WOYWW 316–Brainless Knitting and Angel Abuse

Not a lot going on chez-Shosh this week because my second round of chemo has completely flattened me – I started to feel poorly while the stuff was still going in, and although a lot of the side effects are now better than they were, I am still feeling profoundly exhausted and have hardly stirred off the recliner for the past week and a half. I was warned by my oncologist that round 2 would be worse, but I am hoping that my body will have acclimatised to the chemo by round 3 and that that treatment won’t affect me so badly.

While undergoing the second treatment, I started knitting a scarf, but unravelled it because my circular needle was too long, and to fill it, the scarf would have been far too wide, with too many stitches, and using too much yarn, so I ordered a nice little short one off Ebay and restarted the project. This is what I call brainless knitting – it can be done without a pattern and with very little concentration. I had a rummage in my wools scrap boxes and selected some nice bright-ish colours and have been working in random stripes, each separated by two rows of black, which give some coherence to the design. This is how much I’ve done so far:

Depending on how many of these scarves I can make in the next five or six months, they will also be added to my box of goodies to hand out to my fellow chemo-ites. I am planning on making some nice brownish ones for the men, and each one will have different types of fringing and tassels on the ends. Working in the round means there’s no making up to do except sewing across the open ends.

After my gifts of small lavender sachets in boxes, I have been thinking a lot about making a collection of mixed media angel art dolls to give away next time. I certainly wasn’t planning on putting pressure on myself to complete them in 3 weeks and as it happened, I have barely started because of feeling so poorly.

While resting on the recliner, I’ve been spending a lot of time trawling Pinterest and making a nice collection of art doll pictures. I decided to use the few rather short pipe cleaners I had, and made an armature (sorry, I didn’t photograph this) and used it as a base for needle felting in white, producing what looks like a little white stick figure, about 5 1/2 inches tall, who although devoid of all features, seems to have a character all his own! He was all a bit fluffy looking when I’d finished, so I wet-felted him as well, and the final step was to throw him violently into the sink to accelerate the felting process, which reduced the poor little figure into a screwed up heap that looked as if he had been mugged!

Angel Abuse.

Here he is, hanging on for dear life, onto my bathroom heated towel rail, being dried. I defined his neck by wrapping a narrow elastic band tightly around it. More Angel Abuse. Not only mugged, but strangled as well.

He lends himself to being bent into many different positions. He doesn’t look too much the worse for his traumatic experiences.

He has no face, no hair, no clothes, and no wings. Yet. Hopefully these deficiencies will soon be remedied and he will take on his full persona as an angel.

I have got on order a nice big pack of thicker, longer pipe cleaners which should enable me to make larger figures. The needle felting was pretty time-consuming, and the friction of the wet-felting has drawn the felt back a bit from his extremities. Not a huge success but practice makes perfect! I’ve also got a few more bits and pieces on order, and I’ve been doing a lot of research into different polymer clays and how to use them – not something with which I have had any experience to speak of, and I hope to make a nice collection of eclectic angels, most of whom should hopefully not end up suffering the indignity of Angel Abuse.

Helping Patients Prepare for Medical Procedures

I have been approached by a lady in the USA who represents a company called American Recall Center, which serves to educate people who are about to undergo medical procedures. They help them to know what sort of questions they should ask, so that they are as informed as possible beforehand, which should alleviate their fears. She felt that with my recent experiences I might be able to help with some input. She has asked me to provide a link for “Patient Safety Alerts” on their website:

http://www.recallcenter.com/safety-alerts/

where people can sign up. Their top priority is patient safety, whatever procedures or drugs are prescribed for them.

It’s very common for people’s minds to go completely blank when confronted with bad health news, and for any sensible questions to go straight out of the window. Hospital staff here in the UK at least, are much more prepared for this nowadays, and will always give people ample opportunity for talking and asking questions, even if it doesn’t happen at the time – they will always be able to see someone a few days later, once the news has sunk in and they have a bit more idea of what to ask.

It is also very natural for people to be very afraid, and to react in unexpected ways – they can become totally numb, or very angry, or tearful, and it is very hard to be rational at such times. It is important to remember that you are not alone, and that many in the past have trodden the same path as you, and the staff are dealing with these issues all the time.

I have had lots of advice from people, professionals and non-professionals, to write down everything as I think of it, because once you get in to your appointment these things tend to get forgotten! When I first saw the surgeon, I had such a long list of questions that I was a bit embarrassed, and he laughed at me because he could see I was hiding it! He was very happy to answer them all, and many were answered before I even had the chance to ask them. I wrote down the answers beside each question as he told me, so that I had all the information. I also wrote down things he told me, for which I had had no questions. When I got home, I read it all through carefully as soon as possible, and collated it into a format that was easier to read and remember. The doctor won’t mind you making notes.

There are many different procedures people undergo, of course. My experience was to have my large bowel and rectum removed because of cancer. When they first told my hubby and me, immediately after I came out of the colonoscopy, that they had found “something they didn’t like the look of” and that I would have to have surgery, my first question was, “Could it possibly be benign?” At that stage, all she would say was to repeat that they didn’t like the look of it. As the conversation proceeded, it was clear that I had a malignant tumour. I was given a sheet of paper with contact numbers on it and the names of the people who would be caring for me in the coming weeks, and was told that they would be very open with me as regards information, and that I would be fully involved in any decision making regarding my care; they wanted me to feel in control of things, which would prevent me feeling too vulnerable and afraid. This was very reassuring, and helps no end in bringing about the very best outcome to one’s procedure, with a faster and easier recovery, with fewer post-operative complications. Anything that reduced stress is good.

Everybody seems to have been able to give me ample and adequate time to discuss things in detail. I had excellent appointments, for example with the anaesthetist (pre-assessment) where everything about the Enhanced Recovery Programme was explained, and what extra care I would need to make allowances for my M.E. and heart problems.  When the plan was changed from simply the removal of the cancerous portion and sewing the ends of the bowel together, to a total colectomy and the formation of a permanent ileostomy, this was fully explained and I had ample time to process the information. It was gently and kindly done. I was involved with the stoma team from the word go, before my operation, to prepare me for what was to come, and my questions were all answered, and information freely given. I was provided with a starter pack with some sample bags to handle and get accustomed to, and some information booklets and a DVD.

I had special concerns about not being rushed into too speedy a recovery after surgery, because of my disability, and was reassured that this would be taken into account. I had a brief problem with one of the nurses and had a vulnerable moment when I felt not listened to, and forced to do more than I felt able to do, and I passed on this complaint, and thereafter there wasn’t a problem. Communication is key. If you have any worries, it is vitally important to tell somebody straight away – if you have told someone not adequately qualified to deal with it, they will pass it on to the right person, or fetch that person to speak to you. I believe it is very important to remember that YOU are the most important person and that the staff are there to care for you and do what is best for you, and they have a responsibility to listen to all your concerns, and that they won’t know what is worrying you if you don’t tell them.

Many people in the past were very afraid of too much information and preferred to proceed in ignorance. This had the potential to generate a lot of unnecessary fear, which affected the outcome of the procedures involved. I think more people these days are wanting to be much better informed. This is largely due to better education, and freely available information on the Internet – people are much better informed generally these days about medical matters, and the mystique of the medical profession is becoming a thing of the past, which is a good thing. Doctors are not gods, and they are not perfect; if they are any good, they will be open to proper balanced discussion, and if you are not getting this, and are feeling short-changed, you have the right and responsibility to say so, not just for your own benefit, but for the benefit of those coming after you. They are doing their job all the time, day in, day out, but we only have one chance at this, one operation, one problem, and it takes on huge significance in our lives, and sometimes doctors need to be reminded how differently these issues affect us, from the way they affect them as professionals.

Whenever an operation, test or procedure is recommended for us, we can feel a lot more secure if we know exactly what is being proposed. For instance, someone undergoing an MRI scan may be terrified because they suffer from claustrophobia, and they may want to know if there is an alternative procedure they can undergo instead, or whether they can be sedated. It is important to understand any risks of procedures, as set alongside the benefits.

I found that doing a lot of online research about my various procedures helped a great deal. For instance, when I knew I was having chemo, and that this would be infused into my body via a PICC line, I went on the Internet and had a look at a lot of information and pictures of this; it was not something I had come across before. I could see that I would have a line coming out of the crook of my elbow for the entire six months’ duration of the treatment, and this would have to be covered up between treatments. With the summer coming on, I didn’t really fancy this, and was worried about knocking it, showering, the risk of infection etc. etc. I did some research into alternatives and discovered the port-a-cath, which is embedded completely in one’s chest with nothing to see at all between treatments. OK, the procedure to insert it is much more complicated than the PICC, involving a general anaesthetic, but thereafter, the hassle is completely minimised, making life very much easier and more comfortable. I decided that this is what I would prefer, so I phoned the specialist nurse and asked if I could have it. She was amenable to the idea, on condition that my oncologist approved, and the approval came back without delay. I felt empowered that my choice was taken seriously and acted upon, and I feel very much more secure and confident as a result. I would have been happy to go along with the PICC instead, if they came up with some reasonable objection to the port-a-cath; it is important that we listen to the experts as well as talk to them about what we want; after all, they have the information and experience and ultimately know what is best for each individual, but there is flexibility in every situation, and there should always be the opportunity for equal, open and reasonable discussion. You and those involved in your care should work together as a team and it is important to develop a good working relationship with them; they will get to know you and know where you are coming from, your attitudes, your hopes and fears. Again, communication is key, making your views and feelings known, and listening to the wisdom of the experts.

For anyone about to undergo any medical procedure who is reading this, I hope it has been helpful and informative. Please do not hesitate to comment and ask any questions you may have, or add anything you may think I have left out. Anything we can do together, to help us get a better service and help us to feel better about what we are going through, is bound to be a good thing.

Giving Away the Lavender Sachets

I went for my second chemo treatment yesterday and took a basket full of 16 lavender sachets each in their little boxes. When I arrived at reception I asked how many chemo-ites would be there today because I didn’t know if I’d made enough, and explained that I’d made a little gift for each person. I opened them up to show her, and she was so delighted that she called all the nurses within earshot and they loved them too – they were all quite overwhelmed that I should have thought of doing such a thing, and had actually made everything myself. I must say I wasn’t expecting such a good reception for my idea!

I sat in the room where everybody was sitting and handed round the basket for those in that section, and they were all thrilled. I explained how I’d got the idea, from my friend Maria who had sent me such a gorgeous quilt to comfort me during my chemo, and then one of the nurses volunteered to distribute the others to the treatment room where one lady was occupying a couch, and the other bay of the treatment area. I was delighted to go home with an empty basket! I had made exactly the right number.

One of the nurses, a tiny petite lady from the Philippines who rejoices in the absolutely gorgeous name of “Precious”! – was particularly thrilled with what I had done and was quite moved. I certainly never expected such a response! This lady amazed me by telling me she had two teenage children – she hardly looked more than a teenager herself and said that whatever she did, she couldn’t seem to put on weight – I could probably have got both hands around her tiny waist! She was an absolute darling. All the nurses on the unit are so lovely, and despite the seriousness of what goes on there, and the quite alarming number of people having chemo because cancer is so rife these days, there is a really happy atmosphere.

I met several lovely people having treatment with me, and will be seeing them again as most of them are on a 3-weekly cycle like myself, and others who come fortnightly I shall see every 6 weeks. They were all so friendly and lovely.

I have been thinking about what I might do next for them. A friend of ours who has been undergoing cancer treatment for a while has been emailing me and is convinced that there are “chemo angels” looking after us all – my best friend from Plymouth sent me a gorgeous little angel pendant for my birthday and angels have been on my mind quite a bit recently! I have decided to make some little chemo angels to give away, so I shall be looking for some art doll templates online. Another use for my plentiful supply of fabric scraps.

This time I’m not putting pressure on myself to get them completed by my next treatment in three weeks’ time, but will work on them at my leisure as and when I feel well enough.

Watch this space to see how I get on.

I’m not feeling so good after my treatment – things are definitely worse this time than last, as the effects are cumulative. I am finding it hard to type as I feel as if I’ve lost control over my shaky fingers and have to keep going back to correct typos! More news about the treatment itself on my Cancer Diary page.

Green and White Exotic Floral Box for Lavender Sachet, and Cards to Go in the Boxes

This box is to go with the green and white sachet with the cluster of ribbon roses on it.

I began by completely inking the box piece made from watercolour paper, using Evergreen Bough distress ink and an Inkylicious Ink Duster.

I inked both sides, and then added some embossing using white embossing powder and a selection of stamps from my Fantasy Florals set.

I had some trouble with this initially because even after trying to dry the piece with my heat gun, it was still a bit damp and the embossing powder kept clinging to the surface where there was no Versamark. In the end I found the best solution was to dust the whole thing with talcum powder first, and then brush it off well, before stamping with the Versamark and applying the embossing powder. As a result of this problem, one of the side motifs isn’t as clear as I’d have liked it.

On the inside, I used stamps from the same set, embossing this time with silver embossing powder.

The completed box, side view. The colour has come out a bit odd in these pictures – it’s not as yellow as this in real life.

End view.

This one was quite fun to do – I love the Fantasy Florals stamps, and I added a few doodles in between with my glue pen and embossed them. Also, I like the colour combination of green and white, and green and silver.

I also made some little cards, each measuring 2 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches to go in each box. I designed these using Serif PagePlus, my desktop publishing software, and created a grid template that I can use again if I want to make these boxes in the future. I printed them out on basic computer card and used the cutting guides I incorporated in the design to cut them accurately with a knife and cutting mat.

Finally, a photo of the first fifteen boxes completed, not including the one in this post.

Until tomorrow, I have no idea how many of these I am going to need. I shall take all the ones I’ve managed to make with me, and if I haven’t got enough, I’ll bring them home again and make some more before my next chemo, by which time I will have a better idea of how many people will be attending with me for their treatment.

Boxes for Calico Lavender Bags Part 2 Butterflies and Bees

The second of two posts for today, continuing on the subject of the boxes I made for the calico lavender bags.

Butterflies Box

I began by heat embossing the inside with two different butterfly stamps, using gold embossing powder.

On the outside, I stamped using my archival inks, using small butterfly stamps, exactly as I did on the lavender sachet, and distressed the edges lightly with Vintage Photo distress ink, using an Inkylicious Ink Duster.

I repeated the distressing with Vintage Photo on the inside, this time making it a bit bolder.

The completed box.

 

Blue Butterfly Box

I really like this box – the simplicity of the design and the colour scheme.  The shape of the box lends itself quite well to single motif stamping, set off by the line around the shape of the box piece.

I began by stamping two larger, and two smaller, butterflies where they would show on the outside when the box was assembled, and went around the edge with a blue marker pen. I lightly distressed the edges with Broken China distress ink.

On the inside, I stamped with blue archival ink using my favourite swirl stamp, and repeated the outlining and distressing as for the outside.

The completed box.

 

Bee Boxes

I made three of these, and began embossing with gold embossing powder on the inside, using all the bees from Stampotique Originals.

I used the small bee to stamp repeatedly all over the outside of the boxes, using sepia archival ink, and outlined the pieces with my Faber Castell Pitt artist pen (medium thickness).

The completed boxes. I added a little doodle to the top of each box.

These were all the boxes I completed yesterday. Here is a group photo. Smile, please!

Boxes for Calico Lavender Bags Part 1 Shells and Leaves

The first of two posts for today – too many boxes and photos for a single post!

I made quite a few lavender sachets out of calico, stamping on the fabric with archival inks – I deliberately kept most of these fairly plain because I wanted some that might be more suitable to give to men.

Seashell Boxes

The first ones were stamped with seashells, and I made these boxes for them.

I began by cutting a number of box shapes from watercolour paper, and inked them with Old Paper distress ink as the same basis for them all. This gave a softer effect than the stark white of the watercolour paper. For subtle inking I prefer an Inkylicious Ink Duster to a blending pad as you have more control, and can build up the colour gradually.

For the seashell boxes, I then added some Wild Honey distress ink.

I then stamped them with seashell stamps, stamping twice for each application of ink on the stamp, to give a dimensional effect.

I distressed the edges with Vintage Photo distress ink, using one of my home-made blending pads made from an old wood block from which I’d unmounted a small stamp, and some Cut ’n Dry foam. I did this on the inside and the outside of each piece.

On the inside of the boxes, I applied some regular matt gel medium with a foam brush and added some variegated copper gilding flakes, pressing them down well with my brayer.

The completed boxes.

 

Leaf Box

This box was stamped with all the stamps in the Designs by Ryn set, to match the bag I made using one of the stamps from the set.

I began by inking the box piece with Bundled Sage distress ink.

I added some Peeled Paint distress ink onto the outside…

and onto the inside.

I wanted a more mottled effect on the outside, and a smoother effect on the inside.

Then I added Forest Moss distress ink to the inside of the box in subtle patches in the middle, and more boldly with my blending pad to the edges of the piece.

On the outside of the box, I stamped the three leaf sizes onto the piece using Versamark, and then heat embossed using clear embossing powder.

I then worked over the surface of the piece with Forest Moss distress ink, so that the paler green underneath the embossing would be revealed, and cleaned the ink off the embossing with a piece of kitchen paper.

On the inside, I mirrored the stamping, but this time using gold embossing powder.

The completed box.

Please continue to the next post to see the rest of the boxes for calico bags.