My mother-in-law has ovarian cancer. We found out last night. She starts chemo today.
Being true to my tendency to do things on a large scale, I have a list of knitting I’d like to do for her.
An Esther Williams hat in something soft and delightful. What I like about this hat as a chemo hat is that the scalloped edge is feminine and I think it’s a softer way to frame a face with no hair than a straight line or smooth edge.
A small neck scarf that buttons around the neck and lays on the upper chest for warmth. (I have design ideas playing around in my head already). My mother-in-law is always cold, even when she isn’t sick and a small scarf like that really helps. However, I don’t know in what way chemotherapy makes you feel icky. Maybe having something around her neck will be irritating? I’ll let her decide.
Fingerless mitts. I know that the man I knit a hat and mitt combo for when he was in the hospital with cancer really appreciated them.
Warm socks, however I’m not going to tackle that on my own. I’ll ask her if she wants them, and what she’d want. Slipper socks, sock weight/normal socks, thick and cushy lounging socks….
Finally, a Log Cabin Lap Blanket. I’ve always loved the pictures I’ve seen of these, but haven’t yet had reason enough to knit that much garter stitch. The neat thing about this blanket is that I think the girls would want to help, and this seems like a great blanket to have them help with. Plus, it can be cheery and colorful in a way that wearable items can’t be. At least, I can’t see my mother-in-law wearing something overly colorful. She likes blue. And blue is mellow.
So, that’s what I’ve got swirling around in my brain. I don’t know how many colors to get for the blanket, how much of each color, how to arrange them, whether or not I actually NEED the pattern or if I can figure it out on my own. It doesn’t look hard… What do you think?
Her prognosis is good. She said that they said that it is very treatable.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Oh wow. I absolutely love your m-i-l. She is the kindest and warmest and most genuine person. She is in my heart prayers. I hope she can get over this soon. all me love to you and Nate and the rest of the Adams.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that Laura… I will send healing prayers her way and comfort prayers to you, Nate, and the kiddos.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
My heart and prayers go out to you all.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Sending wishes for good health to your MIL. I hope everything goes well for her and she doesnt feel too miserable. I would make a few different hats so she can swap them around if she wants too. Maybe you should use 6 colors for the blanket, each color representing each of you in your family. I am sure your girls could help do squares, they always seem to be doing something crafty with you which is great.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
This is sad news. It is great that she has a nice big family to help her through treatment. The knitting you will be doing for her will be such a comfort in more ways than one. I will keep your family in my thoughts.
October 30th, 2009 at 8:55 am
This is terribly sad news. I hope she responds well to her treatment. It’s a blessing she has a great daughter-in-law who is already thinking of ways to help her.
October 30th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Oh that is very sad news. i wish your mil the best. How about using a varigated blue in something. I would also make her a shawl, that she could drape around herself. Oh and give her something funny to read to pick up her spirits.
October 30th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I’m sorry to read this news and do hope, indeed, that she will have a complete recovery.
October 30th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Wishing the best of health for your MIL and your whole family. 🙂
October 31st, 2009 at 11:38 pm
here’s to hoping that the treatment works. i am so sorry to hear this news. keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
November 1st, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I keep thinking about Anita and I really pray that she is able to come through this and be finished with it as soon as it can possibly be done. I’m thinking that a rabbit scarf would be a warming thing for her as it is so comfortable and soft. I get cold often and mine make all the difference. I will check into getting her a couple.
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:41 am
I got up this morning (at 2:30), wrote some “thank you” letters, and then decided I would see what Poormissfinch was doing. Thank you for your kindness and prayers on behalf of Laura’s MIL; it touches my heart. You see, her MIL is my wife.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 am
You and your family have been in my prayers all weekend, especially your mother in law. Here’s to a complete recovery.
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:16 am
Sorry to hear about your mother-in-law but I hope she gets good treatment that helps cure the cancer. I’m thinking of you and your family.