Friday, September 18, 2009

A BIG Setback & A Real Comfort

Dear Friends, I'm not sure how to start.
It's such a BIG step backwards for me.
I've been crying for the last 3 days trying to
come to terms with what has happened.

On Wednesday, I had my last Dr appointment.
I expected him to say "Go forth....and resume your life".
But it didn't happen.
I had a lump develop under my neck
on top of my chest after surgery.
The Dr assured me it was scar tissue and would shrink as time went on.
Instead it seemed to get larger and protrude even more.
So on Wed. he decided to remove the "scar tissue".
It was suppose to take 20 minutes using a "local" to numb the area.
As he started to remove the lump he said
"Your not going to believe what I found"
I immediately thought tumor.
But no, it was a sponge.
Yes, you read that right.
A Large Black Sponge.
And my body had grown around it.
It also attached itself to one of the wires that was used to wire my
breastbone together during my open heart surgery.
He needed to use wire cutters to get it out!

Talk about scary.
What was suppose to take 20 minutes
turned into a 2 hour nightmare.
I have a large hole in my chest again.
I have to wear a wound vac again.
I am so frustrated with the medical care I received.
It has been one big mistake after another.
The Dr and nurses are each blaming the other.

I can't believe this could happen.
I was beginning to have hope.
Hope of resuming a normal life.
Full of work, family, and grandbaby kisses.

Can you feel the tears as I am typing?
I wonder, will I ever be the same again?
This is the COMFORT QUILT my sewing group
the "Sew Whats" made for me.
It couldn't have come at a better time.
It is so beautiful!
I wish you could see it in person.
Mary V. did a fabulous quilting pattern.

The binding is pink polka dots.
My favorite.


Here are a few close ups of the blocks.


I want to thank each "Sew What" who made a block for me.
To Sandy H. and Peggy for choosing the beautiful
floral and plaid fabric.
And for piecing it together.

To Mary V. for quilting it.
I know how busy your schedule is.
To Sandy V. who bound the quilt.

Sandy, not to worry, you did a fantastic job.
Your corners are perfect!














14 comments:

  1. Karen,
    I am so sorry to hear about your setback, and that it is all because they made a mistake.

    You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you are on the mend again soon.

    Andrea

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  2. Hang in there. You know you are a strong woman. I am thinking of you and praying that everything will be better soon and you will be a quilting/homemaking/grandma lovin'/antique hunting/ whiz again!
    Sandy

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  3. I am so glad it was just a sponge! That is an annoying thing but as I began reading your post, I was utterly filled with dread. I lost my mother to cancer two years ago and one of my best girlfriends, age forty, is currently fighing colon cancer, beat breast cancer and lost her eleven year old son to a brain stem tumor just in July. He died while she was in emergency surgery for a ruptured colon and she couldn't be with him.

    So even though I know you are upset, I am so glad it was just a two hour ordeal. I hope you get better, quickly.

    And the quilt is lovely.

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  4. Karen,

    I am so sorry about the set back. I know that is seems as though you will never resume a normal life again, but you know you will. More than anything, the wound vac.....UGH! I know the machine is big and limits your activity. It is constantly there reminding you of this issue. Know that you have friends near and far that are thinking about you and wish you a full and speedy recovery!

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  5. I'm so sorry to hear of this set back and it is nasty to think that it might have been avoided. I'm not sure why things have to keep happening and heaping themselves upon us but my prayers are with you and hoping that your spirits will lift very soon!

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  6. Remember what doesn't kill us makes us STRONGER. Sorry about setbacks, may everything go forward NOW!

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  7. So sorry to hear about your troubles. I am familiar with your story as I recently had a similar situation and wore that wound vac gadget for two months. I was very disheartening to say the least. Get well, at least you are on the mend now.

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  8. Noooooo-I love you Karen-it will be over sooner than you know- this explains why your healing was taking longer...we don't heal with a sponge inside but it could be worse...it could. xoxo

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  9. Oh. My. Gosh, Karen. Linda R. sent me your message and blog address so I could read about the latest development in your recovery. You will be better soon. Too bad about not getting to quilt yet, that must be driving you crazy. I checked out your "About Me" on your blog; you look good girlie! Wisconsin must agree with you.

    I'm bookmarking your blog. If I ever get mine off the ground, I'll email you with the address.

    Love,
    Stacy

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  10. Karen,
    Sorry to hear about the setback. It's unbelievable the mistakes that are made in the operating room. I wish you a speedy recovery.
    Pam

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  11. Karen,
    I'm so sorry about what you've been going thru! I'm glad I got word. Here's hoping you heal quickly, and there were no other "boo-boos"! I enjoyed reading your blog and website. Your grand kids are darling. I finally have one, too!! Ben, who will be 1 yr. old next Sat. In fact, I'm flying back to Omaha tomorrow to be there for his 1st birthday party.
    Hang in there, girl!

    Kris Bizzarri

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  12. Karen,

    I'm sorry to hear about your setback. I've shared your post with all the Quilting Queens, so I'm sure you'll hear from some of them. Hang in there.

    Pam Edblom

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  13. Oh my gosh, hang in there, so happy it was just a sponge! Your comfort quilt is beautiful!

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  14. Hi Karen, How awful to have to go through your setback-but Praise God it wasn't a tumor. Hopefully the entire staff will learn from this mistake. I pray you will heal quickly and be back to normal soon. So loved the quilt-what great friends you have!
    Hugs to you.
    Noreen

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Thanks for taking the time to comment!