While, in general, this course of chemo is causing less difficulty in terms of brain-fog and dexterity than previous courses have, it comes with its own little bag of side-effects. These seem, for me, to take the form of abdominal issues which while not terribly serious are rather uncomfortable.
This is, as I find many things are, both annoying and amusing. I have turned into a walking cliché - constipated, grumpy and hardly able to think about anything else. Yet, while all this is going on, there’s a little, giggling voice in the back of my head gleefully observing: “Well, what do you know! You really do get cranky when you can’t take a sh*t!”
This too, not to put too fine a point on it, will pass :)
So I haven’t been doing a lot on the shawl as that does require some concentration. It’s going to be a long project anyway and won’t suffer much from sporadic attention. I’ve been working on Myria’s scarf and have the Indian Corn stole slated for this afternoon’s work. The hardest things about that is swapping out the colors - which, of course, isn’t hard at all. I find that I have to stop and weave in ends every three or four tiers though because otherwise those bowknots on the edges really start to bug me :)
I did finish the first sock…
...which fits perfectly :) I’m finding that sport weight yarn (or heavy fingering weight) + 60 stitches + size 2 US (2.75 mm) needles = perfect Robbyn-sized sock. I varied from the written pattern by substituting a standard wedge toe for the star toe of the original. I wound up not caring for the star toe much though I’m sure it works just dandy for many folks.
I did cast on for the Fu (flying bat) scarf but promptly forgot how to count, so that went back to the drawing board. I want to put a border of some type on the sides too, but don’t quite know what to do yet. Razor shell would work nicely but I’ve used that so often that I’d like to try something else this time. I think I also want to get some little silver seed beads to scatter about so this one is going to wait for a bit.
Finally…
I was working on dad’s chair blanket in the hospital yesterday while they were feeding me my drugs. A student nurse wandered over to tell me that her boyfriend’s grandmother knitted blankets all the time too. “Whatever it takes to keep you busy!”, she chirped as she strolled away, completely unaware of the jeopardy her life was in - if only briefly :)
You know, I could never condone the use of a pejorative term to refer to a group that isn’t involved or doesn’t get (in any meaningful way) what you do. But I do begin to understand the temptation for a knitter to refer to a condescending non-knitter as a muggle.
Sigh…
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Oh Robbyn - I am so sorry you are having to go through this process again. I will have a good thought for you. One good thing about my chemo was that it made chocolate taste (and smell) like tar. Made it easy to lay off the M&Ms;. Hang in there!
I am so sorry you have to go through chemo again, but as I was reading about it, I had to laugh because I’ve been having similar problems with my Fibromyalgia. The painkillers make me terribly constipated and the pain itself turns me into a real bitch no matter how I try to zen myself out. It makes me feel like some sort of cartoon character out of a Bugs Bunny show!
Anyway, love the socks! I’m seriously impressed that you’re able to work on that much. I’ve only been able to do 2x2 rib socks. So boring!
Jo Ellyn - This is the 5th chemo and I gotta tell you, it’s charms never pale :) Thanks you for your very kind thoughts - really, I’ll be fine. I just hate being such a crab all the time!
Opal - I’m so sorry to hear that you’re in simialar straits - apparently lots of medications have this kind of side effect :( And a cartoon character is a pretty good way to describe it!
I hope you’re feeling better soon kiddo :)
The socks are beautiful.
I’d never heard the term ‘muggle’ before entering the knitting blogiverse so I wasn’t even aware it was pejorative [should I admit that as an English teacher?] Perhaps it’s a term used in the States more than in Australia [she says hopefully].
Lynne - Actually the word muggle comes from the “Harry Potter” books, it being the term used by the magic-using folk to refer to the nonmagic-using folks.
In every day real-world applications, it is often used to disparage and deprecate.
I suppose it’s possible that it may be used more in the States but I don’t really think it’s likely. I would imagine the term would pop up wherever Rowling’s books have been popular :)
Gee - how nice to have a language discussion! Very cool :)
Robbyn! I clearly missed some news somewhere. I’m so sorry you are having to face this. Your 5th round - wow. Hugs to you and please know I will be sending healing thoughts your way often.
Oh, yeah. Your socks are gorgeous!
Chris - Thanks for the good thoughts :) I do enjoy these socks - working the mosaic in the round is so simple I feel like an absolute fraud! And I do need to get that second sock cast on!
Hope the crankies pass soon and the chemo doesn’t get you too badly.
I think in the case of your young nurse a muzzle might have been the appropriate word! One she could wear to keep her foot out of her mouth and/or her stereotype talk to herself. :)
Kathleen - LOL! There was really nothing wrong with the girl that a little more age won’t cure. She’s really only guilty of being very young :)
But I have to admit that when she said “Whatever keeps you busy”, images of complex lace work, aran techniques, art, mathematics and beautiful garments all swam before my eyes and I thought “You have no idea”.
But, maybe in time, she will :)
Oh gah; both on the need for more chemo, and the daft nurse. They ought to know better than to say that sort of thing to people with pointy sticks in their hands. My personal favourite is when someone next to me on the train asks me what I’m working on, and we have a short chat, and then s/he says “It’s a shame no-one does it anymore, isn’t it?” At which point I have the urge to say “what do you think I am, an optical illusion?”. But one does not Cause a Fuss on commuter trains heading for London. It’s just Not Done.
Liz - I understand about things just “not being done” but I sometimes think, for the sake of our own emotional well-being, responding appropriately (not rudely, mind) is a good idea. Unfortunately, the first thing that usually comes to my mind is sharp and rude so I wind up biting my tongue. It isn’t until much later that my mind comes up with a response that would have been suitable but not nasty :)
I think you’re absolutely right - but I also have the instinct to say something very snarky and only think of the perfect comment later on. And in my case, it’s Not Done because it’s basically the same group of people getting on the train every day, very often in the same carriage each day (we’re creatures of habit, particularly when half-awake!), so if the nasty comment comes out and I regret it later, it’s likely I’ll bump into the same person again and again…
Liz - Ahh, I do see what you mean. Oh the disadvantages of being mature :) Make them something lovely - maybe it will teach them a lesson?
