Wishing, Hoping, and Stitching

Thanks to all of you who have left such lovely and supportive comments for George.  It warms my heart to know that so many people are concerned for his welfare.  I wish I had more information for you, but the vet didn't call us this afternoon, which was disappointing.  I was certain I would have heard something from her.  The information I'm currently running with is hopeful, however.

This morning I took George's medicine down to their office and I spent about 20 minutes holding George on my lap.  He looked worse this morning than the last time I saw him, which is distressing . . . for him too, I have no doubt.  However, I did get a chance to talk with the vet while I was there.  She didn't have any lab results at the time, but she seemed fairly certain that George owes his condition to an illness known as idiopathic vestibular syndrome.  All of the symptoms fit.  If this is the case, George should be good as new in a few days.

While the causes of idiopathic vestibular syndrome are unknown, one potential cause can be a toxic reaction to a class of drugs known as aminoglycoside antibiotics.  Since George just finished a course of antibiotics, I looked to see what drugs are in the class.  The one he was taking orally was not included; however, the topical ointment we've been putting on his skin contains neomycin, and that is included in the class.  It seems a wild coincidence that he would come down with this illness so soon after he was given a course of antibiotics both orally and topically.  I can only say I'm hopeful that this is in fact the problem, and that he will get better on his own with the passage of time (a few days).  Until I talk with the vet tomorrow, I won't know anything more.  Please keep your fingers crossed along with me.

In all the excitement, I haven't yet announced the winner of the Quilt Pin for the April NewFO Linky Party.  Mr. Random drew:

#18--Vickie in CA

Vickie and I have communicated via email, and I put her quilt pin in the mail this morning.  Keep starting those NewFO projects because there is a Linky Party and giveaway each month this year.  Next month might be the time Mr. Random draws your number.

Worrying about George has had me so distracted that I haven't done any sewing at the machine for a couple of days.  I did, however, finish up the last of the Mr. Bear blocks.

There's a lot of stitching in this block.  I thought I would never finish the wallpaper.  It still needs borders put on it, and then I'll be ready to sew all the blocks together and finish the quilt.  I'm anxious to see it all finished.

Then, after I saw George this morning, I picked up the Winged Dreams quilt from my quilter, Nancy.  This is how it looked when I dropped it off with her.

She did a really nice job on it.  She did something different with the batting (which she didn't explain) that gave it lots of texture.  It turned out really pretty.

Here's a close up of the design.  I like the flowers and butterflies to go along with this fabric.

You can get a better idea what it looks like here.  I'm using that red thin border fabric for the binding.

And here's how it looks from the back.

This quilt is for my walking buddy, Sue, who has a birthday in September.  I think she's going to like it.  It's a lap-sized quilt, and it will be nice for her to curl up with when she reads.

Tomorrow I'm getting my monthly pedicure, which should help me feel better about my sick kitty.  Hopefully, he'll be better tomorrow and I'll be able to bring him home.  I really have no way of knowing however.  I'm hoping to get some sewing done in the afternoon.  It's a busy week because we are celebrating Mike's 60th birthday with a family dinner this Saturday (although his birthday was Monday).  Our son, Matthew, is coming up on the train from Klamath Falls as a surprise to his dad.  It'll be fun to have him here for the weekend, and I think Mike will be thrilled to have him here to help celebrate.