More Black Belt Stitching Wizard Stuff

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Ornament, Progress, and Running

First let me update you on my health, and thank you each and every one of you for all your well wishes, positive thoughts, and prayers! They are all appreciated. A coupe of you asked about my blood sugar levels when I had my episode, well they were tested in the ambulance and were normal. Friday was another jam-packed day for me! I had an early appointment with my allergist and I had to get my heart monitor back to the hospital.

While I was at the allergist we talked about what happened, he tested me for all the foods I ate last Sunday. All of them came back negative, I didn't react to a single thing. He is confident that what I have is Exercise Induced Anaphalaxis (yes, folks you can be allergic to exercise, and just my luck, it happens to me!). Often this is related to a particular food that is eaten 3-4 hours before exercise, but like I said I didn't react to any of the foods I was tested for. Now I did eat in a restaurant and you never know what hidden ingredients or additives there are or if there's any cross-contamination.
On a positive note, not one of the three doctors I saw this past week have told me to stop exercising or running. I have been instructed by my allergist to take an anti-histamine the morning of planned exercise. When exercising the moment I feel the hives begin I am to stop and take another ant-histamine. If at any time I have difficulty breathing, I am to use my Epi-Pen and get to the hospital. Yes, this does sound scary and intimidating, but I can't sit around playing the what if game, and never be active again. So yesterday I picked up a waist pack from a running store that will fit my Epi-Pen, anti-histamines, puffer, and cell phone. Today a group of my classmates at Taekwon-Do were doing their black belt physical tests. So I went out to run with them, one person is going for his 3rd degree which is a 10K run (or 25 laps of the track). Seeing as I was in an environment where there were lots of people, I had my pack, and procedures, I did the 10K since that is what I'll be doing when I eventually go for my 3rd degree black belt. I did it in 73 minutes, I'm quite pleased with that. Guess what???? Not a single hive, I was just fine!

I did do some stitching today, but not as much as I would of liked to on a Saturday. I had a nice long sleep-in, I just didn't want to get up today! A visit with my brother, and a run outside on a beautiful day!

First of all I did manage to finish all the cross stitch on Blackstone Fantasy Garden! Yay! This means tomorrow I can get going on all that blackwork (which I'll do backstitch, there really is no need for this to be reversible. Just neat)!
I also took the time this evening to finish up my fourth, and last ornament for May. Yay! Four in one month is a tall order, but on the other hand I'm now all caught up from the last few months where I didn't get two done.

Geometric Blackwork #2
Stitched on : 32ct Lambswool Linen
Stitched with : DMC and Rainbow Galleries Petite Treasure Braid

33 comments:

CJ in OK ;-) said...

So glad you were able to treat this and keep going. Congrats on finishing the cross stitches for BFG and for the ornament finish, plus the 10K finish, 73 minutes is great. CJ ok;-)

Unknown said...

I'm glad to hear that the doctors think your condition is controllable and not life threatening. Keep running and keep stitching.

jane said...

Glad to hear the news about your health issues - at least now you know what you are dealing with.
BFG is looking great, I love it!

Christine said...

Glad to hear that they've found a way to manage your condition.
Blackstone Fantasy Garden is going to be stunning

Jo said...

Lovely ornie, and Blackstone is looking wonderful.

Isn't it nice to be able to enjoy some sunny weather? It's lovely in the UK too. Glad you won't need to give up on the exercise.

Kathy A. said...

Oh Dani - I am happy to hear that things are working out for you.
Happy to hear that you don't have to give up running.
Beautiful ornament. Love the black and gold together.
Blackstone is gorgeous! It won't be long till you have this one finished.

Julie said...

Great progress, so pleased they were able to help you.

Shelleen said...

glad to hear that you are ok.

Paula said...

Great stitching. I'm glad to hear things are going better healthwise. It sounds like you have some good doctors.

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Sounds like pretty good news - you can go ahead being prepared! I kept wondering ... almost finished stitching, now I see - it's blackwork! What a beauty. Nice ornament, too! Happy day to you.

Devon said...

Good Morning,
I am glad to hear you are doing well,,I turned my heart monitor in yesterday and will now wait for the results..Love the stitching,,keep us posted on both your stitching and health,,,have a great sunday..

Devon

Sharon said...

Wow, have never heard of that. Glad you will be able to continue your regime! Your projects are lokking wonderful!

Donna said...

Glad you are going to be able to control your symptoms and that it wasn't anything more serious. Great stitching!

Gabi said...

Hi Dani, I sent you an email because what you are describing sounds a lot like the episodes my husband has sometimes when exercising.
Beautiful stitching. Love that ornament and your Fantasy Garden is just lovely.

Karin said...

Glad everything is OK! Congrats on the ornament finish, and BFG is looking fantastic.

glamlawlib said...

(catching up with blogland) So sorry to hear you had this episode, really do hope it all works out. It sounds like you're doing all the right things!

I think I have the allergy to exercise thing, unfortunately it's only in my head ;)

valerie said...

Glad to hear about your progress! Congrats on running that 10k! I'd hyperventalate by 1K. I'm not a very good runner. BFG is looking great!

Daffycat said...

I'm so glad you are doing well. It's good you have some precautions you can take so you can continue exercising!

Olga said...

It's so good you don't need to give up on the exercise.
Great stitching as always!

Heather said...

I'm glad your doctors had good news for you, and that you were so quick to find a livable treatment option.

Blackstone Fantasy Garden is looking amazing!

stitcherw said...

Glad to hear you're doing ok at the moment and that the doctors have given you some things and plans to help manage this. How scary to think this could happen again totally unexpected. Good thing you've got your pack set up to cover it if it does. Garden is looking wonderful, that is a gorgeous design. Lovely ornament finish too.
Sue

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Well I'm so thankful that you have your procedures down and everything will be at hand if you need it next time. You keep going, I'm so proud of you and your accomplishments!

Brigitte said...

Good to know that you can continue your life style, just with a few precautions.
Very nice progress picture.

Anonymous said...

Well done on finishing the cross stitches! And the ornament is great too. Glad that you got your exercise without any drawback, it sounds like you're being well looked after.

Jenny said...

Glad to hear that you are okay and that you are planning to keep trying to be active.

Love your blackwork piece - seems it is turning out beautifully. :)

Karoline said...

Glad to hear that you've got a diagnosis and treatment sorted. Blackstone is looking gorgeous and the ornie is lovely

Cindy F. said...

So glad dr's aren't finding anything worse! and also glad you're carrying a pack with all those essentials now:)
You have to run to get a black belt?? Goodness, I'm tired just thinking about it! I'm very proud of you and your stitchings are beau-ti-ful!!

Wanda said...

This is sounding very positive. Hopefully after all the prodding and monitoring, this is it. Being prepared isn't a bad thing...sort of like taking an umbrella with you just in case it rains...then it never does! Think positive. And I'm so glad that no one is saying that you can't continue your active life! Your stitching is beautiful. And quite impressed that you have it on your "june list"!

Sally said...

So glad you're able to continue running and exercising. You have a wonderful positive attitude.

Blackstone is coming along really well. I don't envy you all that backstitch!

CindyMae said...

I am so glad that you were able to go running and not break into hives or have another episode! That is fantastic. It sounds like the meds may just do the trick! I will continue to pray for you though!

Your stitching looks amazing!

Michele said...

what great news! glad to hear it's manageable and you haven't stop moving :)

love your finished ornament!

Kajsa said...

I'm happy to hear that you are doing better. It's nice that the Dr's didn't tell you to quit exercise.

The stitching is lovely, as always!

Karan said...

Glad to hear you're not going to let this stop you from carrying on as normal.... though it must be very scarey for you (((((((((hugs))))))))). Have everything crossed that all goes well with the test results.
Great progress on BFG & a lovely ornie finish. :0)