topic Re: Disappointed and sad in Wellness

Disappointed and sad

GoneButNotForgotten — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 04:29:52 GMT

Saw my opthamologist the other day. Right now my eyes are so bad I can't see to stitch and I asked him if there's anything he can do to make them better. In short...no.

I have a ton of cross stitch supplies: patterns, floss and containers for it, scissors, marking pens, fabric. I might as well give it away because it's been laying around for a few years and I can't use any of it.

I'm going to contact some women's shelters (if I can find one) and offer to donate all this stuff and I think there might be some convents around here too. If anyone has any ideas about who else might like this stuff, let me know.

One thing I feel really sad about is that I have a design made especially for me--I think it's called The French Alphabet Sampler. It cost about $100-$200 and has the names of family and friends and even my cats (who have since died, as well as a deceased brother-in-law). It's only about 25% done and now I can never finish it.

I think I might go for a second opinion about my eyes but I'm not opimistic.

Re: Disappointed and sad

Etoile308 — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 04:42:39 GMT

Lit Magnifiers. They even makes one that can attach to the scrolls.

Re: Disappointed and sad

spumoni99 — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 04:49:15 GMT

I would definetely get a second opinion. I also agree that some kind of magnifier may possibly help?

Re: Disappointed and sad

AuntMame — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 05:38:26 GMT

I'm so sorry, @GoneButNotForgotten . Is it because your close-up vision has deteriorated as you've grown older that embroidery is no longer fun?

I stopped doing cross-stitch in my early forties because I could no longer see well enough to do those tiny stitches even with reading glasses. I tried using a magnifying lamp, the sort that will clamp onto a craft table or stitching frame, but I could never get used to it. I do know stitchers however that have found them invaluable and they were able to keep stitching as they grew older.

I unfortunately have no suggestions for organizations to donate cross-stitch supplies to. Maybe advertise them as free on the neighborhood social-media platform Nextdoor?

I also have a sampler that's been sitting around for years only about 25 percent finished.

Re: Disappointed and sad

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 08:38:43 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten wrote:

Saw my opthamologist the other day. Right now my eyes are so bad I can't see to stitch and I asked him if there's anything he can do to make them better. In short...no.

I have a ton of cross stitch supplies: patterns, floss and containers for it, scissors, marking pens, fabric. I might as well give it away because it's been laying around for a few years and I can't use any of it.

I'm going to contact some women's shelters (if I can find one) and offer to donate all this stuff and I think there might be some convents around here too. If anyone has any ideas about who else might like this stuff, let me know.

One thing I feel really sad about is that I have a design made especially for me--I think it's called The French Alphabet Sampler. It cost about $100-$200 and has the names of family and friends and even my cats (who have since died, as well as a deceased brother-in-law). It's only about 25% done and now I can never finish it.

I think I might go for a second opinion about my eyes but I'm not opimistic.

@GoneButNotForgotten

What? I don't know what exactly is causing your problems, but these are your EYES we're talking about ... and your quality of life.

Don't give up so easily.

If it were me, I'd get a second and third opinion .... and maybe a fourth opinion.

Re: Disappointed and sad

qualitygal — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 10:20:49 GMT

If you have a Sr. Center, and they have any ladies there who do sewing of any kind, they may welcome that. Sorry to hear about your eyesight, but don't lose hope, you may hear or meet someone who can offer another way for you. Best of luck on that.

Re: Disappointed and sad

sligo — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 10:44:42 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten , I brought cross stitch I could no longer do to a local needlework shop. There are people willing to complete your project. There is a fee but worth the cost to have piece completed. Check there may be someone locally that would finish your piece for you;

Re: Disappointed and sad

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 12:51:31 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten Sorry about your eye health.

Have you considered a floor model magnified lamp?

It's worth looking into even if you use it only to start and complete the family sampler that you have.

Re: Disappointed and sad

Kachina624 — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 16:43:06 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten. Contact your state agency or commission for the blind. All states have them. They have information on all sorts of aids for performing tasks, and new ones are always coming on the market. Both of my parents became legally blind due to macular degeneration, and used several devices from their store.

Re: Disappointed and sad

Love my grandkids — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 16:43:58 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten I'm so sorry that you got this diagnosis. As a fellow stitcher I sympathize.

You might check your city's FB page and ask for suggestions as to where to donate your supplies. I would bet you would get a lot of good ideas from that.

Re: Disappointed and sad

Still Raining — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 18:06:51 GMT

Sorry about your bad news. It is so hard to say goodbye to a part of our life. Aging sure has its moments doesn't it?

Please get a second opinion. If nothing else it will reassure you.

Re: Disappointed and sad

SaveTheTurtles — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 01:43:45 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten I don't know if you stated your eye issue so I'm assuming its macular degeneration. I know that there is wet and dry types. One of them does have a treatment with a specialist. I can't remember which type it is. My dad has the kind that is not treatable so is legally blind and I've purchased him vision products from lssproducts.com.

Re: Disappointed and sad

KG60 — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 04:23:23 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten @Not sure if this will help, but if you look on Amazon and other online stores, they have big magnifiers on a stand, that you can pull right up to your chair. Then your could hold your work in front of the magnifier and maybe see to finish your projects. Usually can find one with a nice bright light built in. Don't give up! There is an answer out there somewhere, and I will keep you in my prayers.

Re: Disappointed and sad

jubilant — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:06:30 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten I would definitely get a 2nd opinion. I am having trouble with my eyes since a stroke I had. I haven't been able to pursue it a whole lot since I'm having trouble now with "styes" of all things! After months of treatment they are starting to heal so I have another eye appointment with the 2nd opinion guy in May. This guy was older and seems much more professional than the first young woman I had. Good luck!

Re: Disappointed and sad

Twoaces — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:28:18 GMT

Check to see if there is a Low Vision clinic near you. Many devices are out there that may help you. Braille Institute of America and some universities have them. There are also some optometrists and ophthalmologists who specialize in helping people with low vision. There might well be good help for you out there. Best of luck.🤞

Re: Disappointed and sad

CelticCrafter — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 21:51:59 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten do you have a local needlework store or quilt shop (not a Michaels or Hobby Lobby or Joann's) that you could ask if they knew of someplace you could donate it?

Re: Disappointed and sad

CelticCrafter — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 21:56:06 GMT

@SaveTheTurtles wrote:
@GoneButNotForgotten I don't know if you stated your eye issue so I'm assuming its macular degeneration. I know that there is wet and dry types. One of them does have a treatment with a specialist. I can't remember which type it is. My dad has the kind that is not treatable so is legally blind and I've purchased him vision products from lssproducts.com.

@SaveTheTurtles wet is treatable. The treatment will slow it down or stop it but will not cure it or reverse the damage already done.

Dry is not treatable.

Re: Disappointed and sad

SaveTheTurtles — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:12:05 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
@SaveTheTurtles wrote:
@GoneButNotForgotten I don't know if you stated your eye issue so I'm assuming its macular degeneration. I know that there is wet and dry types. One of them does have a treatment with a specialist. I can't remember which type it is. My dad has the kind that is not treatable so is legally blind and I've purchased him vision products from lssproducts.com.
@SaveTheTurtles wet is treatable. The treatment will slow it down or stop it but will not cure it or reverse the damage already done.
Dry is not treatable.

Thank you for that clarification!

Re: Disappointed and sad

bricklee — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 22:52:39 GMT

So sorry @GoneButNotForgotten . 💞
I too hope you consider getting a second opinion.