On Fridays I sit in the infusion room and get my chemo cocktail. You'd think, stuck in a cushy chair attached to tubes that I could use that time to write something interesting. I sit here for about four hours. Surely I could do something useful. Most of the time though my mind wanders and …
Category: cancer
Questions, Anyone?
I'm working on illustrating another book for my publisher, Plum Tree Books. I'm also working on getting this site to look like a proper site. Publication requires readers, obviously. And even more obviously, I can't get attention all on my own. I can't get in my car and travel the country to pitch my novel. …
Where’s my cancer patient action figure?
I know this ridiculous, but what if the Doctor's companion was a cancer patient. She could run around between chemo treatments and lose her hair. I don't know. It's crazy, but maybe it would be nice to see patients with certain illnesses on film out in the world doing things. And by doing things I …
This Solstice
Today was the summer solstice. A year ago today, we had our housewarming party to celebrate moving into our very first house. A week from today I'll have my fourth chemo treatment (12 more to go after that). Before I'm done with chemo, I'll have another book out that I've illustrated. Soon after I finish …
Sadness and Other Good Things
When I was an infant, my grandmother (pictured over there) would put a blanket on the floor for my naps. Her German Shepherd puppy, Jill (also pictured), would curl up around me and nap too. At the time, my mother was depressed and suicidal. Perhaps she wasn't the best mother those early days, but eventually …
Books, Dogs, and Wild Hopes
I'm so proud and excited of the children's books my publisher has written and I've illustrated. See! They books are here at Plum Tree Books. Plum Tree also published cards with my art! If you know anyone (or school, organization, and such) that might like unique children's books, please help us spread the word. And …
Change and Other Cool Things
Publication! My publisher, Plum Tree Books, is launching two children's books that I illustrated! I've been distracted and more unorganized than usual because of a cancer diagnosis and chemo brain, but I'm trying to get my life and my attitude back on track. I'm excited about my publisher's work and I want her books to …
May Storytelling
May is here! And I don't know what you're writing these days, but I'm taking a giant stab at Story-A-Day May. I've managed it before, but I'm not sure this time how chemo treatments are going to get in the way. To be accurate, how the side-effects are going to get in the way. But …
Carcinoma Wonderland
I don't know how much about my life with breast cancer I want to blog about. But I've started an FB page to share this experience for what it's worth. The FB page feels more conversational and more immediate. But the page isn't for everyone. The blog format isn't really working for me on this. …
Drains!
The drains are gone! If you've ever had surgery that required post-op drains, you know how awesome it is to be drain free. If you don't know what I'm talking about, google Jackson-Pratt drain. I chose not to take a picture of mine. It's kind of hard to make them look pretty. Writing about difficult …