Glow In The Dark

As you can see I could not resist ordering some more of the RYC Silk Aran from Kemps. I am saving money as it will never be this price again. OK so my reasoning it's a bit out of whack. How can I save money by spending it? Ask any knitter or crocheter and they will understand exactly what I mean. The baby colours are to go with the two balls that I already have in case I want to make another pram blanket and the other shades are still pending for the spider's web waistcoat.



This colour, although lovely, does nothing for me so I bought it deliberately to stash as it is perfect for my sister in law. She will love this shade and will appreciate the silk in the yarn and will hand wash it and treat it with care. I doubt that I will make anything for her birthday on April 23rd as I still have to finish my niece's jacket once Buster goes home but I can start early for her Christmas present (Wash my mouth out it is only almost April!) I will get my niece to choose one of my patterns for her Mum. I have 20 balls and she is really slim so I should have enough for a sweater or a jacket.



Whilst I was at the hospital waiting around yesterday I started the vintage pattern spider's web waistcoat. When people asked me what I was crocheting and I replied a spider's web I got a few funny looks!



The cardigan that I started for my elder niece is growing nicely. This Sirdar Silky DK shrugs off Buster hair and as I have had to bag up her knitting I wanted something to give her on her actual birthday although unless I put a spurt on I won't get done in time. I did a bit more on it last night and have got the two sleeves and the edging to do now. Hopefully I will get some done today.



Yesterday I spent hours at the hospital having another of those scan things where I got injected with radioactive stuff then after an hour got a set of 3 scans. I then had to wait around for another 2 hrs for the second set of scans. Each set of scans lasted for 30 mins so I was gone for a lot of the day. The technician let slip that my first set of scans last week had shown something up and so this set was to test for infection and was a closer look at the suspect area. Although I don't want there to be anything majorly wrong on the other hand it would explain why my knee seems to be getting worse instead of better. On Tuesday night it had swollen up so badly and my whole leg was rigid and so painful I couldn't sleep. The pain seemed to reach a peak during the night and then subsided so yesterday it wasn't as bad as it has been. I told the technician about the night before and he said that he would note it on the scan notes.When this happens I can't put any weight on my leg at all. I did check last night to see if I glowed in the dark but I didn't. I still had to put the lamp on whilst crocheting LOL. My appointment with the specialist in not until May so unless they contact me earlier I will have to wait for any results. No news will be good news but still not great as in the meantime I still have a painful swollen knee and my left one isn't much better.

Buster got a treat when I got home. I gave him a big pig's ear for being such a good boy. As he has problems holding his water I was fully expecting a puddle to deal with when I got home but bless his heart he had held on for all the hours that I was missing. He made up for it afterwards with a succession of what we call 'Buster wees'. He starts up cocking his leg then gets fed up and carries on doing a wee whilst walking all over the garden for absolutely ages hopping from one back leg to the other. I have never seen another dog do this.

We got up early but I am still not dressed. I was expecting the gardener early this morning so thought that I would wait until she arrived and then go for my shower. She must be delayed. I know that the moment I get in the shower that she will arrive and I have to be there to let her through the garage to the back garden. Once she arrives she will be here for an hour so I can leave her to it whilst I get ready for the rest of the day.

Another Hospital Visit

Today I went to the hospital again. This time I did get to see a specialist. Not my specialist of course but a lovely man who actually listened to my concerns about my knee and agreed with me that something wasn't right. I had more blood samples taken to test for an underlying deep seated infection or a possible DVT. I also need another scan to see what it going on inside my knee as the X ray isn't showing much up except that the replacement is in the right place. He says that my knee isn't straight when I think that it is and that could be stopping the lymphatic system and the veins from working properly. He was concerned about my purple and red shiny lower legs and the leg eczema and said that was a sign of poor circulation. The fact that my right calf is swollen and rigid concerned him also. These are all things that I have mentioned before, in previous hospital visits, along with the leaking serous fluid and have never had a proper answer to my questions. He said that the symptoms that I have could be a sign of heart problems but told me not to worry as hopefully that would have shown up on the tests that I had pre op.

The blood tests were amusing as per usual. It took two nurses to even find a vein and then it came out so slowly it took ages to fill up the vials. I don't like parting with any blood that's for sure and my veins seem to go into hiding when they see a needle. When they took the needle out my arm started to bleed a lot which gave the nurses a bit of a shock. I had to hold my arm up and put pressure on it to stop it. Tomorrow I will have a bruise to add to my collection.

I hope that this specialist will take another look at my knee once the results from the blood tests and scan come in. He said that I might have to go back into theatre if the cause was scar tissue or something else that was preventing my knee from straightening and bending properly as apparently when I finished off my physio treatments I still hadn't reached the standard of knee mobility that I should have had by then. Until then I have to get some of those sexy stockings that people who have varicose veins have to wear. The hospital gave me some after my op but they were so small that they cut into my leg under the knees and stopped the circulation altogether so they told me to take them off again. I will have to see if they make any plus size ones to fit my swollen leg. I can get the left stocking on but the right one is the one that needs the help the most.

Needless to say any thought of surgery to my left knee has been put on hold as until my right knee is sorted out it can't be done. They can't have me with two knees that I can't walk on. Once my right knee gets full function then they will review the situation.

The sun is shining today and I went out just wearing a jacket instead of a coat and hat so it must be getting a bit warmer. The taxi driver was a bundle of laughs this morning. He told me that I had a lovely face and I should think about losing some weight and then I would be really attractive! Thanks for that mate. Took me right back to being married and my husband equating slim with attractive and constantly nagging me about my weight when I was a size 12. I swear that but for him and my constant yo yo dieting I wouldn't be the size that I am now. Yes thanks Mr Taxi driver for pointing that out to me this morning. I would like to lose weight of course as I know that I would be far healthier if I did. One of the reasons why I undertook spinal and knee surgery was to improve my mobility in an effort to be more healthy and mobile and lose weight through being more active. Sadly it hasn't worked out that well for me but I am ever hopeful of a good result in the end.

I did come back from the hospital on the bus and tram and managed to walk home from the tram station. I took my time and had quite a few stops along the way. I feel pleased with myself as that is as far as I have walked in a long time. I just hope that I won't pay for this for the next couple of days as that is what usually happens. I exercise my knee and then it seizes up on me for a couple of days afterwards.

I haven't done much in the way of crochet over the weekend. I am about half way up the first sleeve on the 'aran' style crochet jacket and hope to finish it off and start the second sleeve tonight.

I am not going to knit club tonight as I spent my taxi money going to the hospital and also the gardener is starting again after the winter months and she is coming on Thursday so I will have to start budgeting for her.

The photo is of Sirdar Baby Bamboo Cotton DK. As you already know I ordered 3 balls on my last Sale order from E Kemp. I liked it so much that I decided to buy some more before it sold out and now I have enough to make something for me or for a few baby cardigans. I haven't decided what to do with it as yet. Time to decide once I have finished off the crochet jacket and my niece's knitted chunky jacket.

I Love Parcels

I love parcels. Even when I know exactly what is in them because I ordered it. I still get a thrill when the postman knocks and I have a box to unpack.

I got these yesterday but as it was after I had written my blog I decided to save them for today. The James C Brett Marble chunky is just so scrummy. I love purple and red so no prizes for guessing why I ordered these. I don't know whether I will need the extra ball of the red as I have knitted the back and part of the front of my sweater and hardly used 300 grams. I will always make use of the extra ball for something.Purple wool from Purplelinda - very apt don't you think?

I had to go to the hospital today for a talk on the knee replacement operation and what to expect afterwards and which aids they can offer to make life easier once we are at home. We had a private one to one with the occupational therapist after the main chat. He assessed me as need some aids already and is arranging to have them delivered soon. Frames to help me in the bathroom and a sloping seat to use instead of my little stool in the kitchen so that I can sit to prepare meals, wash the dishes and iron. My house is rapidly turning into an old lady house.

The therapist said I might have problems when I return home as they expect the leg that hasn't been operated on to take the strain and in my case I don't have a good leg to do this. My left knee is giving me more trouble than the right at the moment and it kept me awake most of last night. I think that the GP and I will have to have another chat about pain relief.

In the waiting room were 5 people who were post op by about 6 weeks and all of them said it was the best thing that they have done. I just hope that my knees will be as good as theirs. They said that the worst bit is having to wear the surgical socks on both legs for 6 weeks. I am not looking forward to this bit. I hope that they are cotton as anything synthetic flares up the eczema on my lower legs.

I haven't touched any needles or hook today as I have been out from 11am until 5pm. Maybe tonight I will get something done. I love the layette patterns that I got in the parcel. They are by Carole Prior and published by Leisure Arts. At least this pattern leaflet has a couple of designs that can be made for a baby boy if I changed a bonnet into a helmet. The only snag is that the patterns are only in a 6 months old size. I suppose that I could make them smaller with a smaller hook or slightly finer wool.

Big book of Crochet

This is my second birthday book. Big Book of Crochet (click on blog title for link) It has 120 projects tucked between it's covers. A lot of afghans and baby blankets, some baby clothes and bibs, a couple of hats, scarves and shawls, some novelty items and bookmarks, cushions, a few garments and even some doilies for those of you so inclined. I have put a few photos up today but there as so many, many more. Definitely a book for those who love afghans and blankets. Once again apologies for the sometimes fuzzy photography. I seem to have developed a very shaky camera hand.

I went to the hospital yesterday. An interesting journey by public transport highlighted by going on a scenic bus ride through war torn boarded up parts of Salford that I didn't know existed. After losing the will to live I eventually arrived at the hospital an hour or so after setting off from Manchester. I obviously chose the wrong bus as it is only a few minutes down the road usually. Luckily I had started off really early so I arrived to keep my appointment by a whisker.

Coming back was equally as interesting as my metro tram broke down and we all had to get off and watch the pantomime of the tram being rescued and shunted off somewhere. I managed to get a seat on the next tram (it was now rush hour) and was holding on to the rail as I was on one of those flip up seats for the elderly by the doors when this handsome young man put his hand on the rail and held my hand for a split second. Of course, he did it accidentally, but as I explained to him that I was very flattered at my age for my hand to be held, even for a split second, by such a handsome young man and we had a bit of a giggle about it.

My hospital appointment was enlightening as I got to see the x rays of my spine adorned with it's new finery. The screws were a lot larger than I had imagined and I now understand why I have this trouble with bending to get into a car as three of my vertebrae are now acting as one. the specialist did say that this will improve now I am fit enough to start some gentle exercise. He had to strip some the muscles in my back to perform the operation and that is what I will need to build up again. He said slowly but surely I will regain more mobility in my spine. He said I can never jog, do star jumps, trampoline. sky dive or bungee jump ever again. Now how did he know that was on my list of absolute musts? Yeah right! I am limited to water aerobics for the present time so have applied to rejoin the B.E.A.T.S programme for a monitored exercise regime.

I am being referred to a knee specialist. if you remember several weeks ago I injured my knee retrieving a crochet hook from under my coffee table. At the time A&E said they could see nothing wrong and told me to go home rest, elevate and put ice on it. The specialist yesterday looked at my X rays, examined the knee and announced that in his opinion I had torn my cartilage. That's me isn't it. I don't do things by halves.

No crochet or knitting to report on today as I was treated to a lovely cake and coffee by Vicky for my birthday treat. We went to Slattery's. If you are ever in my area I suggest that you give them a visit. They have the most wonderful selection of chocolates, chocolate novelties,wines, chutneys, jams and cakes in the shop downstairs. I am going to have to pay another visit and browse for some Christmas presents. Slattery's is famous for making several celebrities wedding cakes and one of the Royals if I remember rightly. I know that they definitely made Wayne Rooney's wedding cake.

Good news and scary news

I had to go to the hospital today for my pre-op tests. The good news is that in between all the poking, prodding, X-Rays and blood tests I managed to finish the first Tiger sock that has been on the needles since time immemorial. I hope the second sock doesn't take as long! The needles are US1 and whilst the look is fine and tailored it seems to take a lot of knitting to grow an inch. Kath's cardigan is almost sewn together as you can see. I need to finish off the pockets and attach the belt before blocking out. I will probably rinse it through to try to detach Buster's hair which seems to be interwoven in the crochet.

The scary news is the detailed description of what the operation entails. Having it explained in graphic detail is somewhat scary. More scary is the information that due to my sleep apnoea I will have to be in intensive care post op as I need one to one nursing because the morphine they will have to give me will make me drowsy most of the time. I think this is one of the reasons they are a bit scared of doing the op. Frightened that I might peg out on them possibly and ruin their operation results. Plus the fact that I will have to be lying on my front (visitors will see my better side!) means I can't even knit or crochet to take my mind off the pain. Even more scary is that they have told me that it is a 12 months recuperation and for the first 3 months I am not allowed to push a hoover, carry shopping or lift anything remotely heavy as it might undo all the work. Any visitors will be politely asked if they will shove the hoover around for me. I am more worried about the dog hair than anything.

The theatre sister asked who was going to look after me, make me meals and drinks etc. when I first go home. I shall just have to stock up on ready meals as apart from the first week or so I shall be left to my own devices. I have arranged for a dog walker for Buster. Sounds like I shall be doing a lot of sitting on my bum knitting and crocheting for a while. In the old days I would have been in hospital for quite a while but nowadays its 5 days stay and recuperate at home.

I hope to be going to the Salford Kings Arms knitting club tonight and am waiting for confirmation of a lift. I drove to the hospital today and my back is protesting. I think I shall get rid of the car, or take it off the road, as I probably will not be able to drive it for a while after the op anyway. It has a slow puncture anyway and I am always having to pump up the tyre. I will have to ask Ian to change the tyre next time he comes to see me.

Bit of a gloomy post today. I will be back to normal tomorrow. I still have the booklet to read detailing what to expect during and after the op but I can't face reading it today. Not exactly good bedtime reading is it?