Sunday, March 2, 2014

Snippets

February. What happened to it? And why is it still way-below-freezing, wrong-side-of-zero cold? It's March now, for heaven's sake. Spring is less than three weeks away. What's the deal?
When the days begin to lengthen,
The cold begins to strengthen.*
Boy, does it ever.

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Years ago I knit a scarf for Mr. M. The ends were basketweave and the body was stockinette, which curled HORRIDLY despite aggressive blocking. A few weeks ago I frogged the scarf back to one basketweave end, then re-knit it in garter stitch. Though unimaginative in design, the scarf is now beautifully flat, and actually covers Mr. M's neck (which is what a scarf should do in a climate like ours).


Yes, Mrs. M does knit upon occasion. But you can see why she prefers to stick to crochet. :)

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My Dad has been in the hospital all week. After several falls over several days, the last of which involved contact between his head and a corner of his nightstand, he took an ambulance ride to the local hospital for staples and a scan. The scan revealed several old blood clots and some fresh bleeding on the surface of his brain, so it was back in the ambulance for a longer ride down to a Madison hospital. There the neurosurgeon on call recommended immediate surgery. They whisked Dad into the OR and drilled three holes into his skull to clean out the clots and install drain tubes.

The neurosurgeon said that if Dad were a younger man he'd have been in a coma from the pressure of all those clots - but since his brain had atrophied with age, there was more space to accommodate them.

Poor Dad was pretty uncomfortable for a few days after his surgery, but is doing better now. The tubes are out, and he may be released to a rehab center in the next day or two.

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As Dad was being wheeled away to the OR, the last thing he said to me was, "We know Whose hands I'm in." I'm so grateful for this legacy of faith.

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A view from Dad's hospital room, where the Capitol rotunda can be glimpsed on the left, and an icy Lake Mendota on the right:


This is the same hospital, by the way, where Mr. M had his brain surgeries nearly 20 years ago. While Dad was in surgery, as I sat crocheting and praying and waiting for the periodic progress calls from the OR, I couldn't help but think of all the other times I had sat here doing virtually the same thing. (Though back then it was quilting, not crocheting.) Talk about déja vu.

~ ~ ~

To nurses and nursing assistants everywhere: thank you. For kind words, for a friendly touch, for patience and cheerfulness and understanding when dealing with tired and grumpy patients, for willingness to do an often dirty and smelly job, for fetching and carrying and supporting and helping, for making family members feel welcome, for simply caring: thank you.

~ ~ ~

Daffodils from Trader Joe's have been shedding their sunny magic over the dining room this week:


~ ~ ~

How have you been? I've missed you all and hope to be around to visit you soon.

~ ~ ~

*from Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

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25 comments:

  1. Sue, I'm sorry to hear your dad has been having problems. I really hope he's better now and that he'll continue to improve. It sounds like you've had a stressful time. I'm glad you have faith and crochet to see you through. The scarf came out nicely. I'm still learning to knit, but I very much prefer to crochet and I think I always will. :)

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  2. Hoping your dad's recovery will be complete. It sounds as if he is being very well looked after at the hospital and by his daughter.
    Such lovely yellow daffodils. We all need them in March with their sunny dispositions to see us through the end of the winter!

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  3. Hugs for your dad and for you. Trust he will be better soon. And your knitting looks absolutely perfect compared to what I try to "pick." Linda@Wetcreek Blog

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  4. Sue, today our pastor passionately reminded us that Jesus said in this world we would know much trouble, but the Good News is He is with us no matter what our circumstances, and He is greater than them. It is so comforting that your dad knows whose hands he is in.

    My mom was a nurse before she married and had children, and now my youngest daughter is a nurse at the VA hospital in Portland. It is good hard work! I am so glad that you are being supported with good caregivers around you who help you to be an excellent caregiver as well !

    I like the pattern and color of the scarf you knit for your husband! Clever you for getting rid of the annoying curling issue :)

    Daffodils are especially welcome at this time of year, aren't they. It was in the 30's and raining today and forecast to rain all week, but in my last post I showed our daffodils getting close to blooming and one camellia bud that looks promising. Take a peek if that will help you to hang in there until Spring springs forth in your neck of the woods :)

    Blessings to you and yours! xx

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  5. Wishing your father all the best for a full and speedy recovery. I've had cause to be very grateful for wonderful nurses and doctors recently too. Thank goodness they are all out there when we need them.

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  6. Your poor Dad, he's been through it, I so know what you mean about yours and your Dad's faith, your parents have done a wonderful thing in bringing you up to know who's hands it is that hold you even or mostly when times are tough. He is your fortress, run to him.
    Your daffodils are lovely, I still find it hard to believe that they should be anywhere but Wales! It was St. Davids day on Saturday, the patron St. Of Wales, so your daffs are very fitting.x

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  7. Sorry to hear about your Dad, hope he gets well soon.

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  8. Oh my, sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope he gets well soon, and you get more spring-like weather soon. We got a fresh coat of snow over night here in Finland, and are looking forward to warmer weather also.

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  9. Hoping all goes well for all of you. Having sat in a neuro ITU waiting for news of a beloved parent I know there is nothing else you can do but have faith. Sending love and prayers to all of you.

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  10. Dear Sue,

    You brave lady! I am sending many prayers across the seas for your father. You have both been through so much. I completely agree with your gratitude towards medical carers. Their gentle words and gestures during such a hectic day's work turn a anxious wait into something almost bearable. I admire them hugely.

    Please take good care of yourself and do NOT undermine your knitting abilities. That basketweave edging looks quite the business from where I am sitting!

    Hugs, if I might be so bold,

    Stephanie

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  11. So sorry to hear of your Dad's health problems Sue, and wish him a speedy recovery; it's so wonderful for him to have good medicos and carers you can trust to do their best for him, as well as you waiting, watching and praying!
    I like how you fixed up Mr M's scarf, well done!
    I love the humble daffodil - always bright, cheery, and full of sunshine - speaking of which, I do hope you get some soon! Joy x

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  12. Hello Sue, I missed the post about your dad falling. I am glad he is getting better and will soon be going home.. I wish My Mom was so fortunate. Your dad has wonderful faith.. We certainly need our faith don't we. I could not live without it. Your daffodils are brighten up your world and tulips are brighten up mine. Flowers are good for the heart.. Hugs Judy

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  13. Missed you, glad to hear that your Dad is going to be ok, it's so scary when our loved ones are in danger. I'm with you about the cold, I know that your weather is far worse than ours, but oh, I'm so tired of wearing double layers of clothes.
    It's supposed to drop 20ª from today to tomorrow, my body is tired of the seesaw.

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  14. I am praying that your Dad will heal soon. I love what he said to you, as much as I love how you put it..." grateful for this legacy of faith" That is so awesome!

    I love your knitted scarf. Sometimes it's good to knit for a change...love that color of blue. :)

    Blessings to you and yours always ....glad you are back, you were missed. :)

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  15. I hope he will be back home soon. Sending hugs.

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  16. Your dad has been such a trooper through all this. I'm so thankful for his faith and that you and your sister are close enough to take care of him. I know that will factor heavily in his progress.

    Frogging a scarf and reknitting (or in this case, gartering) sounds like something I'd do. :) Turns out both of us were using pointy needles recently. Mine will be on Thursday...

    Many more prayers and get-well wishes going out to you and your family.

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  17. Sorry you have had such a scary time with your Dad Sue, I so glad that he is recovering well. I think you scarf is lovely, as you say the object of the exercise is to keep the neck warn and it will do a fine job of that. I must admit though knitting scarves takes me ages whereas you can crochet one in no time. :)

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  18. Hope your Dad is feeling better soon!

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  19. Goodness! Not a week you're looking to repeat again I feel sure. I do hope your father is on the mend now.

    To be able to knit as well as crochet ... that's another blessing ... you'll always have the right skill for the yarny job at hand!

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  20. Gosh you have been having a rough time. Your poor dad. I hope that he continues to recover well. It sounds as if his medical care has been wonderful. The scarf is lovely - I'm impressed that you frogged it back after all that time, I think I'd be too lazy! Juliex

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  21. Thinking of you Sue, and wishing you and your father continued healing...and some warmth.

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  22. Oh dear, that sounds very scarey and worrying. I'm glad he's doing a bit better and hope he's properly on the mend soon. And that you get some warm weather!

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  23. A prayer for your Father tonight. The scarf is so pretty with such fun texture

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  24. Sue, I know it is just a tiny little thing but I feel good that an envelope full of hearts is in the post to you. I hope that you will feel the love, just as you can feel the love in all of the comments on this post!

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  25. While I am sorry to hear about your Dad's falls and surgery I am very glad to hear that he is on the mend. It is so stressful waiting while surgery happens.
    Hope all continues to go well.

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