Lisa's Life: A Super Short Bloggy Break

As most of you know, I have a big surgery coming up this Wednesday.  The expected recovery time for the surgery is at least 2 weeks, but I should be able to use my laptop much sooner than that.

I had originally planned on writing a bunch of posts in advance and scheduling them to be published while I was recovering.  Unfortunately, my other medical issues are flaring up causing me a lot of pain so I haven't been able to stick to my plan.

After much thought and many conversations with my hubby and my mum, we've decided that it would be best for me to simply take a short break from blogging starting today.  As soon as I'm able to sit up and use my laptop I will start posting again, which should be in about 7-10 days.

I do have a guest post or two that will be posted during my break, so be sure to watch for it!!

Thanks to everyone for understanding and for being so patient!!  I care so much for each of you and hope that you know just how much you mean to me!!

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

Surgery Details

Thank you to everyone that has commented and e-mailed me to wish me well for my upcoming surgery.  I know many of you are curious about the surgery I'm going to have so I figured I would take a moment to tell you about it.  I would've explained sooner, but I didn't know if it would be "TMI" (too much information).

First I need to give you some background information...

The medical conditions that have caused me to become disabled, cause me a lot of pain.  For quite some time I was on extremely high doses of oral pain medications which turned me into a zombie.  It was no way to live for me or for my caretakers.

Finally, after moving here to Maryland, my Pain Management Doctor suggested that I get an Intrathecal Medication Delivery Pump (aka a pain pump).  Basically, it's a device implanted inside one's abdomen that would deliver pain medication directly to their spinal cord and then throughout the bloodstream.  After researching the pump and all that it entailed, my hubby and I agreed that it was something I should get.

I've had my pump for almost 4 years now and it has done wonders for my quality of life.  I'm still very much disabled and depend on my hubby for most of my care, but my pain levels are much lower.

Somehow the pump has "come loose" and is no longer stitched in place inside my abdomen.  It's uncomfortable at times and painful at others.  The other day I went to the doctor to have it refilled and he had a hard time accessing it because it had moved so much.  It was then that we realized I needed surgery asap to have it stitched back in place.

That brings me to the upcoming surgery...

The surgery will require a neurosurgeon to cut a 5-inch incision into my abdomen where they'll be able go in and suture the pump to some nearby cartilage and back where it belongs.  Then I'll be sewn up and off to recovery!!

This is actually the 2nd time they've had to go in and stitch the pump back in place since I've had it.  This is most likely because one of my medical conditions, EDS, causes my connective tissues to be very stretchy and sometimes frail.  So since I've had this done before I'm not too worried.  However, it is a VERY painful recovery.

I can't even begin to express how much I appreciate all of the thoughts, prayers, and well wishes!!  I guess I'll just have to leave it at... THANK YOU!!!

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome & Me

I know this is not craft related, but it will occasionally impact this blog.  I've briefly mentioned in the past that I have some medical issues that have caused me to not publish posts on time.  Today I just want to share some information about the primary medical condition I have called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Some people would call me "double jointed", but in fact my body doesn't produce near enough collagen to keep my joints in place so my ligaments and other connective tissues are really stretchy.  Here's a good video that will show what I mean...

Here's another really informative video about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome...

So now that you get an idea about what Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is, I'll tell you a bit about my personal experience with EDS.

Pain is my biggest problem.  I have an intrathecal medication delivery pump implanted in my abdomen.  It's completely under the skin and I cannot access it so my doctor has to inject the new pain medication in my side every month.  My pump has been a life changer for me!  I used to be bedridden and am now semi-functional, though still can't do chores or drive, etc.

In addition to EDS, I also have Dysautonomia/Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder with Depression, Osteoarthritis, and a Hiatal Hernia.  Those are just the things that have been diagnosed by doctors; it's suspected that I also have Fibromyalgia, regular arthritis, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

I wanted to share this with everyone so that when those days come when I don't publish a post, you'll know that it's most likely because of a flare up of my EDS or other conditions.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this post despite the lack of craft-related information!!  It means a lot to me that you've done so!!

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...

A Personal Note & Fact Friday

A Personal Note

For those that are checking in each day for the new Christmas craft tutorial during the "marathon", I'm sure you noticed that I missed yesterday.  I promise to make it up before the end of the Christmas Craft Marathon and will continue posting the daily tutorials today.  However, I want to explain why I missed yesterday.

I have a myriad of medical conditions that cause me to be legally disabled.  When these conditions flare up, it can cause all kind of problems for me, from pain to exhaustion, and all kinds of strange symptoms too.  For the past 3-4 days, I've been dealing with severe exhaustion, but I think I'm finally coming around.

Things like this can happen at anytime and I have no control over it.  I just really appreciate everyone understanding my situation.  

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Grand Re-Launch & Giveaway Fact Friday

Here’s this week’s new information about the Grand Re-Launch & Giveaway... 

1. New Blog Feature: One of the new post schedule items coming next year is my annual ”Birthday Bash”, where I’ll celebrate my birthday with an extended linky party and other various ways throughout the month of August!

2. Extra Entry Option: Feature me, my blog, or one of my projects on your blog and then you'll need to use the super easy Rafflecopter gadget I post to claim your 2 entries in the contest. There will be one other way to gain 2 entries announced next week. 

3. Prizes: There will be multiple items included in each prize package!!  These items will include a few handmade (by me) items and a bunch craft supplies from a wide range of craft genres!!  How fun is that?!?  The list of contents for each prize package is coming soon!!

The next “Grand Re-Launch Fact Friday” will be December 9th so be sure to check back then for more details!

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...

Crafts Meme

Since this is my first post, I thought what a better way to tell you about myself, than to complete and internet meme about me and my crafts. Here it is!

PERSONAL
•What is your name? Lisa Hazell
•Do you have a nickname? just Lisa, nothing else
•What is your birthday? Aug. 25th
•Are you male or female? Female
•When do you craft, night or day? All the time, but I prefer nighttime
•Describe your personal style. Eclectic (I know that term is overused, but it fits!)
•Describe your decorating style. Linear and logical
•Do you have a blog? If so, what is the address? This one
•Do you have an on-line wish list such as Wists or Kaboodle? If so, what is it? Not yet
•Do you collect anything? If so, what? Antique glass animals
•What other hobbies or pastimes do you do besides crafting? Just spending time with friends, family, & my cat.

GIVING, DISPLAYING & SELLING •Has anything you’ve crafted been featured at a fair, in a book, etc? Not yet
•Have you ever sold your crafts? If so, where? Yes, online and in person
•Do you have a shop or on-line store where you sell your crafts? If so, where? www.venusdesigns.artfire.com
•Do you have other websites? If so, what are they? www.venusdesignscollection.com
•Have you given your crafts to others? Many times!

FAVORITES •What are your favorite colors? Blue
•What are your favorite color combos? Pale blue, pale purple, & pale green
•What are your favorite themes, schemes, genres, or patterns? Spirals, spirals, spirals! There's math involved in spirals and I'm a math geek!
•What is your favorite craft of all time? Anything to do with beads!
•What are your favorite things to make? Jewelry and other beaded accessories
•What are your favorite craft supplies? Beads & beading accessories, felt, glue (weird, I know), and fabric.
•What craft tools do you use most frequently? My beading pliers
•What are your favorite animals? Tigers & cats
•What are your favorite authors/books? Jean M. Auel's The Earth's Children Series
•What are your five favorite things (not necessarily craft related)? My husband, my cat, my crafts, my friends and my parents.

DISLIKES •What craft fears or avoidances do you have? I'm scared of my sewing machine but I'm working on that phobia
•What colors and/or color combos do you hate? Bright Yellow & Purple
•Are there any styles you dislike? Not really.

PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE •Describe the first project you made as a child. I remember making a yellow felt teddy bear in kindergarten
•What was your favorite pastime crafting project? Anything I could get my hands on
•What is the most interesting/unique thing you’ve ever crafted? Some of my current beaded accessories
•What crafts do you enjoy right now? Beading of any kind and working with felt
•Describe the coolest project you’ve made recently. I'm in love with my Rock-N-Roll dangle charm
•What is(are) your current craft project(s)? I'm in the middle of making a 40+ inch beaded chain necklace
•What will be your next craft project(s)? Probably another one in a different color
•What craft have you wanted to learn or try, but haven't yet? Sewing with my sewing machine
•What is the thing you are most looking forward to this upcoming season? Selling my crafts and hearing the public's opinion of my products

SHOPPING •Do you keep a cache of supplies you’re likely to use or do you buy exactly what you need for each project? Definitely keep a cache of supplies, but my husband wishes I wasn't that way! hehehe
•Do you make a list before going into a craft store? Yes, and I really DO try to stick to it!
•Have you ever come out of a craft store having bought only the things you planned to buy? Actually yes, I have.
•What craft stores do you frequent (online or otherwise)? www.shipwreckbeads.com, Michaels, & JoAnn Fabrics

MISCELLANEOUS
•Do you have a relative who has crafted something that’s considered a family (or personal) treasure? Absolutely! Anything made by my late grandmother I consider a true treasure!
•Do your friends and family support and encourage your crafting? Yes, my hubby is awesome!
•Do you admit to “crafting", or do you call it something else, like “DIY”? Crafting is a fine word indeed!
•Do you have any advice for aspiring crafters? Just do it and have fun with it.
•List everything you’ve tried from a crafting perspective. Wow, that would be a long list! Literally, I've tried a little bit of everything!
•Do you craft in short bursts or long sessions? Both depending on how I feel
•How do you beat the blahs and get inspired and motivated again? Search the internet for new ideas and designs to try or just call my friend Brook and talk to her.
•Have you ever been injured while crafting? Oh yeah! I get blisters all of the time and I've cut myself a few times - nothing serious though.
•If you had a 5-minute shopping spree in your craft supply store, how would you plan your attack? Beading department. Done.
•If you could afford to start any crafting hobby, what would it be? High end jewelry making.
•If you could instantly gain a crafting ability what would it be? What would you make and for whom? Sewing. Something special and personal for each person I know.
•You’re trapped in Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day. What crafting skill would you refuse to learn despite having infinite time to learn it? None...I love all crafts.

Thanks for reading everyone!