and I plan to keep her for many more.

A few years ago when our Grandson Nathan had to have open heart surgery I remember the feeling we all had when the doctor took him in his arms and carried him into the surgical suite.  I didn't think I would ever have another feeling like that until they took Suzanne away from  me this morning.  At that moment I suddenly remembered all of our friends and business associates that were praying and supporting us and a sudden calm came over me as if God was saying,  "I've got her, don't worry,  I will take it from here!"

I spoke with the doctor right after surgery and he felt very good about the outcome of this endeavor.  We won't know anything for sure until next week, but he felt confident that the outcome will be good.

I want to thank all of our friends and family for supporting us through this difficult time. Thank you all, I will never forget today!

                                  Bill

Just wanted to say "hello"

In high school they called me stuck up. I remember asking a friend once why people thought that of me and her reply was, "Because you never smile or say hi to the other students". I told her I never thought anyone cared if I smiled or said hello, never thought people noticed me, thought about me or cared about me one way or the other.

I can honestly say I don't feel that way any more.

Boy, just get cancer and you'll find out how many people do care. I'm overwhelmed with the out pouring of love, good wishes and prayers Bill and I have received over the past week. If there is an up side to all of this (and I sincerely believe there are many) one of them would be that it shows us how many good people there are out there that really care for one another.

We are comforted to know that you care and that you are praying for us. We can feel your love and it makes this journey so much easier.

Encourage one another,

  Suzanne

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                                        Update

My surgery is scheduled for 9:30 Friday morning and I'm hoping to have the help of a guest blogger tomorrow to update you on how I'm doing. My thought was that I'd be blogging, but then I thought it might not be totally intelligible (you know, me being totally loopy and all). So if I can talk Bill through the process  he with help me with the update. He's already asked me if he can take pictures. Oh no. I think we may have a budding bloggette on our hands! lol