Day 2 of the IHAN® Machine Embroidery Blog Hop sponsored by Anita Goodesign

Mon., March 18th

Kelly - I Have A Notion SewCalGal

Tues, March 19th

Cindy - Sew Cindy Trish - AllThingsCrafty.com

Wed., March 20th

Marjorie's Quilting Bee Margaret - The Average Quilter

Thurs., March 21st

Rebecca Grace - Cheeky Cognoscenti

Fri., March 22nd

Gene Black - Alabama Artist SewCalGal

Are you Hoppin'?  I sure hope you are :)   I have provided a schedule of blogs that will be posting during this Machine Embroidery Blog hop sponsored by Anita Goodesign.

Changing topics here.....and Update from the Family life of the IHAN® Clan:

A photo montage made by my brother.  He took photos of her grandchildren and made this photo of my mother.

As the regular IHAN® blog readers already know, my mother was diagnosed with late stage pancreatic cancer on Feb. 26, 2013.   There were several flower arrangements, cards and hundreds of phone calls received from family and friends.   In less than  a week, all of her 8 grandchildren had come to town to spend time with their grandmother.  Two had to travel from Colorado and one from upper Michigan.  Her friend of over 40 years flew in and brought her daughter and spent a week with mom.  My 1/2 sister, who is not a blood relative of my mothers, also flew in.  Initially there was lots of activity.  After everyone has returned to their lives, we stay in touch using a website called : LotsAHelpingHands.  If you have never seen this website, it is incredible and I highly recommend checking out their Free services. We are able to keep everyone informed as to her health, procedures, share photos, share important documents and coordinate volunteers is all possible through the LotsaHelpingHands website. 

When my mother was first diagnosed all I could think of was the quilt she had asked me to make for her.  She had selected the fabric (Fandango by Kate Spain for MODA) and I had chosen the pattern (Big Ten by Swirly Girl Designs) but I had not had time to work on the quilt.  I did run home and make this pillow case for her bed at the hospital. 

A dear friend asked what she could do to help and I asked, do you think you could get some help and possible start my mothers quilt for me. 

Within 3 days, the entire quilt was done.  Talk about a "quilting miracle."  Ten very  dear women (Diane, Dale, Sandy, Marty, Carol, Linda, Joan, Nancy, Peggy, and Linda) spent a few days working on the quilt.  Dale then did the quilting using her long arm machine and Diane made the label.  I asked them to please leave the binding for me because I wanted to contribute and the binding is one of my favorite parts.

 I'll never be able to thank these ladies enough.  I could not have finished that quilt and been her to take care of my mom....it just would not have been done.  Now this "quilting miracle" covers my mother and keeps her warm. 

My mother has been "card bombed" in the last few days.  On Monday she received 46 pieces of mail and today she received 22.

If someone has to be diagnosed with a terrible life shortening disease.....it sure is wonderful to have loving, caring and concerned people reach out and share some humor, joy and a tender thought.  Thank you to all of the bloggers who have sent my mother a card.  Each card is a bright ray of love and light that lifts her spirits.  THANK YOU!

Smiles of  Immense Gratitude,
Kelly

Special Request

As most of you know, my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that has spread to other organs.  I have been staying with her at the hospital and it has been very difficult for me to post to my own  blog much less read other blogs.  I want to thank everyone who has left well wishes here on my blog and for those who have helped me to keep posting to my blog.  I still have two more very kind people who have written posts and I've not had the time to get them up on the blog yet....but I will.

One thing I noticed is how getting cards has really meant a great deal to my mother.  I'm going to ask each of you to please spread the word that I'm kindly requesting that people send my mother a greeting card.  Please no "Get Well" cards, but any other type of card would be wonderful.  You can share an uplifting moment in your life, a joke, just anything to lift her spirits.  I promise I'll do the same for you and your family....all you have to do is let me know :)

Cards can be sent to:

Olivia Howlett c/o

Henry Ford Hospital Room P623
2799 W Grand Blvd 

Detroit, MI 48202

We are hoping she will be able to go home sometime next week so if you can send a card sooner rather than later, that would be wonderful. 

I have been taking care of myself, so many people have asked.  I'm sleeping when I can and eating well. Again, THANK YOU so very much for all the kindnesses that have been shown....a little goes a long way during times like this.

Appreciative Smiles,
Kelly

Update on my Mother

 

My Birth Family

 My Sister, Tracy, Me, my Mother, Olivia, my younger brother, Matt, and my older brother, Cordie.

Hi Friends,
It seems like I've slipped into a timeless zone where days and nights run into one another and I times passes in a flash.  I've been with my mother around the clock at Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield MI since Feb. 26th.  She has been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer.  She has been unable to eat for a few months and tomorrow morning the Doctor is going to do a by-pass from her stomach to her intestines so she can eat again and get nourishment. 

I want everyone to know how very much I have appreciated all the e-mails, thoughts and prayers that have been sent.  While it has been a very difficult time, we have also taken time to laugh.
 

After my mom had to have a NG tube inserted I thought it might be good if she didn't feel all alone with tubes coming from her face.  This is my own personal style of an NG tube...LOL.  She cracked up laughing.....laughter is good for the soul.

I'm grateful for friends who have written blog posts for me.  I"ll be posting them soon.

Still Smiling,
(Lots of tears....but some smiles and laughter too.)

Kelly