New Listing on Early Works Mercantile -Sneak Peek into Fall

This whimsical little duo is my sneak peek into Fall!

Just listed on Early Works Mercantile for the month of July.

Cheers!

 

  http://earlywork-tatteredmoon.blogspot.com/

Rustic Mermaid................

Whimsical primitive style mermaid. Will list in my Etsy shop soon.

Working..............

Energy is still very low but I'm still tinkering.

Making some more rustic mixed media pieces.

Happy Sunday

Progress Report - Early Works Mercantile - June 15th listings

I was back in the hospital for a while with more complications the end of May but yet again I'm back on my feet and trying to move forward. I am working on some primitive mermaids for the summer - stay tuned...

Please don't forget to drop by and see all the primitive and folk art goodies just listed by many artist at -

www.earlyworkmercantile.com

Update....Slow Recovery...Healing.... Trying to find My New Normal.......

Yes, I know it has been so long, but finally the update.  On February 22nd I had my entire stomach removed along with several lymph nodes and a "scant" section of my esophagus were it attached to my stomach. What can I say - it was a horrible experience that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy but it was necessary and it is now done! I will never die from this hereditary form of stomach cancer the way 4 of my family members did. I am the lucky one!! I am still having to do tube feeds through the night to ensure I get proper nutrients. I hook up to the machine and the formula goes straight into my small intestine thru a small tube attached to my side. I HATE it for several side effect reasons but also am grateful because it  literally is/has saved my life.  It has been a very slow recovery with many "unexpected" problems. I was hospitalized for a week just before Easter in March for dehydration and an esophageal stricture. I was unable to eat any type of soft food orally and began spitting up any water or liquid I drank. My new connection site ( where they hooked my esophagus up to my lower intestine) developed really bad scar tissue that closed the opening up to about 4mm. Since that time I have had to return to Duke hospital (5hrs away)once a week to have dilation's and stretching to get my esophagus to open up so I can begin to eat real food. This is done as an out patient procedure with a GI and anesthesia team. I am now up to about 12mm and can eat mashed potatoes, soups, and other super squishable foods. The goal is 15-18mm but each time I go in, the scare tissue begins to take over again! Errrr, so frustrating.  I head back for another stretching the end of this week and I meet with my main doctor on the 13th to evaluate this on going problem - I pray no more surgery. I was in the ER just this last Thurs. night for a kidney stone- OMG the pain was intense. I passed it this AM - thank you God! I was told I have a few more in my kidneys but not as large as this one was. This is a result of the surgery, dehydration, etc.  Big sigh............ I am just trying to keep my spirits up these days and be grateful for all the little positive changes. My energy is getting better and I am getting stronger everyday. I am also beginning to adjust to all the weight loss. I miss making my art. I feel very disconnected from it and I can't believe how slow I am moving when I do putz around in the studio. Patience is so difficult for me - the docs tell me "all in due time" 6 months to a year from now, I will be comfortable in my "new normal" I just want control as to what that so called "new normal" is gonna look like!!!! Wow! there it all is. What a negative sounding post! Yuck... but it is my truth and my reality for today. I will get better, I am getting better every day. I am alive and not fighting cancer or undergoing chemo! Thank you God

Back at it in March...............

Well, tomorrow eve we head off to Duke University for my big surgery. I am feeling really good and spiritually centered. Just a "bring it on" attitude! I just want this behind me so I can recover and get back to creating and living life in the now. I have had the fear monkey hanging around my neck for some time now and I am done with it. Sooooo, I will be back in the spring. Lots of new crazy whimsical creations are swimming in my head, I will be glad to get them out. I know, I know, be patient. I will be slow to recover and it will take me weeks to get back on my feet and understand how to manage my body and eating with no stomach. Thanks again to all for your loving words,

 emails and prayers.

 Cheers

 Lurena

Ready to Share - about HDGC Cancer............

How can something so beautiful be so deadly?

In early December, I had a genetics test and found out that I tested positive for CDH1 which is a gene mutation that causes HDGC - Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer.  The average age of onset of gastric cancer in HDGC is 38 years old.  The estimated lifetime risk of developing gastric cancer by age 80 is 84% for women and a 50% lifetime chance of getting breast cancer.  It is a very rare nasty cancer syndrome that is silent. Microscopic Signet Ring Cells weave in between the lining and mucosa of the stomach and it is nearly impossible to detect via Endoscopy, MRI, etc. It is A-symptomatic (no real outward symptoms) until it is late stage and usually untreatable or terminal. It took my father's life at age 46 when I was in high school and just this last July it claimed his sister too. After looking into family history - we found that it took my Grandfather and Great Grandfather at young ages as well.

I felt like I had been handed a death sentence.  I watched this cancer's evil handy work first hand in watching the passing of both my father and my aunt. I vowed with the news of my gene mutation diagnosis that I would be a survivor and not another statistic. Because this type of cancer is so difficult to detect at and early stage and surveillance is not reliable, the medical recommendation is a Total Gastrectomy (stomach removal). Yes, I know! Your eyes just bulged out of your head and you are probably thinking things like: Can you live without a stomach? Isn't that a rather DRASTIC preventative measure!?? There must be a better way! I know, I know - I had all the same thoughts and reactions too. 

Thanks to the support of my cousins (that tested negative for the mutation by the grace of God) family, and a fantastic organization called  No Stomach For Cancer, I have come to peace with my diagnosis. Like others in the world with this genetic mutation that have not already succumbed to this horrid cancer, I will undergo a Total Gastrectomy in a few weeks

 on February 22 2013

 at Duke University Cancer Center in North Carolina.

I feel so blessed to have this awareness and a chance to beat this cancer!

Once again I am reminded how fragile and precious life is.

Kia Kaha

Be Strong in the face of challenge

Taking Flight in 2013

Taking flight in 2013.

Well, I have a lot ahead of me in this New Year. I will be on a journey I never saw coming. It is a journey of many ups and downs and an unclear path at that. Emotions are on high and creativity at this point is feeling low. I just keep putting the next foot forward and keeping the faith that all will be well. Maybe in due time I will feel comfortable enough to express and share more but for now I feel raw and terror.

My New Years Resolution is to be a survivor and not a statistic.

Well wishes and health to all in this New Year!

Well Winter Wishes............

Still settling into our new home and going thru boxes, painting walls, etc.

So much to do this holiday season.

Wishing all a warm and wonderful holiday season

and blessed New Year!

Greetings From Hendersonville, NC............

Well, we are finally settling in from our big move. We have been tucked away in a cozy cabin in the trees of Flat Rock, NC eagerly awaiting the move into our new home on the 20th of November. I am so excited and can't wait to get my studio up and running again. It is going to take time and patience I know. Lordy did I have a lot to pack up. I can't believe Thanksgiving is around the corner. I have so much to be thankful for this season. Thanksgiving Blessings to All.

Great News - We Are Moving.............

A big move is under way. It is time to say goodbye to the gorgeous Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and sweet town of Woodstock and hello to Hendersonville, NC. We have sold our dear-ole farmhouse and are moving on. It is a great time to buy - crazy low mortage rates and house prices are still low. I am up to my eyeballs in boxes and swimming in a sea of paper and bubble wrap. So much work but wonderful rewards ahead! Hendersonville, NC is just outside of Asheville - gorgeous mountains and a thriving Arts community. The kids are excited about the change and hubby and I are too. I will be taking a break until we get settled in our new home mid-November. What a magical time to move - golden trees, crisp Fall air and Winter's chill just around the corner. Fall blessings to all.

Wee Little Pumpkin Poppet Head

This little primitive pumpkin poppet head is available in my

 ETSY shop