I've Been Quiet!

 I have been quilting but we will save that for another day.

Today, I had my 5th Bladder Cancer surgery.  It went well and I should find out the pathology in a couple of weeks.  For now, I'm tired.  I will try and post in a couple of days and show some quilts.

Hugs, Cathy

Good News

Monday, I went to my doctor's office for a three-month checkup to see how my body is recovering from the Covid Pneumonia.  I've been off oxygen for a month.  My doctor said I don't need it anymore.  I'm so happy.  I went from needing 15 liters to not needing oxygen at all.  Today I got the results of my mammogram.    All's good.  It was in normal parameters.  

Now for some quilty news.

I showed you the center block last time.  The blocks are now sewn together.  I just need to add the border.  I'm adding a 3" black border and then this top will be completed.  I will post a better photo once the borders are sewn on.

This is the first block for the Quilting Life BOM.

Here are the first three blocks for the Riley Blake Block Challenge.  I have the fabrics pulled for the 4th block and will get it sewn today.

Last month I finished the blocks for 5 UFO's.  Some going back as far as 7 years.  My goal is to get at least one sewn into a top and machine quilted.

I will leave you with a photo of my dog Sammie.  She's not sure if she likes her hair cut or not.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Baby it's COLD outside

 It has been a very cold winter so far.  I don't go outside unless I have to.

And I had to go out 3 times this week.  Tuesday, I went to see my oncologist for a checkup and breast exam.  The next morning, I had my one-year checkup after my breast cancer with the surgeon's office.  The next day I had my mammogram.  I was supposed to have gotten it in November, but I had just gotten out of the hospital and was exhausted.

Healthwise, I am doing much better.  I am basically off the oxygen.  I did need to use it one night because I had overdone it.  I need to remember that even though I am feeling so much better, I still need to take it slowly.

I've been doing some sewing.  I haven't started any new projects; I've been trying to finish up projects from last year.

First is Midnight Garden BOM from Fig Trees.

This is the center block.  It measures 17" finished.  Since I was sick my hands shake and it's hard to do hand applique.  This block is fused applique. I will finish it with machine buttonhole.

I finally finished all the blocks for my Piece and Quilt Sampler quilt.

These blocks are now ready to go downstairs to be put on the design wall to complete the quilt top. 

Tomorrow, I start finishing the blocks for my Quilting Life 2024 BOM.  I have 3 blocks to finish.  Then I can start on the 2025 BOM.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay safe and stay warm.

Hugs, Cathy

Good Start

 Good start to a New Year.

I'm done with PT, OT and visiting Nurse.   For the first time in 4 months I haven't had to use oxygen for 24 hours and counting.  I am thrilled.  

I have been spending more time in my sewing room.  And I actually have a few photos.

1.  Made by Hand Samplemaker block 8.  This was finished just before I went in the hospital.  It looks as off kilter as I felt.  This is from the 2023 BOM.

2.  Bringing Home the Tree.  I need to make one more block and then I can put the top together.  After 3 years I may finally get this quilt finished.

3.  Piece and Quilt BOM.  I was up to date on the quilt until I got sick at the end of September.   This week I finished the October blocks.  This is one of the October blocks and it is called Arizona.

The photos are a little blurry.  I got a new camera and I'm having a hard time keeping steady.  It doesn't help that my hands are shaking a bit since I was sick.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day.

Hugs, Cathy

Checking In

 It's been a while since I posted.  I must say this wasn't the best year.  As stated before I had breast cancer in January.  This was followed by radiation therapy.  Then I had cataract surgery on both eyes.  I went for a 3 month checkup and cystoscopy in May and they found the bladder cancer was back.  I had surgery again and this was followed up by 6 treatments.  These were done in August.  After the 5th treatment I started to feel like I was coming down with something.  I had my last treatment on the 25th of September.  I still wasn't feeling well.  On September 30 I went to the doctors.  She sent me to the ER.  She had a team waiting for me and I was admitted to the hospital.

Turns out that I had a very bad case of Covid pneumonia.  I was put on all kinds of medication and 15 liters of oxygen.  I spent 2 1/2 weeks in the hospital.  I was then sent to a long-term medical facility.  I ended up there for an additional 2 1/2 weeks.  I celebrated my 75th birthday there.  I was sent home with oxygen.  I was at 3 liters.  I have PT and OT coming to the house every week.  I am now down to 1 liter and am turning off the oxygen for an hour a couple times a day.  

Needless to say I am very weak.  But I am feeling so much better.  

However, I have not been in my sewing room for 2 months.  I miss it so much.  I'm hoping I might be able to prep some applique but not sure when.

I went to my urologist for a check-up after my treatments and had a cystoscopy and my bladder was clear.  No CANCER. This is the best news I've had in a while. In December I have to have maintenance treatments.  3 in all.

Thanks for listening to tale of woe.  I'm doing better every day and hope to have something quilty to show you soon.

Hugs to all,

Cathy

New Projects

Before I show you new projects, I'll give you a health update.  I've had my second cataract surgery.  There was a bit of a problem when they inserted the lens.  Everything looks good they are just going to have to check it every 6 months for a while.  I start radiation on March 4.  I will have 18 sessions.  I saw my Urologist for my three month check-up and was clear of cancer.  However, I have to do 3 sessions of maintenance chemo.  That will have to wait till after radiation.  

Now for some photos.

I decided to start a new BOM.  It is "A Quilting Life 2024 BOM".  This is Block 1.  I'm using some Fig Tree fabric leftover from different projects.

This is Block 2.  The block directions are posted on the 5th of the month.

A few years ago I purchased a BOM pattern from Simpson and Minnick called "Portage Lake".  I finally decided to work on it.

This is Month 1.

I also joined a group on Facebook called "Made and Found".  Here a couple of the blocks I have made so far.

There are 3 blocks so far.  I thought I had taken a photo of the second block but I guess I didn't.  I will get a photo of it for next time.

One last project to share.  Fig Tree Quilts BOM Midnight Mystery.  I only have photos of this last month.

I really love the fabrics used.  

That's it for now.  I will try and post again sooner.  Both treatments I will be going through tire me out.  Thanks so much for stopping by

Hugs, Cathy

More Surgery

I had cataract surgery on January 24.  This was scheduled before I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I was a nervous wreck.  I was amazed at how quick the actual surgery was.  It was the 3 hours I had to wait before surgery....lol.  My vision in my right eye is so much better.  I can't wait to get the surgery on my left eye which will be later this month.

Next week I go to the oncologist and the radiologist.  I was told I should only need to take oral medication and not have to go through chemo.  I was told that I had to have 15 to 20 radiation sessions.  

I was going to take some photos of current projects but discovered my camera does not work.  Amazon to the rescue.  A new camera comes today.  So I thought I would show you some past projects.

This is one of two skull quilts I made for my granddaughter and her partner.

This is the second quilt.  I showed part of this quilt in an earlier post.  These quilts went together quickly and made with Jelly Rolls.

This is a little quilt I made for my daughter Kelley for Christmas.

That's it for now.  As soon as I get my new camera I'll get some photos of current projects.  

Hugs, Cathy