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Skirting the Issue Week 2: A Pillowcase Tutorial and A Story That I’ve Never Told

Almost 2 years ago I gave birth to my 3rd baby, baby Ruth.  Because of complications with my previous deliveries we had a pretty solid birth plan in place.  However, things didn’t go as planned…something went terribly wrong.
 
The details are long and frustrating.  But the core of the story is this.  I ended up dying for a few minutes.  And while I find that terrifying my husband likes to argue that it was far scarier for him than it was for me…but that is an argument for another time.
 
Because of the accident that occurred I became unable to lift, feed, or hold my new baby.  I spent more time in the hospital than planned and was sent home on bed rest….still unable to lift or carry baby Ruth.  And unfortunately the story doesn’t end there.
 
Because of my momentary death I ended up with some complications that included heart rates dropping down to less than 20 beats per minute that sent me back to the hospital more than once and the incident itself which sent me to other hospitals for other tests, X-rays, MRI’s, and ultimately a physical therapy program that I started last spring and finished up about this time last year.
 
It was a long healing process for something that was neither planned nor any of my doing.
I wish I could say I was rock solid through the whole experience, but I wasn’t.  I cried.  I cried a lot actually.  I cried about missing out on that newborn bonding with Ruth.  I cried about not being able to move with out hurting.  I cried about the mounting medical bills.  And, I cried about my milk coming in while I was doing laps around the ER, dragging my IV thing around on wheels, with my bum hanging out the back of my gown.  (I have a story about that to…but again, it’s for another time.)
 
I remember one night in particular when we were in the ER.  I was laying on the bed hooked up to IVs and waiting to be wheeled down to the giant donut machine for more tests.  I felt so small and uncertain and anxious.  Everything was so white, sterile, cold, and unfamiliar that even though the nurses did their best to make me comfortable I wasn’t.  All I wanted to do was go back home with my family and be normal.
 
A few minutes later my parents and brother showed up at the door of my room…warm, rumpled, familiar, and wonderfully unsterile!  It calmed not only my nerves but my husbands as well.
I’ve thought a lot about that night recently….and the contrast between the sterility of the hospital (which I understand and quite frankly appreciate) and the calming effect of my family.
 
These past two years I have spent more time in hospitals and doctors offices than I have in my entire life combined.  It can be frustrating, scary, and unnerving.  (And what I have done is NOTHING and I mean NOTHING compared to what others face everyday.)  And as I’ve been preparing for Skirting the Issue I’ve been thinking about that one night in the ER that I just shared.
 
To have something “real” in a hospital setting can make a huge difference.  (Like the MRI technician who gave me ca-razy socks to wear with my waaaay too large scrubs.)  
My family, the socks, things that seem familiar, like home…they’re important…they help…and it’s what helped in the decision to including making pillowcases for Skirting the Issue this year. 
 
I know that many hospitals (especially children’s hospitals) accept and give out homemade pillowcases to their patients.  How great to have something “real” in your room!  Especially if you are in there for an extended stay.  Something colorful…with patterns…that’s real….and has been made by someone who is sending you their love. 
 
Your very own wacky pillowcase in the middle of all the uniformity.  It may not sound like much but it is.  It’s the small things…I’m telling you, it really is the small things that make all the difference.
 
Below I’m going to put a link to an easy 5 minute pillowcase if you’d like to make one, or two, or seven hundred to donate.  (I’m planning on making a few myself.  Maybe not seven hundred but a few…)
 
Here it is:
 
And…before I sign off I should mention that even though I had more complications than I care to remember with Ruth’s delivery…she was delivered safely.  And if I have to choose who has the complications me or my babies you better believe I’d choose myself every time.
 
I also need to say that I understand that I have nothing to complain about…plans change, things go wrong, accidents happen…but in the end Ruth and I are still here.  We’re still here and we are ok.  Because of that I am full of gratitude and indeed have nothing to complain about.
 
Have a great Tuesday everyone!
-liZ

(For all the information about Skirting the Issue 2013 you can go here:  Skirting the Issue 2013 Fact Sheet)

 


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Comments

  2. The Copes says

    As my daughter would say, “You made my eyes all drippy and my heart feel swelly.” Thanks for that. Prayers that and further healing you need resolves quickly and that everyone who reads this remembers to snuggle their Littles a bit tighter. And I’ll add a few pillowcases to my projects list ~

  3. Susan R says

    Oh my gosh. What a story and so timely for me. I was just thinking of making pillow cases yesterday as I sat in my quilt room tidying up from my last project. Your story is amazing and you can be sure that I will be making pillowcases the next time I step into my quilt room (which will be today!!) Bless you and your family; thanks so much for sharing your story.

  4. EHC says

    I was very moved by your story. I appreciate stories about how instead of spending so much time and effort at being angry at one’s situation or at our very loving Heavenly Father, someone chooses to focus their energy on making life better for others. I will be making some pillowcases this week! I just moved to the Utah Valley area this month and will look around or on your donation list to see what organizations I can share them with. Thanks for the motivation!

  5. Kristie says

    Love this idea. I have started making a get well pillowcase for our family members who have had surgery or are sick. This is perfect for some scraps I have. Thanks for sharing such a great idea.

  6. Amanda at Double Stitching says

    Well gosh, you got me all teared up! It’s awesome that you were able to think positively even in the midst of such a struggle. My prayers are with you! And I love the pillowcase idea 🙂 Our girls were in the NICU for a couple of weeks (nothing major, just 6 weeks early and needed some help breathing and eating at first) and so many lovely things were brought to their room. Handmade hats, little bracelets, blankets…it really helped bring some cheer to a somber place!

  13. Sharon Dawn says

    I am glad it all turned out well! I have pillowcases on my list to make this year! Something soft that they can keep… Thanks for sharing your story!

  14. Linda Hill says

    Thanks for sharing your story.
    I do have a question.In the tutorial for the 5 minute pillowcase you mention that you don’t have a serger and state “(And if you are like me and don’t have a serger I’ll be posting very soon another way to make an easy pillowcase using your sewing machine and that hides your raw edges.)”
    I can not find the posting for the other way that hides the raw edges. Can you share the date of that particular post? Thanks so much. Linda

  15. Elisabeth Rose says

    That is so scary and even though all is well and you are grateful, don’t diminish the terrible experience you went through. I am so glad that you are both fine now!! It is so nice of you to share your personal story and why donating the pillowcases is special to you!

  16. Emily says

    Oh how very scary for everyone. 🙁 So glad you’re both okay. I’m excited to sew some pillowcases. 🙂

  18. Chris & Krysta McRae says

    I am the mom of a medically fragile 3year old. Due to a major heart condition and pregnancy complications , he was delivered 3 months early. We (yes we) have spent about 1 year of the past 3 years in the hospital, the first 5.5 months in the NICU.
    I agree that having something familiar and “unsterile” makes a huge difference. We have actually received 2 “happy” pillowcases. One of the first things we do when we get to a room is to take one of them out of our emergency bags. Our pillow cases came from a group that donates to only our state hospital. You can call and ask whomever is over your state university hospital “child life” program if there is a collection being taken. They would be the ones who know. :).
    More on hospital life at froginstitches.blogspot.com. 🙂

  19. Chris & Krysta McRae says

    I am the mom of a medically fragile 3year old. Due to a major heart condition and pregnancy complications , he was delivered 3 months early. We (yes we) have spent about 1 year of the past 3 years in the hospital, the first 5.5 months in the NICU.
    I agree that having something familiar and “unsterile” makes a huge difference. We have actually received 2 “happy” pillowcases. One of the first things we do when we get to a room is to take one of them out of our emergency bags. Our pillow cases came from a group that donates to only our state hospital. You can call and ask whomever is over your state university hospital “child life” program if there is a collection being taken. They would be the ones who know. :).
    More on hospital life at froginstitches.blogspot.com. 🙂

  20. Chris & Krysta McRae says

    Oh I ALWAYS suggest “happy” receiving blankets for NICU baby gifts. Even if baby can’t be held or touched, the nurses use it as a blanket in their bed under them. Puppies, dinosaurs and hearts look wayyyyyy better than the standard pink and blue stripped ones, and also help parents connect with the child that doesn’t feel like is theirs. 🙂

  21. Chris & Krysta McRae says

    Oh I ALWAYS suggest “happy” receiving blankets for NICU baby gifts. Even if baby can’t be held or touched, the nurses use it as a blanket in their bed under them. Puppies, dinosaurs and hearts look wayyyyyy better than the standard pink and blue stripped ones, and also help parents connect with the child that doesn’t feel like is theirs. 🙂

  22. Wendy P says

    Thank you for sharing that very personal story with us. I work in the ER of a somewhat busy hospital, and I always wonder if the patients notice the little things we try to do to help them feel more comfortable. 🙂 Have a lovely and blessed day.

  23. Simple Simon and Company says

    Wendy, I do think the patients notice even if they don’t say anything. The nurses seriously saved my life…one nurse would bring Ruth into my room and sit next to my bed and feed her so I could be with her every she ate. Another ER nurse told me story after story about random call outs he had as a paramedic as they tried in vain to find a vein that could take another IV. I’ve appreciated all of them. A kind nurse is a life saver!
    -liZ

  29. feelincrafty says

    Ahhh! Scary story for sure! You had/have every right to cry about it! I cried, and I only had a very boring C-section! But you are so lucky, too! Your story gave me goosebumps. I recently found out how simple a pillowcase is to make too! Mine takes a little more than 5 minutes, but I could see it only taking 5 minutes if I took out some of the steps… Anyway, I love making them and never even thought about this being a project to do with them! Thanks for sharing!

  30. cbaker says

    Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. I teared up as I read your post. Very scary. I am glad that you and Ruth are well even if it took many visits to the doctors and hospitals to ensure that. After reading the Skirting the Issue blog yesterday I decided that I need to start doing some more charity type sewing. I participated in an event to send outfits to the victims of the tornados in Oklahoma and it was so rewarding. Pillow cases and possibly a skirt or two are on my list of things to accomplish in the next few weeks. Now if I could just convince my full time job that I should be at home sewing instead of here working I’d have it made. Thanks for all the sewing inspiration! Carolyn

  33. Rose says

    As a postpartum ward volunteer, I got to pass out handmade hats and such for the babies (I made some of them). Especially for mothers whose families had already gone home, it meant a lot. It was really great to see how something handmade by someone they didn’t know could be so encouraging.

    Thank you for sharing your story. I am glad that both you and Ruth are safe now. I’ll be praying for continued health and no more complications.