Knights in blue satin...

I have one more day before we head to Ballarat for my second lot of surgery. We are going early as the weather is going to be around 40 degrees, and we've booked ourselves in to the Regent Multiplex Gold Class cinema to see Les Miserables. HOPING that the theatre's airconditioning doesn't break down as Cinema 1's did when we went to see The Hobbit! That will be our wedding anniversary/Pete's birthday treat. Then Friday morning 7am we front up to admissions, the weather outside will be cooler, and I won't know much about it. Oh well, it'll be good for Pete. I've been mucking around with material and a shibori technique and here below is one example, one I'm quite proud of. I won't be able to do any of this for a couple of weeks or more after Friday. There it is!

Time for pictures

Just a late-night look at some pictures of things I've been working on.

and a little collection of furry friends who reside amongst the stuff...

Let's lap up some cooler weather

After some incredibly hot days and the awful news of bushfires in Victoria, NSW and Tasmania, it was lovely to have a cool one yesterday and a pleasant, bit warmer day today. Last week we travelled back to Ballarat for results of surgery and sentinel node biopsy. The BEST news is that the cancer cells haven't travelled, so given the all-clear there, and the only hiccup is that I have to go back next week for second surgery (in the same incision) to 'clean up' as pathology suggested that not all margins were clear.
I am ok with this as I want to make absolutely certain that it's all gone. Apart from having to go back to work this week I have been doing a fair bit of textile work, as much as I can manage most days with a couple of wounds still healing and causing pain. Speaking to a friend yesterday in the supermarket reminded me that to go through my particular breast cancer experience is to somehow have been given a ticket to explore the great unknown and to experience as much as possible. So if I have a New Year's resolution, part  a is to leap off into the unknown, exciting world, part b is to advocate breastscreening for women 50+ and to  remind younger women to be aware. Now all I need to do is to make something pink.

Happy Christmas Day

It is Christmas Day evening, and I am tired. We've had a lovely day with family, sharing food, laughter and pressies, and remembering those who are no longer with us, including Pete's dear Mum.
I have had my surgery, and am currently very sore and bruised, and impatiently waiting for the dressings to come off. Now I wait for a pathology report on January 3, and what ongoing treatment I should have.
I've had lots of messages, and lovely cards and gifts, and for everything I am very grateful.
Good night.

In the pink

Christmas isn't far away, and since I last blogged I've been for a routine Breastscreen, had the call-back phone call, been back for more scans, ultrasound and ultimate biopsies, and voila! I have Early Breast Cancer. Those words, initially scary and scarier, I now find easier to say, and easier to tell those I care about. It's been detected early, I've read the pathology, I've met my McGrath Breast Care Nurse, I've got a 'Care' package, and I've got a whole new respect for everyone involved with the care of women with breast cancer. I am having surgery this Friday, after a fairly scary visit to radiology on Thursday in Ballarat in which I will have radioactive dye injected into my right breast, and hopefully I will be back home for Christmas.

The responses I've had to my situation have varied greatly, but all have been tinged with shock, concern and love and affection. I am surrounded by warriors, and most importantly, my Rock warrior, Peter, previously called Laird Peter in this blog, is by my side and is the most incredible, loving, caring, protective and funniest person I could ever have with me to keep me sane, focused, happy and on track on this unexpected journey.
That's enough for now. The only thing left to say is: pink takes on a whole new meaning.

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree

Christmas trees. Here's a very special one, the one that I published a pic of a few nights ago.

The little figures were painted and decorated by my delightful students, and they decorated the tree.
I am very proud of them.

In the pink

Goodness, it's a month since I last posted! Gee! Have been busy though, and as is usual at this time of year there are lots of things happening, breakup parties and last days of class/school, etc. openings and all sorts of things that distract one from doing work and blogging.
Today, for example, we had an exhibition 'opening' of my Intertwine students' artwork and another teacher's students' photography. It was set up in Intertwine's new space, not far from us and right next to Cato Lake in Stawell. I was very proud of my guys. I might put a pic here as I am so proud of them.

this is a painted pillowcase

On Tuesday we had our last class for the year and they had an opportunity to decorate our UB Stawell Campus Christmas tree with their own beautifully-made decorations. 

I am going to leave it there for tonight. There are many things to think about, and lots to do so I will be back another day.