“Thank you” doesn’t even begin to cover my gratitude

My dearest friends, a month has passed since I last sat down to write a new entry for this blog. During that time – as many of you may know from the two posts my husband, Tony, kindly put up in my absence – I’ve been contenting with some serious health issues. One of which landed me, rather suddenly and unexpectedly, in the hospital during for a spell.

The outpouring of support, care and concern that we (Tony and I) received from has been nothing short of staggering. I’m at a loss for words when it comes to just how to express my profound thanks to each and every one of you who left comments on Tony’s posts and/or emailed us privately about my situation.

Each day when he came to visit me at the hospital, Tony would print off and bring all of your messages and comments, and when I returned home (but wasn’t yet well enough to use my computer), he would read them out to me from his laptop. I don’t think a single day passed that I wasn’t moved to the point of tears by the staggeringly beautiful care and friendship that shone through your words.

From the very bottom of my heart, thank you so much, everybody, for your support, companionship and concern during this rocky time. Your meaningful words lifted my spirits greatly and truly meant the world to me.

While this "elevated" medical situation is far from over still, I wanted to begin posting again – albeit on a considerably less frequent basis than usual (perhaps one or two posts a week, but we'll just see how things go as the coming weeks unfold). I miss you all – and blogging! – so much. Chronically Vintage is an integral part of my life, and going so long (especially when the hiatus was unplanned) without writing new posts has felt nothing short of alien.

Yesterday marked the summer solstice, the beginning of the warmest (if in you live in Northern Hemisphere, that is) season of the year, and one of my favourite annual events. I don’t know exactly what summer months have in store for me health-wise on a day-to-day basis, but as of the Monday before last (14th), I do at least know when I’ll be having (gallbladder removal) surgery: August 25th.


{I’m on strict doctor’s orders to take things super easy this summer, but on days when I can, I plan on blogging from my bed or the sofa. Now, if only I could look as gorgeous as this lovely vintage gal while doing so! :D Vintage image from Saltycotton’s Flickr stream.}


In the days leading up until the end of August, amidst and ongoing assortment of medical visits, and when my (pesky! ;D) health permits, I hope to be able to blog, to connect with you all, and to keep the spirit of Chronically Vintage going strong.

Sweetest dears, thank you again for your tremendously thoughtful comments and emails, knowing that you understand the situation and are there me has been an invaluable comfort.

With the utmost of appreciation and love, I wish you each a sublimely beautiful, highly memorable, and entirely enjoyable summer ahead!

An update on Jessica’s situation

Hi everyone,

Let me begin by expressing – on behalf of both Jessica and I – tons of thanks for all of your kind and understanding comments and emails. I’ve shared them all with Jess as they’ve come in and can tell you that they’ve truly meant a great deal to her.

I wanted to post to let you know where things are presently at. Initially when Jessica had gone into the hospital (for a severe gallstone attack – the second one that week) we’d been told by numerous doctors that they wanted to do an exploratory surgical procedure, and this opinion held for the first 2-3 days. However, instead of going that route it was decided to temporarily hold off, and to run a number of tests (ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, ongoing blood work, etc) over the coming days, while keeping Jess in the hospital (though her white blood cell count appeared normal, certain enzyme levels were elevated which made her doctors suspect she might be running an infection, so pretty much from the get-go they pumped her full of intravenously administered, heavy-duty antibiotics). They also just wanted to monitor her because of the severity of the attacks that’d she’d been having (I should mention, this issue relating to Jessica’s gallbladder popped up for the first time ever at the end of this past March).

Frighteningly, Jess experienced an immediate anaphylactic reaction to the dye (called “contrast dye”) that was used during the CT scan and suddenly became unable to breathe (her throat swelled shut within moments of the dye being administered). Fortunately however, they stopped giving her the dye and got her on oxygen quickly, so in the end she didn’t lose consciousness (or worse, though I shudder to think of such things). I’m happy to say that she made a complete recovery from this experience, but I think she very nearly dodged an unexpected bullet there.

All of the tests confirmed what prior ones (done before she was in the hospital) had already shown, and as Jess had had an appointment scheduled with a surgeon on June 14th (the appointment was made by her GP weeks ago) to discuss her gallbladder situation (we’ve been led to believe by the doctors at the hospital that this surgeon will make a decision as to when Jess will be having surgery, and what kind of surgery that will be), they sent her home from the hospital a few days after her enzyme levels dropped back down near normal levels, with instructions to rest and not overexert herself as much as possible.

Unfortunately, her time in the hospital paired with the around-the-clock antibiotics they gave her (while beneficial in certain regards) caused some of Jessica’s (pre-existing) chronic conditions to flare-up extremely badly, and she continues to battle with those flare-ups plus the ongoing gallbladder area pain that she’s experienced since her first attack back in March.

These things coupled with her orders to rest as much as possible, means that she’s not able to return to blogging on any sort of regular basis for the time being. I know that she misses Chronically Vintage and her blogging friends very much though, and that she’ll start posting again when her health permits.

In the meantime, please keep your fingers crossed that her appointment with the surgeon goes well on Monday and that it results in her getting closer to a solution this medical problem. (Either Jess or myself will continue to keep you updated in the near future.)


Thank you very much for your ongoing kindness and understanding,
Antonio Cangiano (acangiano@gmail.com)

How to be vintage chic even on days when you call in sick

The truth of the matter is that there rarely anything even remotely glamorous about being ill or injured, but the title for this post sprung into my mind and struck me as sounding like something one might have spotted on the cover of a 1940s or 50s ladies magazine (minus the word "vintage" and assuming the gal held a job outside of the home to call in sick to).

Before I go further though, I sincerely want to thank everyone for your incredibly caring comments regarding my husband’s injured foot and my own health. Darling hubby is doing a little better (the swelling is going down a bit, which tends to be a good sign), and was absolutely touched when I shared your sweet words with him. It means so much to me to have such wonderful online friends, thank you deeply everyone.

I know firsthand that at times when you’re under the weather comfort is key. You want to feel as though you’re swathed in pieces that, even if they can’t actually heal you quicker, won’t make you feel any worse. Soft, gentle fabrics, beautiful fresh cut blooms to bring life and colour to a bedside table, snugly blankets to nestle into on the sofa or a lounge chair in the backyard if the weather permits, and a stack of your favourite vintage films are all great ways to help take your mind off of the situation at hand.

With that thought in mind, I’ve handpicked a selection of lovely, often functional vintage (and handcrafted) items (please note all prices are in US dollars) that I think would each be a wonderful way to inject a dose of uplifting energy, while providing their own special sort of comfort, to any sickroom, be it temporary or long-term, home or hospital based.


♥ ♥ ♥



{Ethereally light as a fairy’s wing, this delicate, pale carnation pink bed jacket would be the perfect thing to slip over chilly shoulders during the warmer months when you don't want the full on weight of a robe. $59.00 from etsy seller Posies for Lulu.}



{For times when you want a little more coverage and warmth than a bed jacket affords, a plush, quilted vintage robe, such as this lovely aqua-mint hued number, is the perfect solution. $22.00 from etsy seller Vintage Eye Fashion.}



{Before electric heating pads and blankets became commonplace, hot water bottles were one of the few ways to help keep the chills at bay. These simple rubber devices are still readily available and are handy to have on hand; after all, you never know when you might encounter a power outage while you’re feeling unwell. This hand knit cover with its pretty star motif, ensures that your hot water bottle looks lovely and feels more comfortable against your skin. $32.00 from etsy seller Strikk. }



{There’s both something a little Hollywood starlet and immensely practical about having a charming little bell on hand to ring when you’re ill and need to beckon someone to your side. Vintage brass bell with handle, $5.00 from etsy seller Spicy Vintage.}



{Help pass the time while you’re feeling icky by reading some old school pulp fiction such as this pocketbook novel entitled Doctor on Approval. $4.00 from etsy seller Vintage Vice’s Paper Emporium.}



{Whether it’s a cold, allergies, hay fever, the flu or another type of ailment, many illnesses bring with them the need for tissues, lots and lots and lots of tissues! A beautiful, floral print vintage tissue box cover is just the thing to make the boring, obligatory box of Kleenex a little more pleasant, no matter how many times you reach for it. $2.95 from etsy seller Girlythings73.}



{Very handy for meals, reading, writing letters, doing your nails, or in this modern era of ours, using the laptop, a tray such as this two part, tilted one is extremely useful to own for anytime you need (or want) to relax in bed yet still stay productive. $48.00 from etsy seller Extra Virgin Home.}



{While there are certainly many lovely modern and vintage bed trays on the market, you may want to spruce up or further adorn your tray with some wonderfully lovely linens such as this set which includes two napkins and an actual bed tray cover. $35.00 from etsy seller Teremok.}



{Enjoy your meals (I’m thinking homemade chicken noodle soup, soda crackers, Jell-o and ginger ale) off of these pastel hued compartmentalized trays in bed, in front of the TV or any place you fancy! $10.00 (for four trays) from etsy seller Willow Street Vintage.}



{Distract yourself from how you’re feeling by playing a few rounds of a really neat looking board game from 1961 called Ben Casey M.D., which was based on a popular TV medical drama of the time. $14.00 from etsy seller Ragtime Design.}



{Who doesn’t need an extra hug or two when they’re in pain? I certainly do, and when darling hubby (who’s a marvelous hugger!) isn’t home, I know I can always rely on a precious teddy bear to give me a snuggle :) This adorable vintage patchwork bear would be an awesome cuddle partner for anyone and would also look lovely on display around your house. $7.50 from etsy seller Saltsman Soap.}



{If someone near and dear to you is feeling sick or is in the hospital, send them a beautiful vintage get well card. Unused cards such as this illustrated one depicting a young lass picking flowers, are still available, often at very reasonable prices, through sources like etsy and eBay, garage sales, second hand shops and estate sales. $4.50 from etsy seller Vintage Vice’s Paper Emporium.}


I hope that these items transmit a sense of comfort and care. Being sick or injured is absolutely no fun, and we all need a little extra TLC when coping with any sort of ailment.

What kinds of things do you want/love/need to around you when you’re feeling ill? Topping my list are good books, mashed potatoes (my mom is the same way, I must get this from her), TV shows and movies that make me laugh, my treasured childhood teddy bear, plenty of squishy pillows, and my online friends and their awesome blogs to keep my thoughts focused on all things vintage.


*PS*


While searching for vintage bed jackets I chanced upon a free pattern for a 1956 Coats and Clark brand crochet version that was too pretty not to share with you all. And for anyone who might be looking for a modern day iteration of this once common nighttime wardrobe staple, the online shop Serene Comfort has a number of cozy looking bed jackets at reasonable prices.

A bit out of commission this weekend

Hi my lovely readers, how are you each this weekend? I’m afraid that things are a little rocky here at the moment. My husband injured his left foot on Thursday evening and we spent most of Friday waiting to see at doctor at the ER. Thankfully it’s nothing immensely serious (a broken toe), but still the poor dear has certainly had better days.


{In a scene reminiscent of our trip to the hospital on Friday, a nurse examines a patient's foot in this Life magazine photo from 1959.}

One of my medical conditions is quite aggravated at the moment as well, so I’m afraid that there won’t be an edition of the Pretty Link Roundup this weekend. I’ll post an even larger number of links when I put together the next one to help make up for it. Likewise, I’m afraid I may be a little behind on posts in general and replying to wonderful comments (and visiting your stellar blogs) for a few days.

I’m not sure yet if there’s be a Monday Muses this week either, but regardless I will post an update on how we’ll both doing in a day or two. Thank you very much everyone for your comments on my posts this week, I really love knowing how much you sweet dears enjoyed the Five For Friday post.

I truly hope that you’re all doing well, I miss you each and hope to be back in the loop really soon!

Big hugs & joyful weekend wishes to everyone!