Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Catherine with a C.

     So since my last post you could probably say things got a little bit more complicated in my life.
 I was diagnosed with breast cancer on February 5th.
yes,  breast cancer.
If you'd like to talk to me about it,  I am very open!  you can feel my lump while its still here!  Get yourself checked!,  Talk to me.  I am here for you.
 It is not my intent to have this blog dissolve into something sad or dramatic,  this is just the way that it it is,  and whats happened since I was last here. 
  So instead of turning this into something sad and morbid I would like to tell you about all of the good things that have happened since I found out I have the big C.,  because yes,  good things still happen when you think they won't.
    I moved into the cutest house out in the country and now have space for my two kids.
it was random that it happened,  and I am so fortunate that it did.
  I had a doctors appt. cancel on me last minute---they needed me to come in right away to see them instead of the original appt. so I had to scramble to get there.   my friend ended up going with me to the surgeons office because she didn't want me to be alone....
one conversation led to another,  I was looking for a place,  she had a place to rent---- and here I am with a new yard, a space to garden,  and light filled windows that shower me with rays of sunshine.
  I organized my life very quickly and moved out of my downtown apt.  sold off a bunch of stuff, closed my shop (temporarily) and moved in to this place in a matter of 2 weeks.
it was nuts,  but I did it,  and paid my rent three months in advance thankyouverymuch.
  You would be amazed at what you can do when you put your mind to it.
 I kind of went into commando mode and got it done.
  SO here are some little pictures of my new space.  I am so happy here.
  Its been a wild few weeks,  with lots of tests, pokes,  procedures,  gross things installed in my body, surgeries and losing my hair.  (Be warned, I posted some pictures to show you shit got real)
but I am figuring it out and will come back tougher from the experience.
  I am continuing to create but on a smaller scale at the moment until I can figure out how to deal with the effects the chemo has on my body,  but I am HERE!
I am STILL WORKING!  and I am Still INSPIRED!
  I will not give up ever.
  I want this to continue to be a place where I can share my art and my life. 
It may not always be rosy,  but it is REAL,
and that's the way it's supposed to be anyways right?


 














Tank loves it here.......





  The light from this place is healing and wonderful.  I am surrounded by woods and green trees.  It helps me to clear my mind and think.   I've been thinking alot.   Some of it is really silly,  some of it is deeper.
    The saddest thing to admit was how hard it was to think about losing my hair.  silly I know,  but when you feel like your essence as a woman is wrapped around that stuff,  it's kind of a big deal.    then when it starts to come out --- you kind of have an about face and realize that stuff really ISN'T
important in the long run.  hair is not what make you YOU.  It will grow back.  plus there's that kick ass feeling of shaving it off into a mohawk that makes you feel kind of tough :)







So now I am bald and figuring out how to wear hats and things like that.  
it will be o.k. man is it ever easy to get dressed and ready in the morning!  Summer is gonna be AWESOME!   :)
So in the meantime between treatments and feeling like crap,  I have been working and doing some painting,  making pillows,  and other odds and ends.
My work will be on display on Mainstreet at the Graphic arts Wholesaler next to Lena
or in my online shop for now until i get a lil bit better.
I have lots of ideas and things rolling around in my head as usual,  but this is a learning curve so I'm still figuring it out.
I am surrounded by the best people ever in my life and am overwhelmed by the love and support so many people have shown me.
I have more to share and more to create.
thanks for being here.
one last thing......




My son came home for an 8 hour pass last week and it was the best gift ever.
he is doing SO well!
I am SO proud of him and can't wait till he is home for good in the next two weeks.
I want to thank all of you for keeping him in your good thoughts.
it truly helps
I have so much more to say,  but for now--------
much love,  that is all
XOXOXOXO

19 comments:

  1. Such an amazing women you are!! Praying for you and I so love your new home!! So cozy and perfect!! Thanks for sharing!!!

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  2. ... well saying nothing you don't already know by now .. you are a Brave and such a Tender Heart Catherine Dear. Your new career is waiting to be born at your decision you know. Women need Women like you to help them thru the riggers of Breast Cancer. The fact you smack down and literally get creative and lift small buildings in a single bound Madam while dealing with cancer .. is amazingly shocking and could do so much for so many Women. I hope you can consider being a Counselor dealing with trauma of cancer .. thru ART. YOU would be SOOO helpful! I am so Happy for your Boy Catherine and for his Sweet Mama :'-.) Love your Darling house! The photos most certainly give such a positive energy! Thank You Honey for showing your pic's .. the real nose breaker of cancer. You are so Brave and Giving. Thank You for sharing Dear Catherine. For the 100th time I have said this to you one way or another .. you are easing the fear and hurt for so many Women who will and shall be dealing with cancer. Please don't work to hard if you don't have too. Rosary's, Mass' every day this week for you .. Candles BURNING BRIGHT in vigil for YOUR Fight and Strength. Also for your Dear Children they are fighting too .. Thank You Honey .. <3

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  3. Catherine the biggest hug for you and for your lovely kids. There are people across this little planet of ours that you will never meet but who care about you and appreciate the ray of creativity you shine into our lives, including me! = sending all the good wishes/karma/cosmic stuff I can gather across the internet ether xx P.s Cool new pad!

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  4. You are inspiring as always with your decorating, and now with your spirit facing this latest challenge. It's so good to hear you are being well supported. I had breast cancer at 36 and am 53 now, if that might be give you some encouragement. You can get through this! May I give you a warm hug, and tell you I am praying for you? And your dear son is looking great! So good you were able to spend time together. xx

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  5. Sending good thoughts your way.

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  6. First of all, you have a beautiful face that can handle bald. Second, your home is amazing. Hard wood floors and those windows. Last but not least, that pic of you and your boy brought tears to my eyes.

    Personal note: Sadly there is no cure to the pile I got handed to me three years ago (MS) but I got a ton of blessings too. I'm so happy that you can recognize all of yours.

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  7. I've missed you! You are so creative and I am so inspired by you and your art. Please keep making art! And, keep us posted. You are GORGEOUS without the hair. Happy to hear you are embracing it. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!

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  8. Don't worry about your hair, as you said it will grow back. In the meantime you rock the bald look! I'm glad you have a support system in place while you get cured. Stay strong and keep making your wonderful, cheerful and colorful art. (I think you need some cute little house earrings with your favorite numbers on them.)

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  9. Fantastic to see you back in this space and so pleased your boy will be back in your space very soon. Loved the pic of the two of you, what a journey you are both on. Loving the new pad and as always you have made it your home and it shines out with love and creativity. Stay strong through your next battle and I hope the angels carry you through. Lovely to see you back. xx

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  10. Hi Catherine,
    This is my first time at your blog. I found out about you from Inspire Co. I lost my maternal aunt and later my mother to breast cancer. Then my step-mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was 11 years ago and she has been clear ever since. My mother died 20 years ago. My step-mother was diagnosed 11 years ago. I can't even imagine the advances they have made in the last 11 years. I know that the treatment my mother got was way different from my step-mother. The treatment my mother received from my aunt was like my aunt had been treated in the stone ages. I can't imagine the advances in the last 11 years. My step-mother had chemo about the same time as you and like you she went totally bald. By the way, you are a gorgeous baldy! Anyway with the heat of the summer she chose to wear scarves as turbans. You want silk ones not polyester, it won't let your head breathe. A good source for these is Etsy. Wigs are extremely hot, Knitted or crotched chemo hats are wonderful in the winter, in the summer it's like wearing a stocking hat. You can't imagine some of the vintage designs in scaves. I have looked over your blog and I can tell you are a woman of strength. You will go through this and come out on the other side. I am subscribing to your blog and I hope that you will post occasionally to let us know how things are going as you are going through this journey.

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  11. I am so happy Amy Powers linked over to you. Your blog is a gift, you are brave and inspiring. Fight like a girl and I will be praying like a warrior.

    xxxooo e

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  12. I've followed your blog for quite some time, but never committed before. Your creativity and art is amazing and I've always been enamored of your talent. I'm so sorry that this battle has landed at your feet, but you have come out swinging. I will keep you in my prayers. :) Sending hugs.

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  13. I follow your blog as well as Amy's and have never been more inspired than today. Your new space is beautiful as are you, bald and all. I'm sure you will find your way and rock bald, scarves and hats like never before. you're in my prayers....your attitude is fabulous and why not? will a poor attitude make things better in a crappy situation? I think not, but it's not easy to remember that....well done you. wishing you nothing but good thoughts, kind hugs and easy going. (((hugs)))

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  14. Jungle Boots are still famous which is designed for use in jungle warface or in hot, wet and humid environments, what you would expect for the price tag.

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  15. You are one courageous woman! You are an inspiration to me; you face life head on and retain your optimistic, creative outlook despite some really heavy stuff happening. You go, girl!!

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