{"id":56479,"date":"2016-07-08T09:58:18","date_gmt":"2016-07-08T13:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/?p=56479"},"modified":"2016-07-08T17:50:26","modified_gmt":"2016-07-08T21:50:26","slug":"weekend-links-32","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2016\/07\/weekend-links-32.html","title":{"rendered":"weekend links"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello friends!<\/p>\n

I’m on another adventure. But this time it’s a very different sort of adventure.<\/p>\n

I’ve just unpacked my bags from yet another flight. I’m in New York for the first time in almost a year, since our move to Madrid. But this trip is extra special because next Wednesday I’m giving a kidney to a friend.<\/p>\n

Actually, my kidney is going to a complete stranger, and my friend will get a kidney from another stranger. It’s all part of a rather miraculous chain of kidney donors and recipients made possible by the National Kidney Registry<\/a>. I’m quite thrilled to be a part of it, since it means that many people who desperately need a kidney can get one when otherwise it would have been much more difficult or even impossible. You can read more about the process in this fascinating New York Times article<\/a>. Every time I think about the number of people who are helped by this kidney exchange I get all teary. I’m teary right now, actually. I think it’s just amazing that one donation can help so many people.<\/p>\n

My friend and I have been waiting for over 1 1\/2 years for this chain to develop. We’ve had a lot of near matches, but this one looks like it will finally happen. I’m more than a little nervous, and I can’t say I’m excited about the surgery or the recovery period, but I’m glad that the wait is over. And of course I’m hopeful that the results will be good for all the recipients. The surgery for a donor is relatively easy compared to that of the recipient, and my recovery will be much faster than my friend’s.<\/p>\n

\"slippers-and-caftan\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Just a few facts for you, in case you’re interested. My surgery will involve only a small incision in or near my belly button, which is pretty nifty. I won’t be working for a couple weeks afterwards (which is going to push back delivery of our fall Liesl+ Co. patterns, but I hope you’ll be understanding…), and I won’t be able to lift anything or do any sort of exercise involving my core for at least a month. I’ll probably be pretty tired for two months. But I’m supposed to do as much walking as possible, so New York is a good place to be while I’m recovering. I’ll be in the hospital for two nights following the surgery, and then I’ll return to the apartment of some dear friends for a couple of weeks to recuperate. Laster this month I go to pick up S from her visit to her grandparents–and to see my Grandma!–and we’ll return home. (By home, I mean back to Madrid for another year.) Todd is flying to New York today to be with me during and after the surgery. He was planning to keep me fed during my recovery period, but I’ve been told I probably won’t have much of an appetite for a while following the surgery.<\/p>\n

Since my recovery is going to take time, it’s going to be a little more quiet than usual around here for the next month or two while I rest and get my strength back. My Friday Weekend Links post is going to go on a summer hiatus, but Rachel will be here a couple of times a week with new posts for you. And after August I’ll be back with new Quick Sewing Tips videos, two new Lisette patterns, and my new book which is being printed now! I can hardly wait to introduce you to it.<\/p>\n

Pinterest Pick<\/strong><\/p>\n

I didn’t pack much for this trip, but I did make sure to pack my Lisette for Butterick B6296 pajamas<\/a> as well the caftan from my Creativebug class<\/a> (see above) because I think it will also make a great hospital gown. When I’m feeling better I want to make a longer one like this.<\/p>\n

\"Caftan\"<\/a>
pinterest link<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Weekend Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n