Tuesday, June 9, 2009

In case you've ever wondered how much knitting you can get done if you are ever faced with sitting around for 10 hours in a waiting room, I'll show you. I'm a slow knitter but I managed to finish a sock (that's the Zap sock yarn from Samurai Knitter) ((sorry for the photo. It's very still and dark here. It feels like the heavens are going to open up any minute)) and start a new shawl. It's the Heartland shawl (ravelry link) and I used some merino laceweight I bought on etsy about a year ago. The color is Mahogany or Chestnut, I forget and there was no ball band. I bought about 2400 yds of it. It's a single ply and very thin. I wanted a more substantial feeling shawl so I'm holding it double. The pattern calls for a dk weight so it should work out. I may have to rip it and start over. I chose a smaller needle size because I had laceweight yarn. Then I chose to hold the yarn double but didn't go up a needle size so it's a little dense. I'd hate to waste all that effort but I figure it served its purpose. It kept me entertained for a day when I really needed to be entertained. The pattern is fairly easy to follow so it won't take too long to recoup.



We got to the hospital at 10 yesterday. Em had to be there at 8 and was scheduled for surgery between 10 and 11:30. They sent Jim away at 10 so they could start the prep. We all sat in the waiting room and watched a large screen to see what was happening. Jim and Peter Kevin had laptops and games. We found an outlet and they were set. One of the good things about knitting is that you don't need an outlet. I plopped down in a chair and put on some headphones with a Stephanie Plum novel on my head and I was good to go.



It wasn't until 11:33 that they took Em into the operating room. And we anxiously watched the screen until 12:33 when they started the surgery. About 1:00 a nurse came down with updates and all she had for us was "she went to sleep well". So, we sat and kept ourselves occupied until 3:00 when she came down again and said they had just gotten to the tumor and were starting to remove it. ( We were surprised it took that long but when we looked at the pictures, we could see why. The tumor was buried against Em's spine and was touching her esophagus and lungs and chest wall. It's about 10 cm across and looks dense and heavy. ) About 5:00 or so, she came down and said they were closing. It went quicker than they thought. The tumor came out pretty much in one piece and they got it all. Em's lungs were reinflated and they had to remove only a small piece of lung to get the tumor off. The surgeon told us he was surprised at the size of the thing. If you can picture a softball, it's a little bigger than that. He was thrilled with the outcome. There were no repairs needed (thus the shortened time). Em's insides are back to normal and she only needs to heal from the violence of the surgery.



We got to see our brave girl at 8:00. She was surprisingly alert and fiesty. And she looked good. Better and less fragile than last time. The surgeon told us it's unlikely this kind of thing will grow back so this should be the last time.



Pk and I left around 8:30 and headed for our favorite diner where we had comfort food. A grilled cheese sandwich with tomato and onion for me (it was perfectly made) and soup and chicken fingers for him. We got home at 10:00 and there was a package from Jejune. She sent me a Violet Crumble and some silky merino roving. It was a lovely surprise. And the chocolate (which was delicious!) made for some satisfying desert.

So, the saga of Laslow-Mitford is coming to an end (good riddance). It's made us aware of our fragility and our strength. It's also been made easier by the love and good wishes surrounding our family. For that, we thank you all.





Here's my favorite photo from Sunday. Em and Kate petting an alpaca. You can just see El in there,too. It was a nice day. The owner of one of the farms was friendly and willing to answer Pk's questions. Now, he and Kate are planning how we can raise some alpacas. I bought some bags of fiber in beige and carmel colored brown. I gave the brown to Kate who just bought her own spinning wheel. A stash has to start with something.

The thunder in the distance tells me the storm is coming (I am so perceptive that way). We're going over to the hospital to spend the day with Em until Jim gets off from work. We know she won't be up for much but we just need to be there. I'll find the larger needle and re-start the shawl. And I downloaded another book to the mp3 player so I'm ready.

Have a good day.

18 comments:

roxie said...

Oh you give a good report! Very full and satisfying. And hooray, hooray for the good news. Bigger than a softball? Holy crow! No wonder she couldn't breathe!

Rose Red said...

It's wonderful to read this and know it was easier than was initially thought (for the doctors I mean, I'm sure it was incredibly hard for you to sit there waiting). Give Em a big hug for me tomorrow (or a good hand squeeze if she's not up to hugging right now!)

colleen said...

So glad everything went well! Wishing her a speedy recovery!

amy said...

We've got your thunder and downpours now. It always amuses me (I'm easily amused) how, a couple hours later, we usually have your weather.

Wow, a screen? Did that help or make it more nervewracking? I'm so glad things went as well as they could. What a relief.

Kaye said...

As a cyber-bystander it's quite fascinating hearing the play-by-play. Much more nerve wracking when you're emotionally involved I'm sure! Glad to hear she's doing well. My congrats to her weight loss!!!

Julie said...

I'm so glad it's over. All that's left is the healing up (which is kinda stinky, but it beats the unknown). Hugs to all of you, and I hope the recovery continues to go smoothly.

gemma said...

That's good news Donna.
So start with alpaca, then some cashmere goats, maybe a bunny or two .... sounds like the plan to me.

Galad said...

Hope you gave her hugs (gently) from all of us!

Dianne said...

The recovery will be hard, but the worst part is over. Excellent news, and good riddance to that rotten baby. Gentle hugs to Em, and Emma, Tara and Cooper send lots of face licks.

Sheepish Annie said...

Such a long wait! But worth it to hear such fabulous news!!! I'm thrilled to hear that all went well and that there were no complications. Yay!

Bells said...

Thank you for the detailed run down Donna Lee. i really wanted to know everything you could tell us. It's been huge and we're all glad to be seeing the road ahead is much, much better. Big hugs.

MadMad said...

Oh, WOW. Thank God! Holy cow though, bigger than a softball! Your poor little baby - I can't imagine. I'm so thrilled out of my mind it's out and she is doing well and going to be for many many years to come. Wow. So scary.

Jeanne said...

I'm so glad it went well, and that its all over now. I hope she heals quickly and that she's back to normal soon!

DrK said...

so glad to hear it went well, sending love and hugs for a speedy recovery for you all xx

gay said...

so happy for you to have such a good report. now rest up and recoup and i hope em has a full and relaxing recovery.

Alwen said...

Whewwwwww! I'll bet you've given many a sigh of relief.

Amy Lane said...

Wow--you sound so sane, when I know you must have been anything BUT! Nice choice of sock to knit--if anything was going to keep you awake and cheerful, that would be it!

Denise said...

Utterly massively relieved it all went so well. Heavens above, that is one MEGA-LUMP - much much better out than in!!

So pleased my little parcel arrived on a good day for you :) Violet Crumbles are addictive, aren't they?!

Happy Sunday!  I am sitting here working on my sweater made with the cashmere yarn my husband gave me for my birthday last year. I’m further...