DAY 32 - Back to the Drawing Board, Reality Check

It’s been more than a month since I’ve drawn an illustration or written a story. That’s because March was for me a true reality check.

I started chemo back in late January. I was scheduled for four rounds. Round two came three weeks after round one. Rounds two through four were each two weeks apart. 

The first couple of rounds carried me through the month of February. I had some neuropathy and loss of appetite, hair, and weight. But really the side effects were minimal. By day six or seven after treatment, I had recovered and felt more like myself. 

Now, I was warned that chemo has some accumulating side effects. Still, when rounds three and four came in March (like Spring’s proverbial March lion), I was not prepared. Instead of picking myself back up a week or so after round three, side effects ran me right into round four and beyond. Fatigue, malaise, and just feeling what I think my oldest granddaughter would call “ucky” were all there for me. 

The worst was the muscle cramps in my hands. I couldn’t hold a pen or pencil for more than a minute without my fingers locking straight. Ugh. 

Anyway, April has come in “like a lamb” and side effects have subsided. I am now back to work at writing and drawing. Obviously, the original 100 Day Challenge (100 drawings in 100 days) -- which would be up by now -- was too ambitious. And with surgery coming, followed by more chemo afterward, I have to adjust my expectations for the months ahead.

I am committed to creating, writing, and posting 100 drawings, paintings, etc., by hand or digital. It’s just gonna’ take a lot longer. 

To those of you who have been following along and occasionally commenting, thank you. You are appreciated!