catching up

I have been MIA the last few days - dealing with a sick husband and allergies for myself. Easter isn't far off been seeing all sorts of cute ideas on Facebook of crafts. So many times I think I need to try my wish list piles up and sadly I don't always get to it. I have worked on a few of my own ideas - my own personal patterns and am happy to say I got orders for one of my own patterns. Of course the person that ordered has to be one of my biggest fans she always talks so highly of my projects. She always makes my day so I was quite thrilled when she wanted two of these. Crocheted water bottle cover with a crocheted bunny added to it. It will have a long crocheted handle to drape on shoulder or hang on to something with.

The snow is busy melting - I made this for my mom last Mother's day nothing like a crocheted bouquet when the snow is still covering up the real thing--I am so ready for seeing green grass and spring flowers. For now I will appreciate little crocheted spring flowers

Words from a mom whose child has Ependymoma

My last few blogs have been about brain cancer awareness -specifically Ependymoma --Like most of us the word cancer scares us -when I first met Carol I couldn't even say cancer and I was afraid to really ask questions. The whole concept of being a mother of a child fighting that awful illness just pushed me way out of my comfort zone --- as I got to know Carol we talked about their son's illness. The big C word still scares me and I often still feel powerless in what to say. But I have turned that powerless feeling into something constructive. Her and I discussed my crocheting items and making bracelets to help fund raise for the awareness of Ependymoma --- I was so touched and honored that I was asked to be part of their families crusade in helping Jeremy in his cancer fight .It has become a passion for me to help raise awareness and be a support to not only my friend but in hopes to reach out and help others raise awareness in their causes.
Carol is an amazing woman with such strength I admire her and her dedication to her family.

I asked Carol to put together a bit about what they have gone through since Jeremy's diagnosis. The following is what she had to say.

In 2012 our then 9 year son was brought to the emergency room for lethargy and vomiting. One hour later we were giving life altering news. Jeremy had mass on the brain that was about the size of a plum and wrapped around his brain stem. Two days later on Christmas Eve he had a 9+ hour brain surgery to remove this malignant tumor. Jeremy was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called ependymoma. His 2nd surgery was in January 2013 followed by 2 months of daily radiation. Jeremy came through with flying colors, and he was tumor and cancer free for a little over a year. In July of 2014, at a routine scan a lesion was discovered and he underwent a very risky third brain surgery. Much to our delight they thought it was nothing but a cyst. In late October that lesion more than doubled in size and Jeremy underwent his fourth and 5th surgeries. This time the tumor had moved to a new location in the brain and is considered to be metastatic. There is no cure for ependymoma and we know very little about it other than it occurs in both adult and pediatric patients and only in the Central Nervous system. Unfortunately this was not good news and Jeremy's prognosis is fair at best. His mortality rate is roughly 20%. This is heartbreaking and devastating, but our superhero is no statistic. We are in the fight of our lives, and Jeremy is in a fight for his life. Though he battles daily with aches and pains and the frustrations of some damage to key areas of the brain, he still has bright beautiful smile. He really is a superhero and our bright shining star. Help us in our Fight to epENDymoma! Grey really does matter. Thanks Carol Kohlberg.




Please join in our fight Here are  our Grey Matters crocheted hats- They are selling for $9.50 and portions go to Jeremy and help with costs this battle .

Please contact me if you would like to order one

Brain Cancer research

In honor of my friends son I want to share more about Ependymoma Awareness

Ependymomas account for 3 to 6 percent of all tumors of the central nervous system. The overall five-year survival rate is greater than 80 percent. However, new and innovative treatments are needed to reduce side effects from the cancer and its treatment as well as to help those patients who relapse.

“Our hope with Ependymoma Awareness Day is to increase public recognition of this rare tumor and the need for clinical studies to improve early diagnosis, standardize treatment and improve the health status of those living with this disease,” said Mark Gilbert, M.D., the medical director and principal investigator of CERN.( taken from the CERN website https://cern-foundation.org)

Anything purchased from my Grey Matter Collections I will be donating a portion to my friend to help them battle their's constant fight this cancer and be cancer free. 

Support Brain Awareness and join the fight to battle it

This is taken from a friends Caring Bridge site--this is her son's battle --I made the items on this page to help support their cause -- please read and help this wonderful family fight to find a cure

Jeremy’s Story

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jeremykohlberg

Welcome to our CaringBridge site. We've created it to keep friends and family updated. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement during this time when it matters most.

 Our 11 year old son Jeremy, for the past two years he has been battling Brain Cancer.  Jeremy is diagnosed with Epedymoma, a rare tumor and cancer that does not yet have a cure.  In the past several weeks Jeremy's doctors discovered a new malignant and metastatic tumor.  On Monday November 3, 2014 Jeremy will underwent his fifth brain surgery since December 24, 2012.  Following surgery he will undergo radiatiation for the second time and possible chemo-therapy.  Jeremy has already overcome insurmountable odds.  He is the bravest kid I know and an amazing young man.

To bring awareness to a rare tumor and cancer, Also help fundraise for Ependymoma Research. Help us find a cure for Ependymoma.

https://www.facebook.com/ependymomaawareness

Grey Matters

 My collection of items to help raise awareness to help fight -Childhood ependymoma a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the 
brain and spinal cord.

I have a friend whose son is battling with this --- Every item I sell from this collection has a portion donated to her family to help support the battle to fight this cancer and help her son become cancer free  - He is a brave young man who has not let this illness get him down -- stay tuned for more