Libby Lehman update

[Lois B.]

I feel so, so sad about this. I love that Libby is such a good quilt instructor, but even more than that I love her sense of humor. I can't believe how much she made me laugh at the Super Seminar I attended last summer. I learned so much at that seminar and I expected I would. What I didn't expect was how much I laughed and a lot of the laughter was the result of Libby's antics. It just seems to me her spirit is way too big and way too strong to go quickly or easily. Hang in there Libby! Like Frank, I don't believe your work here is finished yet.

[Rita C.]

I was so saddened to read about Libby. Not only a generous quilter/teacher but a wonderful artist. My thoughts go out to her family and friends at this difficult time.

[Norma H.]

Being away from TQS and the forum for a couple of days because a dear friend just went down the depression spiral. She need people to be around her 24/7 for a period. Even when this is terrible to experience I had Libby in my thoughts. It is so hard to accept when things like this happen. Thank you for starting this thread Lynn; I'm not on FB so I really appreciate these updates. I send my love to all who need it.

[Norma H.]

i pray, and wish, and thank that libby will be back to her self soon as possible.

[Pam D.]

Libby Lehman Update for Tuesday, from Ricky's Facebook

Libby is about the same, not much change and still in critical condition. She is in sedated sleep and has not been allowed to wake up. This allows her body to heal, but more importantly it should help with the vascular spasms that continue to occur in her brain at the location of the stroke. It still may be a while before the attempt to slowly wake her.

The best news is that this morning there was significant response from her left leg and arm. The doctor was elated.

There are other minor issues but the family has been assured there is no worry for those and that the main focus is still on letting her heal so she can eventually wake up. She is breathing on her own for the most part (still on a breathing machine at low setting) and her vital signs are all good.

I know many quilters want to DO SOMETHING. The family has asked for cards or quilted cards. It is important that any organized efforts to make quilts or blocks be less urgent. I am aware of several efforts in place to make Libby a quilt.

Please consider the ramifications of this effort. Libby does not generally use quilts - so they will most likely be stored. Libby makes art quilts, not functional quilts. She doesn't have display space for wall quilts. She will not want to give them away to charity because they will be very meaningful, but storing these items will be challenging.

I know Libby well enough to know that being inundated with quilts, regardless of how thoughtful it is meant to be, will be challenging for her. She will find a graceful way to deal with it, but just having to deal with it is not necessarily the best thing for her during a recovery period of what could be one to two years.

I maintain that doing something significant down the road is the better option. I'm not trying to be squelch a desire to help - I'm thinking from a different perspective. Sometimes pulling back on the reigns is the most helpful thing to do.

Send your cards and quilted cards to:

Libby Lehman
617 Caroline
Houston, TX 77002.

[ANNE E.]

With regards to making blocks, at a later stage, instead of making them for Libby why not make them to be made into a quilt or quilts to be sold in aid of stroke victims.
There has been such an outpouring of concern for Libby that there will probably be hundreds of blocks and that would be totally over whelming for her, if we could send blocks to be made up would that be a good idea ???
Of course someone would have to take on the responsibility to organize this.
It's just a thought.
Continuing to pray for Libby and her family.
Anne

[Constance G.]

Ricky, I really appreciate your detailed and thoughtful status reports on Libby. It's good to be reminded that in some situations, less truly is more. Continuing to pray every day for Libby's recovery.

[Betty J.]

With regards to making blocks, at a later stage, instead of making them for Libby why not make them to be made into a quilt or quilts to be sold in aid of stroke victims.
There has been such an outpouring of concern for Libby that there will probably be hundreds of blocks and that would be totally over whelming for her, if we could send blocks to be made up would that be a good idea ???
Of course someone would have to take on the responsibility to organize this.
It's just a thought.
Continuing to pray for Libby and her family.
Anne

I think this would be a massive project for anyone. So I suggest that those who feel they need to quilt to respond to this make a quilt to give to their loved ones or to charity using her inspirations and techniques she has so graciously taught, or something that has circles and take a photo of it and post it in the gallery.

[Nancy H.]

Excellent suggestion Betty Jo. I will be making a small wall hanging based on Libby's Sheer Ribbons Illusion and give it to a very dear friend of mine that is recovering from the very same thing. Her progress is slow but it is progress. Love, hugs and prayers for the Lehman family and to our TQS family.

[Susan B.]

I suggest that those who feel they need to quilt to respond to this make a quilt to give to their loved ones or to charity using her inspirations and techniques she has so graciously taught, or something that has circles and take a photo of it and post it in the gallery.

Great idea, BJ, spreading her legacy.

[Pam D.]

Ricky Tims

Libby Lehman Upate for Wednesday May 8

I just spoke with Lester (husband). Libby remains in critical but stable condition. The vascular spasms are now beginning to taper off. These will taper off on a bell curve, so they will begin slowing quicker and quicker. We pray that this continues. The doctors say if she can make it to the weekend without another stroke, the chances of a future stroke are very small. So, that's the primary concern at the moment.

They are slowly stopping the sedatives and are expecting her to slowly begin to awake. It may take a day or two - or even three for her to wake up.

Because she has been on the breathing tube for such a long time, they will remove it today and do a tracheotomy. It's a common next step for patients who have been on the ventilator for this long.

A new CTscan was performed and the doctor believes there is less damage than originally thought. However, nothing can be determined until she is fully awake. She will eventually be undergoing weeks of therapy.

All in all the report is much the same - slow recovery, but moving forward, not backward.

Do not send flowers.

Send cards or quilted cards to:
Libby Lehman
617 Caroline
Houston, TX 77002.

[Pamela O.]

With regards to making blocks, at a later stage, instead of making them for Libby why not make them to be made into a quilt or quilts to be sold in aid of stroke victims.
There has been such an outpouring of concern for Libby that there will probably be hundreds of blocks and that would be totally over whelming for her, if we could send blocks to be made up would that be a good idea ???
Of course someone would have to take on the responsibility to organize this.
It's just a thought.
Continuing to pray for Libby and her family.
Anne

I think this would be a massive project for anyone. So I suggest that those who feel they need to quilt to respond to this make a quilt to give to their loved ones or to charity using her inspirations and techniques she has so graciously taught, or something that has circles and take a photo of it and post it in the gallery.

Betty Jo,
Outstanding suggestion!
Libby's family has more than they can handle at present. We need to support them, not cause additional stress.
Hugs and prayers are greatly needed and I'm sure appreciated.
I know that with the Newtown tragedy people sent stuffed animals that amassed in a warehouse. Some wound up at animal shelters.
I am so glad TQS did Name That Stitch. Here's to positive thoughts for our Libby's health.

[Lynn K.]

Only to add this:

There is so much wisdom shared after Ricky's statement about the facts and Libby's preferences. That's why I love this group and this forum.

Wisdom doesn't just apply to "smart quilting" - it shows in all aspects of our lives.

And more prayers for Libby!

Lynn

[ANNE E.]

B J that's a much better idea.
Anne

[Margo C.]

Only to add this:

There is so much wisdom shared after Ricky's statement about the facts and Libby's preferences. That's why I love this group and this forum.

Wisdom doesn't just apply to "smart quilting" - it shows in all aspects of our lives.

And more prayers for Libby!

Lynn

That's why we all live The Quilt Life!!