07/13/2026
A few days ago I picked up this Bishop I started over a year ago and started stitching on it again. I had not smocked very much on this dress when I put it safely away in its project box. I did no smocking for the next year. None. None at all. I know folks were looking for new items all that time and I got several inquiries as to the lack of activity. So, let me explain and get you all up to speed.
One year ago today, July 13, 2025, I was lying in a bed in the ER at Citizen’s Medical Center. My right arm was so swollen, from my shoulder to my fingertips. I could not touch my finger to my thumb. Consequently, I could not grip a needle to smock.
After several hours of various staff coming in and out and much blood being drawn, along with lots of curious looks, eight of them walked in together and lined up at my bedside. They were very serious and somber looking. One stepped toward and said words I never thought I ever hear—“You have breast cancer.” Breast cancer. Didn’t see that coming. Not at all.
So, what was going to happen next? I had no clue, I just knew this was my new focus. I couldn’t grip a needle to smock, so I threw myself into tackling this. Not knowing what to expect, all I could do was to decide to face this head on.
To save boring you with repetitive details, let me sum up this last year medically. I was hooked up with a great oncologist here locally and that made those frequent office visits much easier on me and whichever kid went with to be a second set of eyes and ears and take notes. I am grateful for my family’s help.
The oncologist has been a great source of information about breast cancer. He says it loves to move around and start trouble in other parts of your body. Mine did. Started a mass in my abdomen which has affected eating. But scans show it shrinking. I am grateful for that.
I have not required surgery at this point and each check in with the oncologist has yielded encouraging news. I have not been in pain. I do not feel like I have suffered. I am grateful for that.
I am plagued with some petty annoyances. My hair. My hair was falling out because of the hormone suppressants I am taking. My hair has always been a source of angst for me, so this was particularly distressing. Same for my nails. Paper thin. Thank goodness the NP at the oncologist suggested I start taking Biotin. It has made all the difference in the world.
My taste is so messed up. So messed up. Most things I eat taste like I am chewing wet paper. I have tried all kinds of things and when I find something that isn’t so bad, I tend to stick with that until it tastes yucky. Those who know me well will never believe what I am about to share. I can’t stand the taste of chocolate or peanut butter anymore. This really breaks my heart because y’all know I would step in front of a speeding bus to pick up a Reese’s peanut butter cup. But it is what it is. I tried to blame this taste issue on this big, fat, dark and ugly vitamin I take, but one of my friends ruined that by telling me my screwed up taste was an old people thing.
Speaking of old people (I am 71), I feel like I have aged years in this last year. I feel stronger each day, but initially the fatigue was debilitating. Everything was too hard to do. Took too much energy. I am grateful the fatigue is gone. It was replaced with boredom, but I am working on that.
Honestly, if it were not for the bloodwork results documenting my progress in the right direction, I’d be hard pressed to recognize I had cancer. But I have to say that I have followed my oncologist’s ‘rules’ because I couldn’t imagine not doing what was in my best interest. He told me more than once, “We don’t know where other people’s germs have been, so limit your contact for now.” I did as he said and he is letting up a bit on the contact. Still no large groups or small children in schools and daycares. I am just grateful that I have avoided further sickness. I’d be over the moon if I could get a grip on my seasonal allergies!
Why did I wait so long to share this? I didn’t want to talk about it at first. I know, denial is a huge thing. But it’s not so problematic now. Cancelling last year’s Christmas orders and informing my clients why I had to do that was so hard and so sad, but all is better now.
Anyway, this is my life now. It could be way, way worse. I am grateful that it’s not.
I am not exactly sure what Gracie Couture is going to look like, but I appreciate those who have hung in there and checked the page. I appreciate all who have inquired and checked on me. My mother was pre ‘it takes a village’ era. Her phrase was “When the ox is in the ditch, we all gotta push.” I feel every push. 🥰
