"Tootin' My Horn" in more ways than one...

This post has more to do with my photographic art than my cancer but then again it is indeed part of my journey! Since being set free from the cancer chaos,I've taken hold of my artistic endeavors. I've always wanted my art to have something special to say . I've entered about 5 art shows since Feb of '09. I just recently received an "Emerging Artist" award at the Roanoke City Art Show. 370 pieces were submitted and only 50 pieces were chosen and 2 of them were mine. I was so excited! As you can see I'm posing with my picture. (It's all my hospital bands I received during my cancer journey).I used the same shot that I use for this blog . So, I'm tooting my horn for surviving and getting an award! In the future I envision a photographic series dedicated to the subject of cancer and it's statistics through my perspective and my lens of course. My hope is that the titles speak louder than the images . I want to thank all my friends and family for their support! Especially my husband, Chad in believing in me, you inspire me to "go for it"!

My Artistic Interpretation...

This weekend I attended the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. It was their 25th birthday! How awesome is that!? Of all the many happenings going on at Relay, the Lumanaria Ceremony is a very poignant time. It gives you time to remember those who lost were lost, those who are in the midst of their journey and those who are living
proof of hope. I took a stroll along the campsites looking at all the lumanaria glowing in the night. As a cancer survivor of Colon cancer, I'm always finding ways to bring awareness to colon cancer. I found myself thinking, how many of these people had colon cancer? Wouldn't it be neat to have a colored bag to signify that! So Back home after a tiring night,I was reviewing some photos I had taken. And I digitally added blue, the color that represents colon cancer.
So here in this picture, is my interpretation of a colon cancer stat: 1 of 18 people will diagnosed with colon cancer. So in this shot of 50 or so lumanaries about 3 people have/had colon cancer. As an photographic artist I want my work to reach people is some way. I hope in this photo,the awareness to the cancer that I had is the 2nd leading cancer killer of America.

A Mammogram?

well, I guess this is just part of it: screening NEW territory! Having had cancer at a young age and a family history of breast cancer, my oncologist thought it would be best to get a mammogram done. I guess I'm "at risk" for getting other cancers since I already had cancer! So with that being said,I had my 1st ever base-line mammogram done this morning. What a cinch!(or should I pinch!)LOL! I wish my rectal exams were that easy and painless( I have a high pain tolerance:-) and well I don't feel the colonoscopy cause I'm out cold! I wasn't nervous ,just something to check off on my to-do list! But I did have that thought in the back of my head,what if they find something? The Colondar's, March model, recently found out she had stage 0 breast cancer and just underwent a double mastectomy! Such a strong inspiration! They gave me a pink organza pouch with a real freshwater pearl ready to string. Ooooh Aaaah! Nice gesture...What do you think they should give someone who's just had a colonoscopy?

Making of the COLONDAR...

As I was checking my Facebook e-mail the other day, I received a message from Colon Club. There was a notice telling about how they made the Colondar and how it came about,and was now on YouTube. Ericka Kratzer( of Blacksburg,Va) is the Cover model every year. She is a long term Survivor of stage IV colon cancer!She is approaching 10 years cancer free! She represents hope and inspires us ALL! It was last year when I sent in my application, only to find out that they did not choose me at that time. It was something that I so wanted to be a part of ,but realized that God has different plans for me and I believe He wanted me to wait so that I would have even more to share with the world. Going for it again later this year! Well if you have time to watch some YouTube videos check it out Here!

Scan Me !!!

My insides are like a bar code! Scan me! I partook in taking the "cancer cult Cool-aid" again!(part of a PET scan) Still cancer free...except my spleen is acting funny! So it seems there is a questionable "area"...umm like it was the very first time I had a PET scan. And by the second scan, it was cleared up! My onc isn't worried, cause it's rare to have a cancer like colon cancer to travel to the spleen. But I couldn't help thinking...Isn't it somewhat "rare" for a 30-something to have COLON CANCER!!! So I must get back on track with taking care of my body,drinking my nutritious drinks, taking the LIST of vitamins and EXERCISING! It's all good, I have no worries, unlike my dear husband. HE always says he wants to keep me here...I'm here, and "IF" it happens(recurrence) I'll still be here! You just don't die instantly from cancer(as far as I know:-) My tests may show I'm clear but I tell you, WE ALL SHOULD FIGHT AS IF WE HAVE CANCER!

Takin' the "port" out of Portnova...

Chad took this of me right before the procedure.Thumbs up!

So today I have come full circle in my cancer journey. I had my port a cath removed. For those who may not know it is where they infused chemo, took my blood and once off chemo, flushed it every 6 weeks. Before we even got to the office I was so nervous that all I could do was pee! And even when we got there I had to pee again! I just sat there in the waiting room asking God to pour his peace over me and settle my nerves. Every other procedure done to me in the past, I've been knocked out. Once the procedure started, It felt like forever for my surgeon to take it out. I was numbed really well and didn't feel a thing! I could have kept it as a souvenir but decided not to...one memory I don't mind letting go of:-) Both he and I had a chuckle over the Today Show and this man jumping out of a helicopter onto a huge marlin(in the ocean) and holding on to (it was a seriously CRAZY sight!)Later his P.A came in, and then I realized who she was. She was the one who pulled out(felt more like ripped out) my J-port tubing after my colon surgery! That hurt so bad, but she did do a good job distracting me by having me talk to the ostomy nurse at the time. WHAT A JOURNEY this has been. Now I'm port-free!

I'm a BELLA GIRL !

Oh! I'm so EXCITED! In this month's Bella Magazine, a free publication that is distributed throughout the Roanoke Valley,Southwest Virginia and beyond, I'm featured as one of the women in the community, which they call 'Bella Girl'. I had contacted them and showed interest in sharing my colon cancer story in the March issue because that is Colon Cancer awareness month. At the last minute they were able to squeeze me in as a Bella Girl and answered a couple of questions pertaining to my cancer journey. It's not a full page article(well kinda it's full page!), but I hope those who read it will understand that cancer does not discriminate. I know that all cancers are terrible, but I hope that I have brought awareness to the one cancer that deserves recognition, because it is the 2nd cancer killer in America, yet it's the one cancer that can be prevented through early screenings.

A COLONOSCOPY SWEEPSTAKES ?!

I have always looked forward to the month of February, with Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day, MY BIRTHDAY, and much more. But as a colorectal cancer patient/survivor I began to notice more what month was devoted to my disease.So as February ends, I really look forward to March:
MARCH IS COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!!!
So today,I was sitting here watching The Morning Show on CBS and a colonoscopy commercial came on. So of course my ears perked up! It was a Colonoscopy Sweepstakes! You enter to win a FREE colonoscopy in New York! You also get to stay in a "fancy" hotel for the night before while you prep! So the only part of the room you'll get to see is the bathroom, cause you'll be in there for quite a while!LOL Oh and forget the room service...cant eat anything before or during the prep. I think they should give you a complimentary lunch somewhere nice in the city because I know I was HUNGRY afterwards! Anyway, I thought it was an awesome idea to promote colonoscopies and Colorectal Cancer month!
BUT, while looking at the "rules", there was AGE BRACKET! for 40-87 yrs old!!! YOu can probably tell how I feel about that one! GIVE ME A BREAK!, hello!,34 yrs old here, and no family history of colon cancer, wake up people! I know that there is a small percentage of people,(that's me) that get colon cancer, but why put an age on it, I certainly did not ask to get this disease!(okay, stepping off the soapbox for now) (The PSA below is not the commercial but can help led to the other one I was talking about)

Watch CBS Videos Online

My LAST port flush...

We'll today I got my port flushed for the very last time! 14 days till I get my port taken OUT! I did it, I made the appt with my surgeon. It's not a big deal taking it out as it is putting it in! No worries of my lung collapsing! Yes really! it can happen! I hope It doesn't hurt like it did putting it in! I was "sedated",yeah right, I remember the whole thing! I remember it HURTING! Not something I want to relive!
I put a poster up in the Cancer Center today announcing "DRESS IN BLUE DAY" for March 6TH! So I hope you can find something blue in your closet that day. Wear it for me please! tell them it's wear blue day,(or tell them it's coming up) and mention my story. Make them aware of colon cancer and that anyone can be affected by this disease,and how it can be prevented by getting a colonoscopy.
There is a lot of exciting stuff going on in March! watch for posts!

Colon Cancer Stats

I came across some stats while reading on the Colon Club talk. One person asked the breakdown of the age of diagnosis:
Response by:
by r_mark on Mon Feb 23, 2009 3:23 pm(colon club member)

From emedtv.com (http://colon-cancer.emedtv.com/colon-ca ... stics.html)

The median age at colon cancer diagnosis for 2000-2003 was 71 years of age. The percentages of people diagnosed with colon cancer based on age were:

0.0 percent were diagnosed under age 20
0.9 percent between 20 and 34
3.5 percent between 35 and 44
10.9 percent between 45 and 54
17.6 percent between 55 and 64
25.9 percent between 65 and 74
28.8 percent between 75 and 84
12.3 percent 85+ years of age.

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Since the fenceposts are 45 and 54, one would have to assume that if the 10% before age 50 is correct, that 5.6 percent are diagnosed between 45 and 50 and that 5.3 percent are diagnosed between 50 and 55. And I'm sure that the 0.0 percent for under age 20 should be read as < 0.1 percent, as we have people here who have been diagnosed before their 20th birthday.

34

I decided to blog my birthday on my cancer page because this day is starting to mean a lot more to me now. So I've lived another year! When you've gone through something like cancer, each year you live past it, you become more thankful. I seem to be thinking, okay,I passed my colonoscopy, so now I gotta "pass" my PET scan next, "pass" my blood tests, watch for any typical symptoms that would be questionable and live on through the next 6 months. I'm planning on getting my port taken out soon. I think it's time to let go(my port to me like a security blanket is to a child..."the just in case" mentality), and trust God(again) the plans he has for me. So as the "Smoke clears"(as you can see in the picture) I'm ready to exhale(cause I've been holding my breath for a while lol)and live life fully. YEAH Happy Birthday to ME!!!

(cough,cough!! I'm surprised the smoke alarm didn't go off! that's not good!)

HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY:

Colonoscopy:"Clean as a Whistle"

FRIDAY THE 13th:I have wonderful news to report! My colon is in the clear! No evidence of any polyps or recurrent tumor. I do have a bit of inflammation at the anastomsis(where some titanium staples are still present). So I add another band to my collection in my journey. I will spare you all and I will NOT be posting pictures of my lovely colon. I do have pictures of it though, quite interesting I would say. So now, I can check off colonoscopy on my "cancer-free to do list". What's left? A port removal, another PET scan in April, Relay for Life, share my journey with others, volunteer @ Cancer center and I'm sure I'll be adding to the list. So I guess "Friday the 13th" wasn't bad after all. When I rescheduled, it was the only date available. I told the nurse I wasn't superstitious. I even picked locker#13 to store my clothes during my "scope". And did you know, I found out Nov. 13th(2007) that I had cancer. That may have been unlucky at the time but I see it as lucky...cause it saved my life!

SELF PORTRAIT

I also have this posted on my studiok section on my blog. I've never really done a self portrait. So when I went to enter a collaborative project by regional artist there was a project for self portraits.I took this myself with my remote trigger for my camera. This is me in a with my bands. The bands represent my journey through colorectal cancer. They are my hospital bands,blood bands and surgery bands. I decided on this praying position because I spent many days and nights praying. Praying for a miracle, strength, hope, healing, extended life, and just to get through it. I don't know why I have my face hidden. As I sit and think about it, maybe it tells not to hide your cancer, or be afraid of it, and use your cancer/journey to help others who are going through the same.

Did she really?!?!

It's amazing what a little water and a washcloth can do, and a fake tattoo!! Did I make you gasp? I think this is the closest I will ever come to having a tattoo. The star is the symbol for Colon cancer awareness. It represents those who have been lost to the disease and those who continue to fight the disease, those who have overcome the disease and for the people to be aware of the disease! I got this this little gem from the Colon Club for only a $1! So come swimsuit season I may be sporting the "star" again! Well that was fun...now only if I could have seen all your faces!

My Colonoscopy is scheduled...Is Yours?

Well, a part of having had colorectal cancer is having a yearly colonoscopy...followed by another pet scan in the middle of the year. There is really nothing to it if you are over 50. If you are younger than that and colon cancer runs in your family( ahem, sisters are you listening to me,I hope so,cause I love you so much that I don't want you to experience the world of cancer...or anybody at that)you May get a referral or just plain lying about irregular stools may get you somewhere. SO while you are sitting on the couch and viewing a similar colon cancer screening commercial as I did, please take it seriously, it could save your life. I'm from that 10% they don't talk about on the commercials,or write about on the statistic chart(it's usually about the 90%of those diagnosed are 50 and older.)So take it from a 33 year old colon cancer survivor,w/no history of colon cancer in my family...Please take time to schedule your colonoscopy:-)

Twelve Days of Cancer

I came across this while I was on the Colon Club's "colon talk" forum, by "jdepp"


The Twelve Days of Cancer


On the twelfth day of cancer,
My true love sent to me
Twelve lymph nodes limping,
Eleven surgeons surging,
Ten fingers tingling,
Nine websites citing,
Eight nurses nursing,
Seven hours infusing,
Six hours of snoozing,
A 5-fu pack,
Four colon scars,
Three fresh mets,
Two words of love,
And a pure kiss of empathy.

Erika Rocks Roanoke!

Erika brought her message to Roanoke and appeared on WDBJ 7 of Roanoke. She is a 8 year colon cancer survivor and graces the cover of the 2009 Colondar. Check out her bio here at the Colon Club.

Today is my "CANCER-versary"

It's one of those dates you never forget as a cancer survivor, the day of your diagnosis. That day is forever locked in my brain. Seeing those tears welled up in my husband's and my mother's eyes as they told me that my tumor was cancer. I sit here thinking and shaking my head of this past year.A year full of fear, scans,Dr. appts., Radiation and chemo treatments, colonoscopies,surgeries, "uncomfortable" exams, blood tests, more Chemo,financial issues, and a PET scan to tell me I was cancer free. Whew! What a year! Some people may look at me and say wow you are so inspiring,and so strong! Yet I want those people to know,it wasn't ALL me. I give all my "triumph" to the glory of God. He gave that strength "inside" of me ,because he is "inside" of me." You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength!" So I'd like to share a slide show of pics through my year's journey:

NEUROPATHY

So , now that Im done with my chemo treatment , you would think I would have nothing to complain about... I do some days, but then again I have another day added to my life which brings me closer to another year added to my life. I have days where my neuropathy( ,a side effect of chemo, where it leaves your nerve endings tingling,numb and sometimes painful) especially in my fingers just gets the best of me. But then I think to myself, would you rather have your health on the downward decline or have this "temporary" finger tingling,foot numbing issue? ummm the latter! It is annoying when I have to back up and RETYPE a word or two, because my finger tips don't push the right key or try to open a zip-lock baggie! At least I can say it's "not a pain in the butt" (LOL, been there, had that!!) just in my fingers and toes! So if you are wondering how Im doing, Im doing well. Added some more pounds to my frame,but really need to exercise! It actually is suggested to cancer survivors to help "prolong" their life , so I better get at it huh! I'll keep ya posted .