I'm done :)

Thankfully the journey has now come to an end. Well the first leg of it at least. I received my last chemo on 6th April. The PICC line was also removed so, all in all, I'm feeling a lot more comfortable now. It's lovely to be able to soak in the bath without the plastic flipper on (the big plastic cover that kept the PICC line bandages dry). I had an absolutely wonderful time soaking in bubbles reading a good book ... it was BLISS!

I've currently got a cold and wasn't able to return to work on Tuesday as I'd hoped. The Doc says I should get rid of it and go back on Monday. I'm looking forward to going back but I bet that feeling won't last too long once I'm back :) it'll probably feel like I've never been away ... well I hope so anyway :)

This has been an amazing journey. I've discovered so much about myself, my tolerance levels, the things which really matter in life and things which really I shouldn't sweat about. I've discovered that women are incredibly strong creatures and that when are backs are up against the wall we will fight for one another until the bitter end. I have met a wondeful community of spiritual sisters, people who have helped me through this very painful process who have lead the way as other have before for them. Thoughout all of this, the one thing that sticks in my mind the most is the incredibly healing power of friendship and love. I am truly blessed to have had some amazing women alongside me on this. I will be eternally grateful.

Have been creating but haven't managed to finish any projects yet but watch this space - pics coming soon.

In the meantime when I light a candle for people I send them my thoughts, my good intention my wishes ... here is my space of hope for all of you who need it.

Almost there!

A very quick catch up to bring things up to date.

My last chemo is due on 6th April, last two have been delayed through having low blood cells but I do hope that this last one will happen on time. I'm making sure I get sleep and rest and generally looking after myself by eating well etc so fingers crossed.

I've been working on a recipe mini book for Ann in the Scrapsville swap. I haven't done a video of it this time (I need to sort out my microphone as there's too much hissing noise), but here's some photos. Thanks very much to Hon for the lovely chipboard embellies you send me to finish it off :)















Here's a few more things I've been working on lately - a Suzibluesque picture ...



A little wall hanging made from a beer mat.



I should be going back to work in about 3/4 weeks - I am actually looking forward to regaining some normality at last :)

2/3 of the way there now ... yippee!

Well 4th chemo done today - thank goodness. It's really nice to be able to start looking towards the future again. Up until now it feels like I've been stuck in limbo.

The PICC line's in and chemo was much easier through that ... no more needles. What a relief.

OK here's what I've been up to lately.

My latest SuziBlu doll. Her face isn't the prettiest but she's still kinda cool I think. You can't really see the iridescent paint in this but the H2Os really twinkle in the light. Maybe I'll take a pic outside tomorrow but it was raining today.


An example of the encaustic wax and friendly plastic ATCs I've been making lately.


A LO I did for UKS on change - I chose the seasons in my garden.

And last but certainly not least, I'd like to say thank you very much to those of you who have sponsored me on my Race For Life challenge which is taking place in June 2010. I am really touched by your support, thank you ever so much.

Mini book for Cathy

Had a few bummer days yesterday and today. Had the PICC line put in and it went OK on the second attempt. First one I really jumped as she hit a nerve and it made my arm spasm - very odd feeling like bad pins and needles in a quick burst - very strange. It was a long, stressful day waiting for xrays, rebandaging as it leaked for a while and when I got home I was totally exhausted. Anyway the line's in now so that's that stress over.

Went for my chemo today and had to come home again as my platelets are too low to have it so they've deferred it a week. I was 85 and I need to be over 100 to have it. Now I need to rest and stay away from any bugs for a week so that I'm OK for next week.

To console myself I came home and worked on Cathy's mini book which you can see here. I hope she likes it.

Blog Candies

Ladies there's such a lot of lovely blog candy available out there at the moment and so many talented crafters offering it up for the taking.

Here is a really lovely one at Charlotte's Craft Creations which can be found here

and another one here at Lisa's craftyblog spot.

Hover over with your cursor ladies and links will show up.

Feeling a bit anxious

Getting a little big scared now as it's less than a week until they put the PICC line in. I know they say that it will make it easier for me to have my chemo blah blah blah but what I don't understand is this ... during my last chemo my arm swelled and bruised because of the chemo drugs, how will giving me a PICC line stop this swelling and bruising occuring anywhere else - infact it will be nearer my heart - how is that safe? I know I will have to ask these questions before I have it done next week and if I'm still not happy with the answers I guess I will have the right to ask for chemo in the normal way. I've been hearing about people getting infections because of the PICC line etc. I need to ask a lot more questions I think.

Oh and for those of you who haven't seen my crazy new hairstyle here you go - very fetching eh?

Latest offerings

Well I'm now over half way through my chemo. I'm about to have a pick line put in on the 8th February as my veins can't take any more needles - my hand swelled up during the last chemo and my arm was very bruised after the session. I'm not looking forward to having a permanent line in but they say it will be much easier on me. I hope they're right.

I've finally found out what all the fuss is about with regard to Twilight. I'm reading the book by Stephanie Meyer and, I must admit, I'm really enjoying it far more than I thought I would.

SuziBlu's workshops are still inspiring me to create - I'm really enjoying it and I've uploaded my work in progress.




For some reason I am totally fixated on Emmerdale at the moment. I can't believe that the character Sally can be so evil. I also love the coffee mugs in the vicars house :) wish I knew what type they were - they look like Poole Pottery.

I've been working on the Pass it Forward LO on UKS I'm intrigued to see how far from the original they will all be at the end.