Day 453

It's day lily season again, and they make such nice kaleidoscope suns.

Finally a post from Leigh! Radiation really kicked my ass. I have been feeling uninspired and tired and weak and mostly sick of being sick. 

I bring good news with this long awaited post. We went to the oncologist yesterday, and I am done with treatment. Apparently no "sandwich", well, just an open faced one. I will not do the second round of chemo. I am officially in Observation, where they keep an eye on me. I will have a CT scan in 6 weeks, then another in 3 months. Hoping nothing is there. I am still having the side effects from the treatment. It's all cumulative, which is why I had my worst time after I was done receiving radiation. Yesterday I went in and was "spruced" as I like to say. They hydrate me for a few hours and give me anti nausea through my port.

Hopefully I will have a nice weekend.

Thanks to all who have been sending me thoughts and prayers, worries, and beautiful cards in the snail mail.

Day 451

I'm sure after my flurry of posts 10 days ago you thought I was going to be posting more regularly again. Well I thought that too, but that's not how life has worked out. First of all I'm doing okay I just had another long spout of nausea and fatigue. I can't figure out why I can't get back in the groove with this blog. I will keep trying. 

Today I am officially half way done with treatment, and it only took six months. Hoping the second half goes faster.

Here are Clara Belle and Casey being supportive when I could hardly get out of bed.

Day 440

Yesterday I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my friend Lynn and her family. I took them out into the sun to get the good light. They brightened my spirit!

I continue to feel better. Two important Dr appointments this week, radiologist and oncologist. I was to see both last week but i was in the hospital so it couldn't happen. Looking forward to understanding the process of the next few months a bit better. 

Day 437

Yesterday my friend Ann brought me this beautiful orchid. It makes a beautiful sun. 

My procedure went well. Of course I'll be waiting till tomorrow for the results when I have high hopes of going home. I am feeling better and I am so ready to leave.  I miss my animals. 

Day 436

My friend Kellie brought me these beautiful daffodils from her garden last night. The sun is shinning away on them in my hospital window.

Yes I am still in the hospital. Maybe tomorrow I'll go home but probably not. It's hard not to get depressed here and I'm not doing a great job of staying positive but I'll try harder. Tomorrow they will drain fluid from where my gallbladder used to be which may be causing my fevers. I'm hoping no drain will be required, they are so painful. 

Day 435

This was created from some beautiful tulips I found in DC.

So I have disappeared on everyone. I'm back in the hospital, yes it's true. Early Saturday morning I started vomiting and I knew I needed to go to Hospital. I couldn't even keep a sip of water down. On the way I had to call FlyingRhino I called Gini and told her I wasn't going to be able to show my work.  So if you did come to visit me that is where I was. So disappointing not to set up after the work I put into getting ready. Anyway I am here  in hospital because I need to be , and I hope I won't be here long.

Day 426

                                 

Of course I made many kaleidoscope suns yesterday at church so I thought I'd post some more.

                                  

Announcement for Toledo area people. I will be part of the Art Commission's Spring Gallery Loop that they are calling 419 Day on April 19th. You will find me with my Suns and Toledo photos at the Flying Rhino Coffee from 3-8.

Day 422

I took both these out my front window during sunset tonight.

I made it through chemo, cycle 3 day 8, 

now for the side effects. 

Day 421

I'm still here! Sorry for not posting for so many days on my every day blog. I have not been well the past few days and before that I had a few very productive days in my studio. Not making art but big progress in the great reorganization. I'm excited about how it is finally coming together. 

This kaleidoscope sun is of my amaryllis which has miraculously sprouted a 3rd stem that started blooming yesterday.

Tomorrow it's back to chemo, glad I'm feeling better to take it on.

Day 419

The last few days have been very difficult energy wise. It kind of surprised me I was sooo tired on days 20 and 21 of my 2nd cycle. I have also been feeling sad and sorry for myself which is tiring. This week I have an appointment with the counselor at Victory Center, just in time. 

This sun is from some tulips in mom and Richard's yard last spring. 

I have made many suns that I never posted and today seemed a good day to use one after not posting for two days. I don't want people to worry. 

It is two days till spring as the news keeps reminding us. I don't remember so much being made of the first day of spring in the past, we just all want winter to be over. 

I'm here at chemo while I write this, waiting for my blood work to come back. Cycle three day one, I'm officially half way done with my chemo part one. 

Day 418

Tonight I had a delicious meal at the Frog Leg Inn in Erie MI with mom and Richard. My date was our good friend Marisha. I had never been there and everything I had was so yummy. I had the new Salmon with feta and dill, very good. They had frogs everywhere and this one made a fun sun. Thanks Marisha, so nice to see you and catch up.

Yesterday my friend Lynn and I finally had our Homeland marathon, we watched six episodes, ate Tai food, had good conversation and had a nice day. Thanks Lynn

Feeling Blessed

Day 417

I am still feeling better, which is so nice.

I did five loads of laundry and continued to get my studio organized. 

Day 415

Sorry I disappeared these last three days, I was not feeling well and just couldn't get it done. Now I have to forgive myself and move on. 

Sunday was my brother Michael's birthday and we went up to Ann Arbor and had a nice meal at Real Seafood with him. 

It turned out to be much harder on me in the car than I expected. I really got tossed around the back seat and my bones were really hurting. 

I was able to rally today and have my first dinner party. We were six including me and with Moms help I made lasagna, garlic bread, salad and seven layer bars for desert. I got quite a bit cleaned up in the dining room for this event. Nothing like company to inspire you to clean up. I was glad to have the energy to do it all. Everyone loved my place and it was fun to show it off. Hopefully I will have many more diner parties in my little house. 

Day 414

I had a request to post another image of the same subject as yesterday. So here is a different view.

I had a very difficult night and felt terrible this morning. I already had an appointment with the nurse practitioner in my oncologists office this morning. She talked me into getting spruced up while I was there. Meaning they gave me some fluids and anti nausea meds with other stuff to help. I did feel better after it all kicked in. 

This is going to be a difficult journey...

Day 413

I was about to say what the subject of this kaleidoscope sun is when I thought some might like to guess. So I'll say soon.

Didn't manage to get much done today just get the curtains cleaned for my bedroom. My wonderful landlord and friend Lonnie then came and hung them. I had these hanging in my last bedroom but they were actually made for these windows. They look fabulous and really  make the room feel warmer, and the fancy top part isn't even up yet. Thank you Lonnie!

Day 404

This is an antique ladies pocket watch which is much smaller, and has a beautifully etched outside. 

Hung out with my old friend Debbie, who I've known since junior high. We had a very nice time going to lunch and a movie and indulging on a little Godiva chocolate. 

Day 403

OK here's the answer to, "What is the subject of the mystery suns?" This is a third kaleidoscope of the same item and it's a ....

.....Pocket Watch from the 1850's, showing its insides. My friend Lynn was the first to guess correct. This was fun and I'll do it again.  Lynn thinks I should have a contest.

A good day. I had my first massage at The Victory Center this morning. Unfortunately all the relaxed I felt quickly left trying to drive home in the pouring rain, and I mean pouring. It was crazy. Then my friend Scott came over. Last week I asked if he would work on a video project about me. He came over to talk about it and start shooting. I see it as something therapeutic for me. We will shoot a lot if footage and figure it out as we go to make a viewable end product. I'm excited.

Day 401

This is another sun of the mystery item. One person did guess right on FaceBook. I have many cool images and wanted to post more than one before I reveal the answer.

Not a good day health wise, I'm very achy in my back and pelvis abs it has gotten worse all day. It was not a very productive day.

Day 400

What do you think the subject of this kaleidoscope sun is?

Finally had my intake appointment at the Victory Center, a local non profit that helps people with cancer. My first appointment was the day of our last big snowstorm.  It is a very nice place and I look forward to using their services and meeting other people. 

Day 398

I have been wanting to do some work with the word hope for awhile but at first I  felt it was to obvious for someone with cancer. Tonight I spotted some neat old wood blocks at my friends house and she said I could have them. Luckily all four letters were there in the small box of blocks. I already have some old wood blocks for this same idea but I didn't have an 'e', an important letter in hope, so you don't hop. Plus these are much more interesting. This is a fun little kaleidoscope  sun to start.  As I continue this battle I must not give up hope! It seems in many ways even with all I've been through that it hasn't really hit me, and I can't decide if that is a good thing or not.