OK! Soooooo, I figured I ought mention my long absence from this blog and since this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month n' all, now is as good a time as any, right? On day 3 of my new job last year, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. GAH!! Can you believe it??! I couldn't either. It was not FUN in any way, but I did get through it. With incredible love, humor and support from friends and family too. I am very lucky (it's all relative, you know) and I'm OK now. We caught it early and treated it aggressively. So now, I get to return to living my long, happy and full life! I'm a survivor, damnit! WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO! (and I really mean that WOOO HOOO part!)
Certainly, I'm open to share my experience or answer questions you might have. I'm actually really open about all of that. Sometimes, I fear, maybe a little TOO much so. However, I'd prefer not muddle this blog with too much on this particular subject nor do I want to scare anyone away by the mere mention of it. Trust me, I want to get back to DRAWING! The experience of this past year has definitely, profoundly changed me. It scared me, scarred me and taught me a whole lot about life and death and what is really important. I hope I never lose sight of that. Soooooooo, with all that said...LADIES (AND GENTS TOO)--early detection is KEY. Please, please, do regular self examinations. And, Ladies, get those yearly mammograms by the time you're 40!!! OKAY?!??! Please!
The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to treat and better the prognosis!
Here's a lite take on the BEFORE, DURING and AFTER process that is breast cancer for many: straight hair to no-hair to some crazy-poodle-hair. (chemo freaks out the hair follicles)
*thanks to "anon" for inspiring me to draw this today.
26 comments:
i'm glad to read you're fine after such a scary period. last year i've been diagnosed with a much much much less issue but it scared the hell out of me and now it doesn't seem neraly half as dangerous as then.
i take this opportunitie to mention i'm subscribed to you blog for some months now, and love to find fresh doodles like yours from time to time between my daily news. keep 'em coming, lady!
Thank you so much, Anhdres. I'm very glad to hear that your diagnosis isn't nearly as bad as perhaps it could have been.
I'll definitely get to work on some fresh doodles soon!
Wow, what a shock, Paige.
I'm so relieved that you are through and coming out the other side of this. Very proud of you even though I only know you through this blog.
Hugs to you brave woman!
Paige, I am glad you recover well!! Best wishes, you are very brave!! THese drawings are beautiful.
Hello. Very nice site, Paige. I like your sketches.
you are a brave and generous one who's not afraid to share your experiences..cheers to good health!
thank you Roz, Alina, Decent Man and twisstii. It's very nice to hear from each of you and I really appreciate your sweet words. I look forward to getting back into the blogging fray and reconnecting with people.
xoxo
~paige
It's good to hear you're well again, you must have had a scary year. You're very brave!
Anette
www.wynlen.no
Paige, it's good to hear about your recovery! I love these illustrations! Hope all is well!
That was fast, Paige!
Thank you for posting the illustration for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
It seems you have your energy back, and it shows in your creativity.
Paige, God bless you. I've missed your blog and didn't know why you weren't posting... thought perhaps you'd just lost interest. My mom went through breast cancer , so, I know a little bit about what you've been going through...
Glad you're doing ok.
Hey Paige!
So glad to have you back.
Great to hear that you are doing well after a trying time.
You were missed.
Jeremy
Anette, Laura, Anon, David and Jeremy....
Your kind words and well wishes are very much appreciated! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Paige, welcome back! I'm a relatively young woman but I'm definitely taking your advice... It's great to see your beautiful drawings again.
You seem to be a brilliant and VERY cheerful person in this blog, so I can definitely learn from you on how to deal with such crisis with the right attitude. I'd be interested to hear about how you get through this.
that is very sweet of you to say, S tsui! thank you. I definitely have days where I'm sour, sad, angry, annoyed and all kinds of other, less-than-positive moods.
I do try and remind myself to be positive. And generally speaking, I'm normally pretty cheerful. If you really want to read more about this I've chronicled some of the journey (admittedly, all ranges of emotions, etc) at http://my-left-boob.blogspot.com
Welcome back Paige. Way to kick the cancer! I had no idea chemo made birdies sprout from your head. I hope that clears up.
Hey, Guy! Good to hear from you! I'm sooooo looking forward to catching up and seeing what stellar art you've been up to!
Yes, chemo totally made a birdie grow from my head. And it tickled!!
;0)
beautiful
I have been checking on you from time to time on your other blog... I am so glad to see you back!
I look forward to seeing more of your work here.... it is always great... and so much fun to see!
Hey, Paige! Welcome back to blogging!! Awesome to see some of your new stuff. I miss seeing all you guys over at Wubbzy-ville during my "coffee strolls". Thanks for the link! (I'll be sure to surf by more often)
thank you, ridd1 and doug. I appreciate the sentiments!
Thanks to you too, Chris! It was always a pleasure seeing you when you popped into our area! Yeah, I finally linked to some of the folks I've long wanted to link to (like you!) so all this awesome artwork is only a click away!
wow. you have been busy, congratulations on getting through these past months and for kicking cancer in the butt. glad to see you back.
Hi Paige!
Glad to see you're back! I had heard about how you were going through treatments for breast cancer - I am so glad you're doing well. My mom had it 15 years ago and she's doing very well.
Oh my - I had wondered what had happened to you. The picture is absolutely wonderful - such a light delicate humorous touch to something that scares the pants off so many of us. You're a star!
I read what happened on your other website. I don't know you but whenever I reed things on your blog I find you have such positivity and kindness over you... Anyway, glad you're back and I'll now visit the blog more often now that I know more update are one the way...
Bye bye,
Bo, The Netherlands
Paige - your breast cancer designs are darling. I would like to know how to reach you to discuss using some of them but have been unable to locate your contact information. My contact information is aloveaffairwed@aol.com.
Thank you!
Post a Comment