Of Quilting, Percocet and other things...

I made my annual pilgrimage to Pennington Quilt Works in Pennington, NJ on Saturday.  Every year for your birthday, they send you a postcard good for 20% off of a purchase. The coupon is good for the month of your birthday.  In the past, I've usually purchased fabric with no idea what I'd use it for, but this year I had a plan. It's been a challenging year.  Back in November, I was diagnosed with Shingles.  I read up on it and knew that once the rash cleared, there would be some pain and discomfort, but I figured by Christmas, it would be gone.  Wrong!  If you are of an age where it's recommended that you receive the Shingles Vaccine, do it! You don't want this, trust me!  Postherpetic neuralgia is the name given to the pain that ensues long after the shingles are gone.  Now, I've suffered from migraines for 30 years, given birth to 3 children and have never felt anything like this!

I've been on a combination of Neurontin, Percocet and lidocaine patches since last December in an attempt to control the pain.  Although it varies in intensity throughout the days, it's a constant presence and is totally exhausting.  As a result, I've been too tired by the time I leave work to do much of anything, especially quilting or knitting. And I've missed it.  So this quilt will be my way of working through all of this.  Up in Pennnington, I picked up the pattern Sherbet Stars by Bonnie of Cotton Way. The jelly roll and coordinating fabrics are Blackbird Designs "Meadow" for Moda. My goal is to have the quilt completely finished by the time my next birthday coupon comes in the mail in a year...and hopefully the pain will be gone long before the last stitch is taken.