Djeez… this online blog ‘desk-event’ celebrates it’s 600 (SIX HUNDRED!) anniversary, so how many years is that? Julia stayed true to hosting this party every.single.week – except from a few times that she was ill, another desker took over then – thanks LLJ for being the assist-manager 🙂 A big HOORAY and CONGRATULATIONS to Julia and all you other deskers – or should I say ‘blogfriends’, ’cause that’s how it feels after visiting each other’s blog for years!!!
I wouldn’t miss this anniversary for the world so I joined in but I will not be able to visit you all back… my ‘desk’ gives you a hint of what’s going on
Last month, it remained deafeningly silent on my blog and facebook page and there was a reason for that. I kept my mouth shut because I was in uncertainty myself – life did to me what life does sometimes: turn the world upside down. Here’s the story:
At the end of October, when it got colder and I put on a camisole, I fell a birthmark on my back that rubbed the edge of the fabric, very irritating! I’d never seen it or had problems with it, so I went to the doctor to have that little bastard removed. Such things are of course sent to a lab to be examined and – you guessed – I received the message that it was a ‘melanoma’ (an aggressive form of skin cancer). * Gulp!*
Before I knew it I sat in the hospital and spoke with a surgeon – and instantly I got labeled from ‘a woman with a nuisance spot’ to ‘cancer patient’. I tell you: that’s a shock! The hospital mill started to turn quickly and in mid-November (after some more examinations in which I was injected with radioactive liquid and scanned – the so-called ‘gatekeeper procedure’) I had surgery – more skin around the ‘melanoma spot’ was removed and lymph nodes were removed from my armpit that had to be examined for cancer cells to see if the cancer had spread. A week later the biopsy had shown that the cancer was NOT spread – HOORAY, I AM “CLEAN”
However, I had an internal bleeding under my armpit afterwards, that resulted in bruising all over my body – bruises from elbow to hip – can you imagine? I’ll spare you the photos 😉 and this left me with a big swelling under my armpit. So there I was… all clean but with my arm in the air, I felt like a cormorant …
Because the swelling kept ‘leaking’ and the risk of getting an infection grew, the surgeon cut open the swelling last week and now the deep wound is flushed and bandaged twice a day by a nurse from home care. Our bathroom is full of bandages and all kinds of attributes!
Anyway, it could all have been a lot worse – this will pass and I don’t need chemotherapy so I’m happy and optimistic. Although I can’t do much with my arm yet. I can type a bit but need to rest my arm a lot – visiting all of you is just too much for me but I appreciate you stopping by.
Have a wonderful day/week and enjoy every moment (for that’s some lesson I got reminded of/learned over the past weeks!)
Happy 600th WOYWW Marit. I’m so pleased that your are cancer free but am sorry to hear that you’ve had problems with the wound healing, hopefully the surgeon has done their job and you can start getting better properly. Sending big hugs to you – you’re right, something like this puts all the little niggles in perspective. Keep safe and well, before you know it you’ll be back to normal and crafting away again.
Hugs LLJ 10 xxxx
Wow, Marit. What an experience. I’m glad you’re on the mend. Many prayers for you on the road to recovery. Hugs.
Dag Marit, ik dacht al dat er iets niet in orde was….Geen vrijdag/ haiku’s
En je schreef al berichtje over niet fit zijn. Ik heb je gemist.
Voor nu: heel veel beterschap!!
Neem je tijd.
Oh sweet friend! I know this story only too well… I too had melanoma twice. Being told that you have the deadliest cancer takes your breath away. My first was on my shoulder towards my back, the second was my earlobe, that had to be removed and reconstructed. I am so happy to hear that your biopsies were clear. Sending you prayers and well wishes for a speedy recovery. Much love to you1
Ouch Marit, how horrible. So glad you don’t need more cancer treatment. So typical of you to find such a lyrical image for your position- I love your cormorant image!
I hope you feel better soon. Take care and happy WOYWW, hugs
Lynnecrafts 23
😳 dat waren heftige weken. Goed dat je bijtijds bij de dokter bent geweest en nog beter dat er geen uitzaaiingen zijn. Pffff… Wat een schrik 😮
hopelijk kun je gerust ademhalen nu en heb je lekker veel afleiding met de Top2000. Sterkte nog met de naweeën 👍🏼🍀😘
So thankful that you’ll mend eventually when these relatively minor inconveniences resolve. Nothing like a health scare to put things in perspective.
I’m doing a quick whistle stop tour of all my fav blogs today. I’m in the middle of making two bears and an elephant so can’t stop long today but I needed to pop by to say happy 600th celebrations to you and thank you for your friendship over the past 11+ years. Long may it last eh?
I’m so sorry to hear what you’ve been going through but thrilled that they have done a good job and removed it all. I really hope your wound heals well for you now.
Stay safe and well.
Hugs,
Annie x #13
OMG meis, wat een spanning en stress. Ik weet goed wat je hebt doorstaan. Wat ben ik blij voor je dat het niet is uitgezaaid. Doe rustig aan en let op jezelf mop. ♥ Dikke knuffel van mij.
Oh, Marit, I’m so sorry to hear this, but it’s good that you’re on the mend and the stupid thing whose name I’m not going to mention hasn’t spread. Lucky you caught it on time! Hopefully, you’ll be back to your old self creating again – all the best and happy #600! xx zsuzsa #34
I’m so sorry this has happened to you. Be well…
Oh Marit, so sorry to read all that has happened to you over the previous two months. Glad they got all te cancer, but sorry for the swelling. I hope you are soon back to normal and just glad you are OK. That’s more important than a visit. Happy 600th from #6.
Dear Marit. I am so saddened by what you have been through over the past few weeks – but glad that you have now been given that all clear! I trust you will soon be able to do more as your arm wound settles and heals. Take care of yourself in all this.
It is precious that you have managed to post this week – but don’t worry about visiting – we are only too pleased to “see” you today on this special anniversary. 600 – what a number!
Take care dear girl. God bless you.
Margaret #2
I am so thrilled to see you here. Am so thrilled that you’re ‘clean’! It’s a very very stressful process and it sounds as if you’ve had some really good, well timed treatment. Am so sorry for your poor arm and the big swelling, I hope it doesn’t hurt you all the time. You’ll be mended very soon and back to your busy creative life. Sending huge but gentle hugs, you brave gal. Much love to you.
Marit, so so sorry about what you have been going through! Been there done that!! Thankfully you are cancer-free!!! I pray all goes smoother and quicker after this last little procedure and you can get back into the full swing of things! The cormorant photo is hysterical! I’m not making light of your situation, but from someone who’s been there, sometimes you just have to crack a joke to get through it all! Many blessings to you and for FULL recovery!! Felicia, #39
What a scare you have had. I am so pleased that you have the all clear and no need for any nasty treatment, but I hope your wound heals quickly for you. Happy 600th WOYWW. Stay safe and take care. With love & God Bless. Caro xxx (#14)
Oh marit, what a time you’ve had. Glad there is good news but the armpit sounds very sore , I hope they get you sorted soon . Happy 600 anyway and glad you were able to kpknbys again. Take care and much love
Helen #1
Oh my! What a story. So happy to hear you are “clean” but so sorry to to hear what you had to go thru to get there. Happy to see you manage to WOYWW for this momentous week, and hope you will feel up to desk hopping again soon. All the best,
Happy 600th WOYWW!
Mary Anne (4)
So happy for a positive outcome to your medical situation!
Chana Malkah #43 (Newbie)
So pleased you got that sorted quickly. I had a mark on my arm for about two years and although I saw the doctor twice he still didn’t have it checked out as he seemed to think I’d caught it on something and it would get better when it was tested it was a carcinoma which he removed almost instantly and it’s been fine since but it was scary at the time. Wishing you a very happy woyww and a lovely creative week. Angela x19x
How fortunate that you spotted that something needed to be done and got it done too. It was good to hear that you are cancer free, but sad that you have had the problems in healing! Let’s hope all will be completely well very soon!
Happy WOYWW 600 and Stay safe!
Chrissie #12
Marit dear friend I am so sorry to read this today but happy as I read on that that horrible intruder has now gone. Sending you healing hugs for the speediest of recoveries, it feels wrong to wish you a *Happy* 600th Woyww but so right that it connected our passion for art together. Take care lovely.. Healing Hugs Tracey xx
Oh Marit what an awful time you’ve been having, but I’m so glad you are cancer free now and it’s lovely to see you joining in this week. I hope your wound heals quickly and you don’t have to impersonate a Cormorant for much longer!
Happy 600th WOYWW and sending healing thoughts and a gentle hug,
Diana xx #27
Oh Marit, how perfectly dreadful for you! I am so sorry you’ve had to go through this. It sounds as if the treatment has been pretty awful and not nice to be left so bruised, and having to have the wound dressed etc. I know exactly what it’s like, going for what you think is a routine procedure and being told such devastating news. I had my first colonoscopy when I was 60 after I’d had a positive for blood poo test, and they discovered that I’d been suffering from ulcerative colitis all those years and not IBS as I’d been told. I was told I had to have regular colonoscopies because I was at higher risk of cancer with an inflammatory bowel disease, and had the next one 18 months later. I thought it would be just routine and wasn’t a bit concerned – and was told they’d found a large aggressive tumour! They did find cancer in one lymph node so after total colectomy surgery I had to have 6 months of intensive chemo. That was five years ago and since then I’ve been fine, thank goodness, apart from recurrent problems with a parastomal hernia. You just never know what’s around the corner, do you… I am SO glad they got all your cancer out and that you are clear and don’t need chemo! It’s not something I would wish on anybody…
You take care of yourself, my friend, and get well really soon!
Happy WOYWW 600,
Shoshi x #29
So thankful that you are cancer free now Marit without a need for chemo. Sending healing wishes for the aftermath of treatment and that you are back to full fitness soon. Happy 600th WOYWW my friend. Love Sarah. #5
Happy 600th WOYWW. My you have been through it ! A very scary ordeal. I am so glad you are cancer free, I thought the cormorant looked pretty cute 🥰. Sending love and gentle hugs your way and hope you will be better soon Angela #42
Ohhh my sweet friend! I’m so sorry to hear about what you are going through! I’m so glad you are on the mend! I will keep you in my heart as you recover from your ordeal. Hugs and Love
So, SO glad that the worst seems to be over from
all of this dear Marit! I have to admit that I was very worried when you first told me of the diagnosis from the doctors as I believe in this day and age that we have all been conditioned to absolutely fear the “C” word! But even from the West Coast of America I have been able to determine that YOU of all people are a fighter, and even that thought entered my head I still felt concerned but optimistic. Then came your WONDERFUL news that nothing had spread to the lymph, and considerable relief set in. It sounds as though you are still dealing with the peculiar effects of your treatment which, to be sure, can be most annoying but is in such a marked contrast to the frightening, and life-threatening original diagnosis. Please continue to take care as you recover. -Your friend, Robert
OMG Marit I am so sorry you had to go through this. I pray you will heal quickly. May I say that cormorant is as beautiful as you.
Agh! nasty…I remember the nurses going from…very quiet to suddenly very busy and calling what they’d found in me, ‘bits!’ anyway, I came out of hospital christmas eve, it was a Friday…and was out walking dogs all day on the monday.. touch wood, all clear now. So! You take care and stay safe. Happy WOYWW!? Try and have a great crafting week, (Lyn)) #18
Marit, I am sorry that you have been through such a difficult time, but I am happy to hear that you are healing and able to do a bit of art and writing. Much love to you from across the ocean.