It is November and it is Crohn's and colitis awareness month!! and I couldn't be more aware!! Yes, this disease that I thought I had walked away from has found a way to a royal pain in my ass.
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| a recent 'gut art' piece, intuitively I drew big feet (size 10 for me), stitched midline (size large on me), and a cape (name wonder woman in ICU). |
I traveled to another city for a surgical opinion this past friday. The short version of this story is that I need to have the surgery. I figured that was going to be the response but I had hoped for more of a miracle discussion. Post appointment and in response to my news, my friend Angie, so aptly put it "Upon finishing my 8th year at Hogwarts I was given the spell to cure all of your ailments! Wingardium leviosa!". Thanks Angie, I don't levitate as a rule.
In all fairness and all seriousness, I am scared "shitless". I know I was supposed to be serious. However this disease accentuates how many poo jokes our society has and how little those that suffer with their poop can talk honestly about it.
I have had ulcerative colitis for 15 years, and nearly four years ago I opted to have my colon removed. The next surgery is to have my rectum removed.
I have been in Post Traumatic therapy to help me with the trauma I experienced in the first surgery. It seems I can't put off this surgery any longer as my risks and health issues are starting to be too great to leave status quo alone.
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| I have been using art to heal for four years, this is ten minute sketch I did as part of Mystele Kirkeeng's Gut Art class. |
The one thing I do know, during my surgical consult, as I was struggling to make sense of words and feelings - I said "I want to focus on my art career and not my health". I want to shed the cloak of despair and pain that I have carried so long. I want to flourish and be free and energetic. They tell me that the surgery will grant me this wish but first I must endure the dreaded procedure.
This is a huge road for me, one that will take more talking and planning but the writ has been dropped. I must prepare for battle. My armour is slightly dinted. My heart slightly broken. I know how the battlefield is won and where I can improve my skills to be an even more amazing warrior.
And then there is this stinking reminder that keeps popping up and is now so very public. I am newly crowned National winner of the Great Comebacks award. Yes, I won 2014/15 Great Comeback award for being the poster child of surviving, thriving and inspiring others to take on their fears, get an ostomy and then go get a life!@ oi vey. Guess I will go and do that now.
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| Family Graffiti series to be sold in show 'Deck The Walls'. These works will be shown at two bakeries over the holiday season! Couldn't have done this art without my past! |
Thank you for your support in who I am and my creative expressions I share. I'd love to see you at 'Deck The Halls' to purchase some affordable art. I am having a two show opening nights as we have two amazing places to sell our art.
Patisserie du Soleil – Wednesday, November 12, 2014, 6-8pm
2525 Woodview Dr SW, Calgary, AB T2W 3Y1
Heaven’s Artisan GF Restaurant – Tuesday, November 18, 2014, 6-8pm
1013 17 Ave SW #119, Calgary, AB T2T 0A7
Join me for more fun and updates...
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