Friday, November 12, 2010

About Avastin, Quilts and John Owen

None of the items in today's title are related. Not in any way. Except that they are part of my experience today.

Even though I don't really consider today's treatment "chemo", that's where I'm headed. Chemo. Actually I'm getting an infusion of avastin into my Power Port. I'll be in the chair for at least three hours while the drugs trickle into my veins.

The avastin doesn't really affect me except I am highly suspicious that the drug is causing the light rash that began slowly in March and is a continual aggravation. There are little pin dots of single hives here and there. All over. Except for my face! Oh, I am thankful for no rash on my face! What's the biggy, you ask? They itch, Folks! They itch!

Along with the avastin I get pre-meds...decadron, aloxi, benedryl, and zantac. None of this five-drug cocktail seems to bother me (other than the aforementioned rash) except the decadron. Oh, Man! That Decadron! It has me in a whirl for the next couple of days, boosting my energy level, AND my vocabulary level. UNTIL! Until I CRASH somewhere around mid-Sunday.

But chemo is not what I meant to write about. I'm writing about my just completed quilt. You can see it in its pre-completed form by clicking here.

I make quilts. I make quilts from recycled cotton shirts and blouses. I was making them before Bonnie Hunter (a woman who makes lovely shirt quilts and writes books about them!) began making them and I have several in the closet. And another waiting to be quilted.

(If you like vintage sewing machines, you can click on the photo of this 1940s Singer 201 which is much beloved by quilters for its reliability and power...and perhaps because of the aura of being "old-fashioned". Oil this baby and keep the bobbin area free of lint and dust and it will run forever! Well...perhaps not into Eternity itself, but you get the picture. The Queen Anne cabinet is pretty nifty itself.) Ooops...edit here. This is a Singer 15-91, not a 201. My error! I do have a 201...it sits on a shelf in the basement.

This double 4-Patch is the shirt quilt I finished last night. I especially like the striped binding. Actually I would have preferred a plaid fabric for the binding but didn't have a plaid shirt in a color suitable. So stripes it is. (The corner of the quilt is folded back over the backing which is a Calvin Klein cotton sheet - 80 percent off sale - that works great with the masculine shirt fabs.)

Hope your day is great. I'll be reading in the chemo chair...I'm taking John Owen's work on the Holy Spirit with me and will enjoy digging into his thoughts...until the benadryl kicks in...at which time I will have a good nap.
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13 comments:

Nancy's Point said...

Good luck with your chemo today. Too bad about the itchy rash, that must be so annoying, but I'm glad your face has been spared. The quilt looks beautiful!

S. Etole said...

May your day be blessed with peace.

That looks like a great quilt!

Kelly said...

It's a shame the benedryl in the mix doesn't help with the itching from the rash.

Beautiful quilt!!

Glenda said...

Love the quilt, and the binding is just perfect! Hope your rash clears up soon and that after "the crash" you feel better.

Cheryl said...

WhiteStone love the quilt! Seems you may have 'hit' on a reason for the rash. Have you mentioned to your doctor that you suspect it could be related to treatment?
Thinking of you and praying for healing.

Arti said...

The quilt seems so lovely... All the best for your chemo...
Have a blessed weekend:)

Persis said...

What a great quilt! One of these days I'll get back to quilting. Hope you were blessed by reading Owen. It's on my "to read" list.

Continuing to pray for you and your husband...

Dorothy said...

I hope your chemo went well, Whitestone. And I love that quilt!!

Relyn Lawson said...

Oh, someday I am going to learn to quilt. I want to so badly. I just need a teacher.

Debra said...

Hello friend,

Love those old Singers-I have one too....It's better than the new plastic one I have, which has completely siezed up.
Hope you are feeling good by now.
Love, Debra

Anastasia said...

Wow, what a cozy and beuatiful looking quilt! :) :) Got my fingers crossed and prayers being sent for your great scan results on Tuesday. Much Love! <3 <3

Relyn Lawson said...

Hello, my friend. It's Thanksgiving Day today and I wanted to stop by and wish all my friends the happiest day. I wanted to tell you that when I count my blessings, you will be among them. Thank you for adding to the richness of my experience in the blog world. Happy, happy Thanksgiving.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I love quilts! My home is decorated with them and every bed has one. Such beautiful work, here! I was also interested to read about Avastin. Seems to me it's had a recent "recall" but I'm not certain. I've just finished round 6 of chemo (these last four treatments using the drug Taxol). I have been very sore in my legs and am now experiencing some numbness/tingling in my extremeties. I'm ready to have this behind me, but am grateful for the many kindnesses given to me along the way. What a journey it's been.

Thoughts and prayers for you and your husband this day.

peace~elaine