Code Blue, 2022

Stitching on textured paper with surgical silk thread, silk thread, cotton thread. Bookcloth from my husband's shirts, binders board, letterpress.

Unique Edition

In August 2022, my husband was admitted to the hospital for atrial flutter and congestive heart failure. His heart rate had been at 150 or more since early July. He thought he had long-Covid. This artist book follows the path of his heartbeat through those days before his hospitalization, the flurry of days activity at the hospital--including a cardiac electro-version, followed by the restabilization of his heart into sinus rhythm.

Sinus rhythm and atrial flutter are hand stitched along the 62 feet of this accordion book. Additional machine stitched thread lines reflect the energy going back and forth between us and within me. One foot/page spread for every year of his life. Each page spread represents one of the days of this journey. 

While my husband never went into Code Blue, there were a few hours where we were fearful that he might.