I’ll bet I know what happened now with the path results – I know I told somebody and even though I thought it was in the comments, now I’ll bet I answered an email. Never be afraid to ask me anything – my life is an open book.
So here it is as I understand it – the tumor in my left retroperitoneal area was lying very close to the kidney and at one time it was thought the tumor was laying over top the ureter. A urologist surgeon was also in the operating room because he was going to have to repair the ureter after they took the tumor out.
Well….that isn’t what happened in the end. As Dr. Warner said to me, “I peeled it right out!” the ureter was left intact. Win – win!!
I do not need any chemo or radiation and I simply have not given much more thought to this. I worried for months while I waited to have it removed and even then part of the hematoma from July was still there! I’m moving on – I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. Dr. Warner said it may never happen again in my lifetime. One thing I know – I’m not going back to the hospital for a LONG TIME!!
Don’t be afraid to ask me things and if you’d rather not ask in the blog arena, go to my email where only I will see it. I did just get a message from a phone number – I know so many of you but I do not recognize phone numbers. Would you recognize mine without identification?
Tomorrow is a big day for my friend Ema and I can’t wait to tell you about it.
Kindness matters. The neighbors loved watching Isla, Dan and Donna’s cat, so they hung a Christmas greeting in the window for them to see.
This is what I’ve been working on and I laid it on the table just to see what it looked like.
It may not get quilted this year – but as I was admiring it, Greta came along. Here’s a series of pictures.
So I’m writing this early in the evening so I have all evening to work – since the table topper is done, my room is a mess and I can’t start anything else with just this much working area.
Made an appointment for JB on 12-17 to have his eye removed – please pray he survives. This is his position when I’m in the sewing room. Just what I need, huh?
P.S. Did you see that Caitlin is on the cover of Time magazine? I’m sure this will be almost impossible to find in the state of Iowa – because we all want it. If you happen to see it on the newsstand would you buy it and mail it to me? I will reimburse you. Thank you but don’t 40 of you send me a copy!!!!
Wind chill here right now is below zero. Brrrr!
After all you went thru, isn’t it amazing that you don’t need chemo or radiation? What a blessing!
I guess your new table topper has been Greta approved. 😂
Stay Warm/Take Care, 🥰
Mary,
I hope JB does great. Cats adapt well, especially in a loving home! My daughter currently has a one eyed foster cat and she does well. My opinion is that she will be a foster fail and that the cat has found her forever home with my daughter! In any case, she’s a lucky cat.
I just love the picture of Greta on her hind legs, it sure looks like she is decorating the tree herself! 🌲
Your table topper is beautiful and I think your color combo shows what a good sense of color you have.
My husband has a follow up appointment with the surgeon today. I hope his restrictions are lifted. He is doing great so shouldn’t be a problem.
Take care everyone. 🌻
Sunflower – if JB survives the anesthesia I’ll be so relieved. I hope your daughter keeps the foster cat.
Just to let you know….you are not going crazy. I saw your post about the results in the comments a week or so ago! I even think you mentioned that you will need a scan in a couple of months. Enjoy the holiday season.
Karen in Wi.
Karen – THANK YOU!! I put so much into this blog that I think readers could reciprocate by reading the comments. Everything I do is blog worthy in some way because it remains “the blog about nothing”. Now of course those readers won’t see this because they’re not interested and I, frankly, don’t have nearly as much to say as my collective group of commenters. Whew! Maybe I should take a break?
no break is needed. we read the comments. i will go back and read comments to see if someone answered something. so yes, we need you and your blog about nothing that turned into a blog about everything. hugs, patti in florida
I agree Mary that you bring so much joy for more of us than you realize. You put a lot into this blog and I can’t even think of not having this to read. You can’t please everyone and never will ever, so please know most of us go back and read comments cause we do have the time to see if anyone else has added something on. Some don’t bother. It’s easier on every social media platform today to ask a question rather than look so it’s not you. I know you want to answer everyone’s questions but I honestly don’t want you to fret over thinking you need to. It’s a free blog for us to read so we shouldn’t expect you to be on top of everything as you aren’t paid by us. We should keep clicking on the ads to help you! I do remember you saying in a comment back to someone that it was all removed successfully and a scan later.
Kathy – thank you! I’m going to take your comment as permission to not answer something I’ve already said how many times! Like today when someone wants to know how to get Thirty Stars! Duh.
Mary, I truly believe it takes quite a long time to get all the anesthesia out of your system, especially after a long surgery, so you not remembering who you told or where you sent the path results is not surprising. Any you have almost jumped right back into where you left your home pretty fast. But now all of us that worried so know the wonderful results – cancer free!! God’s blessings!!
I knew Hazel was a little baby but until she was up near JB I didn’t realize she was that small, no wonder she gets stuck in little cervices and holes. I will pray for JB, it’s so hard to see one of your cherished babies go through any procedure.
Your table topper is lovely! Any how do kitties know there is something new that they need to lay on? My Bette knows when I have a box or a bag for her to get in regardless if she is sleeping at the far end of the house! She has to attempt to get in any box even it only her head fits in the box from U of M pharmacy!
Stay warm. We have a little ice covered with about two inches of snow and horrible howling winds putting the wind chill at 0 this morning. The wind is supposed to keep us at a high of 19 today so I think other than going to the barn to care for Norman and Albert, I’m in sewing for the day! Blessings to all
Linda – Hazel is heavier than she should be – pretty sturdy! I will go to the barn soon to fill water buckets and get eggs. Otherwise they’re staying in today in this bitter cold.
great blog post. hazel looks so white (and grumpy). love the table topper with all the different trees. love that greta thinks she can decorate the tree better and grace the topper even better. i think jb will be fine. my smokey had to have an eye removed. i couldn’t keep him in the house. he did fine. it’s amazing to me how quickly they adapt.
love all the decorations. the angel collection is really nice as are the wooden pieces of the manger scene. i felt so badly when i saw clifford’s ear. but you’re a good pet mom and will replace his ear. yeah for you.
i made a square today from some of those pieces parts i separated. not sure i like it but will have to think on it more. no light/dark involved. today i opened a gallon size baggie that had 542 2-patches in it. stitched but not pressed open yet. figured out a quickie pattern using a 36 patch block with some sashing and 9 patch cornerstones. will be 48 x 63. i think there is enough there to make that pattern more than once. quick finishes. we’ll see. still thinking. no rhyme or reason for the pairings, no light/darks. just squares stitched together. the fun part of this whole estate sale purchase is the possibilities.
tonight my restless leg syndrome is acting up so i’m going to try to take care of it. hugs and blessings to all. patti in florida
What good news on the medical front, no chemo or radiation, wow! The picture of Greta with her paws on the top of the tree is just precious, would be a wonderful Christmas card. Loving all the wonderful pictures today. Its a cold one here today and its been snowing for hours. The temps have dropped from 33 to 1 and will hit -14 with the windchill. Good time to stay inside and just enjoy the view from inside and wrap some gifts.
What a lovely post for today. I am thrilled that your outcome is so good after such a long wait for the surgery. Waiting for treatment and results is such a stressful thing. Seeing you happy and well is so encouraging and rewarding. Thank you so much for sharing with us. It never ceases to amaze me how much some cats just love being in the middle of everything that is going on. So precious. I also love the table topper and will try to make one. Thank you again for all your effort and sharing in your posts.
ha-ha, the expression in Hazel’s eyes after bath is priceless! But my, she does clean up nice. However, I fear she is thinking something like: “Just wait ’til she puts me down. I’m heading for the first pile of dirt I can find.”
So glad you continue to feel better. I think when you are able to get back to the playing again at church, they will give you a standing ovation to welcome you back to the piano.
Thank you for posting all the beautiful Christmas dec photos. It is, indeed, a lovely time of year.
Lindah- a standing ovation in church???? Haha!!!
If you become an Episcopalian the congregation will stand up for you every time you play! 😂
DH and I were both raised in the Methodist church (different towns). Bill grew up in a small town. His grandpa was on the Methodist church board, but one Sunday he came to their house and marched them across the street to the very small Episcopal church and they were Episcopalians from then on! Apparently something happened at the Methodist church that teed him off. I had visited Episcopal churches in high school and was very attracted to the liturgy and was happy to join when we got married, but there is a learning curve! There’s a LOT of standing, sitting, kneeling—much less formal now than 40 years ago, but. Plus juggling the prayer book and the hymnal. But we always stand when there’s music!
I thought about that too….ya, if Margaret stands up and leads the congregation to do so.
Mary so happy all is well with you, such a relief.
all these quilt pictures are beautiful, and of course the animals, love them
Prayers for JB XO
Mary, I love your table topper. Greta is a nice addition to it. Cats are so curious, aren’t they? Thank you for sharing your medical journey. You’ve been in my thoughts & prayers. So much to be thankful for this holiday season.
Love the table topper you made, and the pictures of Greta on it! Hoping everything goes well with JB. My best friend had a feral cat show up with an infected eye. She kept feeding it & trying to gain his trust so she could take it to the vet. But that took time & the eye kept getting worse. She was finally able to get it to the vet, and they had to remove his eye. After the surgery she brought the cat back to her house, and kept it indoors. The cat did great, and now it is a very sweet, happy cat, hard to believe it was once feral. So glad you are doing well!
The pet pictures are adorable. Poor JB having to go through surgery. I pray she will be just fine. Yup Hazel is hysterical looking! Becky’s face cracks me up holding Hazel. Had to be some laughs while the bath was going on.
I’m loving the angels of Diane’s all together. I have mine scattered around the house but I think I want to put them all together next year.
The after bath stick eye happens even after going to the groomer. Do like your table topper flimsy & hope you’ll give directions. How can I find/purchase the 30 stars pattern? Thank you for the daily visits.
Love the picture of Greta decorating the tree! Really pretty table topper.
Not a very flattering picture of Caitlyn. I don’t think Time is on the newsstands. You can subscribe on line or order a copy on line for $24.95. She is athlete of the year.
Those are some big words in your path report! I’m sure you understood everything.
Hazel did give you the “eye”. Loretta stared at me all the way home after her trip to the spa. Too bad…she is soft again, looks like a puppy again and smells so much better.
I love seeing all your trees. Everyone’s decor is festive.
When I learned to quit, we had to draft patterns. It wasn’t hard but very valuable. We also had to cut templates and cut patches with scissors. Rotary cutters and rulers hadn’t gotten out to Wyoming yet.
What a fun adventure this has been.
My favorite part? Binding…what’s yours?
Jo – we began our quilting journey long before rotary cutters. The big deal for us was a Gingher shears and yes, we made cardboard templates and cut out each shape. We’ve seen a lifetime of change in the quilting world, haven’t we?
i learned to quilt in 1991. i was taught by an amish lady who came to my house. we made templates from template plastic and cut everything out with scissors. my first quilt was made entirely by hand, even those long borders. i had a brand new sewing machine and wasn’t allowed to use it. later i was very glad i learned the way i did. i still have my sampler and will never give it up. when i taught quilting, i didn’t make them do it by hand, but made sure they understood the math so they wouldn’t be calling me at midnight wanting to know how to do their homework. extremely valuable to know how to do it the ‘old’ way. thanks for bringing that up. my favorite part of a quilt is pulling the fabrics. patti in florida
Patti – pulling fabrics is my favorite part, too!
Praying for JB. Such a sweetie.
Great pictures with Greta and the little tree! Love Hazel’s stint eye. She’s too cute. Went to lunch today with 2 friends I used to work with (we are all retired now). We try to meet once a month but hadn’t had a chance since August. We got there at 11:30 and left about 4:00. We talked and talked and talked. It wasn’t busy so the waitress didn’t care. Of course I hit the very bad traffic, but that’s ok. We had fun!
Greta sure liked your little tree. It’s just her size. I chuckled over the photos of her on the topper. Brr… it’s cold here in Mankato with a windchill of -21. Stay warm everyone over the next few days.
So happy to hear your great medical report. What an answer to prayer!
Love your darling Christmas table topper. Is it your original design? Or share the pattern name ?
I love making Christmas items & the size is perfect!
Thank you for sharing the pretty piano piece. I know you will be glad when you are back at church and praising the Lord for His many blessings ☺️
Merry Christmas ✝️
So glad that you mentioned your results. I missed it in the comments and was concerned that you hadn’t mentioned it. I do read the comments and find them very informative but I don’t always have time to read all of them all.
Love all your pictures and news! The best from Canada!🇨🇦
Love the topper, well done.
I absolutely love this blog tonight! All the wonderful info regarding your surgery!! AND the photos of poor Hazel with her bath!😂😂. She wasn’t happy! I love the table topper you did. Any way I can grab a copy of the pattern? I suppose you already offered it and I missed it. But if not, I’d love a copy. Thank you so much for doing this blog. I don’t comment often but I love your daily bits of life. So glad you are feeling better.
Elaine – no pattern – 2-1/2” squares and 4-1/2” squares and 6” blocks if any kind in the corners – very easy!
I just love your Christmas table topper Mary. You sure have an I for color and placement. I love that it is pet approved.
Love the pictures of your table top quilt and all the antics of your cats. They knew you put it there for their pleasure.
Poor Clifford. My funny dog has no interest in any toys. He must have had a lonely childhood! He is only interested in food and guests!I
You did mention the malignancy in the comments . Thought you only wanted to share it with a select few. I can understand why you want to put it out of your mind. Prayers for your peace of mind and continued recovery.
First of all thank you for the video of Silent Night! It is beautiful and loved seeing you piano room decor.
Yes Hazel is giving you a stink eye! Funny. Love your table topper. And I think Greta approved also. Your poor kitty with the sore eye, hope surgery goes ok. Your sister is a sweetheart. You are so fortunate she lives close and you can do things together.
We had to go to Sioux Falls today as Jay had to have his shots in his eyes for macular degeneration. At least the roads were dry! It was windy and cold! He needs his glasses adjusted for we ent to Costco and while he did that I picked up what we needed. Went to Culver’s for a quick lunch and then home! We are planning a day at home tomorrow!! Stay warm every one!