Jean Luc

My portrait of Jean Luc is coming along. 

Tomorrow I'll work on the chest fur 

and then do the highlights 

and I may be finished by Wednesday!

I took the steri-strips off of my incision today. 

They were just driving me mad.

Those, along with the feeling

that I have wash cloths rolled up and 

stuck under my arms -

I had to make something better,

and the steri-strips were the only thing

I had control over.

The incision is healing nicely.

It's a little scary having the steri-strips off,

but I feel less bound up.

This week I'm packing up

and getting ready for my temporary move 

to Portland.

Joe has been kind enough to rent me his condo

for a few months 

while I go to physical therapy and finish healing.

I'm not sure how long that will last -

we'll just play it by ear,

but I'm expecting to stay at least 2 months,

maybe longer.

It will be nice to have my 'own' space again,

where I can get back on my diet,

take my supplements more regularly,

and stretch and do yoga and weight training

to get back my strength.

Oregon is beautiful this time of year,

and I'm really enjoying it!

Thanks to Cameron and Michael

for taking care of me before, during, and after my surgery!

I'm going to miss them,

and I'm going to miss my "grand-dogs,"

Data and Jean Luc!

Life is good!

Love,

Annie

Starting a New Drawing as I Recover

Well, my two days of "do nothing" are up today and so I began a new drawing. This one is of Jean Luc, my son's wonderful Golden Retriever.

I took about 2 to 3 hours 

deciding what colors to use on him. 

I watched a video my teacher made 

on Golden Retrievers and for the most part 

I will be using the colors she suggests. 

There are a few changes in his coat colors.

Here is my color chart 

which doesn't include eyes or nose.

 Lots of colors in a Golden Retriever!

Before I drew on the Pastelmat, 

I did a quick mock-up with pencil

 on printer paper, 

just to make sure I had the right size.

Next I drew the cartoon on Pastelmat.

Then I began by working on his left eye.

I just wanted to feel like I had started.

I will get much more done tomorrow.

But here is Jean Luc for tonight:

Today is the 19th day 

since my Double Mastectomy.

I'm healing up well.

I have good range of motion 

and can move my arms in most directions.

I have to move them slow 

when reaching above my head,

and if I put my hands behind my head 

to make "chicken wings" 

it is difficult to open the elbows.

So I do need some physical therapy 

and stretching,

but don't want to do too much 

too soon

and split my incision.

I tend to lift things, 

then realize I shouldn't.

It's hard for me to be still so much.

I'm generally a very busy person.

I'll be happy to get back to the pencils tomorrow.

As far as pain goes, 

it's weird. 

Most of the pain I feel now is 

under my arms, which are swollen.

My chest over the incision 

is still numb, 

though it feels like when you go to the dentist

and get a shot, 

and feeling is just starting to return.

I plan on doing a lot of massage

to get those nerves to reconnect.

I believe it can be done.

But I need to be patient and wait

until my incision is healed completely.

I still have the steri-strips on the incision.

They are supposed to fall off on their own.

I shower every morning 

and "hope" they'll come off,

but they must have superglued 

those suckers on!

Anyway, that's the update.

I have an appointment 

with my surgeon on Monday.

I'm hoping she will send me 

to Physical Therapy soon.

That's all for now.

Stay safe!

Love,

Annie