A sole rubbing

A few days ago, I was about to throw out a pair of old sandals.  These were shoes that are battered enough that can’t be given away.  The soles caught my eye so I kept one.  I tried to put paint on the soles with a brayer but I didn’t like the marks it left. On the paper.  Then , yesterday I wondered what a rubbing would look like.  I used my 9B Lyra chubby graphite crayon, it didn’t give me super dark marks but it does give way more interesting detail.  I like it much better and will have to make more rubbings with it before the sandal hits the garbage. 

HEALTH UPDATE:  Sadly, I must report that my surgery has been postponed to June 10!!!!! I know the reason but it certainly doesn’t make the wait any easier.  I’m so freaking disappointed! Okay, whining over, turning the page (so to speak). 

Hair is growing

I used the camera function on my iPad as a mirror to make this drawing in my sketchbook and document the return of “some” hair on my head. I didn’t measure my facial proportions just went straight in with my cheapo BIC pencil.  I had to use a Staedler Mars Lumograph Black pencil because the HB just isn’t up to making the dark I needed for my glasses.  I should have spent more time adding more graphite with the pencil but I wanted to enjoy the sunshine and 21C temps.  I wore the solid blue hat on this perfect spring day. 

I don’t look at my head much, not after my hair loss and I still wear a hat because my head gets cold.  I thought that would change with the warmer weather.  No matter, it’s growing and I’m happy about it! 

Stapled hems

No prompt- I hope I’m not the only one who has had to think up something that might work really quickly.  I WANTED to wear these new pants!  then I realized the error of my ways, I hadn’t checked to see what the leg length was like.   When I did yesterday, I knew it was too late for me to sew the hems properly. 

Then a memory popped into my head, I’ve done this before!  The first time I did it was on a hem that had fallen down on a skirt while at work.  I don’t know what prompted me to use the stapler but it was all there was at hand. 

I used pencil crayons ( strange, my Prismacolors aren’t as soft as I remember) and watercolour. However, I turned the stapler over so I got just the 2 humps showing and not the long bar of the stapler.  Not that I was worried that people would actually notice my hem since I’m a woman “of a certain age” and hems just aren’t that important.  So I figured, once again, I was safe. 

Virtual meeting with surgeon

This is what I wore while we spoke to the surgeon during the zoom meeting yesterday.  Once that was done I turned to my sketchbook with the intention of drawing my new mark making tool that I got from the lung capacity test I took some time ago.   The nurse didn’t bat an eyebrow when I asked to keep it; she said she was going to throw it away.  I didn’t like what I saw on the page so I added a nose; because I thought it needed context.  I didn’t like that so I switched the the camera on my iPad and added myself into the drawing.  This resulted in my face getting too long.  Oh well, I made a page. I cut the blue plastic and used some acrylic paint to stamp on to the page.

Health Update: We had an interesting zoom call with the surgeon yesterday.  He explained the procedure for my operation and told me about the incision on my chest.  It isn’t going to be vertical like my husband had for his double bypass surgery.  It will be horizontal but I will have a small wire to tie my breast bone back together.  He said that he has a vascular surgeon on standby but after looking at my CT scan he thinks that the tumour isn’t attached to the “superior vena cava” of my heart.  They may need to put in a patch and not have to replace the vein.  I found out what material thry use for this.  I may need radiation again afterwards but he doesn’t want to talk much about that yet since at this juncture the most important thing is removing the tumour (getting rid of hopefully all the cancer).  So it looks like June 5th is going to be a full day for me even though I probably won’t be awake to see it or high in pain meds.  Anyway, I’m happy that I’m moving forward and not standing still. 

Tentative surgery date

Health Update: I haven’t been able to post anything for a bit.  I needed to digest what has been happening.  I have completed my treatments (radiation and chemotherapy) at Princess Margaret and my blood test came back with some improved numbers.  So, I don’t have to return until the end of August for follow up. So funny that although I am so happy to be done with them on one hand but I felt somewhat “adrift” as well.  

I saw the surgeon who told me that in his opinion the chemotherapy and radiation did little to the tumour.  He told me that he would be conferring with colleagues to decide on next steps.  He said that the tumour is pressing into my “superior vena cava” (the large vein that goes into the heart).  The vein may need to be replaced during the surgery.  I knew that the tumour was snuggled up against my heart but didn’t realize the seriousness until now.  In addition, I was told that he would have to remove a portion of my lung along with the tumour. 

I found an illustration on line showing the “superior vena cava” so drew it on a piece of card and glued it in.  I’m just glad that the replacement vein will be manmade and they won’t be taking one from my own leg. 

Today, I received a call from the surgeon’s office saying that a tentative date for surgery is scheduled for June 5.  On Tuesday, after the long weekend, I have a zoom meeting scheduled with the surgeon to go through the surgical procedure.  Forms will be sent, I’ll sign them and send them back. There will be a pre-operation appointment somewhere in there as well.  So things are moving forward!!! I’m super excited and super scared all at the same time.  I feel so much better having a new goal to focus on; getting through this next stage en route to surgery. 

Blue Bayou

I made my “lazy lines” with a Neocolor I crayon. I used watercolour, gouache stick, pencil crayons, water soluble markers, poster paint and Crayola crayons. 

I made my lines while listening to and moving to Linda Ronstadt’s Blue Bayou song. 

I decided my short-haired pointer dog deserved the name Blue Bayou. Very fun! Thanks Carla. 

Trixie

I made a new sketchbook.  I’ve had this Trixie Beldon book for awhile (years actually) and finally cut out the text block and put in new paper that I like.  I like fairly smooth paper so I can use whatever floats my boat at the minute when I’m working in it.  I used a 50% off coupon to buy this mixed media book.  I like that the paper is 100% cotton (90 lb) and smooth (of course) but I don’t like the larger size.

I grew up reading Tricia Beldon books and got my daughter and grand-daughter to read them too.  The spine on this one was cracked and ready to fall off so I was happy to find another use for it. 

It just so happened that after I dismantled the mixed media book, I could fold the pages in half and they fit perfectly.  I used a cereal box to make a new spine and used dollar store duck tape to adhere it to my covers.  I used a simple pamphlet stitch to sew in the signatures.  I used ecru crochet cotton that I waxed (many times) because I didn’t have any waxed linen bookbinding thread.  In the end (not shown),  I attached another strip of duck tape to cover and seal in the knots on my binding.

I’m really happy I finally was able to make this.  I was inspired by Kathryn after she made her “commonplace notebook” a few weeks back.  I finally got off my posterior and made this!  I have enough pages leftover to make another sketchbook.  Just so you know, every time Kathryn says “tricksy cloth” or “tricksy”, this is where my mind goes.  

CT scan results

I watched a U-tube video by Cate Field and played along.  I really liked the fact that she lined up her grid in a cockeyed fashion.  It really appealed to me.  I used cheap dollar store washi tape to make my grids and cheap craft paint (except for the blue).  I just didn’t want to do anything real, I just wanted to fool around.  Not my favourite but hey, I made a page. 

HEALTH UPDATE:  Yesterday, I had my phone appointment with my chemo doctor.  He was checking up on me, making sure I was feeling good after my transfusion on Wednesday.  He says the CT scan shows a reduction in the tumour of approximately 25-30%.  My husband and I had read the results already but it is so much better when the doctor says he sees the results as being positive too.   He hopes that the surgeon will be happy with it and will be willing operate as is!  He doesn’t want to give me more chemo due to issues with my hemoglobin, white and red blood count and platelets.  So….bottom line is it’s all up to the surgeon.  I don’t think they can operate right now especially since my neutrophils are so low  I wouldn’t be able to fight off an infection.  I hope my next blood test produces positive results!  I see the surgeon on Thursday, update to follow. 

Transfusion 3

This is where I spent the day yesterday. 

Sadly it seems that I have chemo induced anemia.  I’m hoping that there will be an improvement in the numbers next week after this transfusion. 

This time I was in chair 3 for my third transfusion since March 27.  I drew my view!