ONLINE ART COURSE – THE FINAL PROJECT IN THE INK PENS MODULE, A HEALTH UPDATE, AND A VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL CHAPEL

Ink Pens module – self-directed challenge

This final project in the module consists of three small drawings. All the teacher Phil provided for this one was an orientation video and then we were left to our own devices. My hubby and I decided to work on the third of the three drawings first, which is of a teddy. Rather than working from Phil’s reference photo, we each chose a teddy of our own to draw; I was pleased that from his large collection of teddies, he chose the little one I made for him when we were engaged. The choice was easy for me because I have just the one – “Teddy,” who was given to me when I was born, so he is now 70 years old, and wearing pretty well for his age!

This is the first state, after doing the pencil outline – working with the ink pens.

I drew him on the right-hand side of the page in my sketchbook so that there would be room for the first two drawings in the module.

Here he is after I added a black watercolour wash.

Here is Teddy himself, sitting with his portrait.

I also made a montage of the photos.

I was given Teddy when I was born, so he is now 70, and wearing pretty well for his age! He is a Chad Valley teddy and would probably be worth quite a bit these days (not that I would ever consider selling him!!). His neck has got a bit weak so his head is a bit wobbly now. He is also a little threadbare in places and I have tried to capture this in his portrait. He has a black wool stitched nose and mouth, and the wool on his nose is partly missing because I teethed on it when I was a baby! Many years ago his plush paws wore out and stuffing started coming out of his arms, so I made new ones from brown suede. While doing these repairs, I decided to leave his nose alone as it is part of his character and part of his own little life story.

Teddy is very precious to me.

Health update – warning – graphic medical details!! Scroll down for something more pleasant to follow!

On Wednesday I went to the hospital in Exeter for my sigmoidoscopy. This was done so that Mr. Smart, the new consultant dealing with me, could check what is left of my large intestine, which consists of the rectal stump measuring about 3 inches in length. Since I had suffered from ulcerative colitis all my adult life before succumbing to colon cancer in 2015, this short length would still be at risk of developing cancer, and he wanted to check for any anomalous signs.

I was offered the option of gas-and-air or sedation, and since the area being examined was so short it was unlikely I would need the latter, so I opted for the former. I was glad I did, and otherwise I would definitely have gone for the sedation because it was very uncomfortable indeed! Fortunately it was over in two or three minutes, and Mr. Smart said that he saw what he expected to see, whch was written on the copy of the report he gave me, that there was some inflammation. Fortunately there were no signs of cancer or pre-cancer, or polyps, so he did not need to take a biopsy.

He said it was very useful for him to examine me in this way because he now knew the exact extent of what was left. He said that he would call me in for another outpatient appointment in 6-8 weeks’ time when we would discuss all the options in detail. He did say that once he had inserted mesh as part of the hernia repair, it would not be possible to go in again and deal with any future problems in the rectal stump, and his best preference was for him to perform the “Barbie butt” operation where it would be competely removed and I would be sewn up. Look at a Barbie doll’s bottom and you’ll see!! I think if he had been in charge of my care from the beginning, he would have done it during my first operation back in 2015. When I first saw him he said he was concerned about this region and asked if it had ever been checked, and I said no, apart from once during the summer of 2015 when I was having chemo, and I developed some problems in the area and it had to be cleaned out under general anaesthetic. He said that in that case, it definitely needed checking on now, as it was still a high-risk area for developing another cancer.

The reason Mr. Pullan, my first surgeon at Torbay, had not performed this operation, was that it is a difficult procedure with a long and painful recovery, and he didn’t want to put me through that if it was not necessary. It is not something I relish at all, but once it is done, and also the hernia repair, and I have had time to recover, things should be a lot better – everyone will have peace of mind, and I should be feeling a lot better and managing Kermit, my stoma, a lot better too. The hernia is causing problems with him and involving much more frequent bag changes than there should be. Mr. Smart informed me that he’d seen my CT scan results and as expected, the hernia was spreading to the midline incision area, and the hole around Kermit was larger than he was happy with. He said there are many different options and we would need to discuss it all at our next meeting.

I was very relieved when it was all over as it was not pleasant. However, all the staff, including Mr. Smart, were so kind, so lovely and friendly and helpful, that apart from a few minutes’ discussion, I could honestly say it was a pleasant experience!

I had some bloody discharge over the next 24-36 hours but it’s cleared up now. They told me this was a quite normal response to the procedure.

The hospital chapel

When I came out, my hubby told me he’d gone for a cup of coffee and had a wander around, and had visited the chapel. I said I would love to see it – it was only just around the corner from the endoscopy unit. It is the most beautiful little space with a very quiet and peaceful atmosphere, and some exquisite wooden furnishings – very simple, tasteful and elegant. I took some photos.

Beautiful, isn’t it.