More Than Ever… Ritzs Needs Our Love and Support Right Now
“She went into the hospital on 13th June for an operation on her neck which should have been over in 4 days, but…” ~Penny-V
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This is not a post about polymer clay. It is about a friend who very much needs us right now. Those who have been around the community for a while… know her as Ritzs.
After reading today’s sad news, please take a few moments to show you care… by sharing in the comments section at the end of this post. Your thoughts, stories, inspiration, blessings and prayers, will be printed out and given to our dearest Ritzs, and her supportive husband John.
Here is what happened…
Cindy – you put on your blog that you were concerned about Ritz. I emailed her and got a brief reply from her husband today. It seems she went into the hospital on 13th June for an operation on her neck which should have been over in 4 days, but it went wrong and paralyzed her and she is still in hospital in a therapy unit and will be there until at least October. It seems she has no use in her right arm (and she is right handed) and has very little use in her right leg, and is exceptionally weak. She is permanently in a wheel chair.
When I rang John, her husband, I discovered that he is not really computer literate – he reads through her emails to see if there is anything important and sent me a one liner. I think it would be rather good if you published this news on your blog (and incidentally I did ask for his permission) and if we get lots of greetings for her, that I lift them, and put them into a document so they could be sent to him to print off to take to her. She is in hospital in Cardiff which is almost 100 miles from where he lives (in Wales, where I live too, there are very few hospitals and that, for Britain, is a very long way to travel). What do you think?
~Penny Vingoe (ClayAround, UK)
Penny – Thank you very much for reaching out like this. It is so sad to hear about the complications that happened with Ritz’s surgery. I agree… this definitely definitely needs to be posted. I’ll make it a priority.
~Cindy Lietz
Here are a few links to where Ritzs has shared some of her thoughts, insights and photos here at the blog…
August 21, 2009: Makins Extruder, Modified Handle
August 30, 2009: Lazuli and Malachite Beads
September 25, 2009: Dogwood Flower Cane
October 7, 2009: Copper Wire Jewelry Findings
October 24, 2009: Chandelier Wire Work
November 29, 2009: Mica Shift Jewelry
March 19, 2010: Swirling Left Over Mica Shift Clay
March 29, 2010: Cracking Beads
Jun 13, 2010: Surgery Scheduled for Wednesday
ritzs
I have to admit I am not looking forward to the surgery. As you said, Kat, one hears so many things but I am a very determined character and if half the pain is taken away at the end of it that will make it all worth it. I think the cause of it was 45 years of machine knitting also heavy lifting as we have a small holding, alas no animals anymore. We just got to old to do it. Now its all leisure LOL. I will at least be able to look forward to all the video’s etc I feel like you are all my extended family. It’s wonderful!
If you want to read more about Ritzs, just type her name into the search box. She has over 15 pages of links to click on.
And… please do take a few moments to write some words of support and encouragement in the comments section below. Your thoughts, stories, inspiration, blessings and prayers, will be printed out and given to our dearest Ritzs, and her husband John. Thank you so much for doing this. It is important!
We all love you VERY MUCH, Ritzs!!!
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Want to chat about today’s post? That’s what the comment section below is for. Scroll Down… We’d love to hear from you!
Or... if you would like to request a topic for a future post, here is the link to do that… PcT Suggestion Box
Welcome to our claying community Rita. You’re going to enjoy.
welcome home!!!!a new friend,rita hammock
Welcome Home Ritz! I have two family members that have been through the same surgery they are doing well. yes, it took them about a year to fully recover. You hang in there and keep moving. You will be back to yourself before you know it. *hugs*
So glad to hear you are in your home now Rita!! We’ve missed you…it’s wonderful that you are healing and that you’re improving, bit by bit. Take things one day at a time, your strength will guide you through (as it has already!). Looking forward to hearing more from you now that you are at home, take care. = )
Hi Ritzs. So lovely to have you back here among us. We’ve been worried, but the love and prayers coming your way has been unwavering.
Come and see us on Facebook when you can.
Judy XXX
Great news, Ritzs!! Glad you are back home. I will continue to pray for the Lord’s miraculous healing and His strength to pull you through each day of your recovery.
Hugs,
Lupe Meter
Yay, Ritzs! It’s wonderful that you’re back home. Continuing to keep you in my prayers…that your recovery continues and you’re able to do the things you love.
Oh Ritzs,
I can’t tell you what it means to us that you are home and have reconnected with us. Like Cheryl, my prayer of the moment is one of thanksgiving but I will continue to pray for you complete recovery as well.
Love,
Elizabeth S.
Dear Ritz
So glad to hear you are back home and recovering even if it’s a wee bit slow. Right now, my prayer is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. Will continue to prayer for a full recovery.
Rita, so glad to hear you are at home now. I think people heal better when they can be at home, and it sounds like you are healing. I will continue to send my love and pray for you. We all have missed you very much and we look forward to seeing you around again!
God Bless You Ritzs, and Much Love,
~Lisa (((((HUGS)))))
Dear Ritz and John, How wonderful that you are back home, Ritz. It sounds like progress is being made and that is so wonderful. Just keep looking forward, the sun is shinning and the Lord walks beside you. My immediate prayers are ones of “Thanks” for the progress you have made, and for continued strength to reach your goal. We are all in your corner, Ritz, routing you on as we also know is your beloved John. Love is also powerful and there is so much going your way. We will love having a note from you now and then when circumstances permit. Love and a fuzzy hug….
Welcome back, Rita!! I pray you will have a speedy recovery. We missed you very much. Join us on FB at More Than Clay. Linda set this up where we can talk about off topic subjects. Plus, you can see how we all submitted our beads for your necklace of love. Take care and take it easy!
Rita, thank Goodness you are home! I’ve thought about you so much, and I continue to pray for you and send positive energy your way. You have already been through so much, but it will get better, slowly but surely. You say you’ll never be “as you were”, but you WILL get to a point were you can do things yourself, things that make you happy, and you won’t have to rely on others forever. Keep that fighting spirit alive…that’s what will get you through this and make you strong again.
That left hand will probably get a workout now; I’m guessing you’ve been itching to roam the internet & see what’s happening here at the blog and in Cyberspace? If you ever want to talk, contact me on Facebook (that’s a great place to chat and communicate with others, if you feel like it.) Name: Gianna Spelling; my icon is the same as my Gravatar image here. If you prefer NOT to start a Facebook account, you could message me with your email, then I’ll write back from my email account instead of Facebook.
I’m happy for your husband, John, too…he no longer has to travel miles to see his wife! I hope he’s getting a bit of rest, too. Best of luck to the both of you in this journey! I hope you heal rapidly, Rita, and that your pain levels are low as can be. Stay tough…you can overcome this! Sending love your way (just checking my ‘Wales’ geography to be sure the flight path’s right, LOL.) Take care, dear lady! Kat
Ritzs, Welcome home. Sounds like you’ve come a long way and still have a ways to go. We are all pulling for you and hope you continue improving. We all miss you.
Andrea
Ritz – wonderful news that you are home – I am assuming that younow have access to your computer and will be reading this. I am sure that everyone of Cindy’s community will be so relieved that you are a little better now and will be watching your progress for the forseable future.
UPDATE ON RITZ… She is back home again… YAY!!!
Earlier this morning, Pollyanna posted a comment about Ritzs in another thread (see the “How is Ritz doing” link by my name above). And coincidentally, almost at the same time, an email from Ritz appeared in my in box. Here’s what she said…
“Dearest Cindy & Penny and all at the blog. Thank you all so much for your kindness and gifts, it brings tears to me every time i look thru it all, I came home on the 29 Oct and still a long way to go, I am typing with my left hand it seems so strange i can now walk in the house with a frame and a wheelchair to go out as i cant walk far I thank all your prayers for getting me this far I am told it will take at least a year but never be as before my surgery love to you all Ritzs.”
That is wonderful and encouraging news! I’m also praying for the same things as Cheryl V. Thanks so much Cindy!!
@Penny – Thank you so much for the update on Ritz! What wonderful news that she is using her right arm a little. I have faith that before we know it she will be using it a lot. I continue to pray for her full recovery, freedom from pain, encouragement, and faith. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping us in the loop. You are in my prayers as well. Have a blessed day.
update on Rita: As a result of a request from Elizabeth S for an update on Ritz I rang John today. She had a bad weekend because she had a blockage in her intestines. It turns out she has osteoarthritis in her shoulder (not a break), and she is, John tells me, constantly tired as a result of the pain and the medication.
However, she has started using her right arm a little and they are optimistic although she, predictably, gets very ‘down’ at times. They are having a ‘goal’ meeting (in the UK everyone in the National Health Service who is involved with treatment, family as well, get together to discuss the future of the patient) very soon and the provisional date for her relase from hospital is 29th October.
I am new here and really do not know Ritz and John but my prayers and thoughts are with you both. Keep the faith. PEACE CHAZ
Thank you Cindy for the Anniversary wishes. I read my message and I really messed it up. I should never try to post any messages between midnight and 6 am. Who am I kidding I am confused 24 hours a day now. But I had read the message from Penny and I have wrote to her a couple of times. She is the sweetest. Right now I will just continue to pray for Ritzs and John as they both need our prayers and if you are not religious then just put them in your thoughts, it all helps. Thank you again Cindy you are a great teacher and a wonderful friend to us all.
Miss you all when I’m off in lala land, Peggy