We are now halfway through MS awareness week...phew. I am happy to announce the first give-away recipient - Elaine Adair Pieces! Congrats Elaine! I will be pulling another name Friday night. I will also be bringing the ideas to my Physical Therapy session on Friday so the deadline for ideas will have to be noon on Friday!
The Five fat quarter and airplane binder in the photo are on it's way to Elaine.
Friday's winner will get another set of fat quarters and a Moda charm pack.
The winner of the best suggestion (see Sunday post) will get this jelly roll and an airplane binder. (Can you tell I have been making a lot of these airplane binders! They are a lot of fun and a good quilty-gifty thing to have on hand...besides I've already given most folks I know a bag so I had to find something new!)
MS Factoid Number 4: Over 400,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with MS. 200 new cases are diagnosed every week.My take on this: So many of you have commented or emailed saying you have MS, you are related to someone with MS or know someone with MS. I am sorry to say I am not surprised. MS is a long term prospect. Very few folks die from it so even though the numbers of those with MS may not be as high as other diseases, a person once diagnosed will most likely carry that diagnosis for decades. There is no cure.
I had one interesting email which asked which symptom do I have the most difficulty with? My first response was whichever symptom I have that day....but I took some time to think this over and I would have to pick...Fatigue. This isn't tired. This isn't worn out. This isn't something that a cup of tea and a sit down will take care of...this is you've been thrown in the deep end of the pool with cement boots sort of FATIGUE.
I think it is my choice for most difficult because folks think they know what it is. I mean everyone has pulled and all-nighter at some point. Or had a really bad hangover. The flu. Run a Marathon. Been on maneuvers in the desert for two weeks on rations and no showers. I have done all of those (yes, including the hangover...) and none of them hold a candle to MS F-A-t-i-G-u-e.... The best I can describe it is like being underwater and trying to run. Your arms are heavy. Just turning your body can throw you off balance. Sometimes I have problems hearing (though they say it is cognitive issues brought on by fatigue...) Speaking can take too much effort...sometimes I can see the word in my mind and almost feel the word but my lips can't make the sound.
Now the good news is that with a bit of behaviour modification (no more exercise until it burns...very little alcohol...stay out of the heat) and a bit of pharmaceutical assistance this isn't a big problem for me anymore. I've learned to obey the warning signs - a big step from just recognizing the signs and seeing just how far I can push it. Also a bit of training for my DH was needed...when I say the F word...fatigue folks...he knows it is serious and if need-be he calls in pizza.
Wow, I went on a long time on that...now to quilting. A Finish! I'm rockin', I'm rockin'...this little wallhanging (I think it is from an old Kindred Spirits book) just needed the corner tri-angles sewn on so I could start hand quilting. I got carried away and already put the buttons and fun stuff on it...bad I know. It will be a pain to quilt but I'm going to give it a go. I'm going to use Tony'a hoopless method which may help!Well got to run and clean a bit. My sister and her husband are coming by on their way back north. They are going to help me set up my Grace frame! That is if I have cleared enough space in the sewing room! I admit to storing some needlework supplies and ribbon in the drawers of the spare bathroom...where is the strangest place you hide/store crafting supplies? (OK there are some fatquartes in the liquor cabinet and beading stuff in what looks like a tool box in the garage, and a bag with hexagons in the glove compartment.....)
