Sunday, August 25, 2013

Another Kind of Journey

Last week, I sat at the breast care center, waiting for my pre-op appointment.  The waiting room was not inviting, except for the free coffee and cookies.  In the anticipation of surgery, I had a hard time keeping focus on something else, more pleasant.  I decided to get out my sketchbook and draw.  It soothes me.  I don't have breast cancer, but my surgery is to remove a leaky duct in one breast.  They say that 5% of these cases could lead to cancer.  So here I am, trying to surround myself with beauty in my mind.

I sat waiting by myself.  There were many women in the room waiting also.  It was frightening in itself.  Nothing great on the walls to help you with your struggles of why we were all there. I felt so isolated.  I texted my friend, Leslie, who always finds the right words to say, in times like these.  She suggested that I get out my sketchbook and reflect on my vacation sketches, or draw.  Good idea.

I kept thinking about this huge blank wall in the waiting room, wondering why it doesn't have any art on it. (I may have to change that).  I started drawing women, the brave women who sat with me, all waiting for their beeper to go off or not, waiting with their friends for their chemo treatment, women who looked scared out of their minds.  Probably how I looked the first time I came here.
I opened up myself to my community on Facebook, asking for positive thoughts and prayers for my surgery.  Friends and family were amazing, with their words of encouragement, love and kindness.  If you follow me on Facebook, thank you!  Friends really do sing your song, when you forget the words!
Update - my biopsy came back benign! Thank you, Lord!
This news just makes the celebration that much sweeter!

13 comments:

  1. Your drawings seem to reach out with a hug. Lovely way to start the day. Glad your surgery went well and you are getting your energy back.

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  2. That waiting room needs to seriously consider commissioning a collection of your sketches to fill in some empty space. sheesh! What is wrong with them?

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  3. SO GLAD to hear your great news!!! You are indeed blessed with many friends to lift you up. Happy Early Birthday!

    Perhaps that waiting room needs a chalkboard wall so that the woman can write or draw their feelings to share. And then the rest of the walls need some colorful art! Perhaps you can offer them some help with that! I'm sure you have plenty of friends who would be willing to help. :D

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  4. Hooray! So happy you had a good outcome. I love your sketches. We BOTH have big birthdays this year!

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  5. Wonderful news! It would be great to fill the wall with color!

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  6. Wonderful news! It would be great to fill the wall with color!

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  7. So glad you had happy news and that your prayers were answered. It is all part of the journey - sometimes the news is good, and sometimes it is not, but how we respond to it is up to us. Rock on! And meet that birthday with a smile because it is a priviledge to have lived a full and joyful life.

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  8. What an inspiration you are. And your sketches are magnificent. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. I follow your blog regularly and your art always brings a smile to my face. I'm sorry for your ordeal but very happy for the outcome. Take care.

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  10. I was thinking this morning I need to do more sketching as I looked back at a few I had done in the past!It certainly was the right thing for you that day! I love your quote on Friends and have copied it down! Glad for you that you got the Benign call! Happy 60 too! a new lease on life!

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  11. Wow. full of tears.
    What a blessing for your results.
    Love your drawings. Happy Birthday this year.

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  12. This could have been my story 5 yrs ago minus the insight to sketch. So happy for your results! Stay healthy 😃.

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  13. My mom died of breast cancer, so I was really pulled in my the story. Your work is very personal and fun with the storytelling. Wonderful work.

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