I have been both surprised and blessed at the outpouring of love and compassion that I have felt from so many of the people I have known in blogland - women that I thought were "just strangers". The months I have been gone I have received dozens of cards and e-mails and they didn't stop after the first months either! It is because of this that I have decided to say a little more about what happened to me. Many people have asked and some have told me they suspected I had a stroke. Thankfully it was not a stroke.
I will try to make this short. On board ship I collapsed and was taken to the clinic where they found I was in "Diabetic Ketoacidosis" I was in critical condition and because of the Lord Jesus who used the amazing and fast acting captain of the cruise and clinic doctor and nurses - who literally never left my side - my life was saved. I was sent by air ambulance to South Dakota where I have been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
Though I know millions of people are insulin dependent living with Diabetes... I never had to try to live with it before. It was a terrible shock and it has been a difficult road. To complicate things the ketoacidosis damaged the nerves in both feet and my right hand. This condition is called Peripheral Neuropathy. It is pain that acts very strange - coming and going and causing severe burning to my skin. My feet and right hand are numb making walking (and papercrafting) uncomfortable at best. I am told by specialists that because the onset of the nerve damage was sudden it may get better in time. The stress to my body from the ketoacidosis wrought havoc on my body. A couple of the less serious yet terribly difficult side effects of this ordeal has been the loss of most of my hair! and love this.... weight gain! : ( waaaah!
But that is all the bad news... the good news is that I have an incredible support team in my life helping me with every challenge I am facing. And it has taken the entire team to get me back on-line! LOL but I am here and ready to get back to the hobby and the community I love.
Thank you so much for your love and support.
BIG (((Hugs)))
Patti
Supplies:
Big Hugs die from Papertrey Ink
Forget-Me-Not stamp set from Papertrey Ink
30 comments:
I will admit I did wonder what was going on in your life. I am glad that you had our Lord and his host of angels watching over you!! This is not an easy condition, but knowing that you're not going to let it get the best of you, I'm certain you'll adapt to this 'new phase' in your life. I will continue to think of you, and send prayers for betterment, especially of the neuropathy. Your card is lovely! I love the white on white, and the sweet cluster of pink blooms. Beautiful card by a beautiful lady. Sending hugs to you! Bev
Patti....it was so nice to see your post. Sending lots of prayers and gentle hugs your way. Wish I lived close enough to come over and help out. Your card is just beautiful. Love those sweet pink flowers and your hugs is just perfect! Take care and stay well.
Hugs are coming right back at you Patti! I love the sweet little pink flowers you added to yours. This is a lovely card. You have remained in my thoughts and prayers. I knew it had to be something serious to keep you from the hobby you so enjoy. Lots of love and continued get well wishes. It made my heart happy to see a post form sweet you <3
It's so good to see you back online in our supportive community, Patti! You have been through a difficult struggle, but I have every confidence that you will find your way back to robust health. I also have peripheral neuropathy, but only in my legs and feet. I'm thinking you might be on this already, but Lyrica really helped me immensely. I'm sorry that you have it in your hand as well and you have suffered in other ways. I will keep you in my prayers. You've got a lot of friends pulling for you! And thank you for the beautiful card full of hugs!! Right back at you! Darnell
Good to see you again Patti! Everytime I scrolled through my blog list and saw your name, I wondered when you will make a return!
So glad you're doing good. Take care!
PS LOVE your pretty CAS card!
I'm so happy to see your post popping in my mailbox again, Patti! And to see that pretty "Patti-card" :) ! Thank you for sharing your story. Hope you feel better and better every day! Sending hugs your way!
What a joy to see you on-line again, Patti. Missed you, dear friend. Glad to hear you are safe and as well as can be. Sending prayers and hugs.
xxx Asha
Oh Patti! It's so nice to see you again! You've been missed! I'm so sorry to hear of the struggles you've been going through. I am hoping that you will soon feel less discomfort and more positive signs from your body. I think you have a wonderful spirit and so much support that will help you through this difficult journey. Your card is lovely and I really appreciate your sharing it. Gentle, healing hugs being sent your way!! :)
Wonderful to see your blog out with a post today, and such a sweet card, too! Type 1diabetes can be lived with and you'll be able to create all you want! Blessings and Hugs to you.
Hi Patti!!! So happy that you've trusted us all with your life, and its ups, and downs ... this community we're a part of is the best, right? We've all been missing you, and I am SOOOO happy to have you back in my in-box!!!
Take good care of yourself - sounds like you have things under control, and I will include you in my prayers for a complete recovery SOON!!! I'm still planning on stopping by and will want a personal tour of them there hills, and heads!!! xx
=]
Patti so glad to see you are back in cardmaking blogland. But so sorry for your ordeal and I know you will find friends you never knew you had. Eleven years ago I had a medical condition and at that time I had prayers sent to me from people I did not know. Also I received a card from a friend of a friend and that is what started my goal of sending cards to those who need them - it is paying it forward. I have neuropathy in my feet and partly up my legs and this is from strong doses of antibiotics taken for four months - I do not have pain. However I have lymphedema in my legs and that is another story. Through it all I am very grateful because I know people who have it worse than me. The love of family and friends (old and new) help through the bad times. I am most appreciative and fortunate to have the love of my life (50 years in July) to have been next to me. Could you send me an address so I could send you a card. FYI - my maiden name is Kiehle. God Bless you Patti, Barbara Roe
I was just a new follower of yours, Patti, so your absence slipped by me. Health issues, especially when away from home, can be scary at best but I'm glad you're home, have been diagnosed and are on a regimen of treatment. I will keep you in my prayers.
Patti, when I saw your comment the other day, I was hoping you would be back on blogland soon. So glad to hear of your progress and thanks for sharing your ordeal. We have all been wondering what it could have been to keep you from crafting. You have been in my prayers every night and will continue to be until you are well again.
Beautiful CAS card my friend and welcome back.
Hi dear Patti, so good to see you back and so sorry I haven't been in touch for a while...but you can be sure I have been thinking about you and you have been in my prayers all this time. I will be in 'proper' touch very soon, sending big hugs to you and so good to see you back and with such a beautiful card, Carole Z xx
Welcome back to blogland, thrilled you see your beautiful card. Wishing you strength, patience and persistence while you deal with the new challenges in your life. You will be in my thoughts. Joan
Patti, I am so sorry to hear of this ordeal you have been through! I am happy to hear that the Lord was watching over you and has surrounded you with helpers. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers! I would love it if you would be willing to share your address with me so I can send you a little note of encouragement every now and again!
(Your card is fabulous, by the way!)
Judy
Patti! You have been through so much and I pray you are on the road to recovery. Keep the faith and know you have many friends who are sending warm wishes and hugs back atchya!
I have been gone all day and I was so happy when I got home this evening and saw your beautiful card and a blog post. I sure have missed you. And, I am so glad the Lord was with you when you had that health episode and that you are on the way to recovery now. I am sure that you will find a way to adapt to a new life style a bit and still be able to enjoy life to the fullest. My hubby is diabetic too so we are always trying to learn how to live with it as well. And, please know, I have been keeping you in my prayers and I praise the Lord that he is taking you on the road to recovery so you can get back to your card making. By the way, I love that card and I am so happy your shared it with us.
{squeal} Oh Patti, I'm delighted to see you back, I popped over most weeks to see if there was any action here, but always disappointed when there wasn't.
My goodness, you have been through the mill and back again! I'm sure it was so frightening for you (and DH) to be ill away from home. I hope your feet and hand do get better, my DH suffers from fibromyalgia which is nerve ending sending out pains too, but his doesn't sound as awful as yours.
goodness, what a struggle and I am pleased you have such a great support team around you plus super pleased you are back crafting. I adore this card and love you kept the die white-sending love xx
Patti you have been truly missed. You are always so kind and generous with your commenting and a real inspiration in blogworld x It's been a long journey for you and your family and so very glad you are back. Looking forward to seeing and admiring your wonderful creations...just like todays beauty x
Woohoo...I am SO excited to see you here again! We have all missed you so!! I know it has been a struggle my dear friend, but all the prayers, love, and hugs will see you through, and I'm sure has carried you this far! We serve an amazing God and I'm just so grateful that He has let your talent continue!! Welcome back Patti, welcome back!! (and thank you for the beautiful card...love it!!)
Sooooo wonderful to see you creating again Patti! I'm proud of you for diving back in. Your card is beautiful! It's amazing what one can learn to do with the lemons life throws our way!
What a wonderful treat to see you posting again. You are such an inspiration to so many. God is always good and will be with you through the mountains and valleys. You're definitely being covered in prayer and love. Take care dear friend.
I was smiling form ear to ear when I came by your blog this morning! My grin was so big I'm surprised you didn't see it! I am delighted to read your post and see this beautiful card you have created. Crafty friends really are the best...that is for sure! It looks like you have a lot of people that have missed you and care deeply about you! How could we not, you're as sweet as they come! Take care, welcome back and happy crafting!
Woo hoooo! How wonderful to know that you're coming back to us, ready to share your inspiration, both with your positive spirit that is seeing you find ways to adapt to your 'new normal' and your awesome cards! I have little to offer by way of 'reasonable' excuses for not pestering you constantly (aside from the prayers I zoomed your way daily!) during your absence, other than to say life has been hectic. I hope you'll forgive me; I'm going to put myself in the corner for a while! Hopefully, the neuropathy will dissipate and, in time, disappear completely. With your determination, perseverance and resilience, I don't think it stands a chance of sticking around!
Hugs~c
Yeeesh...I was so focused on expressing joy at your return, I forgot to tell you I adore your sweet, pretty, heart-warming card! I agree: we can never have too many hugs or flowers!
Hugs~c
Oh, Patty, thank you, thank you for this update. I've been praying and wondering where you were and if you would be back. I kept looking at your friends blogs to see if you showed up there too. This is a big shock to your body and lifestyle. Now I can pray specifically for your situation and especially the neuropathy. Blessings and welcome back.
Welcome back Patti ! You have been in my prayers since I first heard,so happy to learn you were feeling well enough to craft again! You have been missed as one of the kindest people in blogland! It all sounds so scary ,through the Grace of God all the right people were around you! Hugs and love!
YES!!! you're back!! Our Heavenly Father always has His eyes on you:)) Sorry about the hair..will it grow back? If not, your LOVELY scarves are so fashionable.
My Mom had severe neuropathy from chemo years ago..detoxing helped back then. After 25 years, her lymphoma has come out of remission. Our journey has brought us to CHRIBEATCANCER.com
Implementing a better diet, recommended by Chris, has once again been like night and day in her healing:)) I've also seen posts where the GERSON diet can quickly get a diabetic body back in balance.
BIG HUGS!!! and super card, I can't wait to see your posts again!
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