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....

Post-op report 1 week later

A week ago today, I had my revision of my reconstruction.

Dr. C did the pre-marking before-hand. We thought we had it nailed as far as what needed to be done. He ended up doing a mastopexy on the left to lift the nipple higher. Did some refinement on the right and upsized the implant some.

I experienced alot more pain this time, I think due to the extra work on the left breast which still has sensation. Due to nausea related to pain meds, it took me about an hour extra to be ready to go home. Got home about 8:30. I ended up using a left-over pain med from last year until I got my prescription filled. OMG - talk about itching and a fairly sleepless night. That's one I don't want again. Once I got my prescription filled I did much better.

Bandages came off on Fri. First impressions aren't good. Fortunately mastopexies look much worse initially than what they do once things have healed and settled. Sometimes I find myself holding my breath and wondering what I will do. I just have to wait. I think that I should join some freak boob show and start to raise money for reconstruction of reconstruction. I hope that things won't look as bad as they do now.  There's a really great surgeon in Louisiana, I hear. I guess I could go live and work there for a couple months! I've started saving my coins. I'll let things settle awhile and think very carefully about any revisions.

I'm asking myself what I can learn from this experience. What I can do for others. How I can be a stronger, wiser person. I haven't heard any voices yet, but I suspect that over time I will have some ideas - perhaps.

What else? Thank goodness for good friends. Too many treats to name. For time with me walking on a cold day in the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. I love the variety of water fowl. There were also some early bloomers of a variety of flowers. Wish I knew what they are. Crazy weather today, but just dry enough at the right time, we only got chilled, not wet.

Check these feathered friends out!

One mixed up kinda guy hanging out with the mallards

Lesser Scaup, I think

Wigeon? Female Pintail? Not sure.

Wood Duck

Wood Duck grooming his beloved

And the flowers... not sure what they are, but ever so fragrant. Can you smell them? Sort of like Daphne. I think I found it on the web. 

Paper Bush/Edgeworthia Crysanthea

Accomplishments & things to do....

Got taxes done. So much fun, but necessary. Happy to say, a contribution towards medical expenses is on its way. Haven't started jewelry yet. I think that's on my agenda for tomorrow. I have a couple pieces in mind - we'll see what comes out of it.

I think I have some papers and junk to sort out and toss or shred. We've been rearranging, reorganizing and painting. So I guess that's something productive.

Anyway, enough is enough. I'll catch  up to you later!

Third time is a charm...

Well, today I will have my 3rd surgery, 2nd reconstructive surgery.

I got up at 4am for my "last bites" & coffee. I find that music with nature sounds and other relaxation music helps me to find a good spot to wait and prepare for surgery. In addition, I'm doing some last minute things to be prepared for a few weeks of limited stretch and lifting. I found some other things that needed to be done - sort the mail, clean the bathroom, and this.

There was a light dusting of snow during the night. I'm hoping it will be dry enough to get a walk this morning. We have to leave at 10:30 for the hospital. It's all in the timing!

Pre-op appointment
In preparation for my pre-op appointment I made flubber to see if I could do some sculpting and get an idea of volume needed. Didn't seem to work too well due to body heat and where the needs were. But, I hope to do something with the flubber before I toss it. I've kept it from drying out by putting it in a zip lock bag. Using carpentry tools and rulers we also did some measuring  to see where differences were in projection, diameter, etc. Dr. C. had given me a copy of the volume, projection and diameter of different implants. I was able to use this and my measurements to come up with a proposed solution, which was a little different than what he earlier thought. He was in agreement with my proposal. I'm glad I did that. He mentioned some other things that he could do, but left me to think on those.

Our, or should I say my goals for today's surgery....
I've been thinking about this alot since my pre-op appt. two weeks ago. My surgeon is concerned that I may be focusing on a degree of perfection that we can't reach. I take that into consideration as I evaluate what it is that I am hoping for today.

• Comfort - is there anything we can do to increase the comfort? What is causing the discomfort? I think I am experiencing increasing sensation on the right nipple/breast that is not altogether pleasant, though not painful. It's an ever-present awareness of pressure -- mmm- maybe not ever-present but erratically present on a daily basis, usually increasing as the day wears on. I don't imagine that we can do anything to change that. Is there anything else?
• Symmetry - is it too much too hope for a greater degree of symmetry? Left nipple higher on the breast, right breast with more diameter and volume so that hopefully it will fill out the concavity some above the breast where breast tissue was also removed. I think breasts must go all the way up to your neck! There really isn't a good option though unlimited financial resources would give us more options. Fat graft - needs to be a larger piece of tissue in order to maintain adequate vascularity. Fat injections - as of 1/1 my insurance company considers them investigational so that would be my financial responsibility along with any potential complications and facility charges. Collagen injections - costly, particularly for the amount of volume needed. 
• Stability - the right breast was lowered on the chest wall so that as you look at both, the bottom of the breast (not the inframmary crease) lines up. There is the potential that over time the implant could drop further down on the right. I don't want to go back in a year, two, or three to say "Umm, my boob is sliding down my chest. Can we get it fixed?" If it looks like it is migrating as  it is, then lets do something to prevent that from happening. There are options that might help with that, but is the risk great enough? 

So, as I look forward to today, I am not so concerned about the surgery itself as I have a skilled surgeon, but about the outcome, as I view this as my "last opportunity". I need it to be my last trip to the operating room for some time. I'd really rather spend money on travel, welding and glass-making classes, so keep me out of the OR until I need my parts replaced, please!

I have no photos or art to show today, but I think there will be some in the making soon. Stand by.

Thanks for your thoughts today.

Next Steps

Follow-up visit January 24 
Well, essentially, things are looking the same as they did at my last appointment. Incisions are healing. I told the Dr. that I bought sweater bras, but while they help a little, I have to still use a small insert and that still doesn't correct everything. Plus, they aren't all that comfortable.

 What is it that needs to be done?

I'd like:

• A lift on the left to bring the left nipple to the height of the right (reconstructed breast)
• Volume in the right place on the right breast to fill in the valley above the breast and balance out the volume of the breast

What can/may be done:

• There will not be a lift on the left due to concern about interrupting vascular supply with the implant in its current location
• We will consider moving that nipple higher. Based on my basic photoshop skills that would probably look ok.
• On the right, trade out for a lower profile, wider, and probably larger implant. 

Dr. C is willing to do what needs to be done, but obviously, this can't go on forever. So we'll have to choose a stopping point. I say the third time is a charm! I hope. I'm not sure I have accepted it yet, but I may always and forever have one ugly boob. Not excited by it, but working on accepting it.

Next
I'll have a pre-op appt. on Feb. 21 prior to my next surgery, whch is scheduled for March 6. Meanwhile I have a few things to do to get ready.

There are outdoor projects which I am putting off for a couple of weeks so the timing will be closer to right. March/April are kind of important spring gardening/cleanup months. I won't be doing much if any of that during those months. On the inside, we started painting a room this past weekend, tore the carpet up, and will be laying laminate. I want to finish that by the end of this coming weekend. It's looking so good. I have some touchup and the quarter round to paint yet - then the floor goes down.

In order to help determine how much volume needs to be added to my right breast, I have an assignment to complete before my pre-op appt. I am to make flubber out of borax, glue, water, and food color - but then most of you probably already knew what it was. It was all new to me! I'll sculpt it over my breast to fill in the spaces and fill out the roundness, place it in a container of water and see how much fluid is displaced. That should give us volume. I'm looking forward it. Not sure what color I'll make it just yet. Bright pink? Flesh color? I think I need a pair of calipers to help with the measurements. Yet another art project! We'll see how it looks - you may get to see some pictures. Unconventional, I think, but maybe it will help to better visualize what needs to be done.

Motivation is good....
I don't think I have any new jewelry or sculpture to share with you. But what I do have to share is probably just as good. After a very long time of not accomplishing much, and playing way too much solitaire, I decided to get moving, get motivated. I'm trying to exercise more - walking and strength training. Painting has kind of interfered with that for a bit. Accomplish projects that have been delayed -we started on the "office" - reorging, tearing up carpet and doing the painting. I've done some pruning. And... well doesn't sound like much, but I am feeling sort of energized by it and want to get more done. Is this what it feels like to have the nesting instinct? I've gained weight - sure hope it's not a baby!

Wait, I do  have a bracelet to show you. I made it for a work friend who has walked and talked with me alot. She likes. Says her daughter wants to wear it, and would like one of her own in silver! This one made me a little cranky though a 2nd one would be easier. Don't think I'll go there!

Copper with wire, glass beads

 I am trying to think of a couple of jewelry projects for when I am off again. I don't think that taxes and shredding financial papers will take up the whole time. I certainly hope not anyway.

I worked some more on my "brochure". I didn't like how it came out graphically - I had some technical issues. Not sure if it has all the content I want, or maybe too much. I think I'll have several people review it and see what kind of feedback I get from it. I left it with Dr. C this past visit to see what his thoughts might be on it.

I have a drawing to share with you, just for the heck of it. Soon after my last surgery I was trying to measure the symmetry, or perhaps, the asymmetry of my breasts. Might be some more in the "series" later on.

Measuring for Symmetry

Well ladies and gents, I think I'm done rambling for one night. I'll check in with you again in a few weeks. Come back for the flubber breast sculpture in your favorite color!