Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Monday 26 April 2021

After A LONG absence.....

 Hello everyone, and so many thanks for your many loving and caring words. I so appreciate every one, and do apologise for not posting the lack of progress sooner. 

My eyes? I am still waiting, the time frame of 4 months was not correct, my pre-surgery assessment gave me the wrong month. my surgeon was on holiday, and maybe still is until the end of April, so it might be May. Meantime, my vision is rapidly declining,  scenery flashes by in a total blur, road signs are not clear, luckily Hugh is an amazing driver and takes me to the grocery supermarket, library, and clothes shops, not to mention waiting so patiently as I peruse for a long time the quilting fabrics.

So not much happening in the sewing and quilting department.

Further to that. I might, a slight possibility, have another trip to Wellington, some angina episodes, the trusty guys and gals in green, arriving at 1 a.m.  2 weeks ago,  doing an ECG, then a LOOONG silence, reading the printout. " This tells me you are having a heart attack, but I think it is wrong, let's do another one  " Luckily the second one, as I sat at the dining table, was better, toddled off, and had more tests etc in the ED. Discharged by lunchtime, with a referral for a treadmill test.

That is tomorrow, and by 11 a.m. I should know what is happening. 

The garden is flourishing with some bulbs shooting up, rogue sunflowers blooming,  bearded iris flowering, and my much loved Brunsvigia Josephinae has buds.hopefully a photo will follow in about 5 days time, with the candelabra of some 20 heads of bright pink  flowers

The wall hanging is. " Monet's Hexagon"  ( the pattern is from another long time friend when we both lived at Lake Tarawera many years ago, and she is now near Christchurch) and was finished some time ago, and sent to a lovely room mate I met last June. Viv has very limited speech or mobility, but was so loving, supportive, encouraging, and gave me the most rapturous welcome when I was flown back after 2 days in Wellington.  The note I sent, said to Viv, this is so you will always have sunshine every day. Viv, you spoke with your eyes, your expressions and the one handed signal, as one or another grumpy room-mate complained. And the ONE word, I did try to suggest that "Fudge "was a good alternative.



I will try and give an update after tomorrow, the  hard slog, or slow climb to  the top of My Everest, as I am told to keep my head up and look at the superb photo of the Central Plateau Mountains on the wall in front.

And I have 2 projects to look forward to,  this one is for a friend , I do not think she looks at my blog, but will not share any more details yet, the pattern is  patiently waiting, , I need to visit our local printer and get them to print at a larger format, No fabrics are chosen yet, but batiks will be the #1 for this beauty.
The second one is a wall hanging, Colourwash, by  the lovely talented designer at Cotton and bourbon, Audrey Esarey. This, too might have a long wait until at least one eye can see a whole lot better. Audrey is on Instagram too, hop to her and see the many designs there. This will also have batiks, and my new blog friend in Alaska will join in.
Winter is nigh, mornings are cool, we light the fire late afternoons now, and with all the medication I am on, the cold feels freezing, even when it is at least 15 Celsius. Other friends on the same tablets , also tell me the cold is colder!!!
I so enjoy seeing the world through your eyes, photos and words, as most of you in the North are venturing into spring or an early summer. Here, we are closer to winter ,the wood shed is full, and soup is in the freezer.

Quotation of the day from Dolly Parton

" The way I see it, if you want the rainbow,
you gotta put up with the rain"

Greetings from Jean

16 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jean,

I am sorry you can not have the eye surgery sooner. I am glad Hugh is there to help.
The wall hangings are both beautiful. We are enjoying the beginning of Spring here, the flowers and tree are blooming and looking beautiful. Take care, enjoy your day! Have a great new week!

Julie Fukuda said...

Praying for that rainbow heading your way. Yes, sometimes waiting in the rain can be tiresome. Pretty flowers to look forward to can help too. Pat on the back to Hugh too.

Out To Pasture said...

Ah, I was wondering about your cataract surgery, Jean. A bit longer to go and then you'll be able to enjoy brilliant colours again!

Marie Smith said...

I wish you best of luck on the treadmill test. Take care.

My eyesight is deteriorating too with cataracts and another issue. It’s not easy but adapting is what life is about as a senior. I hope you have your surgery soon.

Carol R. said...

I can imagine you are getting more than a little frustrated by all this 'hurry up and wait' for medical procedures. Not being able to distract yourself with sewing could make it even worse. I truly hope that you are able to get your eye surgery next month (if not sooner) and that there is good news with the stress test for your heart. I see that you already have plans for what to work on once you are able to again and I think that's great - something to look forward to. I really like the cross - it looks like something that I would make for my oldest daughter who would appreciate it ( not that I'm looking for more to do lol).
Hang in there and know that tomorrow is going to be brighter :)

Kate said...

What lovely projects you have planned. Something to look forward to.

Sandra Walker said...

So good to read your post Jean! Sending you the very best of hugs and good wishes for all fine as you climb the Everest treadmill probably in a few hours from now as I type this... Your quilt projects are beautiful and made with such care and love. Fudge LOL sometimes there is only one word that will do to release steam... ;-)

Susan Heather said...

Great to see a post from you. Good wishes for both the treadmill test and cataract surgery.

Mystic Quilter said...

So you will now have had the treadmill test, fingers crossed that nothing untoward has been found. Sorry I haven't spoken as I said I would, a few issues here for me.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Always good to hear from you. Fingers crossed that the cataract surgery (or surgeries) can happen soon and you get more answers from the treadmill test. Sending you lots of love!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Oh, so sorry you are having all these medical issues, sending virtual hugs and a wish that you are better soon. I hope the eye surgery is helpful when you can get it done.

KB said...

I have been thinking of you throughout your absence. I hope that the angina issues turn out to be benign. And I really want your cataract surgery to be soon. My father, who is not usually prone to over-stating things, said that it changed his world. I am sending love.

Kathleen said...

Eyes and heart...two difficult things to deal with. Hope they get to you soon, Jean, and figure it all out. From what I can tell, you are a fighter and you will do well. My husband just had his cataracts done and the difference is remarkable. Last week he lost his old glasses. Good to see you and your plans here. Best wishes for the medical community to get you all fixed up as new!

Carol Mattingly said...

Oh so glad to read this and know you are doing ok in spite of everything you are going through. You hang in there and we will all pray pray pray! Carol

Jenn Jilks said...

I'm still getting caught up. I am baffed, having the girls all week.
I hear you about the cataracts. I hope it happens soon. I know how awful it feels. xx

Tanya said...

I hope you will be sewing again soon and that you'll get your eyesight right and not have any more heart issues. Take care!