Friend has cancer...Finished with ghan, see picture on first post

[Vickietoria]

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/Vickietoriasmile/2003_0101Lindasblanket0001.jpgHi everyone! A friend of mine had surgery today to remove some growths (nodules?) off her thyroid. The doctor told her (before surgery) that they were probably not cancerous, and that only a fraction of the people with this do have cancer. The doctor said he wouldn't even worry about having the surgery, but if she wanted to she could. Well, she did, and they tested it, and it is cancer. She is not the kind of person to complain, and is very positive sounding to me on the phone (she's still in the hospital recovering), but I know she's scared to death. Who wouldn't be? She's not having chemotherapy, but I can't remember what it's called that she's going to have. She's such a sweet lady! She is a teacher's aid working with kids who are deaf and hard of hearing. She worked with me when I was a teacher, and she is just such a giving happy person!

So, I was trying to think of something that would make her happy. I thought about making a blanket for her all myself, but I think she would be truly touched if a few of you were kind enough to make a 12" square (any pattern, any size hook) for her to show that others care, and are thinking of her too. I've never done one of these before, and I hope that I'm not too particular about the guidelines for the squares, but if it could be Red Heart please, shades of blue, that would be wonderful. If you want two colors (2 blues are fine too!), please use "soft white" too with it, so all the whites are the same. You don't have to use white though, just another option if you want to use white. Verigated blues would be fine, as long as you have a solid blue with it. Also, if you could please send some kind of card or note with your name and address (and a note of encouragement if you like) for her to send thank you notes to. It's too soon to know how bad it is, or how spread the cancer is, but it's scary anyway. She is just such a sweet lady, I wish you could all meet her! Thank you so much for your help!!

Thank you and God bless each of you!!



Edited:http://www.flickr.com/photos/16484238@N00/248704159/?#comment72157594293220345
Hi! It's finished! Here is a picture of the blanket, even though it looks dark b/c of the camera. Thanks again to everyone who helped so much!!

[Around74]

Sending you a pm.

[Vickietoria]

Around 74 just asked me if it mattered what shade of blue, and no, it doesn't. They will all look beautiful together when it's done. Thanks!

[midnightexpression]

what about orchid by red heart?

[CrochetinClara]

I sent you a pm, you will have your squares soon.

[midnightexpression]

oh and you should be ok with main stays from wal mart they're made by red heart

[Ithinkican]

Hi, I'm in...that is if you don't mind a beginners square! It may not be perfect, but I'll give it my best try.

[Vickietoria]

Oh, beginners' squares are great! :) It's the heart that counts, and that's all she'll see when she looks at the afghan that so many loving people will have contributed to. Thank you so much!

[Vickietoria]

oh and you should be ok with main stays from wal mart they're made by red heart
You would think that, but I made an American Flag afghan with it once... I used red and blue from Red Heart, and white from mainstays, and the white turned pink when I washed it. I've never had a problem with white becoming another color in the wash before, so I stay away from Mainstays now. Just my preference. Maybe I'm too picky? They're just a little cheaper than Red Heart (in my Wal-Marts) but I'm willing to pay a few cents more for Red Heart. I hope no one else has had this problem with Mainstays, because it really stinks to have something that you've worked so hard for turn another color just because of the yarn! :eek

Thank you all for replying to my square request so fast! I can't wait to see the squares and see the afghan put together!
Victoria

[crochetlady100]

Square will be in the mail this week. I know how hard this is as my niece has cancer and will be having surgery next week. A good spirit is very good to have. I will keep your friend in my prays, god bless.
Trish

[Vickietoria]

Thank you everyone for volunteering to make squares! It really means a lot to me that you would take some time and yarn to help my friend get through this tough time. I haven't received any in the mail yet, but I will post to let you know when I get them. Thank you all so much!
Victoria

[scc51055]

I will try to send a square or to also.....have you thought of making her a prayer or healing shawl?

[Around74]

2 squares are on their way to you!!

[CrochetinClara]

I'm sending 2 today, should have them soon!

[calliope1779]

I'm making one too, I should be able to get it in the mail by tomorrow -- hope that's not too late!!

[Vickietoria]

Thank you all so much! Maggy, it's not too late! :) I haven't received any yet, so you still have time! Thank you so much!
God bless you all!
Victoria

[Ithinkican]

I'm sure glad someone posted to this, because I remember agreeing to make a square, but then could NOT find the original post. I'll get busy on it. Wanted you to know I haven't forgotten, but being relatively new, I got lost!!!
Sorry

[Vickietoria]

It's ok! I still feel new and I get lost a lot too. Thank you so much for finding me again! :)
Victoria

[Vickietoria]

Hi! I just received two beautiful blue verigated squares in the mail today! :) Thank you Miranda! I really appreciate it, and I know Linda will too! God Bless you!
Victoria

[Vickietoria]

CrochetinClara thank you for the two beautiful squares!! :) They are perfect!
Victoria

[ankey]

Hi Victoria, is it too late to make one? Do you need anymore? I wouldn't mind making one and I live in Austin so it shouldn't take too long to get there after I make it. Just fyi, I'll be making it out of RH super saver light blue.

[Vickietoria]

That would be perfect! So far I've gotten 4, so I could definately still use more! Light Blue would be perfect! :) Thank you so much!!!

Thank you scc51055 for the square! It's beautiful!

Victoria

[calliope1779]

My mom was going to the post office a week ago so I gave your package to her to mail for me. I am a little worried that she didn't do it since you haven't gotten it yet. I will check with her.

Update: I checked with her and she said she mailed it two days ago. Hopefully you get it soon. :)

[Ithinkican]

Hi. got the square done last night. Will send this week

[Vickietoria]

Great! Thank you Veronica! I look forward to seeing it in the mail soon.
Victoria

[LavenderBear]

Victoria,

I will be HAPPY to send some 12" squares and a card for your friend! Could you tell us her name so we know who to address the encouragement card to?! Thanks! :yarn :hook

[ankey]

sorry, I'm a newbie at this... I have one square done and am going to try to send it this week but what should I use to send the square? Will a USPS priority mail flat rate envelope do? I've seen the threads about shipping crochet items but there's so many different ways to ship that it just confuses me reading about them all.

[Ithinkican]

You can ship it in a large manilla envelope, or go with Priority. But remember, that Priority is going to run you more money and you don't need to go flat rate for a square. Others may have a different opinion, but I'm sending mine in a manilla envelope.
Veronica

[LavenderBear]

Victoria,

I am sending out a puffy of squares to you tomorrow for Linda's comfortghan! :rose

[ankey]

one square being sent tomorrow morning...

[Vickietoria]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate it! This is going to be a beautiful blanket! Everyone has been so generous... I've got 7 squares now, and a few more promised to come soon. Thank you all so much! I usually just use a manilla envelope, and click on the cheapest option when I mail things. One square usually costs I think something like $.89 to mail.

[Vickietoria]

Ankey,
Thank you for the square! I received it just fine today. It is so beautiful!!!
Victoria

[Vickietoria]

LavenderBear,
Hi! I got your beautiful squares in the mail! Thank you so much!! :)
Victoria

[Vickietoria]

Hi everyone! Here is an update on what Linda is up to. I have never had a friend/family/loved one with cancer, so I had no idea about her treatment. This sounds like it's going to be long, so I know she'll be comforted by all the lovely squares everyone sent in!! It's going to make a nice blanket for her "blues." Thank you for all pitching in! If someone is planning to make one, or it is in the mail (if I haven't thanked you for it, I haven't gotten it yet) please let me know. Otherwise, I'll start putting it together, and add a few more (I want it to be bigger than a lapghan). Thank you again for everything!!!
From Linda: (who has no idea about the blanket yet, I love giving people surprises!)

Hi Victoria! I'm OK. Yes it's been 3 weeks. I'm healing up pretty good. I'm weak and sickly though and supposed to get worse before it gets better. I'm not allowed to go back to work until after my radiation treatment. They aren't sure when it will be time for that, I have to have my thyroid hormone levels completely depleted before they do it. I get my blood tested every week for that and to watch my calcium and magnesium levels. I'm a little unsteady on my feet and I get real tired real easy. I will have to go back into the hospital for three days in complete isolation for the radiation. I will SWALLOW IT in pill form. I will recieve it through a window in the room in a lead box and I won't be able to touch it with my hands. They say every thing in the room will have to be thrown away, even the clothes I wear into it. Every thing will be covered with red plastic marked nuclear waste and I will have to pass a giger counter test before they will let me out. If one teartouches some one else their thyroid will be disintegrated as well. I will be in isolation for two weeks at home plastic forks plates, no hugging touching kissing etc. and I can't sit or stand with my chest facing a child for two weeks. I will send Blue [her dog] to Tommy's parents for the two weeks I will be doing this phase. They say it is perfectly safe for me. The only thing radioactive iodine does to the human body is kill thyroid cells. The whole purpose is to kill anything that may be left of my thyroid that may still be in there. Did you know your thyroid can grow back? We sure don't one to grow back with cancer in it.

[Shelleden]

Wow, that's very interesting. I had no idea about that sort of treatment! Bless her heart! Are you still collecting squares? I just found this thread. I'd love to send one or two to be included in the comfort blanket. I'll put lots of love & prayers into it, too! :yes

[Vickietoria]

Oh yes, feel free to send in a square or two! I'm hoping to make it a little bigger than the usual 12 square lapghan, so yes, I would love to have a couple more! Just any blue you have Red Heart would be great. Thank you so much!!
Victoria

[dragonfli]

Will get a square in the mail to you by the weekend.

Laurine

[Vickietoria]

Thank you so much dragonfli! I sure do appreciate it, and I know Linda will love it!
Victoria

[Shelleden]

Mine's going in the mail today. Please post pics of her & her blankie - or at least the blanket. We'd love to see how it turns out. ;) Love, hugs, and prayers.:hug

[Vickietoria]

Shelle,
Thank you for your square! It's beautiful! :) I received it today, wow that was fast! Yes, I will definately post a picture of the blanket, though I don't know if I'll get a picture of her or not.
Thanks again for your kindness!
Victoria

[Hellbo]

Hi Vickietoria
Sorry to hear about your friend my dad has prostrate cancer last year - thank God he's now all clear following radiation treatment.
I'm from U.K & don't get that type of yarn, is there anything else I can do for you?
Would it be ok for me to send a card?

[Vickietoria]

Oh how sweet! It would be very nice of you to send a card if you would like. I don't know if she'd like me to post her address, so just send it to me, and I'll hand deliver it to her. That would be just wonderful! Thank you!
Victoria

[froggy]

Victoria, I don't know if you checked your PM's or not but, I sent out two squares in Thursday evenings mail (8-17) so they should be there some time early this week coming. Please let me know when they arrive.

[Vickietoria]

Froggy, I will let you know, but I haven't received them just yet. Thank you so much!!
Victoria
edited:
Froggy, I received them in the mail today just a couple hours after I origionally posted. Thanks so much, they're beautiful!

[kambicon]

I had this surgery in May. The good news is that this is the most curable form of cancer there is, Wishing her a quick recovery. Have you finished this, or are you still looking for squares?

[Vickietoria]

Ok. I just finished this afghan, and I'm trying to figure out how to post a picture. I took a picture with my camera, but it turned out dark. Just know it's not quite that dark in real life. The "green" is really a beautiful teal color just to give you an idea. I think it turned out really beautiful! I'm sorry it took me so long to finish it; I wanted to make sure I had them all before I started putting it together. Thank you to all who sent in squares and cards! I will give this to her this weekend.
Victoria
PS
I just tried to post the picture, but it says I have to have a website that it's on??? Can anyone help? Thanks!