Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MaryW
Date: 07-08-2003, 07:00 AM (1 of 21)
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Hi everyone. I thought I would give everyone a heads up on what is going on in my little corner of the world. A couple of weeks ago, my brother called. He is younger than I by a couple of years and has been ill for years with diabetes and heart problems. Seems they found cancer in his lymph nodes. He has been going thru some testing and they have found his kidneys and heart are not strong enough to take much treatment. He is coming here to Halifax for further tests, etc. (he lives in a very small community) and to talk with specialists. There may be a way he can have chemotherapy but they are not sure yet. For now, he feels quite fine and is adjusting to the news. I talk to him regularly. My husband's brother has been ill for a couple of weeks now. He is in his seventies and lives in a nursing home in another province. He lost his wife last fall and has gone downhill since that time. He is on life support and if there is no improvement by Wednesday, his family has agreed to pull the plug. We just heard this news yesterday, we thought he was doing ok. My SIL lost her husband in February and she is not doing well on her own. She is in her late sixties and cannot cope alone very well. My husband and I invited her to come and live with us and she arrives Wednesday (same day as the plug might be pulled) so you can imagine the chaos my husband's family is in today. We are all holding up as well as can be expected. If we keep busy it helps a lot. I know I have not been on the boards much lately, and I wanted to explain our circumstances. We may have to leave for a few days if things don't change for the better. I will let you all know if and when this happens. In the meantime, I am sewing to keep my mind off of things and housecleaning. When I get upset, I get physical. My poor vacuum cleaner has certainly been put thru it's paces. I also have half a dozen skirts made for the charity challenge. I read this over and can't believe it's all happening to me, but it is. Barry is ok, we will get thru it but what a summer this has started out to be. Jordan is doing well. He is tanned and busy with his friends. He came in last night so gritty and dirty I made him go directly to the tub. He came out smelling like soap and looking so clean and nice, made me remember when my own were small. I think that is about it, just wanted to let you all in on what is going on and why I haven't been around too much. Sorry this is so long, I'm rambling now. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 07-08-2003, 10:22 AM (2 of 21)
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You know if you need/want to talk...we're always here for you ! You just take care of yourself and your family. I'll hold some good thoughts for you and hope things get better soon. [[ Miss Mary ]] Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: luvmymunchkins
Date: 07-08-2003, 11:51 AM (3 of 21)
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((((hugs))))) I am the same way, things get tough and I get busy. Everything gets reorganized and cleaned. Sorry to hear of your troubles ... Leticia |
User: luvmymunchkins
Member since: 04-28-2003 Total posts: 32 
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From: Bama
Date: 07-08-2003, 02:02 PM (4 of 21)
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Mary, I'm sorry to hear so many things are happening to you and your family at one time. Big ((((((HUGS))))))) to you. If you need us, we're here. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: lovemyfabric
Date: 07-08-2003, 02:15 PM (5 of 21)
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Mary, I'm sorry to hear about all the things that are happening to your family. I hope things get better real soon. 
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User: lovemyfabric
Member since: 06-06-2003 Total posts: 126 
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From: Marion B
Date: 07-08-2003, 04:03 PM (6 of 21)
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Mary, Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you and your family. Hang in there. Marion
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User: Marion B
Member since: 08-15-2000 Total posts: 39 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 07-08-2003, 06:13 PM (7 of 21)
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Mary, Hang in there.. we are all here for you.. You are all in our thoughts and prayers... If there is anything we can do to help, just hollar.. That big hug you just felt was from me.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: MaryW
Date: 07-09-2003, 06:33 AM (8 of 21)
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Thanks everybody, I didn't mean it to sound like a long, sad story. It's life and we have to deal with it. There are also good things going on too. The weather has been hot and sunny for over a week which is just excellent for here on the east coast. We usually have cooler temps. and fog. Jordan is really enjoying his summer. He is brown as a berry and has friends come over everyday. Something he didn't have last summer. He is growing like a bad weed. He is not quite 13 and he's 5'7" tall. Can look me straight in the eye.  Barry is doing some work on our house and dressing up the outside a bit. His garden is coming along well and we are still eating strawberries.  I am going to take a few days off, my SIL arrives today. I will be here on the boards but there won't be any updates or changes on the site until next week. Best of all, I have you all guys to talk to. I couldn't ask for more. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: kaykay
Date: 07-10-2003, 09:51 AM (9 of 21)
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Mary, I'm struck by how strong your family is. I admire your care for each other when times are tough.How wonderful you find time to visit the group, and girls, great how you all respond! I've been lurking for a few weeks, life is busy for us, but not with the trials to the degree you're experiencing, by far. Wish we could bypass times like this, but it's not possible, is it? Stay strong, take care of yourself, women tend to shoulder so much in times like this. Kerry Originality is undetected imitation
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User: kaykay
Member since: 02-12-2002 Total posts: 33 
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From: MaryW
Date: 07-11-2003, 11:03 AM (10 of 21)
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Just a little update. My SIL arrived and is getting settled in slowly. She definitely needs some time, and a good meal. Being by herself she did not cook. My BIL was taken off the life support and he continued to breathe. They have since taken him out of ICU and he is being transferred to another floor. What a tense situation that was! My brother arrives here on Monday and has another biopsy done. I will spend a couple of hours with him if I can. All in all, things are going pretty well. Life sure can be interesting at times. We really know how to appreciate little things lately. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 07-14-2003, 12:46 AM (11 of 21)
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Mary, God sure works in mysterious ways. The life support ordeal is a sure sign. I know when someone is taken off of support that usually means certain death. But in your case the Lord had a plan and that wasn't his plan. God won't put anything on us that he knows we can't handle. Each thing is a test for us and makes us grow and we learn valuable lessons from these hurdles in life. You sound like you have it together, and I know the people around you will be blessed by you being there for them. Hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel. And if you ever doubt, we are all here for you. Love and Hugs Susie |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: craftyboi
Date: 07-14-2003, 08:01 AM (12 of 21)
| life is a funny thing........you can go smoothly for so long......then bam..........everything seems like it's going wrong.........then a little piece of heaven arrives.........and you know that god is there beside you..........not only was he beside you but he was carrying you over the roughest parts..........i beleive we will all be praying for you mary..........there is alot of power in prayer.........donny |
User: craftyboi
Member since: 10-04-2002 Total posts: 26 
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From: MaryW
Date: 07-16-2003, 05:16 AM (13 of 21)
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My brother had his tests here in Halifax and is now awaiting confirmation of their findings. My BIL was once again put on life support and taken off. He continued to breathe. The doctor asked him if he wanted this to continue and he said "no". His kids are upset of course. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 07-16-2003, 11:58 PM (14 of 21)
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They'll both be in my prayers Mary. Hugs  Susie
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User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: allie-oops
Date: 07-18-2003, 01:21 AM (15 of 21)
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((((((((((((Mary)))))))))))))) So much to go through at once. I am praying for you and your family! "onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282 
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From: MaryW
Date: 07-21-2003, 07:29 AM (16 of 21)
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My brother was rushed into hospital yesterday with severe stomach pain. We will know more later today.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: dmoses
Date: 07-21-2003, 10:01 AM (17 of 21)
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Hi Mary, Sorry to hear that you and your family have so much to bear all at once. Please know that I am thinking about you, praying, and trying to send 'good vibes' your way. Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: Monroe
Date: 07-21-2003, 12:18 PM (18 of 21)
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Dearest Mary!! While anything we can all say over here may see hollow, please accept my condolences. I"m sure we've all been through at least a little of what's been set on y'all's plates, can understand to some degree, and from what I see we're all willing to talk. There's some information that might help out, lord knows it helped me. THere's a website for your sil, if she's net savvy, if not I'm sure you can help her find the address bar. The site is http://www.widownet.com It was created for widows, by widows, and has been life saving to many folks, including me. I don't much talk about it with folks I've just met, but I was married and lost my husband three years ago in a car accident. The kind folks at WN just up and loved, held, talked to me in the right way. If might help out your sil if she's willing to type a little. Also there's http://www.groww.org. That's a support system for all other kinds of grief and has survivor corners. You or any member of your family can go there and they'll have something in the way of support for y'all. Mad love and honey, wishing y'all all the best, ~I monroe I love myself when I'm laughing... and again when I'm mean and impressive looking - Zora Neale Hurston
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User: Monroe
Member since: 07-13-2003 Total posts: 4 
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From: MaryW
Date: 07-25-2003, 07:20 AM (19 of 21)
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My BIL has improved to the point they are going to transport him back to the nursing home. The battle is over for now. My brother was sent home and is fine for now. He isn't talking to anyone much just yet. I think he has a lot to think about. At any rate, the vigil has ended for both of them. I am going to try and concentrate on everything else, like maybe a weekend where I refuse to cook.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: threads_40
Date: 07-26-2003, 06:42 PM (20 of 21)
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Mary I am so sorry to hear your life and family are facing such troubles. But remeber that you are not alone. I know this is late but I was trying to catch up on all of my old friends and meet the new ones here as well. I am praying for you and your family in this trying time. Take care and remember we are here for you  Have a good hot cup of tea with me and try to relax . Mine will be apple and cinnimon. Anyone else? Please do join us.threads_40 "Your goal is greater than your struggle"
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User: threads_40
Member since: 03-26-2001 Total posts: 28 
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From: weB2cats
Date: 08-20-2003, 11:21 PM (21 of 21)
| Mary, it's been a while since you posted regarding the changes in your family. Would it be crass to ask you for an update? |
User: weB2cats
Member since: 11-07-2002 Total posts: 232 |
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