Ali's Thoughts ( Cards `n` More)

Something Different for Me.

2012-04-01T21:57:00.000-04:00

This evening I've been tired. I spent the afternoon in emergency with two IVs and very low blood pressure. Thankfully it rose enough that I could come home. Rather than make a card I tried my hand at digital imaging - making a header for the new Facebook design. I think it turned out pretty well. So maybe tomorrow. I did try and sync a new cartridge to my Gypsy and could figure out which plug went where.

Tomorrow, besides having dialysis, I have a rep from CCAC, my personal support worker and a physiotherapist. Plan on tiredness except the treatment after a 2 day break may perk me up.

Happy crafting!

Almost But Not Quite

2012-03-31T23:17:00.001-04:00

Kennedy loves to go to playgrounds and his favourite thing is the slide.

This morning I dressed in a woolly sweater and WALKED onto my deck. Then the girls brought Kennedy out for the first sight of the new swing set. His face was radiant as he ran to his very own slide. He shouted "Thanks, Mom" and that was it - he played on his new equipment until he was almost asleep with the fresh air and exercise.

I had a disappointment tonight. The girls wheeled me to my new craft area and I chose some paper and formulated a plan for a card. I then totally lost my steam. My head drooped and I barely had the energy to turn off my Gypsy. How disappointing. I will try again tomorrow, earlier in the day. It sucks to be so weak and dizzy that I can't even make a card. At least I have my supplies ready to go and maybe I'll conquer it tomorrow.

Happy crafting!

Relaxing Evening

2012-03-30T20:11:00.000-04:00

I had a busy day. There was the morning appointment followed closely by dialysis. The cool thing was my pain was manageable and I feel more 'with it' than usual.

After one of my favourite meals I've been surfing around and now will be watching a movie on Netflix.

One of my daughters is outside putting together a swing set and slide as a surprise for Kennedy.

And finally, by tomorrow my craft space will be ready to use!

Happy crafting everyone. Enjoy your weekend.

2012-03-29T19:25:00.000-04:00

My cute and cool background comes
from the very talented iTKuPiLLi

A Little Better Day

2012-03-29T19:06:00.000-04:00

Boy, am I tired this evening. I can't get much done before I flop.

My personal care worker bathed me and then did a little light housekeeping for me this morning.

My daughters took me to lunch at a restaurant I used to enjoy all the time but it was hard. I had to use the wheelchair and found it hard to eat like I used to. I have chicken legs and arms now. It looks so frail.

I felt exhausted after lunch but we needed to run a couple of errands. The first was to get a prescription of Lyrica. I'm in constant pain. I have taken one a couple of hours ago and it's helping!

I was nearly in tears, but I hung on and went to a hairstylist and had my hair washed and blown dry.

Simple day, but for me an ordeal. I'm thinking positively about tomorrow since I am now getting pain relief.

Lastly, my family agrees the contents of my craft room should come upstairs for now, so I'm really happy.

I hope everyone is happily crafting and feeling the best.

Trying to Get Back

2012-03-28T19:33:00.000-04:00

Since I am unable to get to my craft room, I have decided to post photos that make me happy and just post a few thoughts as often as I can.

I am now on hemo-dyalisis three afternoons per week. I usually curl up under a blanket and try to fall asleep.

Every morning a worker comes to bathe me. I sure have lost my modesty.

I spent the last three months in the hospital. 6 weeks of that was in rehab, which felt like prison. Home cooking sure is good.

My next project, since my bed is currently in the living room, is to convince my family to move my craft table and scrapping supplies up here. I long to start card making.

Short Update

2012-03-27T17:28:00.001-04:00

I'm back home. I'm really too tired to post. I'll just say I'm going through an ordeal. I'm suspended from the transplant list and my spirits are down. I will write more another day.

Thank you all for your kind posts. It means so much. I will get back on the active list as soon as I can walk and that day is coming. Although I am nervous, I have begun walking with a roll-a-tor. Physically I have as clean a bill of health as can be, so just strength and balance is needed. I have daily health care workers and lots of prayer!

Almost

2011-10-14T19:37:00.001-04:00

About 15 minutes ago I shouted out to my household "My pager is going off" Everybody flew to my side and waited excitedly as I dialed the number provided. What a disappointment to discover it was a wrong number - some silly sales call. Oh well, call it a dry run for when it really goes off for real,

Have a happy weekend!

Wheels

2011-10-12T23:07:00.000-04:00

I had a good day today. New medication still doing it's job. That's a good thing 'cause it's not covered by my insurance and it's not cheap.

The news I'm happy about today is I got my wheelchair. I'm so happy to be able to go out again My daughters will push me around the mall. I can buy my own socks again! Woot woot!

Count your blessings, and happy crafting!

Another 2 Weeks Away

2011-10-11T22:34:00.002-04:00

Now for a little bit of good news. The government approved me for Cicepride. It's a powerful anti-nauseant that is restricted. I've been on it for a week now and it appears to be okay. My pharmacy has to pick it up from the hospital so that's a pain for them but they're doing it and I'm happy to be on it. Let's see if it continues to give me relief.

I missed Thanksgiving (Canadian) but hope to catch up with my daughter's help this weekend. I hope any of you who are Canadian enjoyed your long weekend.

Happy Crafting

An Actual Craft Related Post

2011-09-12T23:50:00.003-04:00

I`m a little bit excited about two things. First of all, I found 3 cartridges I want for a good price on Ebay. Flower Shoppe, Limited Edition Thanksgiving and Joys of the Season. I`m not a fan of Halloween but I have plenty of ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have been wishing for Flower Shoppe since it came out and the seller had a new packaged cart for $24. Wahoo!!

I'm also excited to share the news that Just Wordz is releasing two more stamp sets - Christmas Season and Party Time. More mix ' n' match sentiments. These are just in time for all of our holiday cards. I'm super excited to be getting both sets. Go and check out the announcement. Yay Kimberly!!

Happy Crafting!

Give The Gift of Life Walk (Kidney Foundation)

2011-09-12T21:14:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone. It's been awhile, I know. I'm almost recuperated from my last stay in hospital and hope to spend time in my craft room as early as tomorrow. My husband brought me a treat (maybe to motivate me) tonight. He gave me a good sized white enamel clock with pale butterflies on the face. He said it's specifically for my craft room and it's "me". I love it!

Tonight I'd like to remind anyone who may be thinking of donating to Alison's Angels for the kidney walk, the walk is this coming Saturday. To anyone who does wish to make a donation just click on the links in this paragraph and you can donate online. And a deep heartfelt thanks if you do. In fact I'll bet all the kidney patients would want to thank you for caring.

So, hopefully, I'll be back with a card or three by the end of this week.

Love,

What a Jerk

2011-08-21T21:38:00.001-04:00

This card is for my best friends 10th anniversary this week. Shelly and Cory were married in the side garden of my home and we held the reception around the pool. It was very laid back as we had a picnic barbeque. Now they have two amazing children, a Delorean, and are building their own home. Good stuff!

I was unable to make it to the crop. I thought about everyone there and what they would be doing - but I just could not get myself going. I have been losing alot of weight and am still having issues with low blood pressure. Adjusting medication has not helped

Part of end stage renal failure is the feeling of isolation. Most people are lovely offering support and prayers. My true friends haven more than proven themselves. And then there is the guy next door. We were outside chatting and I made mention of waiting for my transplant surgery because then I could get back to gardening. Mr. Sensitivity replies that lots of people of problems Alison - I need knee surgery sometime soon. I kept my composure and told him I thought it was terrible for him to go through that, and then got myself back inside the house where I shook my head quite a few times in disbelief. I WISH a bum knee was my problem. What a jerk!

Heheh - thanks for letting me rant on that one. Honestly!

Happy Crafting!

Three Chairs!

2011-08-18T20:25:00.000-04:00

I found these chairs awhile back from The Graphics Fairy and knew what to do with them. I have just been so tired I have not managed to make much of anything. Besides making this simple little card, I figured out how to use Nestabilities - so a card with those will be next. One card at a time is all I have energy for right now.

I spoke to the Transplant Coordinator at the Toronto General today and she was very surprised at my large weight loss. I`m not. It`s not Weight Watchers - it`s my almost total lack of interest in food or drink. I really mean it when I say all I want to do is sleep.

I`m praying for enough energy for tomorrow to drop in to the crop for a couple of hours.

Happy crafting!

Alison's Angels Give the Gift of Life

2011-08-14T20:29:00.000-04:00

This post is a bit hard for me to make, but it's not just for me, but for all the kidney patients like myself. On Saturday September 17th, 2011 my city is hosting "Give the Gift of Life" and my family and friends have formed a walking team called "Alison's Angels" Although I personally cannot walk well enough to participate as a walker, I will be there as a volunteer as my team - including little Kennedy walks on my behalf. This event is for research, etc, and also organ donation. Please visit my fundraising page here if you feel it on your heart to donate to The Kidney Foundation. The thousands of kidney patients you read about all have a face and a wish to live, just like me.

Love you all!

Count Your (Little) Blessings

2011-08-10T21:11:00.000-04:00

Today I used the little hedgehog from the Live Simply cartridge. No message or meaning to that other than I thought it was a cute critter. The banner message is simply one of the truest things I can put on a card. I'm having a rather positive day. Yes, I've been counting my blessings and they are many! Even little things like a parking spot near the hospital doors today. I saw my family doctor today and although his role in my kidney journey is really that of an observer, he had some very encouraging words for me. I met my hairdresser and her sister at the hospital and they reminded me to have someone call them when I finally go because they'd like to visit with my mom and help her worry a little less. So thoughtful of them. Simple kindnesses mean so much.

I hope you've all found some little blessings to be thankful for today.
Happy Crafting!

Make Lemonaide

2011-08-07T19:47:00.000-04:00

Another card from the crop. I just fell in love with the papers. I can't wait to go back and choose some of their beautiful autumn and Christmas papers for upcoming projects.

I've been too tired all weekend to unpack my stuff from Friday. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get down there. I want to play with my new Nestabilities as well.

Right now I'm watching Mama Mia with the kids. After that I'll sit and pay bills for awhile and then I can have a guilt free day tomorrow and indulge in the crafts. I`ve been day dreaming about what my days will be like post surgery. I`ll have the energy to keep on goin`. There are a few activities from my past that I miss and that I`d like to enjoy again. I keep my focus on the positive by thinking of doing them again. The great part is, I now have card making as well. Even these down times are good for things like this.

I hope you have all enjoyed your weekends. Happy crafting.

Crop Luggage

2011-08-05T19:19:00.000-04:00

I was a crop virgin until today. Yes, I finally attended a crop, thanks to Kimberly at Just Wordz. I enjoyed myself and came home with a few new cards as well as some new bling 'n' such.

I alone, arrived with my gear stashed in 2 recyclable grocery bags. Every other lady there had fancy dancy storage totes. I was okay with that. My bags cost $1.99 each and obviously theirs were out of the stratosphere. Nothing comes cheap for a scrap booking purist.

Well, as luck would have it I was seated beside a very friendly lady who whispered to me to check out the crop luggage on sale at Fabric Land. She said it was much cheaper than at our store. Yup. I was lured in. I made a pit stop on the way home from the crop and picked up not one but two different styles of craft bags. Come ON, they were on SALE! And I`m sure I need my grocery bags for groceries.

Happy crafting and enjoy your weekend!

Rejoicing for a Friend

2011-08-04T20:26:00.000-04:00

Yesterday my friend Kristen got her new kidney and she has already stood and walked a little. Kristen is years younger than me and I cannot imagine how awful it must have been for such a young woman to suffer the things I have suffered. She was sick and on dialysis for 3 long years. You really don't know how you can go on and survive. Sometimes its not day by day but moment by moment.

I am crying with happiness for her and cant stop looking at her photo, which was taken today!

God is so good and I know my turn will come soon!

One Call I Want

2011-08-03T20:16:00.000-04:00

I actually don not want anyone to call me. I am just so bone weary tired I would be speechless. The past week has been brutal for lack of energy. I start to do something and before I am done I collapse. I wonder how much longer I can hang on.

Oh yeah, there IS someone I want to call me. The transplant coordinator! That is the one call I really want.

Time to slide between the sheets again. Happy hump day and happy crafting!

Another Sweet Sliekje Design

2011-07-28T20:20:00.000-04:00

Another sweet kid from Sliekje. Her digi stamps are so cute and so much fun to to work with. Please visit her blog for great ideas.

I'm keeping things short and sweet tonight as I'm super dizzy again. My blood pressure is crazy low again so it's been a long dizzy day. But at least I'm home.

I`m off to sip tea again and hope for a clearer head tomorrow.

Princess of the Pool

2011-07-26T19:20:00.000-04:00

Another thankfully quiet day. I'm having trouble with low blood pressure but my stomach is settled.

This little card is a summer card. I coloured a freebie stamp I have (from heaven knows where) because she's so stinkin' cute and a REAL woman. I had the "Princess of the Pool" tag in my stash of odds n ends. Anyway, the princess makes me smile and I hope it makes you smile too.

It`s a pleasant evening here so I think I`ll take some tea out in the yard. Keep smiling everyone, and happy crafting!

Reporting for Duty

2011-07-25T21:12:00.001-04:00

Well, that was a little break.....but I show up again like a bad penny. 12 endlessly long days in the hospital with a bad gastroparesis attack. What a true pleasure it is to be home. I'm taking it easy and mostly slept today but I did pull together a little card. The sentiment reads "You always know" and inside "just what I need". I had fun with 'bows' and 'pebbles' embellishment and a few touches with my Viva pearl pen.

That's it for me today. Happy crafting!

A Good News Update

2011-07-13T16:46:00.000-04:00

Still no cards. I've been in the hospital again and am just today getting my legs back under me.

I'm 7 pounds closer to my surgery goal so the added dialysis is doing it's work., I should get all the way there very soon. They've told me not to even look at the numbers at Weight Watchers because of my edema. Just keep keeping on.

I met with my new post transplant nephrologist this morning and it was all positive. I'm 20th on the wait list which isn't very far off at all. They transplant on average one patient per week so it should happen this year even if I'm not called early as a back up.

Going back to sleep now but I wanted to share this good news with you all.

Changes in Dialysis

2011-07-11T20:02:00.000-04:00

No new cards today, but I thought I'd post about my renal clinic visit.

I've mentioned following Weight Watchers and not doing so well despite following the plan. It's very important to me to do well as I want to be strong and ready for my surgery when it happens. I've also mentioned how my legs are swollen and I have some pain.

Today I saw the PD nurse, dietitian and my nephrologist, My nephrologist poked and prodded (painfully) and told me that I am actually very likely at my surgery goal weight. He estimates that on the conservative side, I am holding onto in excess of 30 pounds in fluids. (Probably closer to 40 pounds). These fluids are full of toxins, so I darn well should be feeling badly. And tired, yes. I've been doing the equivalent of carrying two 20 pound sacks of potatoes on my shoulders. This news actually pleases me because it means that I'm much smaller than I've believed.

Of course I will continue on with Weight Watchers, but now I can quickly get this weight off. The doctor has changed my dialysis prescription to help drain off more fluid each night, plus prescribed daytime dialysis as well - at least until I'm flushed out. He was all apologetic about giving me added dialysis treatments, but I am so eager to get better that I don't mind.

So onward ho! Hopefully within a couple of weeks my scales will be causing me to happy dance.

Happy crafting everyone!