1 Year Ago

1 year ago I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, stage 1C. 

Well, here I am 1 year later. Happy. Healthy.

My jewelry making is going well, I average about 2-3 sales a month. Yes, I know compared to others this is not a lot but for me, its enough. 

I got a new camera for Christmas. So once it gets nice out, I plan on moving forward with my town fair series.

1 year. It comes and goes so freaking fast. And I am grateful. So very grateful.

Happy 2013

I am actually not sure how many people actually read this blog.
That said its no harm in posting anyway. Right? (I ask the fictional readers).

So all in all 2012 pretty much sucked a nut. It was bad. But it ended well, as I am able to sit here and type and am pretty healthy, considering I am 6 months into remission.

So 2012 in summary:
- Had large cyst, named "Mama Cass" because she was so big.
- Mama Cass was removed on February 2nd, and I went to the American Girls Store 2 weeks later with a friend and her daughter on pain pills. It was a fun time all around.
- On February 16th was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, Stage 1C on February 16th 2012. Worst day of my life...Watching Big Bang for 4 hours straight made it bearable. And having my husband by my side.
- A plethora of cancer jokes (made by me) and hijinks ensue as parents arrive on February 17th.
- March 17 NYC for the weekend with friends, eating in Little Italy and seeing Newsies on Broadway. Wonderful weekend, took mind off of things. 
- Don't remember most of March-June. Spent most of it in bed, recovering from another surgery, chemo, adverse reaction to Taxol, high on Benadryl (copious amounts to reverse effect of said Taxol), feeling like I had the flu, fighting nausea, and missing my students.
- June 6, early birthday present of last chemo treatment.
- August trip to Mexico and scuba dive. Feeling normal again. The perks of having little hair is that it doesn't get stuck in the mask.
- September, back to work, back to teaching and back to life. Many people asking how I am...and some like my hair!
- December 2012 holiday time with husband and family. Fending off extended family members who did not seem to care that I had cancer and ask why I cut my hair. Fast forward to family vacay to Sanibel and time with my brother and cousin sippin' Moscato D'Asti on the beach at midnight.
- Best "present" of my life from my husband. More on this to come....Good thing I am cancer free!

Another "Gallery"

So a few months back I submitted some images to the Womens' In Photography International (WIPI), Sunrise, Sunset and Rainbows competition.

I actually placed in the RAINBOWS category for my humpback whale photo with a rainbow coming of the mist. It may not be the more earth-shattering photo but hey it placed! I like it, its cute and it is what it is... 2 of my favorite things a rainbow and whale.

Click on the link and then find the RAINBOW category!

Blogging is in the family....

My brother is sharing his wit and his humour (European spelling there for my brother) in is wonderful blog: http://feministfascist.blogspot.cz/

Check it out. Spread the love.

Website is up!

Puzzle Piece Jewelry now has its own website!

Click HERE

I will be adding up photos, and have an offer to purchase directly from the website...goodbye pesky ETSY fees...You will also be able to access the etsy.com store from the website as well.

I looked around for a while trying out demos of cheaper, or more expensive sites that offered a cart option.  I went back to OTHER PEOPLES PIXELS.
They are great and its easy to use. The only downside is that I can't upload the background. But thats ok I went with TEAL... The color of Ovarian Cancer Awareness and its one of the 4 colors in the Autism Awareness ribbon.

So please stop by and visit our new home!

Back to creating and back to reality

Its good to be back. I am back at work, teaching students with Autism. Which, is my passion and my life! I am so glad to be back at work, even the 5:30am wake up isn't that bad.

Artist. Teacher. Wife. Sister. Daughter. Friend. I can add Cancer Survivor to that list now. Its something that I never wanted to do or even tackle, but I am so glad to be a survivor. 

Through it all I had to create...something. I tried painting and while I loved it, the chemo made me a little shaky, too shaky to paint.

So I tried making necklaces but my hands didn't want to work. As an artist, as a creative person that was hard to deal with. But oddly enough, I could make those trendy wrap bracelets that is EVERYWHERE now. For some reason, I could hold the bead and stitch it. Not sure why I couldn't string beads, or do a clasp, but I could use Fireline thread and make a bracelet. Kids, I made TONS of these bracelets:) And proudly, they are selling like hotcakes on Etsy!

Take a look!

African Turquoise Wrap Bracelet

Autism Awareness Wrap Bracelet in Black Leather

Sienna Crackle Agate Wrap Bracelet

Ovarian Cancer Wrap Bracelet

 I was on a roll! Then once the shakes went away, I really got into hand stamping metal. I just love it and its highly addicting. I have had tons of sales, ok for me 1 sale a week is a ton (and I have had about 1-2 sales a week since August), and am really happy with the results! So if you checked out my blog in the last few months, thank you :) If you are stumbling upon it now for the first time. Thank you:) Its just good to be here. Alive. Creating. Loving life and friends and family.

Dream

My Sun and Stars, Moon of My Life

Ovarian Cancer Awareness

"You love me. Real or not real." I tell him "Real."

Autism Awareness

Another gallery and news...

During the month of February I was proud to be part of a juried show at Seven Gallery in Maynard, MA. It was an exhibition of all media types featuring the night. My "Red Pipes" photo was in the show and it was the first gallery reception that I have been able to attend! It was a lot of fun!

My jewelry making and photography, for now, is being put on hold due to my battle with Ovarian Cancer. So far, I am winning! It was stage 1-c and after the fertility saving surgery, they found no more cancer! I just got my port placed and will begin chemo in a few weeks.

I have learned alot during this time, more medical information that I ever thought I would need to know.

I know having a 1-c cancer is a GOOD thing. But its still cancer, and will have chemo and will loose my hair. I think the most frustrating thing is that when people hear its level 1, it means its NOT cancer, NOT a big deal, NOT real. But it is.

But I WILL finish this battle and win. Then more art.