12/12

I've finished my chemotherapy treatment plan. 12 cycles over seven months. There was no bell or fanfare of trumpets. I think I managed a weary smile at one point! It feels strange, I think I should be delighted, but I actually shed a few tears as I walked away from the hospital yesterday. The treatment, the nurses, the comforting safety net of being in the centre so often, all gone now. When you're having treatment, at least you feel as though you are doing something proactive, that you're making a difference. Now I'm done, but there's no smiling doctor saying you're cured, it's all gone, because we don't know, we just have to wait and see what happens. Chemo might have been tough, but for me, that's even harder. But, I have a big list of things to do just as soon as my PICC line is taken out and my energy levels get back to normal. Hopefully just one more weekend of feeling really rough and then I'm on the up.

I did celebrate in my own small way with the purchase of a new printing plate. I know, I know, talk about excitement, this girl knows how to live! I got a Ranger gel plate which seems to be essentially the same as a Gelli Arts plate but cheaper so I bought a large size. I've just done one session with it so far, but got really nice results. I'm using Golden Open paints and working here with a multi-layered technique, three overlaid prints in this example.

Thank you for following along with me through my chemo treatment. It's been comforting to know you're there and to read your comments both here and on Instagram. 

You might be wondering about progress on the stars quilt. Theoretically, treatment is finished so the quilt ought to be too right? Well no! One of the side effects of chemo for me is neuropathy and lately it's been pretty bad in my feet and fingers, grade 3 according to the docs. It manifests as pins and needles and numbness which I can live with in my feet, but makes holding a needle quite tricky. I've not been able to sew for three weeks now. Hopefully it will start to go back to normal but they advise it could take 18 months, or maybe never! It meant that I didn't have one of my drugs on Monday to limit any further damage and I think maybe I can feel an improvement already, but perhaps it's psychological. Anyway, just as soon as I stop being a clumsy oaf and can hold my tiny needle again I'll be back to those stars and I promise they'll be done.

Thank you again for all your support and kind wishes. I truly appreciate it.

Love Laura

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