If I am devastated...how must she feel??!

I belong to a number of 'groups' as I go about living my life. One group that I regularly socialize with consists of women whose children were at school with my two girls. One of these ladies has been experiencing problems with her voice over the last 12 months or so...it was as though she had permanent laryngitis. She has been to a number of ENT specialists, but tests revealed nothing. My friend also noticed that one of her legs 'seemed heavy' and her usual brisk walk to the station each morning was becoming more difficult. 

Another lady in this group is a radiographer and our friend's problems intrigued her. This lady suggested  that our friend ask her GP to refer her for neurological tests as the ENT specialists had had no answers. Our friend had to insist she be sent for these tests as her GP thought it was a waste of time...😒

Just under a month ago, our friend got the results of her tests. It was devastating news...she has Motor Neurone Disease. ( also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease and ALS, depending on what country you live in) 

'Motor neurone disease (MND) is the name given to a group of diseases in which the nerve cells (neurones) controlling the muscles that enable us to move, speak, breathe and swallow undergo degeneration and die.'

The prognosis is not very good I'm afraid. Our friend got this diagnosis a few days before she was due to fly overseas to visit her only child. The specialist told her to have her holiday, so that is where she is at present. When she comes home, she plans to move to a complex with various levels of accomodation. She will first go to an independent living townhouse and then as her need for care arises, she will still be able to be in the same complex. Our group are discussing how we can help...and reading everything we can about this terrible disease. 

During this last month, I've found that attending the gatherings of the other groups I belong to, has been great in lifting my spirits...

Knitting group at Albany Creek..

Show and Tell at Sisters of Stitch at Chermside Library...

Show and Tell at Sunday Stitchers at Coomera...

One think that 'struck me' when I heard of my friend's illness...in all the years I've known her, she has ordered fruit toast without butter as she felt butter or margarine should be avoided because they are fat...so she ate dry toast. 

Wednesday went in a whirl...

Yesterday morning I ironed some donations that a friend of my SIL had given me for K4BN. I had hoped to iron all the bags that had been made and donated but after 45 minutes I had had enough ironing so the rest of those items will be handed in another time...

A pile of ironed tote style bags

Another pile of drawstring bags...

 And the same generous donor also sent along a bag of toiletries...

The reason for the frenzy of ironing was that the monthly Albany Creek Knit and Natter was yesterday morning. As usual I had a lovely time catching up with the other ladies and admiring all the items they had made or were working on...

Among the donations there yesterday were some cute knitted toys...

Diane who had knitted the toy dogs...

 And just look at this cute little knitted elephant...

And then there were some beautiful throw rugs handed in as well...

We all loved the colours in Noela's crocheted rug

Another corner to corner afghan from Sharon...

I finally handed in the 'orphan block' rug and also that big bag of beanies!

I had to leave the K&N a little earlier than usual because the  Sisters of Stitch group was also meeting yesterday, but in the afternoon thank goodness.

I had worked on indigenous crocheted squares at the K&N but in the afternoon I switched to knitting the first sleeve of a child's jumper (in the foreground) I'm working on at the moment 

Nikki was cutting strips for another Sunshine Linus quilt that she is making...

Cheryl and Richelle brought along some stitching...

A busy day but a delightful and productive one!

On my mind...the craft group, Sisters Of Stitch...

Today, being Friday, means that I'm joining in with Rhonda Jean's  here Friday feature, "On my mind'

On my mind today is the group, ‘Sisters of Stitch’ which I joined in February this year.  On Thursday, Rhonda wrote about a Craft afternoon at the local neighbourhood centre that she would be conducting.

 Rhonda wrote, ‘Craft is such a wonderful way to bring people together. It can be a bridge between older and younger women who want to learn various needle crafts, it is the vehicle that transports the household crafts our great grandmas used to decorate their homes and clothe their families to us to use in a modern way, and it brings people together to teach and learn in a way few other activities can.’

I have been intending to write a post about SOS for ages and Rhonda’s post is a great ‘springboard’ for that. Our group meets every second Wednesday at the Chermside library from 1.30 to 4 pm. This is a great venue as so many bus routes stop nearby and many of the older women don’t drive so depend on public transport.

The woman who co-ordinates the group, Judi, does a great job of making everyone feel welcome. We were both having a treatment at a small private hospital also in Chermside way back in February and recognised each other as former workmates at a north-side school. Judi was tatting, to while away the hours of her treatment and she told me it was a newish skill for her which she learned from an older lady.

Early birds. We have a large area for our session; actually 2 rooms with a wall pushed back

 She told me about the group and invited me along to the next meeting. She explained the group as being a place to take whatever craft you are happening to be working on, and enjoy a natter and a sharing of ideas at the same time.  Some of the ladies make items for charities and other groups, such as Memory Quilts for babies who die before, during or just after birth, quilts for Project Linus, and since I’ve been a member there have been challenges to collect items for flood victims.

Kath, the lady in pink, I already knew because she was a stallholder at the Stafford Heights markets.

Carin, the lady in the red top is another knitter; she knits garments but appreciates my throws. We are a mutual admiration society I guess! lol

There is a ‘show and tell’ session each meeting with lots of ‘oohs and aahs’ when we see such beautiful items.

Judi, holding my friend Cheryl's little embroidered bag, during 'Show and tell.

People come and go in the group; some familiar faces are there each Wednesday, others we only see occasionally. There is a wonderful camaraderie in the group and lots of sharing of ideas and techniques.  Some of the crafts which people do at SOS include, embroidery, petit point, red work, patchwork and quilting, cross stitch, various types of appliqué, knitting, crocheting and tatting.

Cheryl, http://blissintheburbs-kayly.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-bag.html wearing her crocheted cardi; the first garment she has ever crocheted! :-)

The all important afternoon tea trolleys; we take turns bringing in 'goodies' for afternoon tea.

I really enjoy being part of this group and I try to make sure I don't 'double-book' myself; I keep those Wednesday afternoons free!