Sunday, June 10, 2007

Rectangle Granny and Cardigan

There isn't much progress to show on the ruffled caridgan. I've reached the stage where I need to sew the pieces together so that I can crochet the ruffle. Today I practiced seaming a couple of swatches together, and I think I have the hang of it. I have the sleeves pinned to the cardi, and if I feel like it and can catch a time when the cats are asleep, I'll start sewing the sleeves and sides.






I saw an afghan pattern on eBay for an afghan made of rectangular grannies. I found a pattern here and came up with this. It would be different from any other afghan I've ever made, but who knows if I will ever finish it.





Last Saturday I did get to go with some friends to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. It isn't far from where I live, but I don't visit it often. It's especially pretty there this time of year when all of the wildflowers are in bloom. We saw buffalo, longhorn cattle, and elk. We stopped at Meers near the reserve and had longhorn beef burgers and the best peach cobbler I've ever tasted. Four people ate for less than $40, too. I bet you can't beat those prices anywhere.

Even though I enjoyed the time I spent with friends, I was exhausted when I got home. I had been to the doctor earlier that week because I hadn't been feeling well at all for the past couple of months. I got the results of the blood tests on Wednesday, and I had tested positive for Lupus. Now I realize that one blood test isn't probably enough to say that I have it, but I have some of the other symptoms. I've been extremely fatigued and many days it feels as if every bone in my body hurts. The arthritis medicine the doctor gave me is helping some, but I'm afraid to do anything for fear the pain will worsen. He wants me to see a rheumatologist, but those people are few and far between in this part of Oklahoma. The nearest one is at least two hours away, and I don't think I can make the drive alone. I haven't decided quite yet how I'm going to manage it.

3 comments:

Deneen said...

The top and rectangle granny are neat.

Lupus-sigh, try to find a rheumatologist about it-no one else knows enough about it and theyw ill work with your primary. The steroid drugs, in low doses, help the pain much more then the arthritis drugs. If you need to talk or have any questions, let me know. 10 years plus of this, I happen to know a lot about it and the meds they give. BTW, positive ANA doesn't mean just lupus, so that's why it's important to see the specialist-there isn't a definitive test specifically for lupus.

Anonymous said...

Ah, Linda - I'm sorry about your maybe-lupus troubles. :( I'll hold good thoughts for your pain & for a firm diagnosis...

Anonymous said...

Linda I'm sorry to hear that you are not feeling well! It must be frightening and frustrating. Deneen is right, seeing the specialist would be best. I hope you're able to find a way to get yourself to see one. It's so unfortunate that they're far away. Hugs and prayers.