Calendar Poodle SAL

Friday, January 5, 2018

SB Giveaway

Hi friends! I am stitching two last Christmas ornaments like mad. Orthodox Christmas is Sunday. I am 90% done with Brian's ornament, but I must get my friend Aliona's done first. Almost there! But that is only the stitching. Then I have to do the finishing on them! I will share pictures of these finishes next time.

I have a pattern to giveaway. Due to postage, this one will have to be for one of my followers in the United States. Please leave me a comment on this post if you would like this pattern. I will announce the winner on Friday, Januaray 12th.
Shepherd's Bush     Be Warm

Yesterday I had x-rays of my neck and then I saw the spine surgeon.😞 I have severe arthritis in my neck. I have a herniated disc. He wants  to do disc replacement surgery at C6 (my neck). We would have to do an MRI first. If the arthritis is too bad, then he would have to do a spinal fusion.  I told him I am not ready for spinal surgery. That is why I mentioned in my last post I was going to see this doctor, but not for surgery. I am the one who said not for surgery.  I am waiting for insurance stuff to set up an appointment for an epidural shot. That is what I am willing to do for the pain for right now. I am also waiting on insurance referral stuff, then I am seeing another doctor that Brian researched and chose for a second opinion.

On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service by Rhys Bowen is a book I read in December. I really enjoyed this. I like every one of the books in this series.
When Darcy runs off on another secret assignment, I am left to figure out how to travel to Italy sans maid and chaperone to help my dear friend Belinda, as she awaits the birth of her baby alone. An opportunity presents itself in a most unexpected way—my cousin the queen is in need of a spy to attend a house party in the Italian lake country. The Prince of Wales and the dreadful Mrs. Simpson have been invited, and Her Majesty is anxious to thwart a possible secret wedding.  

What luck! A chance to see Belinda and please the queen as I seek her permission to relinquish my claim to the throne so I can marry Darcy. Only that’s as far as my good fortune takes me. I soon discover that Mummy is attending the villa party and she has her own secret task for me. Then, Darcy shows up and tells me that the fate of a world on the brink of war could very well depend on what I overhear at dinner! I shouldn’t be all that surprised when one of my fellow guests is murdered and my Italian holiday becomes a nightmare...

Well, back to stitching! I have to get these ornaments done! Eat. Sleep. Stitch.

Thanks for stopping by. Thank you for your sweet comments. I hope you have a great weekend!

Stitching and praying,
Vickie


31 comments:

Stasi said...

Vickie, I think you are smart to get a second opinion and weigh your options. I hope one rises that doesn't involve surgery.
I'll throw my name into the hat for the adorable SB chart--thanks!
Looking forward to seeing your last couple ornaments.

Robin in Virginia said...

Vickie, you have been on my mind. Very wise to get a second opinion and look at all the options before making a final decision on the surgery. I look forward to seeing your ornaments. Enjoy your weekend and may it be peaceful.

Paula said...

So sorry to read about the arthritis pain. My mom has arthritis in her spine too.It is never ending pain for her.
Would love to stitch the SB pattern.
Happy New Year!
Paula

Mii Stitch said...

What a sweet chart to give away!!

Lili said...

So sorry for reading that, lets see if there are other way besides surgery.

Have a lovely Christmas, Vickie!

Hugs,
Lili

Daniela Bencúrová said...

° 。 ° ˚* _Π_____*。*˚★ 。* 。*。 • ˚ ˚ •。★
˚ ˛ •˛•*/______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛★ 。* 。*★ 。* 。*
˚ ˛ •˛• | 田田|門| HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018.

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh sweet Friend, I will pray for your comfort and to be led to the right doctor that will figure all this out. ((hugs)). I would like to be considered for the drawing...I know, I know...I am cross stitching again (knitting, too) but I have started back cross stitching, and lets face it...I never saw a snowman that I did not like. :) Wishing you a lovely day sweet friend...and healing prayers, too. :)

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

As others have said a second opinion is a good way to go.I hope another solution can be found other than spinal surgery.
Looking forward to seeing your ornaments when they are finished.

gracie said...

Good that you are not jumping into the surgery right away. Best to research it first.

Carol said...

I hope the second opinion will provide you with a clear answer, Vickie--no one wants to go through surgery, but no one wants to be in constant pain either. I hope your ornament stitching can keep your mind off things for even a little while. Wishing you and Brian a very blessed Christmas on Sunday :)

woolwoman said...

I think it's good to have a 2nd opinion on something so serious. God will lead you in the right direction.

Hope your sunday celebration is wonderful.

I'd like to enter your SB drawing - thanks for the opportunity - its a darling piece.

Stay warm! Mel

Terri said...

For what it's worth - I had surgery on my neck about 10-15 years ago and I am SO GLAD I did! Everything we tried before that didn't work - drugs, physical therapy, shots, even traction! I had arthritis, 2 bulging discs and 1 herniated disc. The Neurosurgeon removed the herniated piece, replaced it with a "cadaver" bone, and set a plate and 4 screws in my neck. I still have minor pain, but nothing like I had before. AND! It was outpatient surgery and I was only off work 2 weeks!

I hope the shots work for you! Good luck!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

A second opinion is a very wise decision. I do hope they can help you without surgery.

Good luck on finishing the ornies in time!

Von said...

Glad you're getting another opinion and not jumping into the surgery option. Praying God will lead you and the doctors to the right choices that will bring you release from pain!

laceystitcher said...

I hope you find another option that will work instead of having to go the surgery route. I look forward to seeing your other Christmas ornaments. Praying for your health. Hugs to you................

Halland House Gifts said...

Praying for wisdom and discernment.

Barb said...

You are wist to get another opinion. I had to have my spine fused at the L1 vertebrae. I had a burst fracture. My DR. was the best in the Seattle area and I trusted him totally. I was fortunate not to spend the rest of my life in a wheel chair. That being said, even after the surgery(2 years ago) there is never a day without some back pain. I would only have surgery in fairly extreme conditions. Thanks for the book suggestion and I do hope you feel much better very soon.

MartinaM said...

Oh my god, it got you pretty good.
I pray for you that you will get through everything well, and that it will soon go up again. I hope you have something good for the pain.
big hugs, Martina

butterfly said...


Yes go for it Vickie another opinion is always good .
Hope you get all your stitching done in time hugs.

Isabelle said...

Dear Vickie, I just read your post and I'm very sad to know that your health problems are not improving. I understand that you do not want a surgery. We do it in the last end. I can tell you that the epidural shot will relieve you a lot. I had one in December and since then, I no longer suffer from my neck. It is true that I do not have the same pathology as you .... me, the spine is fine ... it's the spinal cord that does not go well and I already had an operation in 1999 that was a great success. I may have another one after my April MRI. Keep me informed because you are on my mind :)
Your friend,
isa

Manuela said...

Hello Vickie,
das sind keine gute Nachrichten. Ich finde es gut dass du dir eine zweite Meinung einholst.
Ich drücke dir die Daumen, dass alles gut ausgeht.

Liebe Grüße Manuela

Jenny said...

Oh Vickie....

I am praying my friend...always! You are so amazing my friend...stitching and creating beautiful treasures even while you are in pain! I hope the answers will come soon!

I love the Shepherds Bush pattern and would love to enter your giveaway. Their patterns always make me smile.

I hope you have a great weekend celebrating Christmas and that your ornaments are coming together nicely! Eat. Sleep. Stitch. I can live with that...lol!

Sending hugs and love! ❤️

Penny said...

I think it is good to explore all options before deciding on surgery. I'm sorry you are facing these decisions and going through this -- I'm sure it is scary as well as painful. You continue to be in my prayers. Wishing you and your family a happy Christmas celebration tomorrow, Vickie. : )

Justine said...

Hope you have a lovely Christmas Vickie, and that your ornaments were finished in time!

Carolien said...

I hope you were able to finish your ornaments in time ;)

Love the poodle postcard :)

Margaret said...

I have arthritis in my neck too. Everywhere, actually. Surgery -- yikes! I hope your chosen treatment gives you relief from the pain. Prayers being said.

Julie said...

Merry Christmas to you today, I hope you are having a lovely time with your church friends.
Sweet chart.
Hope the second opinion can come up with some different options for you.
xx

Barbara said...

When it comes to spine surgery, a second opinion is always best. I think sometimes these doctors forget that "we" as patients can say yes or no to surgery. They just automatically assume you will agree with them. I would love to be entered into the giveaway for the Be Warm. Really suits the weather right now.
Blessings

rsgrandinetti said...

THis pattern is darling. Good luck with your back issues. My husband had surgery about 5 years ago --- and he feels so much better now.

moreofhim said...

Vickie, I didn't realize you hadn't had an MRI yet. I definitely would not do anything until I get one. The MRI tells you so much more than the x-ray and will give the doctor more information to go by. Praying, praying, praying for you!!

I would love to be entered in your giveaway. Love that pattern. :)

Blessings - Julie

RJ said...

I am praying for you Vickie to make the right decision. I think a second opinion is always a good idea. Love and prayers be sent your way. RJ