And it ain’t much but I saw a new primary care doctor today – to replace the two who dropped me like a hot potato – and he was soooooo nice! His nurse and aide also couldn’t have been nicer. When he looked at my arm and I said I got that huge purple bruise at Mayo, he just shook his head and apologized.
So he’s going to try to find the results of the biopsy, find me a surgeon as well as an oncologist. I just can’t believe it yet.
So….Sherry updated us on the monarch’s progress – this has been so interesting, hasn’t it? Sherry – would you explain these pics in the comments, please?
And look at the last photo from Cynthia –
Reader photos
I had special visitors today – remember Kate who used to write articles from New York City for the Goat Gazette? She’s in Iowa visiting her family and I am so lucky she considers me part of that group. I only get to see these three girls once a year – like Aidan, Lucy and Owen, I think of Quinn and Hadley as my pretend grandchildren. Poor Hadley is so allergic to the cats and dogs but you can see how much she enjoyed them. A quick shower and change of clothes when they got home should fix her right up.
P.S. I did call Mayo this morning and was told the biopsy was held up in “packaging” – what is packaging???? My bruised arm just aches.
Ursula and so many more – thank you for the nicest cards I’ve ever seen.
It’s such a great blessing to have a new primary doctor! I pray you get those biopsy results quickly.
Thanks for posting all the pictures! The sewing room pictures and comments about overwhelming stashes are very motivating! I have so much fabric – my own and that of our quilt group which has been reduced to only 2 of doing the sewing and quilting. I need to hurry up and get a lot of UFOs done and get the rest of the fabric turned into useful quilts!
How wonderful to have a doctor that you have a good rapport with. Don’t we wish they all took extra courses in patient kindness?
So glad you were able to find a new physician, and your visit went well. Hopefully they can make some progress with getting your results.
Mary, I am very grateful to hear you have been to your new primary care doctor. It sounds like you had a very positive appointment, so things are looking up.
Sherry, thanks for sharing the Monarch information; it brings back memories of our elementary school projects.
Mary, i continue sending hugs and prayers.
Take Care, 🥰
I just had to come in and say how happy I am that you found a doctor that seems interested in helping a patient! Being listened to and him going into action had to feel so good. I keep meaning to take a picture of my sewing room, but I’ve been helping my son prepare for a move with the Navy. He has too much stuff. Makes me want to start my death cleaning and I’m only 58! Remember when you did yours a few years ago?
Jill – I’m not sure I did any real death cleaning – I think I just talked a good game! Ha!
After dealing with all the stuff that my son had accumulated in 7 years, I feel like I’ve been ‘scared Straight’! Ha ha.
Great post today. I am happy you have found a doctor who will listen to you. I agree with the call on the onogologist, they’re there to keep track of everything. I’m sure he/she will be on top of things!!
Great you had visitors, they keep you young like your pets do.
Love all the pictures everyone is sharing.
The bluebird were difficult to make heads of, but I finally saw all three!!
Still praying.
Thinking of you Mary , and so happy
You found a new dr . It took 3 years for my hubby to find someone that would help him with his extreme foot/ ankle problems ( granted – we live in Alaska) but we did finally find someone. Surgery in September 🙂
Chris – oh, I am so happy for you, too! I had never had much contact with the health care community but my eyes have been opened for sure. Rick has had many ankle/foot issues, too.
Amen to a caring doctor and staff to put your mind to rest about tracking everything. it is all frustrating, but it sounds like this doctor is your advocate. So glad for you Mary. I’m confident, as are others, that things answers and action will start happening now.
One of the stories in the reader in my class, when I taught, was about two children doing an experiment with caterpillar to butterfly. Theirs were in a cardboard egg carton. Fascinating! We have a Butterfly Wonderland living museum in the Valley that my younger daughter and I visited a few months ago. Fun experience. Thanks for sharing the info and pictures, Sherry, and posting them Mary.
Love the many subjects this blog covers. Thank you, Mary!
Jan
Jan – aren’t we a diverse group???? 🙂
So relieved today to see you had a good experience finding a new doctor. There are so many not taking new patients, a persons doesn’t know what direction to turn. At least he is being proactive. Quilt room photos are inspiring and makes me want to get back to mine – when all the other duties are taken care of. Take care of yourself and prayers are always there for you!
Good Morning, Mary and everyone. So nice to read this special blog while sipping my morning coffee. I am happy you are finally getting attention and a plan from a caring doctor. You must have taken matters into your own hands instead of waiting around for Mayo. Sounds like a good thing you did if they can’t find your tests. Good grief!!
Thank you Sherry for the photos and lessons about Monarch butterflies. I love butterflies. We have Western Monarchs here. I think they are a bit different but still beautiful. I have found the huge green-striped caterpillars on my parsley and parsnip tops, but never a chrysalis. Later, I see the beautiful butterflies dancing through the flower beds. So thrilling. I always wonder where they go to make their cacoon???
Happy Day, everyone. Stay cool and hydrated.
I, along with all the others, am so happy to hear that you have a new doctor. We hope and pray he will carry through with getting you the help you need. This has taken way too long.
FYI – We (in Oskaloosa) have 3″ of rain in our rain gauge this morning. Since Sunday night, we have had almost 8″ of rain! That has not happened here in many years. It sounds like what northwest Iowa had a few weeks ago…..it just keeps raining.
Take care, and continued prayers for you.
Hooray – a new doctor and a fresh start. Does the new doctor have a portal to store appointments, test results and provide direct communication? Not all portals are linked if you cross over doctors, specialists and hospitals. It’s worth setting up now with your new start. I hope this leads you to answers.
Glad you have found a new doctor. Everyone said it all. Prayers for you.
Mary your new doctor sounds like a kind, caring soul. Praying you get some answers soon. Glad you got to see your other pretend grandchildren. It’s been extremely hot here and they are wearing sweatshirts! It must be cooler there. Sherry thanks for the butterfly update. It’s so exciting to see them grow. That treadle machine is fabulous.
Mary, so many prayers for you. Did you get cat scan results? Hope you now have a Dr advocate to get you sorted.
You might ask if warm packs are allowed on that arm.
Mary, sounds like there’s light at the end of the tunnel . It must be so refreshing to finally have a care provider who seems to actually Care.
The visit from the girls must have been so great. You can sure tell they are related. Looks like the dogs are enjoying them too.
Baby birds and baby butterflies. Doesn’t get much better. It’s fascinating following the progression of both. The blue of the birds is beautiful and I’m certain the monarchs will be also. I think the two together would make gorgeous quilt colors.
Holy cow, the quilt rooms! Fun fun fun!
Great news that you have found a caring doctor and staff!
Friends have used arnica cream on bruises with success.
I continue to pray for you.
Mary, thank you for all the beautiful photos. I will say my room is such a disaster I’m embarrassed to send photos! It’s even starting to make me crazy — I go in to clean and straighten up but then find stuff and start sewing instead. ugh.
I’m sorry you are still having such issues — as a nurse I understand your frustration. Wish I were still working — I’d be calling Mayo every day about this biopsy…… never heard their “packaging” excuse. I call nonsense on it, but doesn’t make it any easier for you. Your arm — put warm moist compresses on it — if you have a heating pad that you can use a wet washcloth that works the best. Do this several times a day. Helps the bruise and the soreness go away. Glad you found a good doctor — they are out there! Will continue to pray for you Mary.
Enjoying the butterfly photos….. someday I want to do a butterfly garden.
Take care everyone!!!
Mary your new MD sounds wonderful we could use more doctors like he sounds. Keep us posted on new progress and we continue to keep u in our prayers
I’m 74. I have made too many quilts to count. There were 28 quilt tops left to be quilted. I had decided I would not worry and just leave them to a daughter when I’m gone, then I thought better of it and began working to get them all quilted. 6 months later they are all quilted , I did them all myself on my Bernina, a dear friend helped me bind them. DONE. I got an Accuquilt cutter (because I have shoulder issues) and began going through all my stash and cutting and making blocks, what fun I’ve had. Now I will take a block, usually 12″, and hand quilt it which I love to do. They make nice mats for tables and good gifts. I’m doing big stitch quilting with 12 weight Aurofil (such pretty colors). Sometimes I will put 4 , twelve inch blocks together, that’s as big as I go now. Sometimes a pretty block will call to me to turn into a full quilt, but I try to resist, ha! I really want to simplify my home as I get older. Only keep what you use or love is my new motto. Mary I am praying for you. I love this blog. Linda in Colorado.
Linda,
Your comment is indeed one to think about with myself having 5 quilt tops needing to be quilted. About 10 years ago I was in a quilt guild where we lost 2 active members within 3 months both to sudden heart attacks – one was at a retreat and one caught the flu and became worse. (FYI- They were smokers but thankfully smoked outside as you’ll learn why that was good). Both had huge stashes of fabric in rooms as well as one had over 30 quilt tops needing to be sandwiched and quilted, as well as several table runners, etc needing quilted. When several of us were asked to find places to give their sewing stashes to and their children didn’t want these unfinished pieces, we divided them up with other members who would enjoy completing them. Kits were made from stashes to make charity quilts our guild provided for) A big lesson was learned by most of us that day that we shouldn’t store unfinished tops when so many could be using these quilts. For heavens sake, our group donated stacks of children’s quilts to the migrant families who came here every year to work the farms as well as to a battered women’s shelter for twin beds. So many could have been used back then. So it’s always in the back of my mind remembering that overwhelming moment when us ladies realized what we could be potentially leaving our own families to clean up.
But just using small blocks and making lap quilts is a big plus so good idea you described Linda. And using 12 weight thread might be easier than trying quilting thread to handle with my hands now. Thanks for bringing up some things to consider. My sewing room is my sanctuary of tranquility with all I’ve saved and think I will use but reality is I should prioritize what pieces I need to use now. I’m so guilty of not cleaning out and need to as there are some more ambitious quilters than myself who can finish them now.
Kathy, thank you for responding and for the good information. One method I’m trying is to hand-quilt the block with only the batting attached, then add the backing and flip it, so there is no binding to put on. Works great. and the quilting is easier on the hands because it is not thick. Blessings! Linda
Love how you explain how you manage your quilting passion these days. I bet it felt great to get those 28 quilts done. I’m super impressed. I have a craft gene that needs to be itched. I do smaller things too. Sometimes it’s practicing watercolor painting for an hour.
Hi Carolyn, thank you for your comment. Yes it’s a great relief to be caught up with my quilts. Now I am “free” to do any old thing I want. I tried painting on the tiny 3×3 canvas boards, that was fun. ( a tiny little house with a moon). I have always admired watercolor too. Blessings! Linda
Hi Mary, glad there is progress with a new doctor, let’s hope he gets things sorted out! Clearing out houses is hard work when there is so much stuff, l spent 2 years sorting out my husband’s stuff at 2 properties, selling houses and finding a new house glad to be settled now. Cold rainy night in New Zealand, snuggled down in bed as l write this,take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Joining the folks glad you are finally being properly treated. With the lack of proper workforce in most industries, I guess it shouldn’t be too surprising competency is not at the top of anyone’s list. I missed something when biopsy results N/A so scan cannot be done but oncologist being arranged for? More prayers for a smoother journey now the Dr.can lead you through it.
Brendalynne – I think it’s putting the cart in front of the horse, too. But then what do I know?
Mary, here’s my feeling that it’s out an abundance of caution as they are skilled in mass’s. It was an oncologist I was sent to who operated on my first mass several years ago even though it was thought to be non cancerous . It turned out the mass was attached to my appendix as well so another surgeon had to be called in to finish but I am so thankful this oncologist has kept me on to monitor me as he was head of oncology dept and well respected. As you know I still have another mass he continues to watch with cat scans. I have not had a cancer diagnosis thank God, but an oncologist on my team is worth my copay for his advice, knowledge, ordering less invasive tests and getting back to me quickly with results.
I was wondering the same thing. Why would an oncologist be involved if they don’t even know the results of the biopsy are cancerous. I’m happy you found a doctor that you are comfortable with and can trust. I hope things continue in a positive manner for you.
Great sewing room pictures. I have to differ though with creative minds are not tidy – I cannot be creative surrounded by a mess. When I’m working on a quilt I organize, empty the trash etc at the end of the day. The next day I start in again with everything neat and tidy. I’ve been this way my whole life.
Gloria – I wondered if this Dr. knew more than he was telling me. Maybe it’s just precaution – I don’t know but as I left all three said they’d worry about it now so I didn’t have to. Isn’t that great?
It could be that it takes time to get in to see a specialist. It sure does around here! Your primary doctor may just want to get you “on the list” in case you need to see the oncologist.
Mary, I am happy to hear you have a new primary care doctor. What a run around you have been through and still waiting for your results. Hope they come soon. Sherry it has been so interesting learning about the caterpillars and I enjoyed hearing why you do this.
mary, glad to hear you got a new primary doctor and you actually like them and their staff. i get the feeling he is really going to come through for you and things will start happening and being resolved. so glad.
please no one feel badly for me and my many doc appointments. it gets me out of my house. it is a necessary evil right now and i’m still alive and kicking and very much alive. i still have my quilting and stitching, slower than before, but i still can do it and enjoy it. in fact i pressed those random blocks today and basted them into rows, two more rows to go. hopefully tomorrow or the next day i can lay them out and see if they look good together or if i need to take them apart and lay out differently. i did tell mr ed tonight that i will forgo my angel meeting (charity group) this friday because i have two appointments on monday and three more in august. (mr. ed is still working and takes me to these appointments.)
at the eye doc today i was told i have macular degeneration (slowly from last year) but i have a weird hole in my left eye – can’t remember the name. they got me in to see a retina specialist on the 22nd. this situation is something that can be fixed through surgery, thankfully. it makes letters look fuzzy and distorted. i need to be able to cut and sew. so i’m glad i have a good eye doctor.
sherry, the story of the butterflies and their life cycle is amazing. thank you for taking us on this journey.
i so appreciate all the pictures of our sewing areas. we can work in the smallest spaces when we have to, can’t we? but we can also spread out and take all the space available. we are awesome!
i appreciate the problems people are going through in trying to settle estates through their grief. my mother kept everything (including check stubs where she bought 3 pairs of tennis shoes for 3 girls for school for $6 way back when). her problem that became our problem is that she refused to let us do anything with any of her things or my dad’s things (who died 7 years before her). we had to leave it all until she passed. things that were promised to people could not be given until she passed. it is my sister and i. my sister does not want to let anything go either. mother died in 2017. i need to get there to clean out everything my sister put in my room and then she will have no excuse but to finish it. my sister uses it as ‘a home away from home’. and i understand but still. sorry, i get carried away. would love to go and stay for six to eight months to get it all taken care of. mr. ed is probably worried i’ll try to bring it all here. that will not happen. mother’s property (and my sister) live in texas and i live in florida and have issues traveling. it will all work out. just takes time. thanks for listening.
mary, everything will work out. it takes alot of faith and knowing that it will be what it will be. i’m still kicking, 22+ years on oxygen. life changes but it always does. we adapt or we don’t. i believe in adapting and knowing that God won’t put me through anything He and i can’t get through together. it’s my mantra. hugs to all, patti in florida
Oh Patti, I feel your pain! My mom and dad left everything, too and my brother who lived with them couldn’t let things go. As I was over 60 at the time I wanted to let everything go as I was dealing with my own hoarding! We all just do the best we can at times like these. I want to eliminate my clutter for my girl’s sake. I have things I haven’t looked at in years. And the quilt things are just reminders of my youth.lol
Hi, Mary. My mother tells me she now is up to 60 cards from the blog readers. She is amazed that strangers would take the time to send her a card. So, thank you all for making her 100th so special. On a health note concerning her: She taken by ambulance on the 22nd to the ER. She couldn’t walk at all. After IVs and such and 8 hrs in the ER she was transported to anther hospital about 90 miles away where there was an open bed. After 3 and a half days there she was transferred to a nursing home for rehab. They are trying to build up her strength so she can go home. I will be leaving ND in about a week and heading to her farm. I’m looking forward to seeing her. I don’t know how long I’ll be in MN as it all depends on how she’s doing.
It has been interesting to watch the monarch’s development. The Bluebird nest sure is crowded. I hope Cynthia will get to see them fledge.
I’m glad you’ve got a doctor you like. Is he at Mayo or nearer to you? I’ve never heard of a specimen being held up in packaging. I certainly hope it wasn’t lost.
I’m continuing to keep you in my prayers. Now lights out for me.
Praise the Lord. You found a Dr. Sounds like he is a decent physician too.
I hope they find all your tests and give timely results.
It was 105 at my house today, and wind 10-15 mph. So very hot and dry.
I’m cleaning up and cleaning out my house. Dog medicine from the 1990’s. 25 years ago. Boy time flies.
I’m so glad Mary, you’re getting taken care of. So glad.
It’s a relief to have a doctor who cares and is nice. Is this a Mayo doctor? Did he tell you anything about the new scan you had? He’ll get the ball rolling, thank goodness
It’s so nice to have visitors that have been in your life for a while. Such a cute family of girls.
I continue to enjoy the photos of quilting rooms and quilts and animals. Your porch looks so inviting and cozy. I could see myself enjoying it.
Diane and gang wall hanging is super. Made me smile.
Well I sure enjoyed watching the women’s gymnastics team rally and have some great performances to win the team gold.
Mary, continued prayers as you navigate whatever comes next in your health journey. I’m sure it’s all overwhelming and scary. Hugs.
Pat on Md
Hi everyone – my ‘fancy’ caterpillar/butterfly nursery are peanut jars from Sam’s club. Each caterpillar gets its own jar, with small holes drilled in the lid AND a tree branch for the caterpillar to climb to the lid – where he/she will rest while creating a weblike structure on the lid that will support the chrysalis, then hang in a ‘J’ before going into chrysalis. If you look closely at the lids, you can see the green chrysalis hanging in there. I also thought you might be interested in the timeline – if you remember the first photo of the caterpillar that looked like about the size of an eyelash – very hard to find! – until it went into chrysalis at around 2 inches – about 13 days. It will be in chrysalis for about 10 days – if I remember right from last year. My first one should metamorphose on August 1-2. The chrysalis will turn dark – like black/orange dark and – tada -will be a butterfly! Amazement in less than 25 days.
I will try to get pics of the one I’ve been photographing when this happens but sometimes it happens overnight and I get up to a butterfly. I am also traveling to Cresco this weekend for my class reunion and 2 of the chrysalis’ and 3 or 4 caterpillars will also go with me so I can care for them. If they are in the 10 days of chrysalis they can stay home – they don’t need my help lol.
I currently have 14 jars of caterpillars/chrysalis and the grands found 2 more caterpillars on leaves this afternoon – if they are still there when I set the Monarchs free I will bring them in. I am hoping to raise at least 25 this year.
Some of you may wonder why I bring them in – first, it is fun. But I’ve had milkweed for several years and I have never found a chrysalis. Two years ago I found 2 caterpillars and was checking on them every day – they were about 6 or 7 days old and they were gone… No idea what happened but I suspect birds ate them or the wind battered them, but I think birds. So I can give them a better chance to become butterflies in a more controlled environment I think. Last year I kept 17 caterpillars from being bird food and set Monarchs free!
I also have a day care group stop every other day to check on their progress and two of my grand kids came today – and named them – they like sports, so names like baseball and football lol.
So that’s my story – and I hope it has been fun and educational!! Sherry from Kasson MN
Sherry, when you feed the caterpillars do you need to give them water somehow?
Martha – I don’t give them water – each day I have to rinse out the jars (lots of caterpillar poop when they get big!) so there is some residual water at the bottom of the jar, but they don’t need it. They get everything from the leaves they eat – when they get to be 1″ to 2″ – they eat about a 2″x’4″ leaf a day. I do like the residual (maybe it’s a teaspoon) of water in the bottom, I think it helps keep the leaf hydrated. And I am too lazy to dry out the jar – lol. Sherry W.
Sherry, Thank you so much for what you do and for sharing. It’s amazing what nature does for us right under our noses and we aren’t even aware it’s happening. Again thank you.
About three years ago I was trimming a hedge and as I picked up some branches to put in the yard bag, I saw a bright green chrysalis with a beautiful band of gold dots! I suspected it was a monarch but had never seen one. I looked it up, sure enough, that’s what it was. I took it in the house and put the branch in a vase in the kitchen to keep an eye on it. About a week later it started turning black and I took it out on our deck to watch the butterfly emerge. The whole process was fascinating! It took about an hour after it emerged to unfurl its wings and let them try, then slowly moving them but not ready to fly yet. I put it on one of our hydrangeas where it tried out some short flights, then finally flew away. Just amazing. We have a large park with an award-winning garden in the center, and it was designed with a monarch habitat. They raise a bunch of caterpillars every year.
Sue – you’re lucky, too, having seen this. I have really enjoyed Sherry’s ongoing photo story about the monarchs. I think everyone has..
I love seeing the chrysalis, when I pet sat for some friends, I also pet sat his monarchs he was cultivating. I was able to see what it really looked like in person. I in turn found one at my house, called the neighbor kids over to see it. We all learned something that summer. We did get to see it change color, ready to start opening. The sewing rooms are so interesting, we keep our best treasures in our special places. Thanks for sharing with us. I know the whole health thing is so hard, been there, did that with my mom. And yes, I’ve cleaned out several houses, it’s so hard. But I am having problems with mine, I’m just not ready to die I guess. Take care.
I am so glad that you found a new Dr. I can’t believe a place like the Mayo Clinic could give you such a run around. When you are better I hope you let someone in charge know. Whoever that may be. Maybe no one is, and that’s the problem.
I have been cleaning out my mother’s house to have an estate sale, as she passed last year. I am telling you it is kicking my tail. I am up and down in my mood swings and now rethinking all my treasures I will leave behind for someone else to go thru. I am trying to see my progress but it is hard when there is so much more to do. Let us know when he tracks down your test results and hang in there.
No doubt you are in the thick of the going thru things, my suggestion, do one room at a time, have a place where you can put Keep, Donate , not sure. I did this when my mother had a stroke and could never go back home and I was there for my cousin when she had to do the same cleaning out her parents’ home. I was her helper, and sounding board, and helped her get thru this, I live closer to her folk’s home so did most of the back yard stuff, and my DH and our son helped clean out the tool/woodworking sheds. It took two months to get it done. We worked 4 day weeks as we all had our own places and lives but it is worse going at this alone, we did one room at a time and that helped alot. Good luck on your project. My kids do not want anything of mine so I am putting index cards on items as to where they should go.
I forgot to add that it is a good idea to clear out the donate pile each day so you do not have to deal with it the next day, we donated to the Goodwill, local thrift shop, and the area re-store, we had a couple of gals that sell used furniture so they came by appointment as well, books were put in little free libraries, recycling was recycled, and the throw away stuff went to the dumpster. We eventually went thru the keep and every day went thru the not sure items so we started fresh every day. We put stuff out on the boulevard with free signs, and people could check the dumpster as well. Then my cousin took the keep items home at the end of the work week.
Carol, I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother.
Well I worked in a lab and never heard or used the term packaging. The specimen was either being run on the instruments , under a microscope or considered missing in transport from where it was drawn, or it was being flown to a specialized lab in another city. I’m just so glad you have an advocate in your new PCP now who will get your deserved care going. My oncologist is so calm and reassuring with every thing we discuss and the surgeries I’ve had.
So nice seeing Kate and her girls there visiting you again this summer.
I am sorry you are having such a hard experience with Mayo. Glad you have found a good primary care doctor.