It's been quite a while since I blogged but have missed it greatly. During this time I've had to cope with several things and one of them is my vision. As many of you know I was diagnosed with glaucoma about 5 years ago and at that time I really had no peripheral vision loss but was uncomfortable with the diagnosis. I had several factors going against me, including trauma to my left eye in my first marriage, a strong family history being two of them.
My journey in the past 5 years has been to say the least over the top stressful but I thank God for all I've learned and His strength to get me through it. I'm content to whatever life brings because I know He is always with me and will never leave me, forsake me and I live every day even more committed most likely for having gone through the very things that sharpened my strength.
About 2 months ago, I went on a business trip to DC and prior to that had a very bad migraine type headache of which I have had off and on since I was 13 years old. But this one was a bit stronger than I had every had. I still just treated it as usual, also coping with some heart issues at the time. Short story, I noticed my vision was getting very gray in some areas. I can still see because my right eye is basically taking over for my vision loss in the left. I covered my right eye with my hand and I realized my glaucoma was pretty bad at this point. I made an appointment and saw a general eye doc I usually see who led me to a specialist who is 3rd in the nation and I feel honored for answered prayer to see this group. I've been through alot of eye testing and the Glaucoma specialist said I was not really eligible for the laser or insertion of a tube with surgery because my medication was keeping my pressures in a normal range. The reason I am going blind in this left eye is something obviously in the past year that has caused ischemia, or poor blood flow to the retina per the specialist review of my tests and graphs. This can happen in glaucoma and any vision I've lost which like I said before thank God my right eye is healthy, but it's irreversible. So I am now being sent to a Retina Specialist in 2 weeks for a 3 hour study on the blood flow in my back of my eye and brain evals. The goal is to slow down the progression of vision loss. The worse part is this is hereditary. Sometimes we just don't know what accelerates the ischemia but I have been told to really get a hold on the stress level.
I am coping well and I have good days and bad days with sometimes having optic nerve pain in that eye. I still am able to drive and work and do as before but I have had to make adjustments and know some things that make the pain worse in the back of my eye which is from the ischemia actually.
Today for example is a good eye day! I avoid flourescent lights as much as possible and am in the process of getting it approved to tint my windows as sometimes even sunglasses can cause headache from the glare. My visual acuity is excellent in my right eye which is helping alot to compensate for the left one. I am on a diet full of salt, adding salt, drinking more fluid right now to keep my blood pressure up for perfusion. They are thinking at night while I'm sleeping my blood pressure falls really low so I have to eat saltines before I go to bed.
So, just an update on what else besides lots of work has kept me distracted. HOWEVER! I went on a business trip to DC in April and before the conference got to go back to Looped Yarnworks!!! I love the yarn there, the atmosphere, and act like a kid in a candy store.
I saw this
Malibrigo in the
colorway English Rose and immediately it sparked joy for me as it reminded me of all the colors in my grandmother's rose garden of the old big velvety petaled roses she had. I immediately started on a simple shawl. I am just gartering this and increasing on the second knit stitch by KFTB.
Take a look-see at the colors.
I actually had this much progress as I knit through the conference listening to the speakers.
Basically you CO 30 st
then the following and all rows are K1, KFTB, K to end of row
then after 3 cakes of yarn (or 2 for a shawlette)
bind off and block.
I am planning on embellishing about 3 inches from botton in some small knitted ribbons or lace. I haven't completely decided but it will looks simple and sweet.
my little stash from Looped
the colorway, English Rose
A treat for my dry hands~~ a LO-LO Bar in Ginger Amber
YUMMINESS, I tell you! All natural oils for ingredients and very fresh smell.
I kinda like this little saying. :)
This bar is always in my project bag and speaking of project bag I couldn't pass up this handmade one which is lined in muslin and draw-string, Perfect medium size.
It couldn't have gone any better for this project remembering my days when I played jump rope and hop scotch at my grandmother's house.
I SO want to make these bags. I have alot of project bags already but I really do want to learn how and maybe start selling some on Etsy.
The pink rick-rack is so sweet as are the little girls on the print.
Now......................................................................................
my progress just 2 weeks ago is here:
I have more progress now and will catch you up on next post.
I am making some of these little project markers and here is one of them.
Soon to be in my Etsy shop. They are really good for seeing how much progress you are making and then just move them again and again.
You can see the edging that the second stitch in KFTB makes. Neat and simple.
I love lace shawls too. I'm just enjoying when I get a chance to knit this. I am almost down now to the end of the second, caked ball. It's tempting to stop there as I'm using a 32 circular and it's getting full but I want this one large and cozy. Right now, I counted 170 stitches on this row I'm at as of yesterday.
My needles are Addi TURBO LACE in number 6.
My first taste of Addi TURBO LACE!!!!! SWEET!
I love the more pointed end, and stitches glide so fast.
Sorry for such a long post. It will take me several to catch up!!
Trips are few and far between for me but I always enjoy Women's Health Conferences in Washington, DC not only because it's just an awesome city, but honestly, the best women's health updates for practitioners, I have found. I really enjoyed the hotel, the conference speakers and updates I can now apply to practice.
Stay cool!
