I love to sew, mainly quilts and bags. I am 66, married to Fred and have one son, Matthew, who is 27. I enjoy embroidery and applique and prefer to machine piece and quilt my projects. I love my vintage Singer sewing machines especially my Featherweight 222K. I’m enjoying treadling on my 201K Singer and I collect Miniature Sewing Machines and currently have three Essex , one Singer 20, one Singer 40, two Vulcan Miniatures and my latest, a Grain. My love of sewing I believe comes from my Grandmother - I still have the drawings she made for me to embroider on tea towels many many years ago!

Friday, 27 April 2012

Friendship

My blogging friend Mary said in her most recent post.. "Friendship support is a great thing" which has given me the strength to tell you all some personal news that I want to share with you all as I do indeed regard you all as friends.

On March 26th my husband Fred had a heart attack (he had a triple bypass 11 years ago).  He had a stent inserted and was home in two days.  He was in pain by the following Saturday and went for a scan which unfortunately showed that he had cancer.  He has bowel cancer and liver cancer.  He has since been in hospital to have a stent put in the bowel and now waits for the next step.  Sadly he cannot be operated on in a hurry because he has just had the heart stent put in.  All of the specialists are working together to come up with a plan on how to treat him.  He can't have Chemo either, as it will interfere with the heart stent.

We have been in shock since receiving this news but yesterday we had another shock with our son Matthew being involved in a skateboarding accident and taken to hospital with brain injuries.  He is now in a very good hospital receiving the best of care.  The swelling and bleeding on the brain has not worsened but hasn't reduced either but still a good sign.  He knows who he is and answers all of the test questions correctly but yesterday he was sure he was home in his bed.  Today he knows he is in hospital but still believes he will be home for a party he wants to go to Saturday night.  Yesterday he slept most of the day, and was very hard to wake for any tests or visitors but today he does wake when pushed and was able to talk a little (angry talk but at least talking).  He did brighten when three good friends arrived and when I asked him was he happy he gave the thumbs up.  I then asked did he love his Mum and he gave the thumbs up and smiled!   Matt is 18 years old and of course, thinks he is made of steel.  The next weeks/months will be difficult for him but with the wonderful help at the Hospital and the love and support of family and friends we know he will recover.  If he keeps on improving like he is, we might even have him home in two weeks which is a far cry from the months the Doctors first thought.

So my friends, you may not be reading too many sewing posts from me in the near future but I will pop back from time to time with updates on my boys.

.. Helen

26 comments :

  1. Oh Helen. I'm sorry to hear of your news. It will be difficult for you for an unknown period of time and you will have to be strong for everyone. So when you need to know that someone cares about you and will send you virtual hugs, be sure that there are lots of people here for you.
    Hugs and love
    Erilyn

    ReplyDelete
  2. My Heart goes out to you at this time,

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Helen... this is not an easy time for you.... you are right.. fellow bloggers are your friends and you will be in our thoughts a lot.... take care ... and all good wishes for a speedy recovery of both your son and your husband....
    Hugz

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Helen, such a lot for one person to have to go through. Stay strong, there is a long road ahead but our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sorry to hear of your News...Best Wishes for a Speedy Recover for both Your Men.
    Take Care

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh Helen!!

    Sending you, Matthew and the rest of the family all my love and best wishes at this horrible time.

    I can't imagine how you are feeling, but you've got a fit strong young man there, he'll be a fighter.

    Love to your friends too xxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my... I'm just soooo very sorry to hear your news. Give a kiss to hubby for me and remain positive. Your son has age on his side... medicine is a marvel. Take care of yourself in this difficult time. Know that your friends are thinking of you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Helen, I am so sorry to read your news. I can't begin to imagine how difficult both incidents have to be for you. Please know that you will be in my prayers. Bloggy hugs being sent to you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
    ~Ellen

    ReplyDelete
  10. Helen, you have always given me such warm and cheering thoughts so now I am returning some to you. You are going through a difficult time and I wish I were closer to hold you hand and tell you this will pass. Love, Pam

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh Helen! Words seem inadequate! Please know you and your dear family are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong! xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh! I am so sorry to hear your news. Nothing I could say would help so I won't say anything. Take care!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. So sad to hear your news Helen, please know I am thinking of you and your family. My daughter had brain
    surgery and I know how scary that was at the time, it's amazing what they can do these days. Hugs and kisses
    Xxx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh Helen
    Stay strong
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your two men
    Sending you all the strength I can
    You take care of you
    You will be the one having to hold it all together
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  15. I can't tell you how sad I was to read this post. I'm praying for all of you and trust that you will find the strength to take care of your boys.
    Lillian
    lillianscupboard.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, Helen, I'm so sorry about this news. I'll be holding good thoughts for your family in my heart.
    Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am here for you. My thoughts and prayers are going your way. Sending you a virtual hug. Love Mary

    ReplyDelete
  18. So sorry Helen. I wish that you and your family will have all the strength, love and support that you will need to get through this. Praying for positive outcomes.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Helen, thinking of you and your men and hoping that all news is good news.
    Hugs, Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have been so bad about reading blogs lately and when I saw this my heart just went out to you. Hang in there, I know it is hard with everything that is going on....will send much thoughts and prayers your way.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Dear Helen. I am so sorry to hear about not only your husband , but Matt as well! My friend here in Terrigal's daughter of 20 had a similar fall 5 weeks ago., so I do understand what you are going through. Will be praying for you all!

    ReplyDelete
  22. You and your guys will be in my prayers and I hope you remember to take care of yourself as well!!
    Lots of hugs your way!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh Helen, I'm so sorry. My prayers will be with your husband, son and you over these next difficult months. Know that we are all thinking of you.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Im playing catch up with blog posts and just read this.

    Im so sorry for all you're going through. It must be dreadfully worrying for you. Im sending good thoughts and wishes that Matt's recovery is speedy and that everything turns out well with your husband.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I will be praying for you and your family. It seems so unfair that you have so much happening at once. Take care of yourself so you can take care of the others. God Bless.

    ReplyDelete