Time Marches On!

Surgery Follow Up
Here I am, 3+ years after my initial surgery. I had my 3rd follow up with my surgeon in June. Two more to go. 
I am so grateful for that man - so calm, thoughtful, kind and interested in educating his patients. I will miss him when this is all over. For now, I receive great reassurance from these visits.

Dr. I shared with me this time that he was initially concerned that my Cystosarcoma Phyllodes was going to be malignant due to the rapid growth and crazy size which was somewhat unique. Some stats - I said before that only 1% of breast tumors is of this type. Of that 1%, only 10% are malignant. I continue to feel gratitude for my benign tumor. Now that sounds a little strange to me! Gratitude for a tumor. We are still monitoring for reoccurence as it can come back, usually in the same breast. Monthly self breast checks - great plan! Not much tissue there to hide the lump that would be there if it did return. Annual mammogram. Annual check with Dr. I. Annual GYN appointment with breast check. Should be covered there. 

What Makes Me Feel Good
Over the past year I have continued to work with fused glass and have done some custom pieces. Pretty cool if I must say so myself. Recently I finished another piece to use in a metal sculpture. I continue to get a great deal of satisfaction and peace from working with glass and metal. 

Red Yellow Streaky Curious: 18 x 18, 7 x 14

Cascadia 12" Charger

Seeing beauty thru tears....
Mosaic transparent glass with steel

Visualizing ideas, work in progress or wonders of nature helps take me away from the stress of the day.

Tripping
I did go to Costa Rica with my sisters and youngest Aunt to celebrate my oldest sister's 60th birthday. That was such a great time. As the Ticos say, "Pura Vida".

We didn't get out on any special camping trips this summer. Maybe next year. 

Outstanding Concerns
I continue to wonder how to address my asymmetry. When I went for my GYN appointment this week the doctor noted a diagnosis similar to "asymmetry of reconstructed breasts". I knew I had that issue, but to see it in the form of a diagnosis in a chart note was really kind of, well, I can't really describe how it made me feel. I keep hoping for new, improved technology that insurance will cover. For now, I cover it up as best I can with a Handful bra with removable pads. On the plus side, my bust looks larger than it really is! On the minus - the bras with pads are kind of warm in the summer, especially when exercising. Oh well. I am here, healthy and happy.

I hope that I can be of support to others who have breast concerns related to tumors and cancer. 

Time Passes June 2013

I hadn't realized that so much time had passed since I last wrote. All thing seem to become less poignant when you wait.  Well, wasn't as long as I thought. You see I had written in January but forgot to post. So, some of this may be redundant.

The end of December I had a little in office surgery on my left breast to help balance things out a bit. It wasn't so bad - a little anti-anxiety med, lots of topical anesthetic, and the cutting out of about 1"x 5" of  skin really didn't seem like an awful thing! And it did help to improve the symmetry. No general anesthetic, and no facility charge made it a whole lot cheaper.

As time elapses I still see asymmetry and think that more work is needed, though I will wait until next year. It's hard to get necklines to hit my chest at the right place so that my right "rise" doesn't show. In order to fill in the depression left by the mastectomy we used a larger in diameter implant to help fill some of the space. My insurance doesn't cover fat injections for filling in such depressions. I think I have come to the conclusion that it would be better to have a deeper depression on the right side of my chest than it is to have one breast appear higher than the other and difficulty dressing appropriately.

I was so excited recently to hear that the FDA has approved the long-used in Europe Natrelle silicone implant that does not leak. Thanks to cosmetic surgeons advertising their services on TV I know what to ask for if ever I exchange my current implant for another.

I went for my two year mammogram and checkup in May. Everything looks good. Bless Dr. I. He's such a great surgeon - takes the time to discuss everything from asymmetry to helping educate me on results, self breast exam, and risks. He said that he has seen about 1-2 Cystosarcoma Phyllodes/year over the last ten years. So, they don't happen very often. Frequently I remind myself how fortunate I am that my tumor was benign, and how things could have been so different. It truly changes my outlook in many ways.

We are having a step challenge at work for 6 weeks, so I am walking sometimes 2+hours/day. Between work and walking, I'm not doing much else. However, I am enjoying the scent of flowers in bloom as I walk, and the beautiful blooms. What a lovely way to help balance out the emotions and put things in perspective.

I have been continuing to work with steel and with glass. I'll post a couple photos for you.

Steel rising tall, bent rod, glass disc

Shattered glass circle with colored frit, copper loops

Hummingbird on a stake

Opaque red glass with silver foil 4"

I think my point is that creativity is therapeutic. Whatever your creativity is, it doesn't matter. Just do it. Whenever you can.

Stories are revised all the time! This should have been published some time ago - early January 2013.

Plans are fluid and change as needed. I didn't have a procedure the week of Thanksgiving.

After discussion with Dr. C I decided to be brave and have the next procedure done in the office. Really brave! So I thought. But, Dr. C said it would be a whole lot less expensive, would be less of a time commitment, and it is something he could easily do with me awake. Awake? Yes. I kind of like the nap, I sleep well, feel nothing and then I wake up. Of course all that takes about 8+ hours by the time you check in, wait, get an IV, get marked up, go to the operating room, to the recovery room, then home.

Brave is as brave does....
So, yes, I was brave, for me. I was happy to have some Lorazepam left over from a recent oral surgery and decided to take advantage of very light sedation - couldn't even tell that I had taken it. I had my latest procedure on Dec. 28 to reshape the left breast. Like I said, Lorazepam. Then prior to incising the skin the doctor injected local anesthetic at multiple points along the intended incision line. One can have skin about 5 inches x 1 inch removed without pain. The smell of cauterized skin - kind of like burning flesh or hair. The tug of suture being pulled through the skin. But, no pain. You have to give Dr. C some credit for that! In and out in just over an hour. Time and money saved. Can't wait to see the bill.

I was pretty much uncomfortable except when reclining or lying down, without cover over my breasts for the first week. I'm feeling much more comfortable the last two days, though not sure what made the difference. Perhaps just that the incision is healing. I do have a nonstick gauze stuck in the skin fold so the bra isn't rubbing against the incision. My right breast is still uncomfortable off and on and had been during the same time the left was uncomfortable. I'm not sure that will ever resolve. It seems to be paresthesias either over the nipple or the scar and I can't tell which. Maybe some day I won't notice that any more? I still think that maybe a nudist colony in a sunny, warm location might be the best option!

Are we done yet?
I am still contemplating whether I stop here, or do two more things that might make me feel better about my appearance? I find it kind of an interesting dilemma, though I imagine many women who have breast reconstruction go through this. I want to like what I look at when I look at it! The goal of surgery/health care is to restore your appearance, at least with clothes on. I'm not ready to settle there, yet. Even that's not quite enough for me. I understand now why we see multiple claims for multiple procedures - hard to get it right the first time; sometimes best to make only one change at a time; hard for the patient (me) to know when to stop. Interesting dynamics, I think.

Who's your mama?
I often try to analyze things with examples for myself to better understand and maybe even better explain what I am thinking and feeling. I know my breasts are  mine and I need to take care of them. I'm not proud of them or loving them. I feel a little detached. But I don't want to wear disfigured breasts. Perhaps like a parent would for children they are disappointed in. Or, we have children who are in the care of guardians who have been selected for them. These guardians don't feel particularly loving but know that they need to take care of these children, trying to provide them with the care and necessities required to help them grow into healthy adults.

Did I tell you about the great lymphedema compression sleeves that are so chic? I got a newsletter from Drexel (my BS alma mater) and in it they wrote about a student who had started a business designing/selling fashionable lymphedema compression sleeves. I don't need one, but it's almost tempting to buy one for a fashionable arm sleeve/warmer! LympheDivas - check it out!

Fun Stuff
There  have been extra activities with the holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. Lots of family fun for Thanksgiving, quiet time for Christmas, and with friends at the beach for New Years.

In between the holiday activities I took a 3 hour glass fusion class at Aquila Glass School. with a friend. I do plan to buy some glass and go back to use equipment. It was hard for me as it was a beginning class, though I had had beginning glass fusion a few years ago. I had expectations of colors and things I'd make. We used scraps and had limited color selection. I thought, "This will be the ugliest glass work that I have ever seen, let alone made." I stressed about it. Stayed at least two hours longer trying to get my pieces finished. OMG! I was pleasantly surprised when I returned to pick up the pieces. Check it out for yourself. I want to make some more, but make objects that I can use with metal sculpture. We'll see.

Small plate - full fuse with slump

Small dish - full fuse slump

Pendants: 1 inch, full fuse (chartreuse, orange, green)

1 inch tack fuse (blue, green orange);
1x2 full fuse (green, streaky brown, yellow, black)
1x2  tack fuse (turquoise, brown, black)
New Years photos

Sunset on the beach

Kestrel on a wire

Bald Eagles waiting for a good catch

Buffle Heads on the Netarts Bay

I Just Keep Thinking ...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Have you checked BSE this month? Is there anything else that you need or want to do to help increase awareness for yourself or others?

Funny how one sees breasts in paintings, objects, and pictures, or how one notices breasts. Not quite as much or as often, but it still happens.

June 10 was my first anniversary for my mastectomy. I am still grateful that even though my shape has changed, for the benign nature of my 1% of all breast tumors cystosarcoma phyllodes. Wonder if this is any predicator of any future occurrences of strange things. Probably not.

Breast Update
August 28 I returned to Dr. C to see what or if there is anything that can be done to remedy current design of the right and left breast. There are some basic options - remove some of the excess breast tissue/skin from the left breast; nothing to done about the stretched out left nipple/areola complex; right breast could pull the nipple areola up and over a bit to make nipples more aligned. I asked for names of other surgeons - he told me which one he would send his wife to. I felt that was a high recommendation. Dr. C was a little surprised. He said that usually patients who are not happy with their results just go see someone else, then he gets a phone call from the other surgeon to let him know that he/she has seen his patient. So, in September, I went to see Dr. B to see what he would recommend. He would do a modified Wise/Anchor incision to remove the excess tissue off the left breast. He would only do one procedure at a time. He wouldn't recommend doing anything with the right nipple - he doesn't think they are that out of alignment. If later on I want something done with the left to make the nipple/areola complex smaller he would make an incision around and use a goretex suture to gather (it would flatten) the circle and make it smaller. The goretex wouldn't dissolve like other suture material. Of course the more you do, the more chances you have of bad outcomes.  I asked him to contact Dr. C and discuss recommendations. He probably would have called him anyway. So....

A couple things he said are challenging me. One was that really what the surgeon is trying to accomplish is to make me look as symmetrical as they can when clothed. The other is that by trying to do too  many things at one time, we can have problems with the outcomes as we don't know exactly what the result of the one procedure will be and it may be what determines what you do with the other. This last concept is one I can understand, and I can deal with. It does require patience, and maybe more surgeries over time. That also means more money. Appearance, though, my appearance to me, is what I have problems with. It isn't what other people see, it's what I see and know, without my clothes on. Accepting less than close symmetry may be awhile in coming, but I am working on it. I don't know really where to store it, or how to let go of my initial expectations.

Breasts in Transition, OR, is it
Breasts as They Have Become

I have come to realize that recontructive surgery, especially when you are starting out with two different shapes, is not easy. It's not perfect. Surgeons are people and make mistakes. I wonder if sometimes the outcome is also a mixture of skill and interpersonal interactions between patient and surgeon.

I do have a pre-op visit scheduled for 2-3 weeks from now, with surgery being the Monday of Thanksgiving week. I am ok with just doing one procedure at a time. And it may be my last one. On the bright side, I don't have to take much time off due to the holiday. I will have very few, if any limitations on my activities. I may work from home for a couple of weeks just to be able to compensate for any issues with getting dressed or clothing challenges. I'll have pretty much all of my fall outdoor work done.

My friends, additional insights or recommendations I would share:
1. Don't be in a hurry
2. Don't try to get it all done at one time
3. It isn't easy to get a perfect outcome, even if it might be possible.

What is life about?
Life isn't all doctor appointments and thoughts of breasts.

Fun and National Geographic Moments
We went camping to our favorite site along the Owyhee River in far SE Oregon, way outback. We witnessed some National Geographic moments - the coyote family attempting an attack on a small group of deer with a couple of young. The deer banded together and fought their predators off. There was the small group of bighorn sheep that wasn't quite so successful - they lost one of their young. The dust storm that came along, as thick as dense fog accompanied by strong winds. The mini float trip down the river, the old ranch buildings, the Morrisonite jasper mines, the steep hike up the side of the mountain. The quiet of nature. The awesome beauty and dimension of the geography around us.

Special Projects
Welding
And for our 15th anniversary, the gift of a welder to me from my Mr. You might think he got it for himself, but as hard as I try to interest him in learning to weld so that he can carry out some of his own wonderful ideas, he really doesn't want to learn. So, I guess it really is for me. We spent part of the summer just getting the things I need to go along with the machine. I also bought a bender. My "shop" is open air back yard. Though a great way to enjoy the outdoors, it comes with its challenges - breezes blowing the gas around so it's hard to control the flow, splattering weld, frustrating adjustments, and resignation to have spatter become part of the art. We have plans for a portable structure that will shield from the breezes, and to allow for working on a day that may be less than ideal weather. For now, I have created a few pieces with bending, bending/welding, welding. My Mr. has an idea for a changing exhibit in the front flower bed that I will be redoing with plantings and space, inclusive of a spot for exhibitions. You know, he really does come up with good ideas. Problem is, I have to be the one to do them (unless it means major manual labor).

Bent & Welded stand for Round Rock

Scrap from the steel yard - components welded together. More work to be done. Watch for 2nd edition.

I continue to think of how I can contribute to the cause that impacts so many women out there - primarily breast issues. Maybe I could donate metal sculptures to auctions? Do you know of any? I can't keep everything I make!

Landscaping
A couple of landscape projects accomplished. I am so happy that they are done. I still have some more to do but it will primarily involve planting next spring.

Front parking - underlayment of 1/4- fine, covered with river rock, stepping stones of chocolate mica, drought tolerant plantings

Travel & Sister
My most recent fun stuff includes a trip to visit my sister in Albuquerque. We have the best road trips and good times together - High Road to Taos Art Tour, Ojo Caliente and driving Forest Service roads to El Rito - a longtime desired destination to a nothing little town . Love the sun and green chiles too. I haven't had tons of free time. Last week I worked from here. We played over the weekend. On Wed. we went to Santa Fe. NM is so full of art and abundant sun. For me, it's a wonderful setting to just sort of observe what is around me, and to also go "inside" to listen and think. And of course, being with my sister is an opportunity to exchange ideas, listen and encourage, and to receive encouragement with/from a kindred spirit.

New Jewelry Art
I made a new pair of earrings for her - I've been planning them for awhile. Funny - at home I wouldn't be doing jewelry yet because when the sun shines I need to be outside. Here, the sun is almost always shining, so I can spend time outside and enjoy being inside. It helps to have a big sliding door in my view so that I can see outside as I'm working inside!

Cluster Earrings - silver sterling post, chain with clusters of semi-precious gemstones

At the end of the day....
Perhaps I should write more often so that when I do write it isn't so long. I have thought of writing many times, but have kind of had a hard time sitting down to do it, wondering what to say or share. Or wondering if I have anything to say or share. I hope that what you have read today will be  is cathartic or healing for some issue or concern that you have. Our journeys are very different, yet they have common threads.

One year later....

Anniversary
If I remember correctly, I found the lump in my breast on 5/10/11, had a mammogram on 5/13, a biopsy on 5/18, and within a week of that saw the surgeon, about a week later the reconstructive surgeon. It's all a little surreal. If my breast didn't show the scars I'd think maybe it was just a really long nightmare.

I'd like to make a difference for others who have breast reconstruction decisions to make. I'm not sure how I will do that. The greatest value I think would be to have contact/resources before any real decisions are made. But ....

One year followup...
This coming Thursday I will have my first post-surgery squeeze-o-gram. It won't hurt the right much at all since there is very little sensation there. I'm thinking the left squeeze will emit some ows. Not looking forward to that. A week from Thursday I will see the general/oncological surgeon. I expect all those reports to be good, and that I won't need to see him for another year.

Fun stuff....
Got together with a high school friend yesterday for breakfast. She has experienced breast cancer, mastectomy, etc. She is always great to chat with - makes me laugh.

Over lunch on Wed. I took my walk and made a quick trip thru the Crystal Springs Azalea and Rhododendron Garden in SE Portland (free on Tues & Wed). Of course, there were alot of people there on free day. Flowers are blooming and there are some new baby ducklings. I wanted to see them both.

Last weekend I went with a friend to a Sisters on the Fly NW event in Pendleton - a very Western focus and their vintage travel trailers. They name their trailers and decorate on the inside and outside. It's a hoot. Nice group of people, though I'm not very group or cowboy oriented. One evening our entertainment was Barbara Nelson. A kick. Great voice. If you like Western Swing or old timey tunes, you would enjoy her music. She must be 70+. Was a PE teacher, raised her kids, and got into playing/singing and recording.http://www.westernmusic.com/performers/performer-nelson.html

Winnebago - 1960's

Barbara

Lil Loafer on the left (1960's)

We had a little incident on our way home. Stopped for gas and we had quite a sound emitting from the trailer wheel on the right. We tried the remedy that Linda's husband recommended - backing to release the brake. We were doing this repetitively in a truck stop parking lot and had more than one trucker let us know that we had a problem - not sure if it was bearings or brakes. We went to another truck stop to see if they had 24hr weekend service. Called a towing/repair company who was able to come to us. As it turned out their shop was just across the street from where we were so we went over for them to do some work. It was the brake - the discs were rubbing against each other. Rather than experience spontaneous combustion as we were driving down the freeway, we had him take the brake part out and disengage it. Got home just fine. Good thing there was a chapel right next to the "shop"!

Did you ever think about what would happen if you did?

The "Shop"

Biggs Jct. Chapel and Bishop Towing & Repair

A couple weeks ago I did some metal bending to create some yard art. I had a great time! I went back to the steel yard the next weekend so I can work on some of my ideas when the mood strikes. Looks like I might get to do a little welding with a friend coming Friday. I need to come up with some ideas to make it worth his while. I need to find people who want yard art but will pay for materials. If not my yard will look like my "favorite" Centralia yard. I can't get to the photos to show you what I mean right now.

Things to celebrate....
We have a new baby - great niece in the family. Unfortunately, my niece had to be delivered at 28.3 weeks. Baby was 1lb 8 oz at birth. Small even for that gestational age. She has gained 5 oz. in about 2 weeks. She's nearly 31 weeks gestation. She has experienced a few road bumps, but she seems to be doing as well as can be expected. So, next Sat. we have a baby shower to go to. I got my pertussis vaccination today just in case I have the chance to visit the baby.

Sun. I have another niece (sister of above niece) who is graduating from college. I will be going to that and celebrating with the family. Very exciting. Can't wait to see where her life journeys take her. She went to Namibia for several weeks of student teaching this past winter. Great opportunity and experience.

Health, love, family, friends. I have many things to be grateful for.

Coming up on 8 weeks ....

I just realized the other day I hadn't posted in awhile. Word of warning - if it seems like a word is missing an "e'" it probably is - my E key started sticking yesterday. Must fix.

Last visit....
Saw the plastic surgeon this week for the last time for about 4 months. Our plan is to let things settle on the left some more and see how much that will pull the nipple down. It's a little high as a result of the last two procedures. I have some excess skin on the lower part of the breast that makes it hang lower than the right. What does that mean to you? Me? I have to wear structured/padded bras to hide the unevenness for now. I call them "breast armor". Or, I have to be really conscious of what I wear and who will see me! The whole thing is rather anticlimactic. I couldn't have come up with a better idea for helping me to reduce my standards from gold to brass! Chatted about art, travel in OR, fishing and what is normal. I had really planned to ask for a name for a consult. Oh well, next time.

What's next....
In June I will probably be following up with the general surgeon and then go get the boob squeeze-o-gram done. I'm really not looking forward to that. I won't feel  much on the right, but not so sure about how it will be on the left. Dr. C felt it would be ok to go ahead with it and that it would probably be more uncomfortable than it normally is. So.... I'll ask Dr. I for a name for a consult I think. I just want to know that what we have tentatively planned for a follow-up procedure is the right thing to do.

Sometime this summer I'll get my annual female exam - I know, the rest of you are probably doing it every year. I am proud of you for that. If you aren't doing it, please consider it. I really am trying to get on the right track, but it's just such a pain in the patooty (that's a word right?). Not literally painful - just so you know that.

August I'll go back to see Dr. C for reassessment and planning. I'd like to target the end of Oct. for the last procedure. During the summer months before I finalize the plans I want to get those consults that I mentioned.

By the end of this year everything should be in order, at least the order that will be.

Meanwhile....
I have been getting on with getting on. I did some major yard work with more big projects ahead. I planted about 20 plants on a steep bank last weekend. Can't wait until they grow and fill things in. I'm going to take out more grass in the front yard and plant perennials and yard art. We'll take the grass out of the front parking strip and plant rocks and other drought resistant plants. I continue to redesign in my head, but I have to feel it and visualize it too, so I can't do a complete plan.

Oh the physical pain I am in at the end of a yard work session! Is that age? Effect of 3 surgeries? It impresses upon me the importance of not just walking, but to include other fitness activities for strengthening and flexibility. And that's work for me. So far, I don't think I have managed more than one 30 min. session per week - I'd like 3. But I haven't given up. I really would like to get where I want to be for the long haul this year. It will only get harder if I'm not. So....

Work is a good diversion. It doesn't leave much time for thinking of my own dilemma - nothing wrong with that.

I bought some steel today for yard art. Some I can do without welding anything - I'll just use the bender we made in Nov. The rest I will save until we visit a friend with a welder. I have drawn out 2 designs that I want to do when we go - one that will be a stand for a round boulder that I've had for many years. The pieces that don't require me to weld will primarily be stakes I'll use for staking plants or for something purely decorative.

In a couple weeks I am going to a Sisters of the NW Flyfishing Assoc. event with a friend who has a little vintage trailer, has joined the assoc. and asked me to go along. I was envisioning sitting by a river/lake/stream, getting into Nirvana, or hiking. Can you feel it? Well, we are going to Pendleton and will be dry-camping in a parking lot.  Guess there will be no Nirvana. Maybe some art or other something of interest. Should be interesting if not fun! Perhaps the next time I should ask where we are going before I say yes. Do you think?

We'd like to go camping at our favorite "outback" SE OR place this summer. And I'm really looking forward to a visit to NM the end of Sept. to visit my sister. We plan to do the High Road to Taos Art Tour and I can't wait for that. It's always good to go visit her. I think it's a little past green chile harvest, but maybe I can bring/ship some home anyway. I miss them - both my sister and the green chiles!

Latest attempt at creativity ......
I need to learn how to use PhotoShop better.

Sticking with the boob theme - Flubber on Flesh. Portrait of myself ;-) with
flubber applied to photo and a photo taken of that

Suncatcher of glass beads and copper tubing
Maybe if there was some sun? I may move it to a different location if this spot doesn't do much for it.

This is what happens....

When I wait so long to write. Sorry about the length. I'm not done writing altogether, but there probably won't be much to say. And that's probably a good thing. Thanks for "listening". Until next time....

2+ weeks Post-op #3

2nd follow-up visit...
A little more complex than the last two surgeries, it's going to take time and patience to see how things will turn out. And, most likely one more procedure. I may seek a couple of consults from other surgeons before I go forward with the next procedure. I'm sure that I can get a couple of good names from my surgeons - just want to make sure that the remedy will provide the best outcome. My next visit is April 25th.

How does it feel?
 I don't have alot of pain, though there is some pressure on the right - the one with the implant under the muscle. I tried my cover all bra the other day and after an hour I knew it would be awhile until I could wear real structured bras. Sports bra it is for awhile. I saw a piece on television about this local gal who designed a sports bra that is not a uniboob, and actually has pockets and pads in it for those who have had mastectomies. It's called the Handful. Since it qualifies as a mastectomy bra, insurance would cover it. I got one to see how it is - comfortable. Haven't used the pads yet but will likely need to do so for getting dressed up for awhile. I'm past wearing bras for 24/7, which is nice.

What I've been up to...
Well, I try to walk everyday but the weather has been pretty discouraging of that kind of activity. However, I've found time between raindrops almost every day for at least a short walk. Even though it snowed the other day the sidewalks were clear when I went out for a walk. And we've had some absolutely gorgeous sunny weather since. I'm sitting on the back porch soaking up the south sun as I write (that was Friday). Love it.

Got together for lunch with a cousin which was nice. Today I had lunch with a friend and a short walk in the neighborhood. I love to be able to walk to the places I need/want to go. Yummy Tom Yum soup at the Bai Mint Thai restaurant on Woodstock. This evening I'll get together with a friend for wine tasting at a local shop. Back to work on Monday, though I'll be working from home.

I've been making jewelry. It's a good way to get my mind on other things and not violate my post-op instructions of lifting <10 lbs, no stretching or driving. I now get to drive so that obstacle is out of the way.

I'll bore you with photos of my jewelry.

Silver and gold-tone shapes

S fasteners for pendants and necklaces

Earrings: Guinea fowl, barred wood duck, Lady Amherst tippetts with quill and goose biots;
twisted wire beads, semi-precious gem-stones.

Earrings: not your normal everyday pair; can be worn alone or as a pair; asymmetrical in length, chain shape and final bead. Not for your normal everyday girl.

Two-sided abalone wire-wrapped pendant

Opposite side of the pendant.

2nd two-sided wire-wrapped abilone pendant

Opposite side of abilone pendant

Carnelian earrings

Cluster ring with multi-colored semi-precious stones (larger ring)

Cluster ring with white/clear semi-precious stones (pinky ring)

My favorites are the feather earrings and the cluster rings. Of course, those are the items that took the longest to make. On the feathers, I made one earring, didn't like it, took it apart and started all over. Of course, glasses are required for this work. I'm not yet using precious metals, but that means that I don't have to feel bad about tearing things apart and starting all over. Someday.... and maybe some silver soldering for finer jewelry.

Finishing up on Sunday
Back to work on Monday. I'm not sure that I am mentally ready, but it will probably be good for me. I'll work from home at least the first week.

Sky is gray, and it's looking like I should get out for my walk before it starts to rain. Until later....