Unfortunately in late 2016 I became very sick. In the beginning doctors were trying to rule out everything from lupus to fast moving MS (Multiple Sclerosis) to a brain tumor or early onset dementia to who knew what. At it’s worse, we were looking at walkers for me and I was telling my husband the type of facility I wanted to live in if things came to that.
After many months of tests & appointments, which symptoms steadily getting worse, it turned out that the radiation treatment had not only put me into early menopause (which we knew would happen), but had caused me to have pernicious anemia which had lead to a severe B12 deficiency; which in turn lead to nerve damage, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia and MCI (mild cognitive impairment). Basically, I'm beyond forgetful these days, so I live by lists, notes, reminders and timers.
I have good days and bad days, so I try to take each day as it comes. Continually working on acceptance (which does not equal giving up), and reminding myself the situation could always be worse so make the most of the life I have.
As a self taught artist and flower farmer, my art revolves around the exploration of time, decay & deterioration. Something that everyone and everything will eventually experience. My flower farm offers me peace & inspiration, along with beautiful flowers to share with the world. It reminds me that there is a season for everything, and nothing in nature is perfect.