New Additions

Here's the latest additions to my Esty shop! I whipped them up today but not before the sun when down. Hence the picture on the ironing board! I've got a few more designs to make...even a microwave oven potholder which is so cute!

Today was a busy day. I had to take Sweet Mama to see her Radiation drs for a 6mos checkup. They were pleased with how she is doing. She had a MRI last Thursday at Emory in Atlanta and we are still waiting on the final results. Our surgeon wanted the radiaologists to take a final look at it since we saw him that day also. So we are waiting...although he even said it looked good. You know, the waiting part is so hard. Hopefully we will hear from him tomorrow.'

After we saw the doctor I had a few errands to run and then back to sewing! I got my old sewing machine back from the repair man the other day and it is perfect for sewing through thick things! Plus I love it!! So I decided to whip up these potholders for the shop! Sweet Mama thinks I need to add more things since the shop name is Aprons and MORE. She keeps asking where is the More? Well here is something...(I'm having a hard time typing because Beau is in my lap. He has gotten better but is so needy...I better go for now!) More pictures to come!!

Latest update on Sweet Mama

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately. We are down to the final 6 days of Sweet Mama's radiation treatments! We are all so glad! As many of you know (and some of you don't) Sweet Mama had a rare sinus cancer 4 years ago which was treated with surgery only. It reoccurred this past January and she had more surgery (2) in May at Emory Hospital in Atlanta. This time, after the surgeries, it was decided that she had to have radiation treatments...33 to be exact! The past week it has been harder on Sweet Mama. Radiation drains all of your strength and makes you very tired. It gets worse as the days go on. Yesterday she tried to have a fainting spell. That was scary! She has lost about 10+ pounds since we started the treatments around the first of July, almost 30 total since the surgeries...she doesn't need to lose any more. The good news is that once the treatments end, she will regain her strength and appetite. Because she is having radiation to her head, her tongue and throat are sore and a little swollen. It is very hard to eat and to get calories! Hopefully, when this is all over, we will eat ice cream and drink milkshakes every day!

Still Raining

It's still raining! It started back this afternoon and has been raining on and off ever since. My tomatoes are loving it! They are getting bigger every day with more and more blooms. Hopefully (cross your fingers!), they will all grow into pretty big tomatoes!

Today was a little busy! Spent a lot of time on the phone with doctor's offices. Sweet Mama's eye came unsewn last Friday (of course...holiday weekend!) It is sewn in two places...the inside lid and the outside lid. We tried to hold off calling hoping that the outside stitches would hold. But last night she complained of her eye bothering her. So I called the radiation people to see what the latest appointment would be (we usually go in the early afternoon). Then I called Atlanta to the Emory Eye Clinic to see when they could see her. Turns out that it's tomorrow afternoon. Also trying to see the surgeon about her ear that is bothering her. We are thinking that maybe she will have to have a tube put in. They have to call back tomorrow...he's been on vacation...we will see about that later. So it is off to Atlanta after an early treatment with the radiologist. Should be nice and rainy on the way home... Pop up shows are predicted between here and there for the late afternoon. That will make for fun driving...Well, at least it's not a Friday afternoon!

A Better Day

After a whirlwind day yesterday, of expected and unexpected doctor's appointments, Sweet Mama, Red and I made it back home. The ride from Atlanta was nice and easy. The doctors were very positive and Sweet Mama was feeling much better by the time we got home. Much better ending to a day that started a little rough. Sweet Mama has had a time recovering from the anesthesia. It didn't help that she had 2 surgeries in less than 3 weeks! Hopefully every day will be a little better than the last!

We have been spending more and more time on the back porch now that Skippy and I cleaned and vacuumed. Red's family (minus Kojak) came over and visited last night. And this evening Skippy and Red came back! Beau has taken a liking to the recliner, especially at naptime. Well , Skippy plopped down while Beau was trying to nap. Both would not give an inch! The result was this! Beau was slowly sliding down the recliner as Skippy would lean back. His face got closer and closer to the edge!

Until finally he gave up and left! Not in an angry or mad way...just like "OK I'm tired of this...yawn...hmm.. this other chair looks nice and comfy!" A relaxing and quiet day for healing!

This Long Week

It has been a long week... First Sweet Mama and I went to Atlanta to see her prosthodontist and surgeon. Her eye has been giving her a fit, it is sagging and she could not close it all the way. So the surgeon referred over to a ocular plastics doctor. He saw us that afternoon and decided to sew her eye shut until she finishes radiation. Not what we had planned for that day! But her eye is feeling better now, although she looks like a rock star!

Wednesday we all went to meet the radiation doctor. Red went too! They were very nice and kind! Sweet Mama seemed pleased with the meeting and felt very informed. We go back in a week.

On Thursday, around 4pm, Sweet Mama called me into her room for something to drink. Then she said she wasn't feeling well, then she could not talk to me...We had to call 911 and she was taken to the hospital by ambulance! Red rode with her and they both were disappointed that they did not use the lights or sirens. They thought that if you have to pay the money for the ambulance ride you should at least get the full experience! I think she was dehydrated and was having a reaction to one of the medicines she was given on Monday. We were there until this afternoon.

I am so tired! I have spent 2 nights in the hospital with her, and boy are they noisy at night! It is hard to get a good night's sleep with so many people barging in all hour of the night!

So now, we are home and she is resting in her own bed. We go back to Emory on Monday to see everyone. And then back to the radiation drs on Thursday to start again! I think this time it is going to be more challenging than the last time four years ago. But I know we will get through it! It will just take more time and effort and prayers!

Back Home Again

Sweet Mama is back home from her last surgery! We were released at 3 pm today and made it back home by 4:45! It is so nice to be back here. The kitties were so glad to see us. Beau had to bend my ear with all that he did while we were gone and Bella was just sweet!

Sweet Mama has her good eye patched. Her bad eye is swollen and it is hard for her to see. So basically she is temporarily blind. And that makes her a bit disoriented. We go to her Opthamologist tomorrow afternoon. Just have to make it through tonight. A scratched cornea is so painful but she is slowly getting better everyday!

Sweet Mama Operation #2

Back here at Emory for the latest procedure! Yesterday we got here at 7:30 a.m. They didn't call her back until after 11:30...It seemed like forever! But once things started, they happened fast. The operation was over in 15 minutes! So much better than last time which was 4 1/2 hours. She got back to her room around 4:30 and was doing very well. She started having pain in her good eye and, after a ophthalmology consult, found out she had a scratched cornea! She has had a lot of pain with this eye but hopefully it will be better by the afternoon. She had a good night (I was the night nurse) think that we will be able to go home after lunch. It is a cloudy day with possibility of rain. Hopefully we make it home in between drops!

Surgery Delayed!

More rain today and wind! I think that we are going to get washed away!!

Sweet Mama's surgery has been pushed back to Tuesday @ 11:00a.m. The surgeon called this morning and said that Tuesday would be better. It is to last about an hour. We are still going to spend the night afterwards and probably the night before! They want her to be there at 7:00 a.m. so in order to make that we have to get there Monday afternoon.

The good news is that it won't be raining (well, maybe)!! Today felt like hurricane weather...squally bands...hope we aren't being prepared for something!

Outpatient Surgery

The nurse called today to tell us that Sweet Mama's surgery is set for this Friday. We don't know what time though...the Surgery Scheduler is to call either this afternoon or tomorrow. Since it is now 8:00 p.m. she should be calling tomorrow. I hope she calls early! This is to be outpatient surgery...the only problem is that we do not live in Atlanta and can't just run over to the hospital at any time. If it is an early case then we will have to go tomorrow and spend the night. I hate the waiting game.... Sweet Mama is staying overnight after the surgery anyway...again because we live out of town. You never know what Atlanta traffic will be like. Some days it's good, some days it horrible! I am ready for all this surgery to be over and for the healing process to begin!

Today's Appointment

Just got back from Atlanta and Emory. Sweet Mama had the packing removed from her mouth. It was quite a chore to get it out. It was sewn in so well that it took some effort to get it out! The Surgeon also went over the pathology report. It showed that there was cancer in the bone of the cheekbone. He thought that he had removed more than enough of the bone for it to be cancer-free, but the report said otherwise. We had to have more surgery either end of this week or next. He said that it is hard to detect cancer in bone just by looking at it. We still won't know if it is all gone until we get the next path report. She seems to be in ok spirits...just glad that the packing is gone and she can swallow again. Tonight she gets REAL FOOD!

After a windblown ride and back to Atlanta, I am glad to be home. I checked my Esty Shop and found out that I have been listed in another Treasurty list! That makes 4 in 4 months!!

The address is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25221127 (This is the apron that made it on!) treasury:http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=54432 It expires Thursday May 21 @ 10:52 pm! Check it out and click on my apron! It is a cute Tropical themed Treasury. Lots of cute and different things!!

Sweet Mama's Follow-up Appointment

Sweet Mama's follow-up appointment is tomorrow at Emory. We see the Surgeon and the Prosthodontist. She is having the packing removed so hopefully she will be feeling a little better! She still has not had any pain, just itching of her bad eye. If that goes away she will be a lot happier. She can't rub it because she has still has stitches below the eye. It also gets a little goopy now and then (that's just the healing process). These little annoyances are a bit trying to her but will soon work themselves out! We will know more tomorrow...It's just going to be a long day!!

Beau woke up this a.m. at 5:03...only because Bella threw up a hairball in the hall at 4:30. I tell you, if it is not one it is the other!! He stayed up until 7ish then came back and got it the bed and stayed there until 9:30! I had to get up at 8!! It is just not fair!! Yawn....Who knows what the morning will bring... I plan on sleeping through the night! I hope he heard me...

Home At Last!!

We got to bring Sweet Mama home today! She was discharged around noon and we made our way down the Interstate back home. Not too bad of a ride...just one back up in McDonnough! She dozed in the backseat most of the way, which was good. She hasn't slept that well for the past few nights. Hopefully now she can rest!

The babies were glad to see me! Beau just kept following me around. But now they are both out on the porch...chillaxing! It is a beautiful day!!!

Sweet Mama Day 5

Here we are at day five! Sweet Mama had a restless night last night...coughing the whole night! I saw each hour go by with about 15 minutes per hour of sleep! Her nose is stopping up on the good side which seems to be causing a post nasal drip.

I left around 6:45 am when Red got here. Went straight to the hotel and got ready for bed. I slept for about 2 1/2 hours when some rocket scientist decided it would be a great idea to get the blower out and clean off the sidewalk. He didn't just blow off the dirt like a normal person...he gunned it and basically played all the way down the building! He must have been 10!

So now I am awake. I lay around trying to go back to sleep but there are too many sounds going on outside! I fiddle with the AC to try to have some white noise but to no avail. I call Red, get the update and then decide to get something to eat..which involves driving! Now I have been awake all night, so if anyone I know had seem me you wouldn't have recognized me! Seriously, I looked like a train wreck! That's the problem with being a sitter. You never get any rest!

I got back from Mickey D's ate and went back to bed....it is now 2 or 2:30..I sleep until 3:48 when LB calls! So rest time is now over!! After chatting, a shower and packing up I head back up to the hospital! So much for sleep!

The good news is that Sweet Mama is going home tomorrow!! Yay!! Now we all can sleep in our own beds! The kitties will be so glad to see us. I know Bella has missed her napping partner and Sweet Mama has missed her!

Sweet Mama Day 4

Well, here I am sitting in the dark...wishing I had asked LB to leave the booklight here with me! Can't read my book :( It has now flown away to it's new home in Iowa!

Sweet Mama had a better day today after a bad night! She is having problems swallowing with all the packing in her mouth. When she took her night pills, one when down and then one got stuck in her throat. She said that it felt like it burned her throat all night. Around 4:00 am she asked for some Tylenol from the nurse...she ended up with a shot of something which turned out to be Morphine. After restless sleep and crazy dreams we all decided that she must be allergic to it!! She had never had it before. Now keep in mind that she has had no real pain...just didn't feel like she was resting very well.

After a little sleep this morning, we had a few visitors! We had the speech therapist, the social worker and our minister from home! Mom enjoyed the visit from The Rev! It seems to pick up her spirits!

Tonight she has had some liquid Benedyrl so hopefully she will rest! As for me, well it's always tricky to sleep in a chair!

Hospital Oberservations, Sweet Mama Day 3

Has anyone every noticed that when you have a loved one in the hospital the temperature is either freezing cold or hot! Sweet Mama goes from being cold to hot...trying to regulate the thermostate is challenging! This hospital is so quiet at night and all the people have been so nice! Only problem we might have is that we are right beside the helipad... the chopper took out yesterday right before Sweet Mama came back to the room! It has not been back yet..but will.

She is having a better day today...It has now been offically 24 hour since the surgery (as of 1:15pm). LB spent the night last night and, according to Sweet Mama, was a very attentive and good nurse. Keep in mind that LB is the baby in the family...It's me and Red and then 10 years later...LB! Sweet Mama said that she appreciated his help..and enjoyed him!

We had a speech therapist come in this morning to check on Sweet Mama's swallowing. With this new surgery, the doctor sewed in her prostestic and put packing underneath and around it. With this, the prostestic feels like it does not fit well and the packing feels like it is filling the entire inside cavaty of her mouth. But we are learning to adjust and are loking forward to May 19 when it can be removed!

We are so glad to be having a better day. Hopefully with some rest Sweet Mama will feel better every day!

Sweet Mama Day 2

Today has been a very long day...if I don't make good sense...sorry. The day started at 5:15 am. We got to the hospital at 6:15 and started the waiting game. The surgery finally started at 8:45 and lasted for 4 1/2 hours...in recovery 4 hrs. The doctor said that she had a golf ball sized tumor behind her cheekbone which was removed and sent to be biopsied. Two more teeth were also removed due to cancer in the soft tissue. She is doing well and looks a lot better than she did after the last surgery four years ago. She has some numbness and swelling in the area which hopefully resolve itself as she heals. LB is on the night shift, so Red and I are ready for a good night sleep!

Last Day at the Market..For Awhile!

It is my last City Market on the Green for a little while. Sweet Mama surgery is on Tuesday in Atlanta. We leave on Monday and pick up LB at the Atl Airport. He stays until Thursday and hopefully Sweet Mama can come home Friday or Saturday! Her surgery is the first case Tuesday...Cinco De Mayo. ( Her last surgery at Emory was on Tax Day and before that St Patrick's Day...what's up with the holiday surgery?!) I glad that it is first because that way we can get it over with and start the healing process. But that means we have to be there at 5:50 a.m. It is going to be a long day!!

We had a good day at the Market today. Red went with me as Sweet Mama has a horrible cold! (She was a lot better when we got home!) It was so windy!!! I had to rethink the display because things kept falling over. The rain held off until this afternoon which was good. I f it rains and the car is not close we will have a mess...lots of wet aprons!!

For those of you who are wondering who will be minding the store while I am gone...it's Precious! I have given her all the details on how to ship out all Mother's Day items! So don't let that stop you from placing your order now!! Oh, and another thing...if you want to know what I am adding new everyday...just look to the right of this post (top right corner) and you will see my Esty Shop photos. These are of the most current items I have added (the 1st 3 are of the ones I have featured for the week!) You can easily keep up with the shop here! The apron I have posted here is my newest, Breath of Spring Vintage Inspired Ruffle Apron! I love it! Don't you?! Thought I would sell right off but nooo... You never know what people like!

I will be posting updates on Sweet Mama all next week. Please keep her in your prayers!