The Culprit

We finally discovered the reason behind my aching joints and total lack of energy/strength: asceptic meningitis, plus an allergic reaction. Not as horrible as it sounds--not life threatening...just life-style threatening. John and I were both diagnosed with the meningitis, and he went merrily on his way to recovery while I kept getting worse. Turns out all that sewing I did wasn't very good for me as our practitioner traced a chemical allergy to all the dyes in my fabrics, and all the residue of softeners, sizings, and such. So, into the washer went everything I owned. John was so good to me in keeping my laundry going since I didn't have the strength to go up and down the stairs so much. And fabrics all have to be pre-washed again. And I have to wear cotton or latex gloves if I'm working on something in process that has not been washed. Phew!
End result: I'm improving, finally. Still weak, but my joints don't ache and I'm regaining a bit of grace in my movements. Resting this week, being careful next week, then I'm ok to do what I want. That's just in time for a fun trip to North Carolina for John and me! We're going to visit his parents and take them on an excursion to the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville. Then I get to stay a few days longer, with my freshly washed fabrics, and Rachel and I will have a quilt-fest!