Slowly Sinking, Wasting

But lately her face seems

Slowly sinking, wasting

Crumbling like pastries

And they scream

The worst things in life come free to us.

"The A Team"

Ed Sheeran

I've been out of blogging and art for a while, as I am sure you have noticed. Everyone is so kind to contact me in the various ways, checking on me. All is fairly well...there was no particular reason for my absence other than I just haven't been feeling it lately. I haven't felt like writing or doing art in the past month or so, so I didn't. I gave myself permission to take a break. I refuse to put pressure on myself for blogging or creating art, it just doesn't work that way, so I decided that I would write when I good and well felt like it. Anyway, here is an update of recent happenings...

I've been exploring self portraits lately and I am really drawn to this one for some reason. I guess because it visually represents how I still feel some days when I am at my worst. Lately though, it seems as if I've been having a few more good days than I was (YAY!) and my blood work reflects that. My inflammation levels have dropped 4,000 points but they still remain 3x what they should be. My most recent cognitive test also indicates slightly reduced inflammation and biotoxin levels, but there still was no improvement in my oxygen levels. So, that is where we are concentrating at the moment...getting more oxygen to my brain. A new supplement was added to aid in this task, so hopefully I will be able to see the difference soon. Air hunger, exhaustion, brain fog, and word seeking seem to be hanging on tight although my pain levels have been reduced somewhat. The symptoms match what my labs and cognitive tests are showing, so at least that means I am still in tune with my body and interpreting its signals correctly.

About a month ago I wiped out in the parking lot of a local school. I was calling over my shoulder to my kiddos when I stepped off the curb and onto a rock that proceeded to roll under my foot, causing me to lose my balance. I was able to catch myself with my knees and palms, saving my face from smashing into the ground, but unfortunately, I sprained my left wrist (the ligaments were hyperextended and stretched) and cut up my palm pretty badly. The parking lot was full of debris...you know the corner of every parking lot that collects all the washed out junk...pebbles, glass, leaves, etc.?  Yep, that was the corner where I fell, so the various debris littering the ground wound up in the soft skin of the palm of my left hand. I cleaned it out with hydrogen peroxide, running water, soap, and doused it in antibacterial cream.  I even did epsom salt soaks. However, a month later, I am still dealing with weakness, pain, and a large lump on the pinky side of my palm. The doctor believes there is still debris inside my palm trapped in when the cuts healed over. So, Friday I will be seeing a hand specialist to see what needs to be done. Not what I was hoping for...more medical issues to deal with, but hopefully this will be as easy as numbing my palm, cutting open the wound, and cleaning out whatever is in there.  We'll see. I am desperately praying that surgery is not needed.

In good news, I was honored this week when I was personally invited to attend an upcoming session of the Harford County Council. On May 3, the Council will be passing a proclamation stating that May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and I was asked, as one of the many Lyme advocates and patients in the area, to attend. If you recall, I had a solo art show back in October and I donated a percentage of the proceeds to fund education, legislation, and advocacy for Lyme sufferers. So, the organization I donated to personally reached out and asked me to be there. I wouldn't miss it for the world. In another post, I will update everyone on all the recent good work this organization has been able to achieve since my show.  :)

I hope everyone is holding on tight during this spring roller coaster weather. It has been interesting to say the least, with 30 degree temperature changes in 24 hours. May you all be blessed this beautiful time of year and I hope to be back posting soon.  xo

P.S.  I will be working at Arts By the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace this evening from 3PM-7PM...stop in to see my work and we can chat.