Sew Chaotically!! ~ Pepto pink polka dots, PLUS pillows!!!

Bet y'all didn't think the letter "P" week...was really gonna be a WEEK, now did you???  It's been kinda' fun.  Gotta stave off boredom somehow!!!!

Anyway, these projects were planned long before my current mess!!  I purchased this cozy pink flannel from JoAnn's before I started my sabbatical with the plan that I would whip up a cute baby blanket before zipping off to Italy.  We know how that turned out!  But, earlier this week I got busy on the blanket.  Ruthie advised me in its making when she was up - warning against trying to gather such a thick, long business, recommending sewing more of a bias strip cut from a spiral to go around the edge that would achieve the same overall look, but be easier to manage, instead.  I agreed, especially now!!! But, that plan was stymied by lack of fabric and lack of spatial relation skills required to create the spiral pattern had there been enough!!!  So, I went with this, loosely based on this tutorial by Sweet Red Poppy.

I managed to wrangle all that LONG border into a folded ruffle and stitched it to one side of the blanket which measures approximately 36 in X 45 in.  (In process, above.)  Then, with the ruffle folded inward, I sandwiched it between the two layers placed right sides together and stitched the entire she-bang together, leaving about a 6 inch gap through which I pulled everything right side around.

I made little knots from cutely contrasting grosgrain ribbon, dabbing the edges with clear finger nail polish.  Should probably invest in some of that stay fray fabric glue...but, oh well!  Then stitched them in place, going through both layers of fabric, in order to anchor the layers together.

If irregular ruffles are an indication of love, this baby girl will be wrapped in heaps of it.  Still, I think it turned out pretty cute!

This project I actually finished before all the sh*! hit the fan.  A dear one moved into her new place and I wanted to do a little something to help her celebrate.  Hopefully, the print will work well with the new color palate she has chosen.  It is quite nice and came in quickly from:  Fabric.com.  I have used this company to purchase several batches of fabric and have been in receipt of good quality things.  However, on two occasions, prints were not at all what I expected.  Strangely enough they were both very LARGE even though I had paid close attention to the ruler placed under the sample on the computer screen.  BUT, no worries!!  This company is AWESOME in that they will give you a FULL REFUND on any return, no questions asked, as long as the fabric is returned to them in the condition in which it was shipped to you.  That's a great insurance policy when ordering fabric on line...just say'n!!!

I used my usual Pillow Recipe, adjusted to the size of my pillow forms.  I had a long strip of the fabric left over, so I decided to finish the edges and make a runner.  Don't know that my dear one will really wants one, HA!!  But, thought she might be able to use it on her couch back or as a table runner.  Or, she could cut it up and use it to clean her windows when needed!!!  

In regard to my stuff and such....I'm doing okay.  Plodding along.  B has helped me keep my nausea under control with low dose marinol.  It has actually improved the further out we get from the oxaliplatin infusion.  Cramping and such caused by the capecitabine is being managed with an immodium here and there as needed.  Had hoped my energy level would magically pop back to normal...but...guess that was a bit unrealistic. Still, I think I'm doing pretty well considering.

Live and sew chaotically!!! - les

Sew Chaotically ~ Passionately Purple Perfection!!! (Another Sorbetto!)

A passionately purple, perfect piece to round out Roo's wardrobe!!! 
("I TOLD you, this week was brought to you by the letter "P" and alliteration," screeched Grover!!)

I have used the FREE Sorbetto pattern by Colette a Zillion times!!  It's such an easy, versatile make!  You can leave the front pleat in or take it out.  You can make it from scraps.  It looks just as good on its own as under a blazer or sweater!  So, when Rosie fell in love with this fabric we knew the simple Sorbetto would be perfect.

Yep!!!  I'd say that is passionately purple perfection!!!  Sew chaotically! ~ les

Sew Chaotically! ~ Pretty Pink! (Roo in M7349, fit and flare t-shirt dress.) And, exercise for peripheral neuropathy!!!

Continuing our week of posts brought to you by the letter "P"....
I got these two, rather different, knits a bit ago when Mood was having a sale on such things.  As for the pattern, Rosie loves a simple fit and flare dress and this one is perfect.  I cut the 12, made no adjustments, and I'd say it is PERFECT!!!  I haven't had the strength of mind and body to cut out the print yet.  Hopefully, I will soon!!!  I think it will be lovely and quite dramatic on her!  We are going to go for it, planning on the maxi length.  I think I have enough fabric to do it!

Perfectly Pretty in Pink!!!

In other news, I slept [almost] through the night last night! Something I haven't managed to accomplish since AUGUST!!!  Not rising until 0730, rather than the 5 or 6 I've been dealing with!!!  Keeping stomach issues managed with low dose Marinol before breakfast and supper - taking capecitibine after eating - along with one immodium around noon.  Energy is continuing to improve.  Was able to do 15 minutes on the elliptical for 1.4 miles!!!  Did my usual crunches and push ups, and added squats.  Kinda tired now.  But...  Why am I doing all this?  Well, it's just how I roll, for one thing.  But there is also this:

Exercise Reduces Severity of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, Oncology Nurse Advisor

Where the author notes:   "...approximately 50% of patients who receive taxane, platinum, or vinca-alkaloid–based chemotherapy experience peripheral neuropathy, but effective therapeutic options are limited.  ...456 patients with cancer treated with CIPN-inducing chemotherapy regimens. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus the Exercise for Cancer Patients (EXCAP) program, in which patients undergo moderate-intensity walking and resistance exercises for 6 weeks.  ...   Analysis showed that the increases in CIPN symptoms of hot/coldness in hands/feet and numbness/tingling were lower ... among patients in the exercise arm compared with the control arm." 

So, there you go!!  Live and sew chaotically!!! - les

Porky and the Puffalump!!!

This week is brought to you by the letter 'P' and alliteration!!!  Yesterday we had Punkins!! (and pathology).  Yep, there's a story here ~

I am so blessed to have the most amazing dear ones!  Scattered in so many places, whose lives have intermingled with mine in all sorts of ways.  Dear ones who have interrupted their busy lives in order to share their support, help me think through my options, and bring me laughs DAILY since the crazy that descended 55 days ago!!!! Today was no different with sweet texts, emails, face book messages, blog comments, and lovely cards via snail mail!!!  After being up from 0230 to 0430 this morning with stomach cramps and diarrhea, shared smiles and laughter is a lovely gift indeed!

One special dear one - another B in my life, no less!!! - when sharing some of her husband's experiences today, revealed that she had taken to calling him "Porky" despite his slender build!  Interestingly, since being home from the hospital, B has taken to calling me his little "Puffalump"! My friend B found that quite funny and developed the title for today!  Small things?  Yes.  But good cheer often comes in simple, mutual moments that are meaningful to the peeps involved. 

Despite the stomach issues in the early am and some nausea during the day, my energy seemed better today.  I scored 0.9 miles in my 10 minute elliptical workout, did my 50 crunches and 20 push-ups without too much trouble.  Maybe I should up my efforts. I'll have to speak with my coach about that!

I've been able to work on a few sewing projects over the past few days.  I finished a little top for Rosie that I'll share soon.  I also tackled this baby blanket!!!  Ruffled flannel????  What was I thinking????   I almost got her done, though.  Hopefully, tomorrow.

Fun fact shared in the effort to keep things real:  Taking poison with your own hand is very weird and off putting.  I never took the oral BRAF inhibitors, drugs with the potential for significant side effects, for my melanoma.  So this is my first experience in this vein.  I know of no others who have mentioned such a feeling.  Perhaps because I am taking drugs that make me feel bad and simultaneously have no real data supporting their ability to do me any good colors my perspective.  Who knows? 

B makes sure I eat something substantial morning and evening.  Then I take my 3 capecitabine tablets as directed.  Thus far, stomach upset is the only side effect I am experiencing from this part of my treatment, which is pretty lucky.  Still, it is a weird thing to choose to pick these up and put them in your mouth!!!  Maybe that's just me??

No matter.  With dear ones willing to share their smiles and stay connected while I hole up with my poisons.....

....there is beauty still.

Porky and Puffalump are very lucky to have their "B's"!!!!! - les

Punkins!! (and pathology)

If you've watched this space for very long, you know Bentie and punkins are a thing!!!  He has carved them with the kids EVERY year.  Fred-o has missed a couple due to work and geography and sadly that was true this year.  But, the other kiddos had a blast!!!

Planning the FACE!!!

A process that has become a well oiled machine.

Silly Bentie!!!

I think they all look super cute this year!!!  (Punkins, too!!!)

Yesterday was not as nausea free as I had hoped it would be, but we managed it with marinol and immodium.  Did get to enjoy a great afternoon of punkins and grilling burgers with Roo and Jamie. 

Have been meaning to share that our dear Ox is the best pathologist in the world!!!  When we finally did hear back from the super duper pathologist at Vandy, the stage and grade of my cancer were determined to be exactly as Ox had said they were.  No better.  No worse.  Overall that is good, considering we certainly didn't think Ox was mistaken.  Now there is nothing more to do other than proceed as planned.  Had weekly labs drawn today and my white cells and hemoglobin held steady so that is good news as well.

Enjoy YOUR punkins!!!  Live chaotically! - les

A bit better today.

This week has been a trip to say the least.  But, perhaps we are getting a take on how this crap is gonna roll.

The first 4 days were certainly the worst ~ most exhaustion, nausea, neuropathy.  B is pretty certain these effects were all related to the infusion of oxaliplatin.  We were able to manage the nausea with marinol without having to resort to the decadron or ativan.  However, at the dose we had, I was promptly zonked out.  Now, in retrospect I've learned a couple of things:
1.  As much as I hate it, sleeping through the first couple of days may NOT be the worst plan.
2.  Given fatigue caused by the chemo, it is a little hard to determine that effect vs the marinol.
However, yesterday B was able to attain marinol at a lower dose.  Since using that scrip, I have been able to manage the nausea without becoming a total lump.  Simultaneously, I am also certain that ever so slightly yesterday, and more so today, the horrible tiredness induced by oxaliplatin, is beginning to lift.  Yesterday, I was able to do the elliptical for 10 minutes with a distance of ~ wait for it ~ 0.3 miles!!!  Hey!  I was shocked I could perch up there for ten minutes!  Today, I did another 10, and without trying to be crazy, did end up with 0.8 miles for my effort.

My fingertips are still a bit numb, though typing is not as difficult as it was.  Cold isn't causing as dramatic "jingy/jangy" sensations.  Still, when simply sliding some books on a shelf, so as to insert another today, my fingers went nuts.  Weird!  Warmth has consistently helped a great deal and was very necessary in the first couple of days post infusion.  I am still a bit worried about my veins taking me through this, largely because of how my right arm continues to respond.  The pain is better.  Deep tenderness likely due to chemical irritation from the infusion of the drug is lessening.  I think I am experiencing more of a neuropathy as the cause of pain.  B notes my arm was very cold for the entire duration of my infusion at the center, and that may well have triggered at least some of the problem.

B is working hard to keep me fed and loved.  He has been making sure I have something on my stomach before taking the capecitibine twice a day.  I think its contribution to my status consists of  abdominal pain and cramping with (from what we've read) relatively mild diarrhea, that we've managed with about one dose of imodium daily.   No problems with palms or soles thus far.

So, our current plan for upcoming days and treatments include -
1.  Take marinol BEFORE the next infusion.
2.  Keep my arm as warm as possible through the infusion.
3.  Quickly request an increased IVF rate and decreased chemo rate if needed for burning.
4.  Face the fact that I will crash - be miserable, pissed, and yucky  - for a good 4 days after the infusion.
5.  Use higher dose meds in the first few days, wean off them as I can.

Of course, you know what they say about best laid plans!!  We'll see what happens next.  As B says, this adventure is like a trip to a foreign land.  By the time we're done, we'll know all the side streets and short cuts.  At the moment, we still feel rather lost and overwhelmed.

Still, it was really nice to feel a bit better today.  And it was very special to be able to celebrate an improvement with this beautiful delivery from my sister, Kik!  With so much more beauty to come!!

Thanks, Kik.  Continued deep appreciation for the love and support all of you continue to send my way. - love, les

Sew Chaotically!!! - Very Easy Vogue 9236 for Roo!!!

Ruthie made up a beautiful version of this dress for herself and recommended it as a pattern that might work well for Roo! I snapped it up and worked on it SLOWLY, given the drama I've been participating in since the end of August!!! 

I cut a straight 12. The pattern went together easily with "darts and tucks" completed a little differently than I had done before.  Cutting it out was the biggest challenge as the material was narrow, and while probably not noticeable to most, has a linear pattern to the seemingly "random" print!  I had to take in the sides of the bodice a fair amount to perfect the fit (probably could have made the 10) and scoop out the neckline and the forward aspect of the armholes just a bit, so Roo wouldn't be "choked"!!!  All are finished with bias binding with a zip in the back.

Anyway, when she and the Jamester were here earlier in the week to babysit me while B attended a speaking engagement, I was able to give it to her!!!

Purple perfection!!!  Love my girl!  Sew chaotically!! ~ les