Bits and Pieces

The biggie:

We had our follow up cardiology visit today. This was the big one. The one that would give us a good look at his response to the valvuloplasty. I have been anxious for two weeks about it, but today I woke feeling strangely calm, like I was in a haze (of course that could have been the Zyrtec I took last night). Chas was tense and I heard him tell Angie that she really needed to behave today because Mommy and Daddy would not be as patient as usual.

The good news: Kian's pulse ox was at 100% and his blood pressure was great. No ECG today. No Ultrasound. The doctor could hear that there was no significant change between the previous visit and today which means that the stenosis is minimal compared to what it was prior to the procedure.

We still must watch him carefully but she doesn't need to see him until the end of November. Depending on how he sounds at that time, we may need to schedule a sedated ECG at the hospital. She said that he might still need another procedure in a year or two, but she thought there was even a possibility that he won't need further intervention.

We can hope right? Thank you everyone for your support, thoughts and prayers. They have helped us immensely.

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They found some masses in Tina's brain, but I have no idea what that indicates. My Dad didn't mention it when I spoke to him last night. For those who don't read my blog regularly, Tina is my oldest brother's fiance and she is battling lymphoma. Treatments have, thus far, been unsuccessful in stoping or controlling the cancer.

I finished Tina's book Wednesday night! Tina has been moved to an apartment near the hospital so I am waiting for someone to give me her new address. It's cute. I decided against ruching ribbon around the edges because it finished better than I imagined it would. Judy Odell writes wonderful instructions. The only part I'm not pleased with is the ribbon tie. For those of you who work with ribbon embellishment, am I correct in assuming that silk ribbon just rests better than the satin stuff JoAnn's sells? The colors match the fabric perfectly, but they don't make a nice bow.

I'll try to post a picture tomorrow.

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Pompeii is officially out of reach now. Both of our cars need repairs so I can't justify buying another chart at the moment. Surely I will finish JG before Pompeii is released in a year or so.

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I'm happily stitching Snowberries for the Christmas ornament SAL. I have another ornie lined up to start if I finish Snowberries. I just need to find the conversion from SJ beads to Mill Hill, though I suppose it won't matter if I just pick beads I like. The frustrating part is that I had written a conversion when I started 'berries two or three years ago. I'm certain I saw it recently, but I can't seem to find it now. Most likely, I'll find it once I've finished beading.

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Angie is struggling so much right now. "New and different" is very upsetting for her. I ache for her. She never threw tantrums as a baby, but this summer she has pulled out all the stops. I know she just wants and needs attention, but that doesn't make it easier. I really hope that she'll be okay with Kindergarten next week. Tonight we go to the school to meet the teacher and attend an ice cream social.

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I'm trying to finish a tuffet for the Just a Thought board. I wasn't going to do it, but I found a chart screaming to be stitched. The photo deadline is next Friday and I think I'll need every free minute to complete it. I was foolish to start something new, but I'm enjoying stitching it.

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Do I dare join the Seasonal SAL? I like seasonal designs. I have Autumn Faery by TW started. I have the Autumn bellpull by Chatelaine in my stash. (Can you guess in which season I was born?) Heck, even my HAED SAL Challenge project would probably count.

It's so tempting....

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I hope you all have a happy Friday.