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Sunday, May 31, 2020

Acanthus Stitch-a-Long part 8

Hi everyone -- and I hope you're safe and well. I'm a little late posting as I'm writing from a hospital bed. I had been having headaches for days, so I went in to see my doctor on the 21st, and she prescribed an MRI. Insurance being what it is, I needed to get approvals for the MRI so wasn't able to get in until Wednesday the 27th. Before I even got up from the scanner table the tech said he'd seen something and wanted one of the neuro people to see it, so could I just wait on the couch in the hallway?

Not what I had been hoping for, but also maybe it was? What I didn't want was there to be no reason for the headaches. But what would it be???

Turns out I have a large clot in my brain -- cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) -- so I went from the MRI room to the emergency room in my local hospital, and once a bed could be secured, to the Neural Critical Care Unit at a nearby hospital. I stayed there for 1 night and then was moved into the standard Neurology unit, where I've been since Thursday.

The prognosis is good -- I'm on anti-coagulants (blood thinners) and pain pills and a blood pressure lowering medicine (boy oh boy does a blood pressure spike make a headache pound!) and it looks as if I'll be released today. I'm still allowed to go for walks and even short runs, but not allowed any contact sports. I guess my rugby days are over. (For the record, I've never played rugby...)

ANYWAY, that's a long way of saying I didn't get as much stitching done though when I look at it, it seems like I did!... Here's where I was last time, having just finished the leaves:


And I did enough that I needed to roll the canvas a bit!


And here's where I am now, courtesy of a photo snapped by my husband:


I think I'm a just under halfway done!

By our next check-in I hope to have most of the background filled in. Given how weird things are right now I still don't know if that's super ambitious or if I'm sandbagging!

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long all make amazing, and inspiring projects, so check out everyone's blogs to see what they're all up to.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, CindyHeidi, Jackie, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Mary MargaretRenee, Carmela, Jocelyn, SharonDaisy, AnneConnieAJ, JennyLaura, CathieLinda, Sherrie, and Helen.

See you on June 21st for our next check-in!


18 comments:

  1. oh my! so pleased to hear doctors were on the ball, and you got sent for a scan very quickly!!! Hope you're resting up, and that you'll be up and running about as normal very soon!
    claire93

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    1. Thanks Claire -- I feel so lucky to have caught it pre-stroke (even if it is a long road ahead!). I'm taking it very easy and have a good prognosis.

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  2. Thank goodness you're OK! Forget about everything that isn't important and get well very soon. We're all cheering you on for a quick recovery :-) Big hugs x

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    1. Thanks Avis -- it's strange, my only symptom was the headaches, and I'm now managing those through pain killers and blood pressure medicine to keep that very low. So sometimes I wonder why I was in hospital at all. But 4 nights and 5 days seems like an impossibly long time to be in, nowadays!

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  3. OH my goodness, Sunny, thank the Lord they got you an MRI before anything bad happened! Wow! Take care my dear, and enjoy some extra stitching time if your headache dissipates so you can enjoy it. Best to you for a speedy and complete recovery!

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    1. Thanks Kathy -- sometimes I wonder if seeing a nurse rather than a doctor led to my getting the MRI ordered so quickly? I'm doing a bit of stitching every day and so far it's going well.

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  4. And, your stitching looks great! That background is just wonderful. 🙂

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  5. So sorry to hear that Sunny but glad they have found the problem and are on the way to getting it sorted so you can feel better. You did a great job with your stitching especially with everything else going on. I hope you are feeling much better soon. Take good care xx

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  6. Oh dear! I hope you are getting better and thank God for doctors that are able to find the problem! You have done a lot on your progress!

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    1. Thanks Gun -- I'm feeling much better, though I suspect it's the medications for now. And my not being allowed to cook or handle a knife means my husband is handling all of the cooking! So I should have more time to stitch, right?

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  7. I read your post with bated breath...so sorry this has happened to you, Sunny. However, the prognosis sounds very encouraging that this will be well managed...and definitely no more rugby! 😊

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    1. Thanks Jocelyn! I feel so lucky it was caught relatively early. I think I'm in good hands, care-wise, and I should be back to normal in a couple of months. Even without the rugby!

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  8. Wow, I'm glad this has turned out so well. And you did get a significant amount of stitching done! I won't be surprised to see it completed next week when we have our next SAL!

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  9. Sunny, I am so glad they were able to catch this and I hope you are feeling tons better. Your embroidery is absolutely lovely. The blue background really makes the rest pop. Sending hugs and well wishes your way!

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