Thanks and Updates - Finding Creativity

Posted on | January 29, 2008 |

I am so amazed by the outpouring of support from my last post. Thank you all so much for your emails, comments, prayers, warm thoughts - well, and just for being there. I’m calm now and I am starting to regain some energy. Part of this energy resurgence is from a new treatment that we started last night in place of the oral prednisone. I’m having home infusions of solumedrol. This is basically high doses of prednisone given intravenously. We are doing this at home, thanks to a very nice home infusion company, Sirona Infusions. They pulled together everything quickly and I started my first of three one-hour infusions over three days last night. The nurse came around 5 pm to insert intravenous line and to teach me to give myself the others starting today at noon.

The line stays in and, as you can see in this photo, I’m wearing a “sock” over my infusion site to keep the tubes safe and to remind me not to get it wet. If I’m lucky, the line will still be a clean line for me to get the medication into my body. If not, I’ll call them and a nurse will come by and insert another line elsewhere! I’ve been very careful, so I hope it’s going to be ok.

Since it’s steroids, of course it gives me a burst of energy. I’m not yet ready to give up my walker, but I do feel stronger and I’m hopeful that I will graduate to my quad cane soon! Either way, your support is certainly a big part of this. I’m hopeful that I’ll be confident enough to drive again soon.

To keep myself busy, I’ve been working more on the landscape quilt. I’ve just been stitching it, so there’s nothing to show yet. I’m not sure whether I’ll quilt it by hand, but first I have to finish sewing on the layers using appliqué stitch. It’s moving along, low-stress, and it keeps my fingers busy!

For a long time, I’ve wanted to take a class in watercolors. And I am planning to take one at Art Unraveled in August. However, I know that a one-day class will not be enough. I have bought books, but it’s not the same as working with a teacher. Since my health sometimes prevents me from getting places for days at a time, I have decided to try one of Cathy (Kate) Johnson’s classes. I have only heard rave reviews from Kate’s pupils and I’ve gotten her newsletter for quite a while. I’m starting the latest of her classes, Watercolor Pencil Workshop next week.

That’s the story around here. I hope you’re having a good start to the week!

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