Our online store is closed. 04/24/10 - (No Comments)
Last fall, Earl was hit with a massive migraine that lasted a month. After a normal CT scan, the emergency room diagnosed him with “cluster headaches” and sent him home with pain medication and the name and phone number of a neurologist. (Nevermind that the number didn’t work…)
Two weeks later, the headache continued and Earl suddenly had half of his face become paralyzed. We quickly tracked down that correct phone number for the neurologist and got in to see him right away. The doctor ordered various MRI scans and said he would see Earl again on Monday (this was Thursday.) After the scans, the nurse said that we were to return to the office the following day (Friday) instead. This should have been a huge red flag, I suppose.
The next morning, we sat in shock as the neurologist explained that Earl had bilateral dissections of the internal carotid artery. In plain English, the main artery going into the brain on both sides had dissected - the lining had literally peeled away from the artery walls - and a blood clot could be thrown to his brain at any moment, killing him instantly. It was explained that dissections typically occur from trauma - a car accident, etc. To have it happen spontaneously - and on BOTH sides - was almost unheard of. The doctor referred to Earl as a “unicorn.” He was about to be come even more of a rare case.
We were sent back to the hospital for another scan, this time a CT of some type with contrast. This confirmed the carotid artery dissections, but also showed that he had bilateral dissections of both vertebral arteries! Four very important arteries, at the very base of his brain, could clot at any moment. Inoperable. He was a ticking time bomb, and his high blood pressure was not helping the matter.
We were almost home,when we received a call telling Earl to immediately return to the hospital because he was being admitted.
Saturday we were supposed to have a booth at the Pendleton Fall Festival. NOT HAPPENING.
Earl was in the hospital for a week, to stabilize him on blood thinners (to reduce the risk of clotting.) The day after he was discharged, we had to travel to Winston-Salem to Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital to meet with vascular specialists there. Fortunately, the Bells Palsy went away in a matter of weeks.
His activity is very limited now - the doctors have said no lifting of anything over 5 pounds and no stressful activities at all (due to his blood pressure, which is not controlled by medications.) He’s been told he can no longer work and that they essentially want him sitting with his feet up, trying to remain calm.
They still have not discovered the cause of his dissections. From the research we’ve done, there could be a genetic component, but no one really knows. He’s still a regular at Wake Forest and will be for the foreseeable future…
Read More »»We have a winner! 02/03/10 - (No Comments)
Congratulations to “theotherSarah”! Please e-mail me your mailing address and we’ll get your candle in the mail!
Read More »»Happy Fall Ya’ll! 11/16/09 - 2 Comments
Hope you’re enjoying the chill in the air and the beautiful colors (which are nearly gone here in North Carolina already!) The change in season has inspired some yummy autumn fragrances in both candles and soaps. Pumpkin Spice Cake, Sweet Cranberry, Orange Buttercream Latte, Banana Bread, and Mulled Cider are here just for the season.
I’m happy to annouce that the shopping cart on the site is finally LIVE! Sorry for the delay in getting it set up… Between homeschooling Alyssa and sudden health issues with Earl, it has been a busy few months and although I’ve been making product, the website fell to the bottom of the list. The cart is operated through PayPal, but you do not have to have a PayPal account to place an order.
One new addition to the site is the ability to purchase gift certificates! Perfect for the holidays (although anytime is a good time for soap!), this may be just the ticket for last minute gifts.
Sign up for the Southern Sundries blog and post a reply to this message to be entered to win a scented candle (fragrance of your choosing!)
Thanks for reading 
Christy
P.S.
A variety of our products are now available at The Quilt Shop in Anderson, South Carolina. If you live in the area, please drop in and let me know what you think!
