Oh, how I wish I was talking about the Noro kind. Instead, I'm talking about the life changing kind, the kind that the Fates bonk you over the head with as they cut one strand of existence and substitute another one in the fabric that makes up a person's life.
Yep, it may sound dramatic, but my non-knitting life has been intense lately. The short version is that I have a medical condition that is drastically changing my world. The long version follows, and is the reason why my blogging has suffered. More on that after my explanation, if you care to read my tale of woe, gentle reader.
In spring 2006 my optometrist discovered a problem with my peripheral vision. Months of seeing doctors and medical testing led me to a retina specialist at USC, who informed me in January 2007 that I probably have a variant of a disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). It is a genetically inherited disease, and untreatable. In March I quit driving. In August my doctor declared me legally blind. I still have a small amount of core center vision, but I am uncertain how long it will remain, and am now in the process of preparing as best I may for losing the rest of my sight.
So, yeah, intense. And time consuming. There's a huge learning curve that will be taking up more and more of my time, and so I've regretfully come to the point where I don't know how much longer I will be able to maintain this blog. I'll keep knitting and posting as long as I can, but posting will probably continue to be erratic from here on out. Plus, my knitting has become reductive, with easy stockinette and felting patterns the only things I can wrap my head around, which must be dullsville to read about! Hopefully I'll be able to get back to sweaters and lace and socks soon.
Being part of the knitblog community has been a joy in an otherwise difficult time. I'll continue to read all your blogs, and visit with you on Ravelry, and hopefully still see you here once in a while. Thank you all for your friendship and knitty brilliance. Knitters rule!
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35 comments:
I'm so sorry to hear about this! I think you should treat yourself to some Noro Transitions to go along with the intense ones - it'll be wonderful even in plain stockinette (which, btw, no amount of would not turn me off of your blog). *hugs*
*big hugs and lots of love*
xoxo
Melanie
You know I send reams and skeins and truckloads of hugs and I'm available for any help I can give. You're dealing amazingly well with this.
Oh my gosh, Madge. I'm so, so sorry to hear this. Sending you lots of loving thoughts and strength, and a great big hug from the Westside via Blogland, until I can give you a proper one in person. Take care... oxo-S.
We LOVE stockinet stitch! As long as you use cool nubby yarns and ones with lots of color changes, there's nothing the matter with stockinet!
You are a fighter and a winner, My Dear! I know you can deal with what fate has handed you. Remember, you have many friends to help you too!!!!
Oh MAN! That would be a hard hard thing to adjust to. Good luck, and keep the knitting coming! Stockinette rocks, you know. It's so soothing, to knit and to look at. Bring it on.
HUGE hugs! And I ADORE your felted bags.
You take care of you, and know we're here when you need us
I'm so very sorry to hear about this. Sending you many good wishes.
And I, too, love stockinette stitch!
I don't have any shining words of wisdom or comfort but know that I'm here if you need anything Madge.
(((((((Madge))))))
Wow...babe, that is a lot to have to handle. I am sending you TONS of big hugs from me, the buns, and Pooka and Kev. If you want to chat, I'm here. Stockinette totally rocks, so keep at it! *HUGS* You were missed, glad you're back!
I'm sorry, M - I knew something was up but didn't want to be nosy. I'll still like you even if you only knit giant square stuff! :)
Whoa! That sucks. Just know that you are part of a HUGE community of very caring folks! I'm here for you and I'm sending lots of prayers and good mojo your way.
Lots of hugs and good thoughts going your way. I know how hard this is for you and you are handling it like a champ. Keep on keepin' on and know that your friends are here to do whatever will help you get through this! And hey, garter, stockinette, felting, it's all good! (I haven't been up to doing much either so I know how it goes!)
You know I am here for you! Huggggggggs. You are indeed handling this so well. I can't begin to imagine what it really feels like. And ummm, what's wrong with stockinette? I LOVE stockinette. Bring on the stockinette.
I know this was a *huge* step for you to write about this, and I'm proud of you. You are a brave, brave woman, and I'm constantly impressed by you and your actions. I'm here for you, whether you need me or not. ;) Let the felting begin!
Madge, I think you are amazing! You've earned a red badge of courage as far as I'm concerned. Remember you have friends who are here for you when you need someone. Count me in! And I would read your blog even if there was no knitting content at all. :) You're truly an amzing woman.
Well, Madge, I must say - you are a brave, brave girl. Best of luck to you. And hey - cables and lace are over-rated! ;)
oh my heart goes out to you. I don't know what to say other than I send you all the strength I can to help you deal with this.
the one sense I don't want to lose is my sight. Apart from being unable to do crafts, I'd no longer seemy grandchildren developing.
sending good thoughts across the pond to you. hopefully, the deterioration will slow down
xxxxxxxxx
You are in my prayers, keep doing the best you can and garter and stockinette all you want, I love to see what you've created!
I'm very sad to read your news - Ihope that you can keep knitting, for as long as you want. and I agree, lash out and shout yourself some really *fabulous* yarn to enjoy the stockingette!
Madge, I've been trying to think of something profoundly supportive to say to you as your face this hurdle in your life, but I've come up with nothing, except to say that I have come to consider you a friend and kindred spirit, and am so with you on this difficult journey. Of course, you'll be dropping in and out of blogland. I'll even read about your boring stockinette stuff if you want to share it.
Lots of love from far away.
Ohhh Madge, my heart just aches for you. You are the most courageous, generous and kind person. I'm glad you're getting some comfort from your knitting. Knitting is so therapeutic, it doesn't really matter what stitch you do does it.
I thought you'd been quiet recently, and now I know why. You're quite an inspiration and I shall be sending lots and lots of hugs and warm thoughts your way ;)
Your friendship is such a incredible gift for me. I know you will create the most amazing things with stockinette!! And any time you need eyes to read, chat on line or ANYTHING, please, please let me know. Love.
oh, i'm sorry to hear that. i'm sending you lots and lots of hugs!!! i always skip over blog posts with lengthy discussions on lace. i'm all for stockinet and even garter stitch projects. and your felted bags are always gorgeous.
Madge, you are awesome and a badass. That is awful to hear about your losing your sight but hang in there. The fact that you can still knit at all is great and whether its stockinette, felting, or reading the phonebook, you're fun to read! I'm pleased to not know you at all! :)
Love and hugs from your Nor-Cal stranger-pal, Jenn :)
Oh, man! I am so so sorry to hear this. Take good care. Be well. I'll be thinking of you.
xoxo
Sending you lots of love, energy and warm wooly thought. You are doing so well and are so brave. Lot's of love to you
I'm sorry hear about this and will miss your blog is you have to stop it. Are you aware of the voice recognition programmes? I have one foe my mac for when my ME plays up, so I can still 'type' up notes and essays for uni by just talking to the computer. Big Hugs
I hope you're doing okay and you'll definitely be in my thoughts.
Sheesh! Just checkiing the blogs. You certainly are popular, My Dear!
Madge,
I'm just so shocked to hear your news.
Not sure what to say, except the voice recognition software does sound good (bad pun!).
I too will miss your sense of humour if you stop blogging.
But I understand if you do: you don't need any more pressure than you've already got.
Carson x
Oh I am so sorry to hear your news, you are so brave, I'm lost for words but, hey we love stockinette stitch and the felted bags you've made are super, I'll never tire of seeing those. I'm sending you big hugs and the warmest of thoughts across to you.
Take care x
I came by to take a peek at what you're working on. Wow, I'm so sorry to hear about your eye sight! Like someone esle said before: we all love stockinet squares too!
Wow - I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. I'm also very sorry it took me this long to read this post (my blog reading time is erratic, to say the least).
It's good that knitting is also a major textural/tactile feast, in addition to being fun for the eyes, and I too adore stockinette stitch - so please, don't ever worry about blog content!
I'm insanely impressed with your bravery, too. Thinking of you...
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