Prepping the Gallery

Today was the day I painted the gallery.



It's a small community run gallery and we wanted it to be fresh and white for my artwork to move in on Tuesday.



So we found some paint cans and cracked out the roller. I painted the entire bottom section of all the walls as far as I could reach. After that I burnt out and there was no way I was going up the ladder. I still find it frustrating how limited my abilities are now. The gallery coordinator finished the top portions.



There was a bit of a reminder across the street. There is a theatre there and I spent 4 years painting huge sets for another larger theatre before I got the 'C'. I used to sit atop a 20ft ladder that was on wheels, on the stage. It would move and squeak with every brush stroke I made. You'd think a little gallery would be no problem.

No worries though. I'm tired and a little broken but the slate is clean and white, waiting for the colour to move in.



I snapped this photo of the gallery from the outside looking in with the peak of the theatre reflecting in the windows.

Scared

I'm not out of the woods yet in regards to my recent GVHD relapse. I swear the doctor appointments never go away. I get my blood taken every two weeks without fail. The photo above is a couple of weeks ago when they couldn't get enough blood from the first hand so they did the other. Every time I go it seems there is someone new, who I haven't had before and I say the same lame joke every time. I ask them to take it out of my hands because my arms are scarring and I don't want to look like a heroin addict, ha ha. Usually that comment is received by the sound of crickets. I think someone laughed once so I don't know why I say it every time.

They always tell me getting it out of my hand hurts a lot and am I sure I want them to do it there? I feel like saying, "HELLO! I had 5 bone marrow biopsies, I laugh at your wimpy little needle!"

Anyway, I'm beating around the bush, the doctors office just called again. My blood is still not right and now my white count is elevated which sends off alarm bells. There are no blasts, which are the cells that mean cancer is back. But still, extra white cells without an illness that I'm fighting off can be bad news. They asked if I am sick at all which could account for the high white cell count but I'm not.

They want me to see my oncologist but all the appointments have been canceled because of THE OLYMPICS. Yes, the Olympics seem to somehow be a valid reason for canceling all doctors appointments in Vancouver. I've had another appointment canceled as well.

So now instead of going for a walk in the rare, beautiful sunshine, I'm sitting here waiting for my GP's office to call back. This sucks.

And the Olympics suck too.

Update: I feel fine but my GP is convinced I'm sick or infected in some way. I'm supposed to get to my oncologist if I have a fever, swelling, puss or any sickness of any sort. They also said that I may just not be well yet from the H1N1 even though it's been almost 3 months. They told me to take it easy.