In late 2017, I had a life-changing brush with death. 

In mid-October, on my 61st birthday, a small red bump appeared on my chest, just under my shoulder blade. I thought it was just a bug bite. But, within a days, new growths began appearing all over my body, and they were growing! Diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, I was given, at most, just a few months to live. I went into shock. Treatment began immediately with my first infusion of Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug.

A few days after Thanksgiving, I began chemo pills to help fight this deadly cancer. Two weeks after starting the chemo pills, I had a severe allergic reaction and my sister rushed me to the emergency room. I was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a rare and sometimes deadly reaction to a medication. 

My condition worsened, and after just one week in the hospital, unresponsive, I was moved to hospice to be “kept comfortable.” Fortunately, I walked out of hospice a month later with the help of a walker. Two months after my discharge, a new PET Scan showed no evidence of disease! The deadly melanoma that had invaded my entire body just a couple of months earlier was miraculously gone!

Reevaluating Life

By the Grace of God, I was saved and given a second chance at life. While I recovered, this traumatic life event gave me endless hours to reflect on my life. What was my purpose; why was I saved; why am I still here; what am I supposed to do or accomplish with this new gift of life? Pretty heavy stuff that kept me awake at night for years. 

During the long recovery of my illness, which was emotional, physical, and psychological, I suddenly found I had loads of time on my hands. So, I picked up my watercolor brushes again. Painting during this time of recovery was soothing and therapeutic for me. The horrors of my ordeal and the reoccurring PTSD would fade away while I painted. Talk about Art Therapy!

A self-taught watercolor artist (with the help of YouTube and a couple of classes 20 years apart), I am still learning how to master this medium. After a lifetime of being a graphic designer, I am excited about how my new future will look, with renewed goals and dreams.

A nurse navigator once told me, when I was bedridden, to start thinking about my legacy. I thought she was crazy. I was dying! A little late to think about that now! Her comment did stick with me while recovering and got me thinking; what was my legacy? I hope my art is what it will now be.

Thank you for visiting!

Quinn

My lovey-dovey, huggy, ballaholic dog. Rescued from the Humane Society, she makes me laugh everyday and brings me much joy!

Boo

My mom’s 4 pound Teacup Yorkie, who I now care for. He’s a sweet little dog who loves to go on walks with Quinn and I.