Comfortghan needed for 15yo girl..../Update post #77

[minwifeof4boys]

4 years ago my friends daughter battled a type of bone cancer. She was 11 at the time... for a year she went through chemo/ radiation and had bone taken out an a metal place put in. While one leg is a bit shorter then the other she has her leg so she was excited to be looking towards her 5th year of cancer free. Last week she felt a lump near the metal plate in her leg and after a rush to the doctor, here is the email I recieved from her mom : Well, the news is not good. There is a small tumor in almost the same
place as the original one. Of course, it's not in the bone since
there is a metal implant there but it is in the tissue. Dr. Parrish
said that this is only the 2nd time in 15 years that he has seen it
come back in the original spot so it is unusual. He had a CT scan of
the lungs done before we left yesterday (that is the most common spot
for a secondary tumor) but she did have one done in September and it
was clear.

He talked to her oncologist at Geisinger and we have talked to him as
well. He scheduled a CT scan, an MRI, and a bone scan for Friday and
they are trying to get a PET scan scheduled as well but they have to
get insurance approval and the earliest appointment is Tuesday anyway.
I'm hoping that by Tuesday they will have some idea of a treatment
plan already.

So that is where we are so far. We are stunned, to say the least but
at least this time we are starting with a working knowledge of the
hospital and procedures so I feel a little more capable. Shawnee is
upset and angry but is handling it very well. "

I know this poor girl faces an uphill battle that could mean losing her leg. I would like to do a really fun comfortghan in bright 12 inch squares, any yarns, but would like a little note pinned to each square with at least a first anme and a state/country so she will know many folks are lifting her up. I'll probably do the finishing in one of the red heart bright varigatedeither the turquoise/ pink or bananna berry or something and keep it very upbeat and fun.... Thanks in advance for your help...

[Seneca and Scooch]

Oh my goodness, Bless her little heart! I would love to help out. She and her family are in my thoughts and prayers. :hug Please PM me your address.

Coralie

[auntbubbels]

Lea - I will do at least one as I am busy this weekend. I have your address :hug :hug

[beth eathorne]

i have some extra time and will try to get you at least 2 or 3 put together. Maybe could i send her a little something extra? a small stuffed amigurumi animal if you dont mind? have several made up and can pop one or 2 in with the squares. I think girls of all ages love little softies...

please pm with your address

[minwifeof4boys]

Janet, when are you NOT busy????????

Thanks ladies, I apprecaite it and I know Shawnee will too...

[Mermaiden]

Maybe this can help you keep track of all the states/locations you have squares from. Just put a name at each location you get one from onto this blank map.

http://www.frappr.com/?a=showmap2&mapid=2895148

:hug

[heart]

Sure thing! Any type of square? Traditional Granny? Maby one with a flower center be ok? I can make and send 1 out by monday, pm me with your address.

[lhasaapsolady]

PM me your address, I'd love to do one or two.

[cbear713]

I am new and have never done one of these before, but I would like to help! Can I make any square I like? Is Caron SS Brites okay to use? I don't know what "pm" means (private message?) but I will need your address to send them to you. Sorry for all the questions, but I mean well :2blush

[minwifeof4boys]

Welcome, and thanks for wanting to help with the comfortghan for Shawnee. Yes, PM means private message( and I'll send one as soon as I finish this post)...any style and type of yarn you want..the only thing is the 12 inch thingy.... I appreciate you jumping in like this!

[ChainOFools]

Lea if you still need squares I can help you out with one. PM me your address and I'll get started. :hook

[JoBug]

Please PM me the addy to send it to, I will have at leaste one done, but wont be able to mail out until tuesday if that is okay...

[minwifeof4boys]

...I recieved an update on Shawnee... they will do a PET scan on Monday to confirm no secondary cancer in her lungs/ abdomen.. surgery will be before Thanksgiving ( although they don't know the extent ) with chemo right after. She went yesterday to visit the onocology floor where she was a few years ago and picked out a " room" and she picked out a couple of things to decorate her IV pole. She is so brave. I know the comfortghan will really emn alot to her.

[blondi]

I finished one square today and started on another. I will try to get them in the mail Mon. So you should receive them Wed. or Thurs.

[ginamaria73]

Oh my gosh-heart-breaking-if you send me an address I will send a square or two...

[Charlene]

Send me a PM and I'll get one made, I had Red Heart Kids yarn, I knew there was a reason I had that in my stash. Charlene

[minwifeof4boys]

This will be so great.....She'll be able to take it to the hospital with her. I just really can't imagine being so young and having to face this....Her PET scan is Monday and I'll post an update when it comes in...

[scc51055]

please send me your address and i will try to send one out! it may not be until the end of the week if that is ok?

[auntbubbels]

I completed one square in purple and pink. I love crocheting with two strands of yarn but I don't know if its too thick, so I am making another square in purple. When you receive them, please tell me if the one with the two strands is too thick. I can take the advice. Thanks :hug

[heart]

I have one done too. I made 4, 5" squares and stitched them together, then went around it in granny square fashion, so it has a heart on one corner and a flower on the other. It is 12 inches. It's cute, my husband usually goes, yeah ok when I show him something, but this time he sat up and said let me see, that's really pretty. Hope it helps to comfort her. Will ship it out tomorrow for you.

[minwifeof4boys]

Heart that sounds so pretty....I can't wait to see it....

Janet... if it doesn't work I'll let you down easy :D

[heart]

Here it is! The pic is a little blurry or faded? The white reflected in the flash, but its pretty. (My hubby even says so! hahaha):D

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o123/sarahsheart/COMFORTSQUARE00000.jpg



Heart that sounds so pretty....I can't wait to see it....

Janet... if it doesn't work I'll let you down easy :D

[minwifeof4boys]

HEART, that is absolutely beautiful!!!! I know she will love it,,,

[auntbubbels]

Heart - that is sooo pretty - so girlish - I love it

Lea - I put my squares in the mail today - I have to say that I like the two stranded one better than the one stranded. I hope you can use it - :hug

[heart]

Wow!! Thank you so much! Praise the Lord! Hope it makes her smile!

[dragonfli]

I have one square complete and working on a second. Please pm me with the address where to send them and I will do as many as I can before the mail runs (Mondays are my day off) and get them in the mail to you today!! My heart breaks for her and her family. They sound like a very strong and determined family, and I will say a prayor for them all.

[dragonfli]

Heart:

I just saw your square, that is so lovely. How beautiful. Did you use a pattern or was it free hand? I would love the pattern if it is your own. If not, can you tell me where you got it (which pattern book etc., ) I would love to have it. Again it is very lovely.

[niqita]

pm me I'll do a couple squares for you also!

[minwifeof4boys]

I hope I have everyone so far! This will be wonderful....As soon as her mom emails me hte PET results I'll post them

[heart]

Thank You! Wasn't really a pattern, Just said a prayer and got started. But the daisy square is a pattern, here's the link
http://www.warmingfamilies.org/crpatt9.html

this is the heart pattern I used,
http://melaniebug.tripod.com/suzetta's_heart_motif.htm

I just did a "flat braid joining" you can find it on priscilla's crochet site, ( I can't find the link, it seems to be always moving) and for the heart I just made a heart and kinda followed round 3 of the daisy square with 8 sc, ch4 loops on the back of the heart, so I could do the granny square pattern in the loops (just like a row 3 on a granny, same # of sts and corners) then just did a granny pattern around the edge to make it easier to join to the blanket. I also used the "whirly gig" novelty yarn, think it's by Yarn Bee, to embellish the edge. Plus, it looked kinda plain till I weaved it through. Thanks again. Hope I didn't confuse you) I've been told I explain to much...talk to much...huh, hahaha:D

Heart:

I just saw your square, that is so lovely. How beautiful. Did you use a pattern or was it free hand? I would love the pattern if it is your own. If not, can you tell me where you got it (which pattern book etc., ) I would love to have it. Again it is very lovely.

[Cheryl_61]

I have a 12" square done too if you'll PM an address where to send it. First time I've contributed to something like this. Hope the square I did is all right. It's in a pale yellow, bright orange color -- a sunburst-type pattern.

[minwifeof4boys]

Cheryl...Thank you so much for helping out... The square sounds wonderful!...Oh! and I feel honored that your first post was here!!!!! Welcome!

[SeaShelly]

Do you stillneed squares? I can do one for you/her.

[cbear713]

I have three squares finished, I will try to mail them tomorrow.

[ginamaria73]

I just finished a yellow one..will probably be sending it tomorrow. :)

[Solitaire]

Lea
Watch your mail .. I sent just got back from the post office. I sent you a square and a few other goodies for her :D am sending lots of prayer and good thoughts her way.:manyheart

[Charlene]

I hit the post office on my way home from work today, my hot pink one is in the mail. Charlene

[SeaShelly]

I'll be sending mine tomorrow...It came out so pretty! Red, purple and white kaleidescope flower square (12in) -- very happy and vibrant!

[danijoy]

How are you doing on squares. I could probably contribute 1 or 2 if you need. Let me know.

[JoBug]

I got you two off in todays mail, so keep an eye out, I hope you like them.

[heart]

minwifeof4boys, you'll have to post us a pic when you get it all assembled. Believe it is going to be very pretty!! ;)

[SeaShelly]

how may squares are going into it? 12? 15? more? :)

[minwifeof4boys]

how may squares are going into it? 12? 15? more? :)


Well, I'm going to see how many I get...I want to have all the squares in by Nov.20 and then ship right after Thanksgiving so she can have it when she starts the next round of chemo....it will be a great treat.....

Today I recieved Wendy's squares....not bad after 10 years! WOW

..Janet, yours came too and I really think the 2 strands is my favorite...I'm going to use them both..

.. Sarah, Your square is even more remarkable in person....just beautiful, and thanks for the crosses and the pattern ( and the starch tip)..

I'm going to take a picture Friday or sat. of what I ahve gotten infor the week and do the same next week then a picture of the final before I ship...

...I am still waiting to hear about the PET scan...I'll let you know when I hear...
Thanks guys!

[danijoy]

I got one for sure I'm sending out tomorrow.

[auntbubbels]

Oh Lea - that is wonderful, I was waiting to hear that you really liked it, etc etc but that it would be too thick for the blanket. I am glad that you can use it - :cheer :cheer :cheer

[Cheryl_61]

Lea,
Didn't know if you got my PM? Looking for an address where to send the square that I've got finished.

Thanks,
Cheryl

[SeaShelly]

Here's my square...it looks like it has blue in it, but that's actually a vivid purple:

http://i13.tinypic.com/2le0vn7.jpg

[SeaShelly]

can someone please guide me to the post that tells how to do "clickable" images?

[heart]

SeaShelly, that is soooo pretty! Is that your own design?

Lea, thanks, and you're welcome! Glad it arrived ok.

[SeaShelly]

Heart...it started out as the 12 in. kaleidescope flower square from the Crochet Poet's pattern collection, but I must crochet tight, because it was nowhere near 12 inches, so at about 8 inches, I winged it...LOL.

[heart]

Well, great job! I love the color combination!

[minwifeof4boys]

Solitare...I recieved your puffie with the square and all the goodies... She si going to love it! She can hang the dragonflies on her IV ( and the key chain) ..the frog is a nice touch too.. Good job!

Did you get the dragon fly pattern somewhere or did you make it up? Those would be so cute for spring

[niqita]

I just sent mine out in the mail :) Now that I see everyone elses fancy squares mine plain:eek probably because they are just a basic grany square! hope that is ok! They are colorful if nothing else.

[saribear28]

I'd love to help, if you're still in need of squares. Let me know your address, and I'll see what I can do. Thanks!

[ChainOFools]

Lea,

My square should get out to you tomorrow (sorry for the delay, it's been a weird week here). I hope hope hope it gets to you before your deadline!

[scc51055]

I will send my square out tomorrow

[Solitaire]

Wow .. that was fast! I just mailed them out on Tuesday. I'm glad you like everything :) The pattern for the dragonfly is in a magazine I picked up about March or April .. I will go thru my pattern file and see which issue its in. :hook

Ok .. found the pattern info for the dragonfly ... its in the January 2006 issue of Crochet! Magazine.

[ginamaria73]

Mine is on the way also. It looks pretty plain compared to the ones shown here, but its yellow, so it's cheerful I think. Hope you can use it. :)

[sarna]

I sent you a pm for the address, I can only provide about 2, but I figure every little bit will help.

Send our prayers her way,

Sarna

[minwifeof4boys]

I recieved squares from Charlene and Christie yesterday...Those were great guys thanks!

...Pics this evening when the digital recharges...

I wanted to share with you a package I recieved from Shawnee yesterday too... she sent me a beaded braclet with white and gold beads on it. Apparently there are colors for various cancers... gold represents childhood cancers and white represents bone cancer... she ask me to wear it and pray for her when I thought of it.... Needless to say I was in tears!!!!!I am so thankful you all are helping with the comfortghan. I decided to make it 25 squares..... 5 rows of 5 with sarah's square as the center.....I think I'll do a graph square of maybe a heart for each corner It will be beautiful!
Thnaks agin folks!

[dragonfli]

Hey Lea,

Have you received our squares yet? There are three, two from me (1 red 1 yellow) and one from my 9 yr old (turquoise one)? We sent out a week ago!! I sure hope they are not lost in the snail mail!! LOL:lol

Laurine & Ally

[minwifeof4boys]

Not yet....maybe they will show on Monday because of the holidat...sometimes mail can be slow in these parts....I'm sort of in the middle of nowhere...I'll be on the look out!

[moomooo]

Ohhhh my dear, Am I too late ..... I want to make and send a couple of squares too...

Please if I'm to late for the squares maybe then you can let me mail a package with goodies for her..

Please Pm me and ;let me know if i still can make the squares.

Say is it okay if i make and send her some socks with crocheted edgings??
Let me know as well..

[dragonfli]

Lea,

Thank you!;)

Laurine

[minwifeof4boys]

Ohhhh my dear, Am I too late ..... I want to make and send a couple of squares too...

Please if I'm to late for the squares maybe then you can let me mail a package with goodies for her..

Please Pm me and ;let me know if i still can make the squares.

Say is it okay if i make and send her some socks with crocheted edgings??
Let me know as well..


I'm sure socks would be great....
Thanks!

[scc51055]

My square is sitting here on the counter ready to be mailed. forgot to stickit in the box before we left town yesterday to go pick up my daughter's wedding gown ( she bought it in PA and we live in VA) it will definitely be in the mail on monday!

[minwifeof4boys]

Mail call! 4 awesome packages...
JoAnn... love the colors of the squares....
Gina~~ Thanks so much.. what square pattern is that? I love the center
Wanda~ awesome work! ( she put Shawnee's name in a square ( graphghan style)
Brenda~ your squares made me smile... what bright awesome colors... I 'll be glad to attach a tag for you...

That makes a total of 19 squares counting my 4..... I know there are some others coming in .....I'm going to start the assembly this weekend...

Thanks guys!

[ChainOFools]

Oh wow, that sounds great!! You should be getting mine hopefully this week :xfin :)

[saribear28]

I just barely dropped mine off at the post office, so you should be getting it soon. Let me know if it'll work. Thanks! Sarah

[scc51055]

mine is in the mail box!

[abbiezbabie]

Hi,
Would love to make some of the squares,am I to late?
Terry

[Cheryl_61]

Mine's all ready. Just waiting on an address where to send it. :)

[lhasaapsolady]

Glad the square got there, the pictures of the other squares that have been posted are just great, she sure has a lot of love in this. Can't wait to see pic of the finished ghan. My prayers are with Shawnee and her family, hope you keep us updated.

[beth eathorne]

i have my squares and little critter ready..will be putting them in the mail tomorrow...hope she likes it.

[JoBug]

:hug I am happy you recieved the squares :clap , I forgot to put my name and Iowa on it, could you do that for me? TY!


Mail call! 4 awesome packages...
JoAnn... love the colors of the squares....
Gina~~ Thanks so much.. what square pattern is that? I love the center
Wanda~ awesome work! ( she put Shawnee's name in a square ( graphghan style)
Brenda~ your squares made me smile... what bright awesome colors... I 'll be glad to attach a tag for you...

That makes a total of 19 squares counting my 4..... I know there are some others coming in .....I'm going to start the assembly this weekend...

Thanks guys!

[ginamaria73]

Oh good! I am glad mine wasn't too plain. :) I can't remember the name of the square but its one of the 12 inch ones off crochetpatterncentral.com

[minwifeof4boys]

UPDATE From Shawnee's MOM:Dr. Taylor called at the beginning of last week and asked us what we
were doing that week. Never a good sign that you will be doing your
normal routine! He had been talking to the surgeon about treatment
and they had decided that Shawnee should have a few rounds of chemo
before the surgery and Dr. Taylor wanted to start immediately. He
always does, he doesn't like anything to get ahead of him. And since
the lungs were officially clear he wanted to keep them clear. After
talking with him a bit and explaining that Shawnee had a recital on
Friday that she really wanted to be in, he agreed to check with
pharmacy and see if we could begin on Saturday instead. Thankfully,
that's what we were able to do.

So all week, we were trying to get things done that needed done. Like
a portrait that the orthodontist wanted done. He gives his patients a
certificate for a local studio to have a portrait done. He displays
it on his walls for awhile then sends the portrait to the patient. We
also get a 5"x7" out of the deal. We figured that we really needed to
do that before she starts to lose her hair.

So we went to the hospital on Saturday where she got a PICC line (a
cross between a mediport and an IV) put in and started her treatment.
She is recieving 2 different chemo agents in combination, once a day
for 5 days. The one drug she has had before but the other is new to
her. Neither drug is particularly hard on the stomach so it hasn't
been a bad few days. Steve and I have alternated spending the night
with her so far. Sawyer and I will go over this morning and spend the
day with her. We'll be hospital schooling instead of homeschooling.
They both have things packed that they can take to the hospital and I
am going to pick a new read aloud with Sawyer's help to take along.
We'll see how it goes. Yesterday, Sawyer was over for the afternoon
and they ended up playing a playstation game instead. But they had
fun together which I thought was far more important.

I have to go call Steve at the hospital, get Sawyer moving, and take a
shower then we will probably head over for the day.

I have some kids that you can add to your prayer lists if you are so
inclined - Paige (3yo), Robert, Joey, Bailey (15mo. old), and Katelyn.
Katelyn was in treatment before with Shawnee. She was battling
lymphoma for the 2nd time then, she is now back for the 3rd time, she
is only 5 years old. They found out the same week we did. Her mom
had told us that Dr. Taylor had said something about "fire raining
down on his head" that week which she didn't understand until she saw
us the day we were over for tests, then it made sense. Doctors hate
when one old patient returns for treatment but two in one week is a
little tough.

[dragonfli]

Thanks for the update. I read it and I don't know what to say cause all I feel is like crying, being scared for your friends and the people I love as well, confused as to why this happens - - especially to children with their whole lives ahead of them and just to wonder why. . . . . And, if this is the way I feel and I don't even know your friends, I can't even imagine what they must be going through. Of course, strength, the power of positive thinking and prayers are really what is needed here. So . . . . that is exactly what I am going to do.

I feel like a broken record, but have you received our squares yet?

[minwifeof4boys]

...Oh Goodness not yet..... I did recieve 2 squares today... Sherry in Va and Sarah in Vt ( thanks guys)....
.....I bet it will be here tomorrow....

....and I'll keep everyone posted on Shawnee too...

[ChainOFools]

Thanks for the update Lea, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you get my square in the next couple of days.

Shawnee and all the little children are in my thoughts :manyheart

[danijoy]

I'm hoping you got my square. My husband mailed it on Monday and I don't know if he put my name on it. Mine is the one from Albert Lea, Minnesota.

[minwifeof4boys]

Squares recieved from Dragonfli ( and daughter) ... It just takes awhile to go from the Pacific to the Atlantic ! Tell your daughter thanks so much... it was wonderful having her participate...
Lea

[moomooo]

Hi Lea: I wanted to let you know that this morning I mailed you a package with 2 squares and some sockies with crocheted edgings and a teddy bear for Shawnee. Please let me know when you get it..

[dragonfli]

Well thank goodness!! I was really beginning to worry. My daughter, age 9, is quite the crochetter, but she was really getting tired (falling asleep with her hook and yarn in hand) so I wasn't sure how her square was going to turn out, and she was right there when I mailed the envelope, so I really couldn't check it out. I hope it is all straight and measures out ok, because she really put a lot of love and effort into it. What a sweetheart:hug Is she the youngest contributor? She made squares for the Comfortghan's for the Roberts family (Amish Comfortghan thread), but she had a lot of help from more experienced crochetters too. The one she did for you, she did all-by-herself!!:lol

[minwifeof4boys]

I do believe she IS the youngest contributor..and her square was just fine..please tell her how proud I am of her for having such a giving heart...I hope she carries that with her always!:hug

[saribear28]

Just wondering if you've gotten my square yet. I mailed it on Monday from Utah. I hope it'll work for you. If it doesn't, please let me know. Thanks, Sarah

[minwifeof4boys]

Danielle and Sarah! Squares in...Thanks bunches guys...
Sarah, I actaully got yours yesterday but...um... VT..UT... I really need to learn how to use these lineless trifocals!:(

[ginamaria73]

Sounds like you are getting quite a few squares & gifts. I am so glad. I feel so bad for those kids & their families. I just want to hug them all.

[saribear28]

I have fairly bad handwriting to begin with. UT/VT. It's in the same country. :-) Good luck in assembling all the squares. I hope she gets better.


Danielle and Sarah! Squares in...Thanks bunches guys...
Sarah, I actaully got yours yesterday but...um... VT..UT... I really need to learn how to use these lineless trifocals!:(

[MeMe]

i would love to do a square or 2...have u received any from maryland yet? send me a pm with more info...i would love to help

[ChainOFools]

I'm starting to get worried, mine was mailed out over a week ago. I know it can sometimes take a while being that I'm in Canada, but I'm thinking it's starting to get ridiculous. :( I hope it gets there soon!

[minwifeof4boys]

I'm sure it will get here... It took dragonfli's over a week and she lives in the USA! Like I said, we are so remote we are one step above carrier pigeon here:P

[ChainOFools]

:lol I can just picture a pidgeon trying to fly a padded envelope somewhere! Well, hopefully you get it today or tomorrow!

[minwifeof4boys]

Moomoo! I recieved your box today... the squares are great and all the goodies you added are awesome....I know she will love it!

... I hope to have everything wrapped up my next Friday and can ship the following Monday.... I think the wind has blown Chain of Fools pigeon off course!:D

[moomooo]

Hi Sweetie:

Thanks for letting me kow my package arrived.. I will continue to pray for her and her family as well.

[ChainOFools]

Off course? I think that little pigeon could haved flown half way round the world and back by now, padded envelope or no...:think Hopefully today?

[minwifeof4boys]

Coralie, I recieved your squares today.... If you have a chance to read this, please know I am praying for you and your family:hug :hug

Chain of Fools, the post person said mail from Canada is very very slow to our neck of the woods.....

[ChainOFools]

:sigh Well, I hope it gets there soon, I know you wanted to have them all by now. Unfortunately I'm not able to fly it there myself. :flying

[minwifeof4boys]

Well this little exhausted pigeon landed on my porch with a package in his mouth ...I opened it and there was a pretty pink square from Chain of Fools!! It made it :cheer :yay :clap

[ChainOFools]

:woo :jumpyay YIPPEE!!! Oh I'm so happy it finally got there! :jumpyay :clap

[ginamaria73]

So how many squares did you end up with? Have you sewed em all together yet?

[minwifeof4boys]

With the square I recieved yesterday from another Shawnee here on the board, I had 34... so I whipped up another square and finished hte whole thing off around 12:00 last night ( this morning).... It , and the other goodies folks sent, are on the way priority mail .

...........Shawnee's mom told me she was able to get her shunt put in and began another round of chemo this week. She runs really really high fevers ont eh 6th day and usually has to be rehospitalized during that time.

Thanks for everyone's help... Shawnee's mom has promised to take a pic. We live so far out int he middle of no where that our dial up right now is only connecting at 26000. The phone company said it might be after Christmas before they can boost thte lines so I won't even attempt a pic...