Stasia's Place Of Grace

Thursday, December 29, 2005

 

Woo Hoo!

We received a call with the pathology results from Fiona's final cancer surgery... not only were there completely clear margins, but there were no cancer cells whatsoever in the tissue. Fiona is officially in remission! The radiation treatments not only shrunk down the "fingers" of the tumor but apparently eradicated the remaining main mass as well - unusual, but not unheard-of. We'll take it!

If hemangiopericytoma returns, which is common, it is usually within the first six months, so we will be vigilant with CT scans, chest x-rays, and other check-ups to spot any unusual changes. But for now, we are calling it cured.

Thank you so very much for your kind thoughts and prayers! We truly believe the reason Fiona has tolerated two surgeries and fifteen radiation treatments so well is because of all the positive energy you have sent her way. We are truly grateful to you, and to God for blessing us with some more time to cherish our girl!

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In fiber arts news I have woven two scarves on my Ashford rigid heddle loom while making sure Fi stayed still in her bed (she has over 30 sutures, which will be removed on the 5th.) I followed the easy direct warping instructions in the Ashford Book Of Rigid Heddle Weaving and gone were the headaches I formerly experienced when attempting to warp a loom. Rowena Hart's "warp it by the seat of your pants and play with it" attitude was just the creative boost I needed, and the scarves were completed easily in a matter of hours. Weaving without tears, finally.

I see Ashford has a new "Knitter's Loom" available... if you want to get a head start on next year's holiday gifts, and would like to create fun and funky scarves from handspun or novelty yarns in a couple of hours rather than knitting them in days or (like me) weeks, give rigid heddle weaving a try. Just be sure to get the book with the loom so you don't become overwhelmed by other warping and measuring instructions before you get a feel for the joy of weaving! I almost didn't return to it after all the mathematical and measurement nightmares I'd previously experienced with my big looms and big books... simple and fun is definitely the way to go.

Photos will follow as soon as I've blocked these, but for now I'm spending time with Miss Fi.

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To Quote...

I came across this prayer, attributed to the Dalai Lama (I'm assuming the current HH but it wasn't clear). I hope it brings you comfort; maybe if we all say it it will bring comfort to others, too:

May all beings everywhere,
Plagued by sufferings of body and mind,
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy
By virtue of my merits.
May no living creature suffer,
Commit evil, or ever fall ill.
May no one be afraid or belittled
With a mind weighed down by depression.
May the blind see forms
And the deaf hear sounds.
May those whose bodies are worn with toil
Be restored on finding repose.
May the naked find clothing,
The hungry find food.
May the thirsty find water
And delicious drinks.
May the poor find wealth,
Those weak with sorrow find joy.
May the forlorn find hope,
Constant happiness, and prosperity.
May there be timely rains
And bountiful harvests.
May all medicines be effective
And wholesome prayers bear fruit.
May all who are sick and ill
Quickly be freed from their ailments.
Whatever diseases there are in the world,
May they never occur again.
May the frightened cease to be afraid
And those bound be freed.
May the powerless find power
And may people think of benefiting each other.

Please remember the true panchen lama in your thoughts. Here at Chez Chef Jeff, we are boycotting "Made In China" goods until religious freedom and human rights are restored to Tibet.

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I wish you a New Year as blessed as this one has been for us. In the words of a Buddhist prayer, may we all be happy, may we all be peaceful, may we all be free. Thank you for visiting - please let me know you stopped by!

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