9 Moons Ago

Well, Saturday night was a good time. Went to Knickers Pub with Kathy and met up with a bunch of friends to celebrate Tim E’s birthday. Had a nice chat with Jake, who shouted me a drink (Thanks, mate!) and partied with Amy, Bonny, Colin, Jen, Brian, Felicia, and Tim’s various cousins. Had some hard cider and stopped myself at three because I’m not used to drinking like I used to.. fun night!

Progress on the painting for the wine label is going well. I’ll be mailing everything off to Philly tomorrow.

And the news on the health front is good. The genetic test result came back negative, so I do not carry the gene mutation that signals an increased chance of any more cancer returning. So now I can set a date for the left breast mastectomy when I go in for my next appointment in early September. One step at a time, but after I recover there will be treatments at the oncologist in Hanover. I am feeling fit, both physically and emotionally. Taking walks every day, cutting out soda, drinking more water and eating lots of fruits and veggies from the local fruit farm. Thanks to all who have written/called and want to visit sometime. I’ll be sure to be in touch! And I’m looking forward to a dinner out with my Mother and a good neighborhood friend, who we haven’t talked to in forever, sometime soon!

Then there was the sad news of my Uncle Donny, who had been in the hospital after several strokes, unexpectedly passing away. The family is getting together for a service this Saturday. I wrote a bit about him on my flickr stream. The pictures can be viewed once you click on the link I posted below, and scroll through a little while, till you see black and white pictures from the 50s of three little guys in bow ties. He was such a funny person, and will be missed greatly, especially by his brothers who were always pretty close.

There was a scare Wednesday, too, when my dad was admitted to the hospital after he became clammy and unresponsive at work. They did an ekg and heart catheterization, but found nothing wrong. Stress could have been a part of it, and possibly some unhealthy eating the night before. But they gave him some different meds and he took a couple days off work. He was doing really well today, getting around fine, and he took me out to lunch.

So, there were ups and downs this week, but I’ve been having fun planning what kind of hairstyle I want and playing vinyl records of Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals, especially one of my favorites, Oklaholma. Been scanning old family photos and taking pictures for flickr, writing once more in my paper journal and planning ideas for the near and distant future that will not be told until I have a grasp on them myself. But it’s all looking rosy right now. I’ll write something more interesting or fun next time. Tonight it was the general “Catch-up” to keep everyone informed and up-to-date. To view any of those recent flickr photos, just click on the right hand flickr icon with multiple pictures, or go here:

amy’s flickr photostream

Tomorrow (Friday August 27) is Blaine’s second Birthday! Cannot believe how he has grown. We’ll party next week. He’s my special buddy. Of course, I love Isaac to pieces, and all the cute and wonderful things he does (big first grader! yay!) but Blaine and I just always had a special bond. I miss him and I just saw him a few days ago! Pretty soon I’ll post some pictures of the boys on flickr, too, from the other night. Bathtime fun! Wheee!

Speaking of which, I’m off to relax in the bath.. couldn’t tell you the last time I did that. I miss that big old tub from Wonga Park, and how I’d have a whole set up with the window looking into the garden, and a cool drink, maybe a book that never got read and Norah Jones crooning away…

But that was a lifetime ago… and there is plenty here to make it a different retreat, just as relaxing!
And I’m quite ready for it!

Till next time,
Much love, Amy

Back to work!
Finishing the piece for the (no name) Art Group which is supporting Philabundance this year. I have never felt as fulfilled doing my artwork as when I worked with this group in 2007, painting a memory portrait for a lovely girl named Tabitha at the El Shedai foster home in Uganda. Thanks to Sherry for all the work she’s done and continues to do, organizing it all, drumming up support, and also contributing her own work. I love being part of this team and helping others through my art. I think it’s important to think about the bigger picture, especially at times when I feel too self-absorbed. I know my cancer diagnosis is a legitimate reason to focus on myself right now, but if I am feeling well enough, physically and mentally to do artwork anyway, then I’m so happy to be able to do it for this kind of cause. It really is something I want to continue throughout my life!

Please go here for more information: (no name) Art Group

I will post some snaps of the process once everything is completed.

What an intense day. I have just enough energy to give a general update tonight, and will go into a little more detail next time.

Kathy and I hied off to Hershey this morning to sit and listen to an intense cram session all about the benefits and concerns about being tested for a genetic mutation which signals an increased risk for passing cancer along in the family. I’m primarily being tested to help me make the best decision about what kind of surgery I will need next. At any rate, it will most likely be a mastectomy on the left side, but if I do have this gene anomaly, I may consider a bi-lateral mastectomy. I want to do the least drastic thing, but also do enough to protect my health. One good thing is that if I get even just the single mastectomy, it will eliminate the need for radiation. Chemo is on the cards, though. I will have reconstructive surgery at some point, too. I heard from a few people who have had or know people who have had that done and it’s all positive and encouraging,

There was so much more discussed, but it was clear to both Kathy and I, and afterwards I did some paperwork, a family health history chart and had blood drawn. They will call be in to review the results in 2 to 4 weeks.

I normally don’t like to talk so much about physical illness, but this is a big thing and I am aware that you who bother to stop in truly want to know what’s been going on.
Mentally, emotionally.. just fine! Pretty effing fantastic, actually.

After the session, which was shorter than initially planned, due to the luck of someone canceling their appointment, we headed to Chocolate world, in the absolute crazy madness that is the rest-of-the-country and other-parts-of-the-world on Summer vacation. Living right near the place our whole lives, and going there often, especially off-season, we forget that Hershey is bigger than South Central Pennsylvania. But we waded through the sweaty sea of delighted and tired families, and found what we needed. We bought gifts for Mumsy, Dad and Kathy’s family. Kathy got her reeces pieces and I got some dark chocolate.

We went out to eat and shared a crab dip soft pretzel and I had a cup of french onion soup. Mmm.

Kathy and I napped/rested as soon as we were home, and later had a nice dinner with Mom while watching a couple of particularly hilarious episodes of the Office, one of which we hadn’t seen before.
I’m about ready to tumble into bed now. Thanks, all you lovely lot, for your notes, emails and comments. If you are reading this and I know you, in person, or through correspondence…I am most definitely thinking of you, too!
All My Love,
Amy

Yesterday was a mix of good family stuff & not-so-good medical. Blahhh. Stuff. At least 1 more surgery needed, decisions need to be made. They found precancerous cells during the operation to remove the cancer.. Add infection (OUCH) and a jammed finger (which has been hurting like crazy) to the mix. Will update everyone after Monday when I see the Dr. again. Good things: air conditioning, British comedies, Watermelon Italian Ice, Grape Soda and.. Watermelon. Which I’m off to fetch presently. As my Sister put it, so perfectly, “Cancer can kiss my ass!”