First, the CROCHET news - the health stuff will be at the end of this post for those who are interested.
Crochet wise, I have not been able to use my dominant hand overall - so it's been a slow haul to get back into the crocheting mode.
I had hoped to have a CAL way back in October for Halloween and begun working on a Zombie Rabbit in honor of my eldest daughter - but sadly, my body had other plans. So depressing!!
Well he is shelved, not frogged - so y'all may see him this year (if I can find my notes that is... lol)
Those who follow my "personal page" on Facebook... already know I have given myself a challenge for 2026.
A 100 Crochet Projects Challenge... some of these will not be FDbyK4TT items - but MOST will. Which means, hopefully, many more fiber goodies for YOU!
In addition to that - the DISCORD will be opening shortly ... just a few more checks and updates to put in place. I had hoped to have it ready by Jan 1st, but a small miscommunication between myself and the server admin, did not allow that to happen. It should be open by the week's end tho, we are supposed to have a final run thru tonight.
Okay, I think that is it for the Crochet related news..
on to the health stuff for those who are interested... and humbly, I have learned that is quite a few of you and I apoligize for taking so long to update/respond to msgs
The past year (almost) has really sucked.. to say the least - Although I've been thru the surgeries and scares - this was my first actual dealing with Chemotherapy and while I was given a broad overview of what to expect; nothing could compare with what I actually expecienced - and continue to experience.
I refused one of the most violitile of the Chemo Drugs (Taxol) because I didn't want to lay in a bed for my entire treatment due to Chemo Posioning... but I did get several types of 'Chemo' that had NEARLY the same side effects - just less visible (Taxol is the one most people think of first,even if they don't know it's name, because it causes the most visible signs that someone is going through cancer treatments - the hair loss. It is also like a Bull in a China Shop and just destroys everything it comes into contact with).
First treatment went well with the usual side effects taking place a few days afterwards - the nausea, stomach upset, overall 'flu-like' feelings.. that took about a week to recover from fully - almost just in time for the next treatment... lol
But that is where things started to go down hill ...
Well, actually - my initial Chemo Treatment had to be put off a week because of the port that was put in my right pector area.. I dunno what muscle or nerve it's getting on - but by the time I had received my 4th treatment, I was ready (still am) to get this thing OUT of my chest!!
For those who do no know - chemo drugs are, for the lack of a better term, "acidic" to normal veins - so no regular IV in the hand or small vein could handle the load of a treatment without the likelihood of even more damage due to chemo leakage. To lessen the chance of this happening, they stick a port in your chest/pec to allow the drugs to be administered thru a central line near the heart.
SEE? We keep learning.. rofl
Well, this is my problem child now... and pardon my jammies.. lol
This blasted thing has been a pain in my backside.. well front and back side since it was put in. In the beginning it was just at the port site, then the pain moved to my shoulder, then my shoulder and right arm/hand (my dominant side); after a dose of steroids and a host of pain killers and nerve blockers, it remains unfazed by pharmicutical interventions.
The nearest I can describe it is a cross between hitting your funnybone and getting that sensation of the 'tingles' and the pain that follows afterward & having someone putting all their weight on your arm, trying to pull it to the ground..
BUT, I am done with the Chemo part of my treatment - Keytruda carrying much of the load in shrinking my tumor to about 1/4th of it's original size - which was about the size of a Halo Orange (for those who are familar with them).
We are moving forward in January with the surgery to remove what is left of the tumor, find out how far it's spread into surrounding tissue AND, mercifully, removal of the port. (Many cancer patients leave the port in place for several yrs, just in case chemo treaments have to resume because the cancer comes back - not me.. get it OUT!!)
I am HOPING that once the port is gone, I will regain full use of my right arm/hand and that no significant nerve damage has been done. The neuropathy, ear ringing and some other minor side effects from the cocktail of chemo drugs I've received, should subside over time - but they are more nuisance symptoms, not painful ones.
So what is left is, Jan: Surgery II, Feb: Radiation Treatments and if all those go well, a final Surgery in April or May... and moving on with LIFE after that.
That is where I am currently and why the plans I had for crochet, the site and specials (like 12 Days of Christmas) never happened.
I do apolize for building up hopes and falling flat on them. it was completely unintentional on my part .. I had hoped to be able to do more than I was physically able to do.
If you reached out to me regarding my health - thank you so much for all your prayers, thoughts and well wishes. I think I have finally responded to everyone - but if I have not, I sincerely apologize..
Chemo Brain is a real thing and I have deleted many items not meant to be deleted, missed things right in front of me and have logged into accounts without knowing why I am there. I try to post daily while in the car or between/before planned activities of the day - but I do fall short even there sometimes.
Well, that is it for now...
XOXOX
~K
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