You have all been such a great support as I've struggled these past few months with this shoulder injury after falling off a ladder at work back in October. I wanted to share something with you...a product of one of my coping mechanisms that I use to cope with the pain.

A little backstory first so that you can maybe understand a little more about me and my motivation...why I sometimes see things that way that I do. Sorry if I start to babble a little at this point as it's a pretty emotional topic for me.

About 9 years ago (before I got RSD) I met a bunch of lovely people online through a cross stitching group and I got really, really close to several of them and consider them my closest friends. We stitch these very elaborate designs from a company called Heaven and Earth Designs. One of these people was named Chelsea.

Now...when I often say, "I really am lucky...there are people who have it so much worse than me," it is Chelsea specifically who I have in mind. Chelsea was a couple years younger than me but we were both in our 20s when we knew each other. Chelsea was one of those people who ALWAYS was smiling and happy...someone who could support you and make you feel better no matter what was going on. She was also waiting for a double lung and heart transplant. Her courage and attitude, enthusiasm for life, despite what she was going through and the knowledge that she may very well be dying...I mean...that just really amazed me...that she had so much strength.

About 6 years ago, she finally got her transplant. She lived life to the fullest, got married, moved back to her home town with her new husband, got a job, finished her master's degree...and then one night 18 months later while out to dinner with her husband she said she didn't feel well, they went to the ER, she was flown to the hospital where she had gotten her transplant, and passed away the next morning. It was very fast and hit everyone very hard.

After her transplant...Chelsea had commissioned a piece of artwork from an artist who works with the cross stitch company we met through. It was called Chelsea's Gift and was a mermaid being gifted two lungs and a heart from an octopus (Chelsea's LOVED to swim and did deep sea diving prior to her health problems and then after her transplant). After she passed away, we (my friends and I who had gotten close on the cross stitch forum) asked the owner of the cross stitch company to chart the artwork. We then each stitched a square of the artwork and made a quilt which we sent to Chelsea's mother. It was a very lovely group project...but I wanted to stitch the entire artwork for myself as well.

Cross stitch is very difficult for me since the RSD spread to my hands several years ago...but it helps me cope with the pain. I lose myself in it and it relaxes me. It took a long time to work out HOW to stitch given my new limitations (holding the frame a certain way, propping it up, time limits, etc) but I have managed to work it out. My physical therapist said it's really good for my hands too...getting that sort of exercise. Win win...so long as I do it the "right" way otherwise I end up with fingers and hands stuck in curled up positions and have to have the boyfriend uncurl them (a very painful process that no one enjoys).

At any rate...today I finally finished this piece that I stitched in memory of my dear friend and I wanted to share it with you all. Even though she has left this world...I find that Chelsea gives me strength to face each and every day despite the pain. If she could do it...I can do it...as she dealt with something so much harder than this. I'm not dying after all...so I choose to LIVE and not let this cursed condition get the better of me.

So here she is...all 75,400 stitches of her.

Catra,

What a beautiful story and a beautiful memorial. Your dear friend's strength and grace must have really been something! It sounds like you were blessed in many ways to have known her even with the loss. It is wonderful that she is kept alive and inspires your recovery and such amazing artwork. 75,000 stitches. Wow, that's a lot of Love!

Oh Catra,
What a beautiful story and an amazing piece of art work. What a beautiful and amazing person and friend it sounds like she was and as a memory still is. I so thoroughly believe we live on in those whose lives we touch. She still inspires you and touches your heart daily. Thank you for sharing your story of hope, inspiration and rising above obstacles that life throws our way! ~mac

Catra,

Both your backstory and artwork are beautiful pieces of art. Thank you for sharing that with us.

My goodness Catra,

That artwork is incredible! And Chelsea sounded like a very special person, I am so sorry for your loss.
You have done her proud with that work, I am a very very amateur cross stitcher also so I understand what it is like to get lost in it and temporarily forget about RSD/CRPS/pain/the real world!

I just can't stop looking at it, I'm in awe!

What a beautiful dedication to your friend.

Wishing you all the best,
Katie



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An incredibly beautiful story and a wonderful way to keep your sweet Chelsea a part of you and your healing.

Thank you for sharing that touching piece of your heart and soul!