Saturday, September 25, 2010

Hello from Kathy

I know you haven't heard from me in a long time and I just wanted to give you an update on what's been going on with me. I went back into the hospital on Sept 11 and shortly thereafter had surgery. The intestinal infection I suffered from earlier in the summer did not completely respond to the antibiotics and slowly spread to several other organs, necessitating a complicated abdominal surgery to remove two abscesses. The doctors said I was lucky to be alive and, from the way I felt after surgery, I believe them. Good news, NO CANCER, just a very, very nasty infection.

I was finally discharged from the hospital yesterday and now face a long recovery period to get my strength and health back. Thanks to some wonderful nursing care and excellent doctors I can tell I'm on the mend and I thank you all for your patience and well wishes during this difficult time.


I will be getting back to work slowly, I think. The new book will be out soon though! Thank goodness this didn't interrupt that.


So, here's the deal in case you're wondering – YES, the American Schoolgirl Club will definitely continue!


Originally, I intended to run the 6 club patterns through the months of June, July, August, Sept, Oct and November. Because of circumstances, I am going to have to skip the month of September and will resume the patterns in October through December. So those of you in the club will still receive ALL 6 patterns, they will just be interrupted for one month while I recover. If you have a friend in the club, please pass the word.

If some of you are disappointed and do not wish to wait, please e-mail me and I will be more than willing to give you a partial refund for the remaining months. Those of you who are new members and ordered the club in Sept will receive the first 3 patterns that were sent out earlier as soon as I am able to get them out. It might be next week. I can't drive for 3 weeks so getting around is going to be difficult and I am dependent on others for the help.


Again, I am so sorry for all of the inconvenience and hope you know that you can trust that I intend to fulfill my promise of delivering the patterns to you. But my health has to come first. It's been a very stressful time for my family as I am usually the caretaker. I've been blessed with a wonderful, loving husband and great kids, four amazing and caring sisters and a multitude of friends who have surrounded me and my family with love and support. How can I lose?


I will update you as I get stronger and hope to rejoin you soon in the blog world and may even answer e-mails that have come in recently. Please know that I am always aware that I could not do any of this without all of you - my supportive fans who inspire me every day with your steadfast loyalty. It's good to be home! Oh my goodness, my puppies missed their mama . . . .


Gratefully,

Kathy

46 comments:

Cheryl said...

Oh my goodness, it is so good to hear from you! I have been so worried. I pray for your speedy return to health and well being. Is that a soft coated wheaten I see and maybe a cockapoo. We have had the first and have one of the second now. Just take care of yourself.

Dora, the Quilter said...

I am so sorry you experienced all that, really glad you are home, and praying for a speedy recovery. (Please don't answer this--just concentrate on getting healthy again!)

Diana said...

I'm very glad to hear that you are okay! Rest up and take good care of yourself.

ann hermes said...

Glad to hear you are on the mend. Looking forward to reading your future blogs!

Joanne said...

Pleased to hear that things are getting better! Take care!♥

Meredith said...

Take it easy and get better. Leave all teh rest. :)

Jocelyn said...

So glad to hear from you Kathy. Life's detours are often hard, but thankfully you had good doctors that took care of you. Wishing you a speedy and full recovery.

Anonymous said...

What great news!, home at last. Take care and enjoy your being with your family and puppies again, they make great nurses, they'll be watching you like a hawk LOL .......Merilyn

Anonymous said...

Dear Kathy, I am such a fan of yours, I am so sorry to hear how unwell you have been and am sending you all the very best wishes for a complete recovery. Take care, get plenty of rest and all the rest will fall in to place. Your photographs are beautiful as always. Kind regards, Ann

marian said...

WELCOME HOME Kathy, i had no idea you were so ill, i've been checking your blog daily in anticipation of your return from hospital..i bet it feels GREAT to be back home! be sure to rest up and not overdo it..let others fuss & spoil you..you deserve it! x

btw i'm going to go and join the American Schoolgirl Club right now, i'm ssoo excited! :)

quilting Jeannet said...

What a big story Kathy! and what a great luck that it is stil good whit you, you need your rest of course, but it wil be good! It is so good to hear from you, take very care of your health. I already bought your new book and waiting for it in januari. There are still many dollquiltclubs, but no one is so exciting as yours, I am very glad to be a member.

Warm greetings, Jeannet

Karen said...

Dearest Kathy,
I am so sorry to hear that you had to go back into the hospital, but am so glad that you are healing from your surgery and going to be good as new. Relax and rest and don't worry about your club right now. It will all come together when you're feeling better.

Anonymous said...

Dear Kathleen, I am very to read you again. Take care of you. Kind regards. Delphine

Elin said...

Dear Kathy, I'm so glad that you now are recovering,don't think of the business now, think of yourself. We all know that you do anything when things are getting better. Relax!

Sue Robinson said...

Dear Kathy, I'm delighted to hear that you're 'on the mend'. What a horrible time you've had this year. You must concentrate on getting yourself right and try not to worry about about commitments outside of the family. We've all "been there" at some time, can empathise with your plight ...... and have plenty of projects to keep us occupied until you're A1 again.
Bisous (French hugs!) Sue.

Town Common Folk Art Dolls by Penni Sadlon said...

Dear Kathy, Here is a get well wish for you. It's paramount to care for oneself first...the rest will fall back into place. Also, wanted you to know, I'm currently making the ruched-flower doll quilt from "Remembering Adelia". I added a scalloped border. I'll send you a pic later. No return mail-just focus on you. Prayers and Good Tidings,
Penni/TownCommonFolkArt

Renate Bischoff said...

Hello Kathy, I am so glad to hear you are now home from the hospital. And all will be good.
Take care!
Greetings Renate

Quilt it and Dotty www.quilt-it.nl said...

Get wel soon, that's the most important thing!
I start blowing a lot of good wishes to your side of the world, and you'll be up in bliss!

Asiyah said...

I can totally relate to your post. I've been in a wheelchair for the last month because of a broken hip. I have two little ones to chase after so it was a bummer to see them playing without me. Thankfully, I'm healing well and hope that you do too. Keep your spirits up. Here's to a sound recovery.

Lee Prairie Designs said...

Oh my goodness--what you have been through! So happy that you are on the mend and home---That is the best medicine of all!!!

I will be looking forward to viewing your new quilting book--I have them all and enjoy everyone!

Best wishes for a very speedy recovery.

Quilty hugs from me and dollies too-- that have your little quilts to keep them warm--Mine do!
Hugs, Carolyn

quiltingnana said...

glad to hear that you are on the mend now...don't overdo it...

Susan said...

How wonderful to hear that you are improving each day even if it is at a slower pace than you would like. Please continue to take care of yourself and try not to overdo....... I am new to miniature quilts but I have so enjoyed the two I have made from your patterns. Your designs are definitely worth waiting for.

Anonymous said...

Kathy,
So glad to see your update this morning. I was checking your blog every day. Glad you are finally home and on the mend. Just take care of yourself. Am praying for a speedy recovery.

Darlis

Karen said...

How wonderful to see a post from you this am. I am happy to hear you are home and progressing on your recovery. Such and ordeal. Remember that you need to relax and heal completely- and that all else can wait, including the club patterns, blogging, answering emails etc.
Take care of you and we will all continue to send you positive thoughts to keep the healing process going! Those of us who so enjoy what you do are more than happy to be patient. Good things are worth the wait- anytime!
Karen

Sharon said...

It sounds like you have had a heck of a time! So glad to hear that it is not cancer and you are on the mend...take care of yourself. Grace and peace be with you!

Anonymous said...

Glad to see a post and get an update. Sometimes life just throws us one of those curve balls that wasn't in "our plan" and it makes us realize life is precious and we must stop taking all for granted. I'm glad your on the mend!
Now...must ask is your cream colored dog a Wheaton?

Kathleen Tracy said...

Thank you all for the wonderful "get better" wishes! I can't tell you how good it feels to finaly have some energy to write.

About my doggies - the light colored pup is a 9 yr old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. The little black one is a 2 yr old Maltese/Poodle mix - a "Maltipoo". My daughter named her Ophelia but I like to call her "Princess Lia" because, if the shoe fits . . . .

Linda said...

So glad to hear that you are on the mend. Sorry to hear that it took surgery to correct the issue but at least it is likely you will fully recover now. Glad the book is on schedule. We will take Schoolgirl patterns when they come...who is ever caught up with projects anyway!

Heartsdesire said...

I've been checking your blog daily to see how you are. It was so nice to check in this morning and see that you are finally home. What a blessing. And it sounds as if you have a great support team. Take good care of yourself and don't try to overdo things. Use that support team.
Love the doggies, they are sooo cute. I have been making a few doll quits from your books and my kitties love them! A pixie bob and a Maine coon.

llo said...

Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery. Take care of you first. It must feel great to be home and in familiar surroundings. Thank goodness for great doctors and nurses.
Linda O.

Jan said...

Happy to hear that you are on the mend. God certainly was looking out for you! Love your pics and your puppies!

Alberta Gal, Shauna said...

I am so glad you are back home and on the mend. I am really glad that you don't have you know. I am very glad you are back and God was listening to the prayer's that I was sending to you about you.

Vivian said...

The blog will wait. The club will wait. The replies will wait. Your health and need for rest and recovery come first.
Sending wishes your way for a complete recovery, a return of energy, and quilting ventures we can follow with you in the near future.

Anonymous said...

Kathy,
So glad that you updated us as to what happened. I also checked your blog once or twice a day. Thank goodness you are on the mend! By the way, your puppies are adorable!

Robin said...

So glad you're on the mend!!!!!!!!! I'm not in the club, but surely everyone who is in it would understand and would just be glad you're okay!

Lori said...

OMGoodness! That is so scary and I'm glad to hear you are on the mend.

Unknown said...

I am so happy you are doing better and it is nice to know you have support and help with you. Take care!

Hubertine said...

Dear Kathy, I'm glad to hear you're okay! Take your time to recover. All quilters have more projects then they can make, so it's absolutely no problem that the schoolgirl club has a delay. Your health is priority number 1. Take good care and enjoy your loved ones. Greetings
Hubertine

Anonymous said...

Like others I too have been checking your blog for your update.So glad to hear you are home with family and those sweet puppies! Heal well and we will be here rooting for you. We are not going anywhere! Louise

Heartspun Quilts said...

Kathy- So glad to hear you are home and hope that you can now make a full & speedy recovery! Don't worry about getting the club patterns out...I know we're all more than happy to wait until you're ready. Besides, I think we all have plenty to keep us busy!
So glad to hear from you, dear friend!

Amy said...

Kathy,
So sorry you have had so many health issues.Hope all is well soon.I am trying to join your yahoo group.

Janny Schoneveld said...

Hope you get well very soon.
Take it easy.
A lot of resting.
Let others do the work for you.
Greetings Janny Schoneveld

Jantine said...

I am so glad you are back home with husband, kids and dogs. That is the most important. Please take your time, we will see you as soon as it is good for you!

~Kris~ said...

It's so great to know that you are on the mend.

Rose Marie said...

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Darlene B said...

I am so glad to have the update - but sorry to hear about what you've been going through, Kathy! Having a health scare like this really puts life in perspective, doesn't it? Take care of yourself - your health does come first!