Dear Life, Several days have seen freezing temps and snow showers. I’ve been enjoying quiet hours of reading, writing, studio time, making warm meals, phone visits and watching TV. Surgery was six weeks ago. Oral cancer meds started six days ago. My body is adjusting and continues to heal. Today under a gray sky I will venture out and be amongst people. I am still careful about crowds so wear a mask and go places at their slower hours. The earth is soaking in all the precipitation. Beneath the surface everything is coming alive. Me too!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Collage 03.22.2023

Dear Life, Woke to a light covering of snow on the first day of Spring. I painted a watercolor to express how this feels. My heart’s desires, roots, and seeds, dormant during a long Winter begin to come alive into the hands and gifts of Spring. My body and mind are aligned with Spirit, love, creativity, and radiant health. Energy and strength come from within, my Life Force, the same Power that governs the seasons, the planets, the universe. I feel hope, curiosity and enthusiasm as this new season begins.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Watercolor 03.20.2023

Dear Life, January 2023: I was diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer requiring immediate surgery, a radical hysterectomy. Totally separate from Lymphoma diagnosed in Jan 2020. February: Pre- and post- surgery. I slept three weeks. Quarantined. March: Recovering from surgery continues as I resume treatments for Lymphoma. Soft cotton bedding and pillows wrap me in comfort as my unconscious does all the work in my dreams while I sleep. Still clocking in 10-12 hours of snoozing. My body is rejuvenating. I feel new energy and strength. I am that puff of cloud floating in a promising blue sky. Do I dare wake from this dream? Spring is near.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Collage 03.17.2023

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