This (my) book was and is our journey, with 2024 taking a turn of removal of part of Husbands pancreas.
I took over the top notes, details, it’s all here and I am very proud to be able to share it with you.
It’s one of those books I hope NO one will need, but after seeing the Doctor’s waiting rooms and the Oncology floor of the hospital…it’s here IF you need it. In Print and eBook form and now with Prime too
A Wife’s Journey Through Partial Pancreatectomy and Spleen Removal
When my husband faced the overwhelming reality of major surgery—losing two-thirds of his pancreas and his spleen—our world shifted in ways we never could have imagined. The medical term for this surgery is a Partial Pancreatectomy with Splenectomy, and while doctors focus on the physical side of healing, we quickly realized that recovery is just as much emotional as it is medical.
Through every fear, every tear, and every moment of hope, I stood by his side, asking questions, learning as we went, and navigating a world we never thought we’d have to understand. This book is my way of sharing that journey—not just as a memoir, but as a guide for others facing the same path. Why I Wrote This Book
Part guidebook, part how-to manual, this book dives into the medical complexities of the surgery and recovery, while also exploring the emotional battles we fought together. I cover everything from finding the right doctor and understanding testing, to the reality of potential diabetes risks and the vital role of nutrition in healing. But beyond the clinical aspects, I also share the personal side—the emotions, fears, and small victories that come with being a caregiver and a patient’s biggest support system.
If you or a loved one are facing this surgery, I hope my experiences offer understanding, encouragement, and a roadmap to navigate this unfamiliar world. What You’ll Find Inside Here’s a look at what this book covers: 1. Function of the Pancreas – Understanding why this organ is so vital 2. Testing – The tests you’ll encounter before surgery 3. Finding the Right Doctor – What to look for in a surgeon and medical team 4. ONE Huge Maybe… Diabetes – Understanding the risk after surgery 5. Educate Yourself – Must-know information before surgery 6. YOU MUST DO’s! – Essential steps to prepare for surgery and recovery 7. Ready, Set, Surgery Prep – What to expect leading up to surgery 8. Day of Surgery – A firsthand look at what happens on the big day 9. Pancreas Surgery Process – Robotic – How robotic surgery works 10. Surgery Process – Standard – The traditional surgical approach 11. After Surgery Room Care – What to expect in post-op recovery 12. Release Home & Home Care – The transition from hospital to home 13. Support Caregiver – Tips for those caring for a loved one after surgery 14. Normal – Follow-Ups – What recovery looks like in the weeks and months ahead 15. What’s Next? – Life after a partial pancreatectomy and splenectomy
For Patients, Caregivers, and Loved Ones
This book isn’t just for patients—it’s for the caregivers, spouses, family members, and friends who are walking this road alongside them. Even in the most uncertain times, knowledge is power, and with the right doctors, nurses, and support, you can find light in the journey toward healing.
I am not a doctor, but I am a wife who stood by her husband through every step of this experience.
Let the journey begin/continue and let’s survive If this book can help just one person feel less alone, more prepared, and maybe even smile along the way, then my pet project has done its job. Beth Ann
Quilt Stars of Many Colors – from The Quilt Ladies
Two Complete quilt patterns in this one book, one quilt is featured in red, green with white background. Other is in darker colors with a gray background. Each Quilt has a finished size of 54” x 58” and 12 quilt blocks, measuring 8” x 8”. Quilt patterns are shared in both light and dark colors. A border checkered border and pieced sashing to set the quilt blocks off. Quilt Stars quilt patterns can be used in many ways, let your imagination go wild.
NEW 12 MONTH Fillable Calendar
You can only do what you remember to do and learning over the years I have to write it ! Here is my NEW fillable 12 Month Calendar for you.
This calendar book is 7×10 Inches and has space for fill in dates, room to add to each months remember section. 56 pages, 4 pages per Month
A Big Brown and Pink Quilt Pattern Book
This quilt is a KING size quilt pattern with a finished size
of 98″ x 114″. The quilt pattern has 16 pieced quilt blocks
all with the size of 14″ x 14″. You can make fewer quilt blocks and make it just the ideal size you want. NOW ON ETSY –
Square Perfect a Quilt Pattern in Red, White and Blue, but only if you want it to be, you can use any three colors It’s a holiday of colors no matter what colors.
Complete cutting and piecing instructions are given. Square Perfect makes a finished quilt that measures, 108″ x 98″ a Perfect KING size quilt. Instructions to make each row and a complete how to make each square design as shown in the pictures.
Log Cabin Fun a Quilt Pattern Book is taking a traditional log cabin quilt pattern having fun with color and pattern. You can use all the scraps in your quilt fabric or purchase all new. Complete cutting and piecing instructions are given, with full color quilt block photos.
12 – 8-inch by 8-inch quilt patterns to use as they are, or with instructions included, change them into 12- 12-inch by 12-inch quilt blocks.
A Tree of Many Colors and a tree of many triangles.
Edison Tree Quilt Pattern uses four quilt blocks, each measuring sixteen inches by sixteen inches. Complete cutting and piecing instructions are given. Edison Tree makes a finished quilt that measures, 38″ x 38″, added border sizes given too for a 40″ and 42″ finished quilt. Instructions are given in units, complete how to for make each unit, as shown.
Want to give the PERFECT gift for a new baby or as a lap quilt for someone special. EVERYONE will LOVE this quilt and that you made it for them….wondrous.
Why so Special? It’s the THIRTEEN quilt blocks, each has a finished size of four inch by four inch. All the piecing of the quilt blocks are straight line, with complete cutting and sewing instructions included. The finished size of the quilt is thirty inches by thirty inches.
Two complete Blank Fillable12 Month Calendar sets, featuring a monthly 2-page calendars BLANK with sections for your lists, birthdays etc. Calendars 2023, 2024, for you to use to fill in YOUR calendar as you like, also and is 2025, 2026, just in case.
This calendar book is 7×10 Inches and has space for fill in dates, room to add to each months remember section. 115 pages, 4 pages per Month.
Anxiety has always been with me and it’s taken me years to get myself to a place that “I” can move forward and be myself. My journey started in 2018 and for over a year I did only these things to help myself:
1. Put my care and self first
2. Eat Right
3. Sleep 7-8 hours
4. Daily walk, swim or exercise
5. Lose myself in ALL projects. The Anxiety of Anxiety – Read more, my Book is in PRINT And NOW an eBook
Slip under this quilt, a cup of hot chocolate, a book to read, a moment of family curled up to enjoy the holiday. That’s what you will give yourself and family in this HOLIDAY quilt. You will become the maker of an all-time favorite at your house. Perfect for a holiday snuggle on the couch or made in any colors for day to day cuddles. Holiday Quilt Pattern features TWELVE – Twelve by Twelve Inches quilt pattern blocks and they are made into a 62″ x 78″ quilt.
Quilt shown in traditional red and green, but this quilt would be wonderful with a dark blue background, white and yellow blocks, let yourself have fun.
This quilt pattern is “The Ladies” they are The Quilt Ladies. They quilt every Tuesday together and after years of doing that, they’ve decided to do a quilt pattern book. So “The Ladies” was born, a quilt block sampler pattern book with 68 – Eight by Eight Inch quilt pattern blocks. All straight pieced, all cutting and piecing instructions included. It was decided that the Eight inch by Eight inch size would be a perfect size for the blocks not too small and not too large.
Come make a quilt or a block or two with The Quilt Ladies in their book, “The Ladies” The finished quilt measures 76″ x 84″ How to put the quilt together, cutting piecing instructions and quilt binding section too!
68 – 8 inch by 8 inch Quilt Block Patterns. Full Color PHOTO’s of Each Pattern and all how to.Still at my Etsy Shop for YOU to Download
I have one Grandson who is just his own person (from birth), has his own ideas and his VERY own way of doing everything. He’s never a stranger, never worries about much and has a heart for kindness to all. So, when he asked for a birthday quilt, this is what I came up with, he’s our Crazy Man. The “Crazy” part of this quilt is the background fabric, it’s bold, it’s yellow and it’s what makes the blocks a “Crazy Man” quilt.
12 blocks each block 8″ x 8″ complete instructions how to put the quilt together finished size is 48″ x 60″ Instructions on how to do quilt binding included too.
I have taken a Bear Paw pattern and redesigned it Sixteen different quilt blocks, each with a finished size of fourteen by fourteen inches. The quilt will be 88” x 84” finished size. Patterns can be used as shown or put together in many different combinations.
Complete quilt pattern blocks, all cutting and piecing instructions and how to put the quilt together section. Quilt binding section included too. Sixteen, fourteen by fourteen inch Quilt Block Patterns. Full Color PHOTO’s of Each Pattern and complete cutting and Piecing Instructions.
Nothing makes a quilter happier than a beautiful quilt and we seem to NEVER have enough quilt patterns and this book has them in an assortment of sizes. From a beginner to an advanced quilter, these quilt blocks are time tested. The quilt featured in the book has a finished size of 54” wide and 74” long. A Getting Started section and how to do Quilt Binding section is also in the book. Quilt blocks are all different size, patterns can be used in all your quilting needs. NOW in PRINT and eBook too !
Now in PRINT Husband and Iretired early, he was 57, and I was 55. Most people hear us say our ages and they ask, “What do you do all day?” VERY, very rarely do they ask, “How do you afford it?” This book has NO money talk, it’s all about happiness. Now in Print and eBook ! !
To me that is hilarious: before retirement you plan financially, you plan the date, but you don’t take time to figure out what you want to do for 20-30 years of retirement. I have seen it now for five years. How to Survive Retirement
PLEASE retire happy! “If you are unhappy….us other old people don’t want to be around you.”
A simple Friendship pattern is taken in a new direction, from its basic form turns into a fun and wonderful. Each block has a finished size of Twelve-by-Twelve Inchesand you have a total of Twelve patterns.
The finished quilt uses all the patterns and is 54″ x 76″ when finished.
Step by step cutting directions, a getting started section on how to make squares, triangle, quarter squares and adding triangles to corner units. And just added a how to bind your quilt section.
Start with a simple log cabin and turn it upside down.
This quilt pattern is all straight piecing and my quilt pattern has all cutting and piecing instructions. Each quilt block has a finished size of eleven inches by eleven inches, you will need four quilt blocks to make the quilt as shown, making the finished size of the quilt twenty-nine inches by twenty-nine inches. Extra quilt block patterns are given so you can color them in and move color before cutting fabric. ADDED Bonus in The Print Book is Over Thinking a Quilt Block Pattern, 10 Quilt Block Pattern and three quilt patterns, all cutting and piecing instructions included.
I am working to get more of my titles in PRINT, thank you all so MUCH for your support
This post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a few cents if you click to their site and purchase.
Are you thinking about retirement ?
Or already retired?
You have to find fun, excitement, and joy in your days. 40 years to achieve the retirement goal, and you are not happy, you don’t know what to do all day? YOU need a plan.
Husband and I retired early, he was 57, and I was 55. Most people hear us say our ages and they ask, “What do you do all day?” VERY, very rarely do they ask, “How do you afford it?” This book has NO money talk, it’s all about happiness. Now in Print and eBook ! !
To me that is hilarious: before retirement you plan financially, you plan the date, but you don’t take time to figure out what you want to do for 20-30 years of retirement. I have seen it now for five years. How to Survive Retirement
Everyone thinks that you magically know how to retire. YOU DON’T but my book will help you think through what you need and what you want for YOUR life. No money talk, this is all ideas to make your 20-30 years of retirement what you want and need it to be for years of joy. Retirement is talked about just as going off to college is.
PLEASE retire happy! “If you are unhappy….us other old people don’t want to be around you.”
Author information:
My name is Beth Ann Strub, sixty three years old, retired and living in central Florida, about 20 minutes from the white sandy beaches we all love and right on a golf course, which I have never played on, but it’s pretty. I was born and raised in Iowa and have lived in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and now in Florida. I am a quilt designer, book written, I love to swim, cook/eat and family is my joy.
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