Painting With a Twist: A Cancer-Free Celebration
2018 started off with a cancer-bang! In addition to a New Year’s Eve family kerfuffle, less than a month after the Ball Dropped, the Shoe Dropped: my mother was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer.
My sisters and I spent much of February assuring her it WAS NOT cancer. However, a few initial tests later and we were aghast to receive the dreaded diagnosis. This illness came completely out of left field.
She had been joking-not-joking that she suffered from COPD because she’d easily become fatigued and short of breath. She finally decided to see a doctor. They found it while testing for possible lung issues.
DESPAIR SET IN
Her first mammo required another one, along with a sonogram. I accompanied her on both of those and every appointment thereafter. Unfortunately, I wasn’t with her for the diagnosis as they told her over the telephone. She called me right away. I could barely make out what she was saying, but her sobs spoke volumes.
As soon as I heard her voice, much as I do with my children, I morphed X-Men-like into Joan of Arc: protector, savior, warrior. I didn’t cry because crying meant I gave into the misery. In no way, shape, or form was I going to do that!
I hopped in my car, making quick work of an otherwise 20 minute drive. Upon arrival I ran into the house, found her right away and fiercely grabbed her by both arms. I spoke to her in a tone matching my determination…
“MOM, YOU ARE GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS. DO YOU HEAR ME? YOU ARE GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS AND I’M GOING TO BE HERE WITH YOU THE WHOLE WAY.”
She nodded bravely and calmed down. The beginning of this journey was difficult, much more than I could explain, but her first appointment post-diagnosis was hopeful. Thank the Lord!
IT WAS TINY
Very tiny, according to the doctor; “undetectable via manual examination” were his exact words. He said if she hadn’t complained of fatigue who knows when they would’ve found it!
She was categorized Stage 1 even though her cancer was much smaller than the normal parameters. She had to be placed somewhere though, and so 1 it was. We hung on to this lifeline.
The doctor discussed her options and finished the conversation with every assurance that she was going to overcome this. All of this was very good news indeed.
In the end, she opted for a lumpectomy with mandatory radiation. I was with her for all subsequent appointments, surgery and her first round of radiation. I knew she’d easily dip into despondency if I wasn’t there, and that just wasn’t going to happen.
BY JUNE SHE WAS CANCER-FREE!
To maintain her liberation, a 10-year medication was prescribed. As you can imagine, much transpired between her first diagnosis and her All-Clear, but this isn’t a post about the devastation of cancer, it’s about the celebration of life.
I have a biological sister, and two “crib-sisters”, cousins my grandmother & mother finished raising after my aunt passed away. Immediately after my mother’s diagnosis, my sisters and I planned a trip for them to visit after surgery. My crib-sisters lived out of state.
It had been years since we’d seen the non-Floridians. We were thrilled to celebrate my mother’s victory all together. I knew we needed to do something to commemorate the occasion. I decided on a joyful experience we could all share – the flip side of the tumultuous ordeal we had just endured.
PAINTING WITH A TWIST
I’m sure you’ve heard of it, but just in case, Painting With a Twist is a two-hour art experience. You sign up for the painting you want to create on their online calendar. You’re encouraged to arrive with wine and snacks (don’t mind if I do!).
You then sit at an easel staring at a white canvas not believing you’re going to create a work of art in two hours, much less a decent looking piece you can hang on your wall!
This is the painting we chose…
My Stepsister and Stepsister-in-Law joined us and we laughed, goodness how we laughed.
We even had a “surprise visitor”. Standing in the hallway during a bathroom break, we all shrieked. Right next to us on the wall was a painting with the same color scheme we had chosen for the evening. Its signature bore, get this…my grandmother’s name! Ina (pronounced ee-nuh). Emotions were high and because of that moment, I know Heaven is Real.
IT WAS EXHILARATING
Enjoying the evening with dear ones made it all the more memorable. To top it all off, my mother received a gift in celebration of her new, cancer-free self and all of us went home with our paintings; a treasured memento of the event.
Every time I look at mine it makes me smile. The painting reminds me to never give up, to face fear valiantly and to hang on to faith when I’m most wavering. It reminds me of the love I have for my family and friends and has become a symbol of all that truly matters. At the very least, my Glass is always Half Full. What could be better than that!?
If you think you might be up for little artistic mayhem, click HERE to find a Painting With a Twist location near you.
I have plans to go again very soon. Next time I think I’ll bring The Hubster. Perhaps I’ll turn it into a couples’ retreat.
I cannot WAIT to see what kind of mischief we come up with then!
Be Well!
Cynthia
385Life
Live · Love · Learn
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Thanks for making me cry!! This is such a great post! And you guys did an amazing job on your paintings They are all stunning! I am always impressed with the paintings that come out of these types of places. And yay for Mom…and the rest of the family! My mom also went through a similiar situation years ago when I was pretty young. Make the most out of having your mom still with you and healthy!
Thanks so much Sandy, I’m so glad you liked it and that you and Lise were on every word, LOL…I haven’t even shown my family this post yet…I think I’m going to post it on my regular FB so my mom can see it…Onward and Upward right!
What a great story, so glad your mother is cancer-free. I was hanging on every word, but had to look ukp ‘kerfuffle’ LOL – Remember I’m French Canadian 🙂
Thanks so much Lise! too funny about kerfuffle…I used to use that word a long time ago, then it popped up again a couple of years ago with this commercial, continue on to second 19/20. I just about died laughing when I heard it and new I had to bring it back to my wordsmith lexicon! LOLOL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD0z0dRjD6U
WOW!!! Cindy im sooo impressed by your writing and sooo damn proud of you. As i read this, i wanted to read more, with every line I read, I lived it. I saw in on my mind. Sooo happy to have read this, and more so, to know about Carmen’s VICTORY, against the evil monster that is Cancer. May God always be with you and may his blessings be bestowed each and every day on you all.
Xoxoxox!
Titi, thank you so much for your words of praise…they go a long way! And yes, My mom’s victory was exactly that – A VICTORY, one that Mom, Jeanny, Mayra, Evelyn and I battled alongside mom every day…I was the only one able to be with her every step of the way, but I know if my other sisters lived closer, they would have joined me in the daily grind…and in what they couldn’t do in body, they certainly did in spirit…TEAM CARMEN!
Wow this brought tears to my eyes. You are an amazing daughter Cynthia. You kept your Mom fighting til she won the battle. God is good.
I work at a Cancer Center and see people all the time battling cancer.
Your mom was very fortunate and a brave women and so are a lot of people that fight to beat it.
Goodness Jackie, I didn’t know that you worked at a cancer center…but knowing you just a tiny bit, I am certainly not surprise, Kindred Spirits…thanks so much for your kind words, truly grateful 🙂
Awesome job babe explaining what was otherwise a tough moment in time for our family. Too know that the people we don’t get to see everyday are still very much a part of our lives and are there in a family time of need speaks volumes. To be able to wrap it up with such a joyful outing put a perfect bow on it. Having lived it with you and being the big softy I am, I did not get emotional till the part about the painting signed by Ina! I know she’s not here in body anymore and I miss her dearly, but I feel in my heart she has a more important role now watching over our family and keeping us safe from Heaven! I know better than anyone how your writing touches people, I hope you continue to inspire others to be better through your writing, you are a natural born teacher of life. Love you.
Thanks babe, I couldn’t have gotten through it without you too, I was able to lean on you when I needed to be strong for my mom, #Soulmates!
God sends you Angels
He sent me the BEST
MOM
No, Mom, YOU are the best! Love you forever
This was awesome Cindy. Im.sooo very happy to hear Coqui has beat this battle!!! I was extremely saddened when she told me her news and i thought of her often. I never asked because I.didnt want to intrude but she was always on my mind and prayers were always sent up for her. As I was reading I heard your voice (like if it were an audio book 😊) this was a great read!!
On another note.. those piant nights are great. Im working with an artist (he did the mural at.the restaurant) he teaches and we are working on having paint nights on the night Im closed.. who knows maybe one year we can celebrate all together and have a family paint night over here 😊 love you guys!
That’s a fantastic idea! And thanks so much for the kind words…also many blessings to you in this new chapter of your life, good luck with your restaurant!
THIS WAS AMAZING!!! I am so sad that i don’t live nearer to you all….. but am so grateful that you both live near each other. There truly are no words for how I feel about our family but Thank you!!!! for you being you. MOM… You are a survivor and far more of a warrior then what you may even believe and i am not just talking about you fighting and beating cancer, but in every aspect of your life, its all you have ever been and done. I LOVE YOU OH SO MUCH!!!!!