Post-Op Update, awareness items vs the economy

Later this week I'll be 2 months post-op from the artery surgery.

In terms of surgical healing, it's going pretty well. The incision is closed and looking good. The left side of my neck, jaw, shoulder, that entire region just aches all the time. It's not anything that is concerning and I'm sure will continue to improve, given adequate time with the Ehlers-Danlos.

My pain issues, artery region aside, have not changed. I am taking more measures immediately after I get off work at 10 a.m. to try to prevent the pain from becoming completely over the edge by evening since it always worsens as the day goes by.

I am due to have an MRI next month to check on the growth that's pushing in my cerebellum and shoving it back down my spine. It can't be done any earlier since I'm not far enough out of surgery to get a real accurate look.

For the last two months or so, I have really noticed the impact the economy is having on my Chiari/SM awareness items sales. My CURE CHIARI awareness embossed wristbands sales are definitely low. The website sales (Chiari, Chiari 0 (zero) Herniation, and Syringomyelia awareness items) are low as well BUT things are still moving, just at a snail's pace. I know things will pick up at some point but I feel badly for not being able to donate as much to the American Syringomyelia Alliance Project and Wishes & Rainbows. It will get better though!

DS's Babette blanket is coming along well. Today I began work on Panel 9 so if I round up any amount of self-discipline, the rest of the squares should be completed in about two weeks. The contest is going well too; as of now I'm in the top 10 (out of 307) for vote ranking, though not quite as high in the page view rating. I just keep thinking of all the preemie and newborn caps I could make for little NICU babies with a prize gift card from the yarn manufacturer! Thank you to everyone who has voted so far! The contest goes until February 25 or so.

I'm attaching some pictures I've taken the last few days, just thought I'd share.

Babette blanket FINISHED!

I had one extra skein of sea foam and needed another salmon to complete the border so I made the exchange at Purl's this week. Tonight I finished DD's blanket! It is so soft and the salmon-kind of color as the border is her favorite. She doesn't know yet that it is hers. It's been such a therapeutic process to crochet this blanket.



While I'm here I'm going to do some shameless plugs. Christmas Day will be my CafePress Chiari/Syringomyelia store's 3rd anniversary. It's hard to believe it's been that long! I designed all the items there and 100% of the profit goes to the Research Fund at the American Syringomyelia Alliance Project, also known as ASAP, a 501(c)(3). I have a design for everyone: CM and/or SM patients, Chiari 0 CMers, family members and friends, people of all ages including infants, clothing, stickers, magnets, pins, tote bags, etc. It's worth checking out.





I also still have my CURE CHIARI wristband project going for another outstanding 501(c)(3), Wishes and Rainbows, to assist them in helping patients with their expenses. The wristbands are dark purple, have CURE CHIARI embossed on them, are 100% silicone to stretch past the hand to fit comfortably on the wrist. Unlike the majority of wristbands out there, I have 3 different sizes. 7" fits teenagers, average-framed women, and small-framed men. 8" fits large-framed women and average-framed men. I also have a small amount of 5 3/4" for very young children. They are 2.00 each. All profits go to W&R to help patients with immediate needs. If you would like to purchase a bracelet feel free to contact me via comment or email. It's a great way to spread awareness to the public and show support!



I also wanted to let you know about GoodSearch, which is a great search engine. They donate one cent per search to ASAP. Simply select American Syringomyelia Alliance Project in the box by the yellow buttons. (One of these buttons also allows you to see how much money was raised per month!) If you just enter Syringomyelia then the foundation name will pop up. You can make a difference! Consider adding GoodSearch to your favorites or making it your homepage.