This fall, I determined (in my broad testing poll, that is) that there must be no profession more thick with knitters than that of nurses. In each doctors office and hospital visit we had, nearly each time I pulled out the needles, someone stopped by to chat knitting. It always lightened the moment for me, and I can only guess that in that job - with what they see each day - knitting provides a bit of comfort to them too. It does that. Sweet knitting.
So it was only natural that when I was telling a friend of ours about Steve's daily infusions at the hospital, and his PICC Line, she instantly pointed me in the direction of this. She is, of course, a knitter and a nurse (Hi, Megan!).
And well, I got right to it. The knitting flurry was strong at the moment, and I was happy to make something that might provide just a bit of comfort - physical, emotional or otherwise. Or maybe just even a laugh. Laughing is good.
This simple little tube knit up in an evening (in Mission Falls washable wool), and Steve wore it for many weeks in place of the plasticky, itchy (my assessment, anyway), hospital-issued band.
I am so happy to report that this PICC cozy is no longer in use, as of yesterday. His blood levels were finally 'normal' enough to stop antibiotics and remove that tube. He's still moving a wee bit slowly, and a few things are up in the air, but my goodness, it's all moving in the right direction. We are so happy, and enormously grateful.
Never have I been so happy to see something I've knit be discarded. And with it, I realized that it had only been that PICC band and hats that I have ever knit for the man I love. How can that be so? After a full decade, I do think it's time to commit to something bigger and better for him, don't you? So, please wish me all the Elizabeth Zimmerman blessings you can, my friends. I think I'm going to need them, because this is an awful lot of yarn, and my goodness those directions are oh-so-vague (seamless hybrid)!
Of course, he's worth it. And not only will he help me with the math, but he won't complain when it's 2011 before he gets it. Oh, and he'll take all the photos I request in the process too. I love that man. We're so glad he's healthy.
