Dear Life, Fed-Ex delivered REVLMID 5mg oral medication today. Downed the first one with a full glass of water. 21 days on, 7 days off, repeat. Next infusion first week of April. The pharmacist asked me to track side effects. It was impossible to know how the first round affected me due to surgery. I begin oral meds again, this time, with a lower dose. I am feeling stronger as surgery moves further into rearview window. My miraculous body is a lot like my mother’s, the Hungarian Tank, who is still rolling at 92. I am gratefully still rocking and rolling!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Rose Markoya, my mother years ago

Dear Life, After receiving a wonderful “birthday” gift to happen in May, I sat at my art table and wrote this:

Light laced into the hail
Rain fell into the patterns
Clouds obscured the sun
Followed by a sheer veil
Shades of gray mints
Thrown over the distance

Witnessed in a few minutes
While sitting at the art table
Eyes level with a west-facing window
I am an onlooker to the ever-changing
Whims of seasonal expression
Giving an Oscar Award performance

Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

White Acrylic on Black Canvas

Dear Life, Thank you for the outpouring of well wishes to celebrate my sobriety and life. What is life but for this spirit of love that we share in times of joy and sorrow. Life is the expression of this love therefore making my life bountiful with beauty and joy beyond measure. Thank You.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Watercolor 03.10.2023

Dear Life, I gratefully celebrate 42 years of sobriety, love, and life today. Thank you.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, Visit with Dr. Herbert was encouraging. “Your bloodwork is much better. Let’s see what 3 months of consistent treatment will bring. Surgery is behind you. PetScan will be at the end of May”. Today I have infusion 9:30-3:30. Next one will be first week of April and May. I will take oral meds 21 days then 7 days off, repeat: half the previous dosage. Body took a big hit from the surgery but is recovering. I’m thankful it was successful.
A day at a time for 90 days. An excellent plan. Hello Spring!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Watercolor 03.09.2021

Dear Life, Bloodwork indicated the booster injection bumped the white blood cells and neutrophils over normal. Red blood counts still down. I’ll discuss this and treatment at 4pm oncologist appointment. This morning, I’m feeling well enough to accept a friend’s invite to take a drive out to Galisteo with a stop at Cafe Fina. Pancakes are in my near future. The temperature is rising outside and with it, this amazing body. Let there be Life!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Watercolor 03.07.2023

Dear Life, Days are turning into weeks in bed. The combination of surgery, cancer treatment, low blood counts, and little appetite have crushed my body. My Spirit knows “I am me” but little else in me identifies with the state I am in. Vitality feels like a distant dream. Here is one of my paintings: a spiritual broom preparing my body for Spring. New bird songs arrive each day.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

White Acrylic on Black Canvas

Dear Life, The White Blood Cell injection boosts the ability for bone marrow to produce more blood cells. It also makes the bones achy. My body is working hard to build cells that are good for me and kill cancer cells. It’s an inferno inside of me. I did have a little more energy yesterday; going to Cancer Center, seeing the nurses and a couple of friends later in the day. I stood up during one of the visits so the chemicals would get the message “We are upright and in motion. I am not giving up.” I painted a watercolor for my Soul to see a pink cloud. Hope to be driving into some big landscapes and beautiful skies soon. Blue Angel needs a good washing. The winds are blowing and gave it the “dusty Santa Fe look”.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Watercolor 02.27.2023

Dear Life, This morning I go to cancer center to get a white blood cell booster. My blood counts are critical leaving me in quarantine and bed. All thoughts need to be focused on bumping up my blood, creating stem cells in my immune system and having faith in the process. I appreciate all the food friends dropped off this weekend. I gratefully thank you and ask for your continued prayers and positive vibes.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

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