Standing by myself with no aids!

Unless you've been through the neurological hell that I've been dealing with for the last year,  you have no idea what a big deal this is.   It's such a big deal that I had DH take some photos since today is a nice day and all the clouds are gone.   I even slipped these ballet flat shoes on my feet without using my hands!    That means the nerves and muscles in my feet are improving.   When going out, I still use a cane to keep from tripping and hurting myself,  but this is progress!

 Proudly standing by myself!
(click on photos to enlarge)

The temps are low 70's here so I put on these tencel Loes Hinse European pants and a silk jersey tank made from her Tank Dress and Tops pattern and a light sweater by Vera Wang for Kohl's that I bought last summer.    Vera is so creative, and I enjoy many of her Kohl's pieces that have the design moxie of her high end lines at affordable prices.   This is is a printed cotton/rayon knit with a couple of cotton batiste ruffles left raw around the neck, a sweater that doubles as an accessory.     

Getting Stronger and Getting it Together

Hi Everybody!    Sorry for not keeping the blog up to date.     I do have some good news.    I had a checkup at Johns Hopkins Medical Center last Tuesday - approximately a month after getting the catheter put in and beginning the plasmapheresis 3 X a week, and the doctor pronounced my improvement since as, "Truly Remarkable!"    I can now walk without wobbling, stand without holding onto something for as long as I want to, do standing knee bends, and carry a heavy object from one room to another.    I have the strength back in my fingers.    In July I had trouble squeezing a tube of toothpaste or a finger nail clippers. 


I'm working with a great physical therapist in Asheville who is trained to help people like me with neurological issues.  DH is instructed to get my Pilates machine out of the garage and put it back together.  I'm down to plasmapheresis twice a week.   I am also on an immune suppressant drug that people who have organ transplants take so I will  continue on that once I stop the plasmapheresis.    The key is to keep my body from attacking the nerves and nerve coverings so they can heal and regenerate.


I've signed up for Louise Cutting and Linda Lee's October sewing workshop in Winter Park with my doctor's blessing.     I just have to avoid sick people and kids this fall because my immune system is suppressed.  

Armani Blend - top is the right side of fabric

While in Baltimore last Tuesday I bought some fabric at Michael's Fabrics.   Here is the Armani blend I bought for an Of The Moment jacket and a shell.  I cut a swatch from the uneven end and soaked it in Eucalan when I washed a silk jersey top.   I did not agitate and let it dry naturally.  You can see shrinkage in the size of the grid design that confirms dry clean only for this fabric.


I'm really looking forward to doing more things and getting closer to "normal".    I've got the new One-Seam pant pattern pressed and ready to trace and am looking forward to Louise Cutting's new pattern, A Cute Angle,  that  Holly posted photos of on her Flickr photo set  .   Here's the illustration.

I have so many ideas for fall that I want to implement, but need to pace myself.    I get e-mails from Kate Spade New York.   I recommend looking at their apparel for the many interesting details that you can add to many patterns or do, like their Trompe L'Oeil Valerie Jacket.    I can't link the photos here because of the zoom feature.   Make a white or off-white By Popular Demand jacket - no pockets, no buttons (use snaps) and get one of those Pebeo Setaskrib Fabric Markers and draw away, heat set and wear the most interesting jacket that nobody else has!  Here's a video by Blick Art on Youtube showing how to use the fabric markers.  Most companies that sell fabric painting dyes sell the markers.


Of course Kate Spade styling and accesories are always exceptional.   I thought the collar on their new Cherie Coat was really special.   Zoom in to see the detail.   It's basically a rectangle that they pleated at the front with a fold-over tab.    It would be easy to add that collar to Louise's Pure and Simple Coat or any round neck coat, jacket or shirt.     

Status

In case anybody cares I'm still alive but going through a difficult time.   I haven't been doing any sewing or posting about it.

Friday afternoon update--   Thank you for all your concerns and caring comments.    It's so nice to hear from those who have met me and those who only know me from my sewing.   I just got off the phone with my sister who gave me a pep talk.    Earlier my doctor from Johns Hopkins called and we discussed everything that's going on and how I feel.     He's very optimistic and wants me to feel better about it.

Gail D, you said it best, that the aggressive treatment is knocking the stuff out of me.   Basically the plasmapheresis is removing my blood plasma with all my antibodies.   I'm tired and lackadaisical.    The doctor is encouraged that I am making small progress, able to stand up straight without aid or wobbling for several minutes, able to move/bend my toes and even bend at the knee and come back up without wobbling or falling over.   He said that anything that is forward is good progress, and he wanted me to be excited about that.   As for the numbness in my lower legs and feet - like wearing a very tight sock,  he said that would take longer to heal.     They intended the treatment to be aggressive.     Since the treatment I get tomorrow will be the end of the third week, and he has all my labs, the team will meet early next week to decide how long I keep the catheter in and how many more treatments before I go back to see them on the 30th.     They will probably have the doctors here remove the catheter before I go back.  

He said my recovery is going to take a long time.  I told him I really need to be able to get back to cooking since my husband is such a bad cook, and I don't know how long I can endure the frozen entrees (he just got back from the grocery store with more LOL, but he brought me some chocolate).  So like everything else I've been though since this began, I'll endure the treatments, feel good about these baby steps and be hopeful for what tomorrow brings.   It could be worse so I need to pick myself up and look forward.

Thanks again for your encouragement that makes me feel better.   I really need to get on with some sewing to feel productive again.