We have something to celebrate!
This group of eleven women, two are missing from this photo, and one is taking the photo, came together several months ago for Sunday morning classes at three bags full. A few weeks after meeting, it was clear that a strong bond of friendship was growing between the stitches! Then came the news that one of our friends had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was facing weeks of chemotherapy, even before any exploratory surgery could happen. She was shaken for a short time, and then made some decisions; that she would take control of the hair loss, so arrived the next week in a beautiful wig, and the will to get through this with dignity and awareness. She decided to stick with the group, knowing that the strength she had found through knitting complex lace with friends, was critical to moving through the ups and downs of what lay ahead. We see now, it was meant to be that she would find herself in this class, at this time, because sitting at the table each week with her, were three, specialized nurses who gently explained the process, and the medical realities. We all knew the odds of this type of cancer, but In this unified group the joy and tears and honest open sharing, upstaged the fear. The sweet old dog carrying around a bag of celery, helped with the laugh factor, too! This very brave and caring woman walked into class each week, sometimes weary, but more often elated by the happiness she found with her knitting friends. Well. . . . .what are we celebrating? a lot! a successful surgery; a tumour with a minimal percentage of cancer cells; our friend being taken off the five year checkup schedule at the Cancer Clinic; and her very last chemo treatment! Our friend is well and cancer free! and what is she knitting now? socks with meandering cables, in and out, over and under, sprinkled here and there with sparkle and light. They require patience, had a few setbacks, a little of the unknown, but are leading to a good place and will soon be finished and ready for something new. We are so proud of, and inspired by, our knitting friend!