Hi card making friends. I have a little Sandi Update for you. Sorry I went quiet since last week, and there won’t be many posts for the next week either. About a year ago I went to my dermatologist to have a rather large spot on my shoulder looked at, the skin had changed and looked funny. He assured me it wasn’t cancer and off I went. Well that spot got itchy just after Christmas, and as we had moved, I asked my oncologist for a referral to a new “derm”, who took a biopsy. Turns out it was melanoma. She referred me to a surgeon, who (thankfully), had a cancellation and fit me in last Thursday.
This is officially my 5th go around with cancer. Believe me when I tell you, get those spots checked, advocate for yourself, if you don’t like an answer you get from one doctor, see another one. Wear a hat and sunscreen when you are outside.
The surgeon suggested a surgery called Slow Mohs, where he cuts it out and leaves the wound open until the lab confirms clean margins. He cut it out Thursday, we hoped results would be back Friday, but they were not. SO they covered the wound and taped my arm to my body so I couldn’t use it, as this “hole” is right on the edge of my shoulder, you know, the skin that moves every time you do, haha…..with lots of tendons and muscle right underneath. They didn’t want me ripping it and making it bigger as we were already playing at the line where you get a skin flap instead of stitches.
I got the results Monday morning that the margins where clean and was asked to come in to be closed…….That surgery was 3-1/2 hours. Many many stitches later, inside and out, I came home with my arm in a sling and direct instructions from 3 doctors and a nurse not to use my arm. Believe me, I NEVER want to go through a 3-1/2 hour surgery again (I was awake for this). They also let an interim stitch me, and he didn’t do a very good job of freezing me. He came very close to getting punched with my good arm, LOL. (I’m kidding (sort of) – I’m very appreciative of them saving my life and getting me in so quickly).
So, I’m a one armed stamper. Ever try that LOL ? Try getting dressed with one arm, LOL., and think of many other things you can’t do with one arm, haha…we won’t get into those.
I’ve been good, spending the days on the couch with an ice pack on my shoulder, watching Netflix. I do believe I have finished watching EVERYTHING on Netflix, LOL. Where’s my badge?
Yesterday I felt much better and one arm stamped a few images with my MISTI (Thank God for MISTI’s)…..got out my watercolors and colored a bit. it felt good to sit there in the sun (I have big windows in my stamping studio), and just be a little creative. I took the finished items back down to my couch, and after icing again for a couple of hours and a movie on Crave (I’m now working through that channel), I was able to fussy cut out my images – YEAH!~. This weekend, Ian will cut some paper for me and probably put a few easy cards together for me, take pictures etc.
I can type with my arm in my sling, if I sit really close to my keyboard, so hopefully I will have a new post for you next week.
Ok, that’s my long sad story as to why I’ve not shared cards with you this week.
On to good news – exciting news actually.
I have been asked to guest design for the next three months with AALL & CREATE – don’t know these guys? You should (it’s their images above that I painted) – they have amazing stamps and designers. STAY TUNED – until then, they can be found at SIMON SAYS STAMP and they have a great Community Facebook Group.
I have also updated my PAPER CRAFTING SALES PAGE with all the latest sales and releases. My Newsletter comes out tomorrow with all the updated sales too, you can subscribe to receive my newsletter.
Ok, that’s it for today, it’s back to the couch and the ice pack….I go on the 26th to have my 22 stitches removed – THAT should be fun!…..
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I am thinking of you! Sending you love and prayers. I am so sorry you are going through all of this! You are amazing and so strong! Sending love!
Aw thank you Natasha, It’s now a way of life for me, I just hope that my story will inspire others who have “funny spots”, to get them tested
Sandi, I am so sorry to hear what’s going on again. I got injured a while back. I cut a varicose vein while shaving my legs. It quickly turned life-threatening with a secret DVT growing quietly in my leg. That injury set off 8 years of brutally painful and scary injuries and complications. I went from running 5 miles everyday to barely able to walk. Pain meds do NOT work on me so I endured brutal pain for 8 YEARS with no relief. I even considered ending my own life. I am just now finally better. What a wild ride! I wanted to give up so many times, BUT GOD. When you shared about the intern doctor stitching you while not fully anesthetized reminded me of my Wound Care doctor. Every week, he would “clean” the wound up. Meaning: he scraped it with a metal spoon. He used lidocaine, but it doesn’t really help. With one hand, he tended the wound and with the other, he held my leg down. When it was horribly painful and he would not stop, I would remind him that I did have a free leg ready to kick. He was really sweet, but he pushed it sometimes. 😂😂 I will keep you in my prayers.
aw Marisela, I’m so very sad that you had to go through that and I hope you are recovered now. That sounds like it was very painful, and yes, I can relate, LOL.
Hi Sandi, So very sorry to hear about this latest cancer ordeal for you but so very happy knowing that it was taken care of and you are well on your way to recovery!! I must have missed seeing that you had moved!! And I keep missing your FB posts but will be checking in on them soon! Take care! ((Hugs)) ❤️
Thank you Pam. I’m happy to have it behind me again.
I am glad you saw another doctor, melanoma is scary. I am so glad you are healing and glad you didn’t have to have more surgery!! Yay You are too valuable!
I had a brain tumor when I was 4 months pregnant with my daughter. The first neurosurgeon I saw would have killed us. My daughter is a doctor now! I ended up the best Neuro Surgeon in the nation with help from a friend. A few years later itty bitty pin head mole turned out to be stage 4 melanoma. I thought the first experience would be the worst nope more, and more like you!
I think all we can do is keep happy, pray and be positive. You help us keep happy with your beautiful card ideas etc. So thank you and many blessings. I will keep you in my prayers.
Hi Karen, boy I’m sorry you had to go through that and good for you for getting a second opinion. Yes Melanoma is scary, it’s the silent killer. It seems like one you have one, they continue to pop up no matter what we do…we just have to stay on top of it. Positivity is truly the key and finding something you love to bury yourself in for me it’s cardmaking and sharing it. Thank you for the blessings and prayers and I send them right back at you.
Sandi, so very sorry to hear of your ordeal, but great that it has been sorted and hope that is your last encounter with the big C !
Take care, rest and recovery quickly. Hope you settle into your new home quickly too!
Hugs, Anne 🙂 x
Thank you Anne, I hope it’s my last encounter with the big C too…it’s getting kind of old you know, haha
Sandi, I’m sorry you have gone through this. Prayers for you. I’ve had three Moh’s surgeries on my face since 2018.One Halloween I am planning to dress like Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas. Anyway, I’m glad you got some crafty therapy while you recover. And I’m glad you got a second opinion on your spots.
Thanks Nicole, I’m sorry you have gone through this too. Cancer sucks