Suzy Update, AC Projects, and a Class Winner Finally Announced!

UPDATE: SURGERY IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 26TH - WOW, THREE WEEKS OUT! Thanks for all your nice comments on this post - sooooo appreciated! I will continue to update my blog on my progress through this! suzy

I have a question for all of my loyal blog readers (not sure if I have ANY as I don't have a button to follow my blog, but some of you regularly leave comments, which I greatly appreciate). Anyway, back to the question. Are you interested in hearing about my journey through the next couple months regarding my brain tumor surgery? If so, I will use this as a place to post updates and what I am going through. If not, I may be absent for a while as I have temporarily (and possibly permanently) resigned from all my scrapping responsibilities and therefore might not have much to share. Which by the way, makes me very, very sad. I have been in this industry for over eight years (lost count) and have loved every moment! But I did start this as a scrapping blog and I don't want to change directions if that is the only reason people visit. And I can always share my doodled quotes as I am sure I will be making a lot of those over the next couple of months (therapy!).

Since you haven't yet had a chance to respond to this question, I will update you on my health. Since realizing I need to get surgery to remove the acoustic neuroma in my head, I have been reading way too much on the internet of people's experiences with this surgery so I am well prepared. I have been on the phone with doctors and insurance people daily. And it has been stressful to say the least. I am ready to get this done and am attempting to schedule it as soon as I can be put on the calendar. 

I am going to have my surgery at St. Vincent's hospital in Los Angeles at the House Ear Institute. They are the best doctors around. I have done my research and am very comfortable with my decision. I have an appointment with the brain surgeon on Wednesday and will be finalizing a date which will be in early July. This is a very complicated surgery as my tumor lies on my hearing, balance and facial nerve. Removing it is about a ten hour process, but can be less or much more depending on how "sticky" it is and where it resides once they get inside my head. It involves a pathologist, an internest, an anesthesiologist, a neurotologist (skull based surgeon) and a neorologist (brain surgeon). All of these doctors need to be approved by insurance and that is a very complicated process. Which is one of the reasons I won't be scrapping for a while.

So now you are updated. And if that bored you a bit, I have a couple of American Crafts things to share. Here is a layout and a card I made that were on their blog a couple of days ago. The subject was adding stitching to your projects and I used some machine stitching and lots of hand-stitching on these two. Hope you enjoy them!!!

Supplies: Veridian Vignette Paper (35676) - Sketchbook, Padma’s Pattern Paper (35673) - Sketchbook, Charlotte’s Shade Paper (35684) - Sketchbook, Kristi’s Kraft Paper (35682) - Sketchbook, 6x6 Paper Pad (35696) - Sketchbook, Printed Chipboard Shapes (77290) - Bits, Flat-Top Fabric Brads (85578) - Elements, Draw (42244) - Remarks Dimensional Stickers, Pigment (42241) - Remarks Fabric Stickers, Paint (42242) - Remarks Fabric Stickers, Doodle (42243) - Remarks Dimensional Stickers), Pallette (42240) - Remarks Books

As you have probably deducted from my recent posts, I am really enjoying doodling lately. So I try to add some to my layouts now and then. I hand stitched the border around the outside edge of this page and the frame around the photo using twine. I used Copic markers to shade inside of the stitching. I also added some machine stitching around the photo to complete the frame.

Supplies: Chapter (76224) - Day Book, Pallette (42240) - Remarks Books, Flat-Top Fabric Brads (85578) - Elements, Printed Chipboard Shapes (77290) - Bits

On this card I hand-stitched the border around the edge of the flower design. I made the card using a page out of the Sketchbook Daybook. Super easy to make and had a cute border.

Ok, now on to business...I totally forgot to announce the winner for a spot in the Big Picture Living the Dream class!!! So sorry! There were 23 comments, so I'm off to random number generator to pick a winner - be right back!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

3	

Timestamp: 2012-06-05 03:21:24 UTC

The third comment left on my post was from:

this class sounds like so much fun , thanks for a chance at winning a seat. :)

Posted by: Paula | May 29, 2012 at 11:58 AM

So if your name is Paula and you haven't already won a spot in the class from any of the other blog give-a-ways, please contact me and I will make sure you are enrolled. And if I don't hear from you by the end of this week, I'll draw another name! Thanks to all for entering.

And with that...I will be back on Wednesday with more boring details regarding my upcoming surgery. Wow, I can't even seem to crack a joke today. Bah humbug! Have a great week! Suzy 

Comments

[Cynthia B.]

Suzy, by all means post what you want to post about your process. I feel like blogging should serve the needs of the author...and I've always found that working with my hands/writing things out can be therapeutic. (Scrapbooking is my own therapy, and although I don't have my own blog, I do journal the old-fashioned way. ;) )
My thoughts and prayers are with you! Yes, I found you because I admire your scrapbooking style, and of course I'll miss seeing that. But more importantly, I admire your grace in handling this difficult health issue. Wishing you all the best on your surgery and recovery!

[Becks]

Sure I'd love to hear about your update! I follow your blog and all blogs that I follow on google reader, so I don't need the "follow my blog" button!

[Leslie G]

Of course we love you lots and want to know what is going on -- those that don't want to know can use their delete button. I feel like you are part of my internet family and I need to keep up with all this icky stuff as well as the good things.

[Diana Waite]

Suzy--you AMAZING person! if you are up to it--I would LOVE to hear about you, I have been thinking about you and hoping that all is going well to get this taken care of. i will be praying for you--chin up! Sending you a HUGE hug my sister! ;)

[Lisa]

Please do keep us posting on your surgery. While this is a crafting blog, we're all human beings, and we become "friends". I want to know how you're doing. So either post on here, or get tons of emails.

Get rid of this stupid tumor. And tell us how you did it. :)

[Sandy]

I agree totally with blogger number 1. This blog is what you want to make it...whether it is just wanting to "talk", give friends updates, or post scrapbooking ideas. I have loved reading it over the years and obviously admired your work tremendously and will miss it also. I have found you to be very uplifting and upbeat which is always refreshing. I am glad you are having the surgery soon. I wondered, but understood, when you wanted to put it off for the summer. Things will work out the way they are meant to be. You have a lot of people praying and pulling for you!

[Miriam Prantner]

Yes please do share with us. I want to be able to know what's happening and pray specifically. Thanks, and BEAUTIFUL pieces today!

[Elizabeth Gardner]

I would really like to hear about your HUGH journey. You are such a sweet and funny person. We will all miss your creative beauties, but of course want to keep up with what you are going through. Hugs from afar!

[photochic]

Oh I'm so sorry you're going through a lot right now. I'll be praying aboujt your surgery. I'd love to hear how things are going... it'd be great to know that you're still ALIVE! :P

[conniemelancon]

Sorry to hear about your surgery. Would like to receive updates on your blog. Will keep you in my prayers.

[Cindy deRosier]

Definitely share your experience with the surgery! I'm following you on Google Reader and love to see what you create, but don't feel like you need to limit yourself to only crafty stuff on your blog.

[Sandra A]

"It's your blog, and you can blog if you want to, blog if you want to...". If you are up to it, please share your journey. The main thing is that you do what you can, when you can, and if you want to.

I will also miss your scrapbooking genius. I also love your beautiful and inspiring doodles, so that would be great.

Praying for you and your family.

Love,
Your internet friend

[Jme]

Do you receive emails at suzy.plantamura@cox.net ? I just sent you an email .

Thank you!

[Ashley N Newell]

I would love to hear about your journey if you want to talk about it. That's incredibly brave! I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and hope that your surgery goes well and you're feeling good in no time. Giant hugs! You're a total rockstar, should have had you sign my bra strap while I had the chance. :D

[lisa truesdell]

please please please post updates - keeping you in my thoughts. xoxo.

[Yvonne]

darling Suzy, you will be in my prayers! I have been following you all these years and I'm saddened you are going through this, but I have fait that God will guide the surgeon's hands and you will be relived of Hugh and come out of this more good. You blog whatever your heart moves you to. Scrapbooking, whatever. I will continue to follow you and always be rooting on the sidelines. Thank you for sharing your lovely life here on this blog and in CK all these years. You have been a joy! So don't you fret one bit that any of us wouldn't be interested in your story now girl.

Oh you take care, and please, if you can, have your family update us, either on FB or here!

[Brenda]

Please post updates - I definitely want to hear about how you are doing. I will keep you in my prayers.

[Liz Elliott]

Yes, I vote for you to share your journey. I would enjoy reading it and I'm sure there are others who may be going through something similar and would really benefit. So yes! I love you and I am praying for you each day. I wish I could be there for you, but will be in spirit! Love you sis!

[Brittany]

I would love to hear how you are doing throughout the process!!

And my heart dropped a little when you mentioned the resignation--sure hope it's temporary, but you know I'll support you know matter what! Can't imagine all the companies without you. But I'll still be following you here!

You'll be in my prayers. Hugs!

[Shetara]

Suzy I will keep you in my prayers and I hope you continue to blog about your progress

[Laura Steele]

Suzy, You are amazing! I am so proud of you!!! I am grateful to the Lord to see your blog and be able to get in touch with you. Have had so much fun following you on instagram to!! And now you have an "old" friend praying for you. Our God is mighty. Love you, call me xxoo Laura

[JoAnn]

yes- we want to know how you are and are wishing you all the best. thinking of you!

[Linda]

I follow your blog because of scrapbooking but will continue to visit the blog to get updates on your health. My prayers go out to you. As a grandmother that has watched a granchild (age 11 when we found out) battle cancer (thyroid that had spread to brain (2 nodules --- now gone) and lungs, I understand. She goes to Johns Hopkins the end of June to have scans. Prayers go out to you and to the doctor's that are doing your surgery. God bless and keep you and let his face shine upon you.

[Mandy Szeto]

best of luck through the surgery. take care of yourself.

[Erin S]

Hi Suzy, I have read your blog for years though I don't leave many comments. I hope you continue to share your life and journey on the blog even if that is not scrapbooking. Either way, I will be praying for you on this journey you are about to embark on.