Waiting
The title of this post is relevant to at least two things. The first being how long my Broadripple Socks have been started but remained unfinished. The second being what I will be doing tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM.
I had the first 6" of the cuff of this sock started quite some time ago, during my "socks on 2 circs" era. Originally, the socks were for John (hence the solid somewhat manly color) but then I realized that there was a bit too much lacy-ness for John's tastes and they became socks for me instead. They were probably the first socks I ever worked in that had more texture than a K2P2 ribbing at the top. I'm not so sure why I stalled out so quickly on these. At the time, perhaps, the patterning seemed a little hard to keep track of. It does not seem that way now. On a trip last weekend to Madison to pick up a refridgerator that could store two 5 gallon kegs and to see an old friend I finished the leg and turned the heel and started working down the instep. It took me a while to get back into the socks on 2 circs rhythm (I actually thought about switching the project onto double points, but I didn't have any US size 3 DPs in my collection and I didn't have time to go out and buy any before the trip), but once I did it was smooth sailing.
Which brings me to the second reference for waiting. This morning, at an impossibly early time, I will be sitting in the waiting room of the surgical eye clinic at Illinois Masonic Hospital waiting for John to undergo a procedure to fix and to prevent the further progression of the early stages of a detatched retina. I know, it's not life threatening, the surgery is outpatient, and everything should go just fine. But this is my soulmate and his vision. It may not be life threatening, but it is not trivial, either. We found out on Thursday and the surgery was scheduled for 4 days later. He has been quite calm over the weekend (as is his way, the Tao of John is a patient and accepting one), but I must admit to being both worried and fearful. It's a little bit invasive, this procedure. And John's never had to go through any surgery before. I think you begin to understand the feelings you have for another person when, immediately after you hear that they have to go through something unpleasant, you know that if you could trade with them, you would in a heartbeat. In less than a heartbeat.
So the sock and I will be in the waiting room early on a Monday morning, sending the best possible vibes we can with every new stitch. Very much looking forward to taking him home and helping him heal and get better. It may sound a little silly, but I've made him promise to wear a pair of the socks that I have made for him. If I can't be there with him, at least a little of the magic and love that come from a pair of handknit socks will be there to keep him warm and make him feel more comfortable.
Update: We're home and everything went okay. Apparently he needed a little more cryo/laser work than they thought he would need originally, but now the surgical part is over and the harder part begins: spending the next 1-3 weeks with his head more or less in one position to keep the gas bubble they put in his eye in one place where it can hold the retina where it is supposed to be. So we're not out of the woods quite yet, but we're hoping the healing will go well and he won't need any more invasive procedures in the future. Thank you for everyone's good thoughts. John thanks you all, too. He did wear one of the pairs of socks I knit him (the Trekking XXL pair) but he was so distracted that he actually put on both socks inside out. No matter, the good knitting magick, I think, works no matter what side of the garment faces out. I'll keep y'all posted on how he's doing. Right now he's got a big patch over his left eye (no pictures on this one) and is buried in a big nest of pillows to help him stay in the position he needs to.
Keeping you both in my thoughts. Hope John will fast get better.
Dear Theresa!
Me too, I'm knitting on Broadripple, in very bright colours. They are my "therapy" socks, I will take them out when the mood is a little down.
I will be thinking of you two today.
I purchased your dragon pattern, and I chose a bright red/orange yarn with pastel yellow and dark green for me (very dragon-ish, me think), and my husband chose a variagated green (very husband-ish).
Your blog is like the sock yarn I like: variegated, little surprises here and there, nice quality and pleasant to come back to.
All the best wishes
Daniela
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you (both) that everything works out just fine!
All the best wishes
eve
Love the colour, where d'you find the pattern?
All the best for John.
I had that procedure done some years ago by laser. It only took minutes and I was just fine. So I'm sending good vibes for both of you and your nerves. It will be all right.
It may not be life threatening but it's well worth getting done. I'm sending lots of positive vibes through the ether to you both.
Sending good vibes your way for a successful surgery :-)
I'm keeping John and yourself in my prayers... hoping everything goes well!
I know exactly what you mean about concern despite having perspective. I'll send some mojo his way.
Sending best wishes to you and John.
All my best wishes, Theresa. I know that worried feeling, and one's vision is a cherished gift.
My husband had a detached retina several years ago, and the worst part was, it happened when rough-housing with our daughter who was about 12 at the time, so of course we could not tell her about it to make her feel bad. Thankfully, the surgery was successful and the outcome was perfect. Fingers crossed for the same for John.
I know extacly how you feel. I hope the procedure goes well. I'm sending healing thought your way! Your Broadripple looks good too.
I'm a world class hospital waiter, having not only a husband with heart problems but elderly parents. No matter how "trivial", it's always significant when it's a loved one.
Put a bottle of water in your bag and a bagel or crackers. You won't want to leave to find something while he's undergoing his procedure but you might need a drink or a nosh.
Do not expect your gauge to stay the same when "hospital knitting". I knit a pair of socks while my husband underwent open heart surgery. My normal toe up, 72 stitch socks with short row heels. They *might* have fit Barbie when when I was finished.
Healing thoughts going your way, post when it's all clear.
Good luck!!
Best of luck to John!
Oh, T! I'm sorry to hear about John's surgery, that's scary no matter how "routine" the docs say that it is. I lied to myself and everybody else when C was in surgery for his appendix, and then when the doctors came out I started bawling. They were perplexed, since I had seemed like such a normal woman in pre-op.
For what it's worth, it's useful to have a first surgery be something that's not life-threatening. Now he knows the whole routine and will have this success to look back on. We're pulling for him at my house.
Hmm, I was encouraged when you said this about Broadripple: At the time, perhaps, the patterning seemed a little hard to keep track of. I made it through the Broadripple, perhaps that means I will quickly get accustomed to the dragon scales. The BR's have been my favorite socks to date, though the yarn (I used Fixation) shrunk more than I expected. Since they were started for John I'd guess that won't be a problem for you!
Oh, Theresa - I'm so sorry. It is now three hours after the surgery started and I hope everything went well. Surgery is always scary - even when it is "routine" and "out-patient" - you are still alseep in someone else's hands and that is scary.
I'm sorry that John has to go through this and you have to be the one who waits. Good thoughts being sent your way.
Here's many good thoughts to your guy. I had eye surgery recently and it is a bit stressful. I'm sure everything will go fine.
If y'all haven't donated to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life this year, please consider donating on my blog. I'll enter you in a drawing for 2 pair custom knit socks on my Legare for each $10 donated. Thanks for letting me post this unembarassed plea for a donation
Having had this experience in two different forms. I know how important John's surgery is. I send all my prayers for a sucess.
I don't think it's at all silly that you asked him to wear a pair of sock you'd made for him. They're a little hug from you to have with him and keep him safe.
Thinking good thoughts for both of you.
Sending positive thoughts your way for both you and John.
Thinking about you and John, and wishing all the best for his surgery!
I don't think it's a bit silly for him to wear your socks...how could all the love put into a pair of socks EVER be silly?
Here's some more positive thoughts coming your way. I hope all has been going well.
My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Good thoughts to you both during this recovery period. I had the cryo-laser done 16 years ago and the recovery went well (other than the nasty hangover headache that lasted a few days!).
It sounds like he's in good hands now, but please, please, please make sure that he continues yearly (at least!) checkups with a retinal specialist. My problem went undetected for so long (years) that I've lost a bit of vision. With regular careful exams (of both eyes), they can do great things to prevent that.
Your flurry of sock postings motivated me to pick up and finish a pair that I'd completely forgotten about. And then start another pair. I'm having a great time with it and you all are so inspirational.
Thinking of you both (and the socks as well!)
Sending good, healing thoughts your way. I'm sure the socks sent out all sorts of protective vibes.
Glad surg went well. IT IS SCARY!! I have had several laser & 3 scalpel surgeries on my eyes for glaucoma. They found it when I was about 27 & the meds just wouldn't control it. The healing part is difficult, too. Tell John just to be very aware & do what the doc says!!!
I'm kind of glad that I didn't see this until after the surgery was over. Now you just have to try to keep him quiet while he heals! Good luck to both of you -- you'll be in my thoughts.
I'm glad to hear that John's surgery went well and that he is doing well. Good healing vibes are being sent his way.
I'm also knitting Broadripple in KnitPicks Dancing yarn. I originally started them for me, but I think they may be commandeered by one of my daughters by the time I finish them. I hope John has plenty of podcasts and audio books to keep him entertained during his healing period, and that he heals quickly.
Theresa,
Thanks so much for sharing your story and experience. Today was my first day of work as a doctor, and your situation really hit home...a great reminder that what is a small part of a workday for me is an agonizing, and worry-spent stretch of time for some of the patients and their families. Thanks for tying me back to the big picture...the journal articles, and paperwork, and endless pages are so important, for taking good care of the PATIENT. It's such a privilege to participate in such big emotional and physical events in people's lives.
Oh No! I was away and come back to find thatyour hubby had to have surgery! I am glad to hear he is doing all right.
I hope it heals properly in no time flat!