Dear Life, Regina gave me an excellent haircut. She said, “You have sparkles.” My hair grew back dark with sparkles! I’m laughing because it really looks like my baby hair. Well, I am a new me. Stem Cell Replacement completely changed my cell growth. And now Immunotherapy is changing my immune system. Happy to have eyebrows and eyelashes again. The amazing Life of PRM continues to surprise. Happy Thursday!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, I slept long and deep after discussing and deciding I will no longer take chemotherapy medication. I am now officially in the non-chemo group of the Immunotherapy Clinical Trial. Thank you Christus Cancer Center Team, health workers around the world, friends and family. To celebrate, I’m getting my first haircut since it fell out from chemo a year ago. Looks like my hair in this photo. My smile is the same, too!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, This morning I discuss with Dr Herbert, my oncologist, blood labs, heart report, and whether I can stop the drug, Cytoxan. In January, I was randomly placed in the “chemo” group of the Clinical Trial and have advocated to be taken out of it because of side effects. Let’s see what the outcome will be. I also have an immunotherapy vaccine treatment. All this takes a kind heart, a fierce mind, and a brave spirit.
Thank you for your support as I walk tall into this day.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Love Letter to Life 03.28.2022 Live With Confidence
Dear Life, Today I have blood labs. Looking closely at those white and red cells, neutrophils, and platelet counts. Up, down, or holding? Then appointment with accountant to sign my taxes. Need to go to storage for art supplies and warm weather clothes. Happily put away some winter gear. Preparing for my trip to NYC and CT to visit family and friends.
It’s a busy Monday kind of day.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, Anyone interested in 20th Century Pop Art and Culture, this series on Netflix is a compelling documentary. I lived in the East Village during the 1980’s. Thankfully, I fell into sobriety before the drug and alternative life style of the art world killed me. It hurt many including Warhol, Basquiat, and Haring, as it gave rise to an art movement and AIDS. Grateful to be alive.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
The Andy Warhol Diaries (From Executive Producer Ryan Murphy) | Official Trailer | Netflix
Dear Life, The medical appointments do not stop because it’s the weekend. Oh no. I’ll be at Christus Hospital at 12:30pm for an Echocardiogram. Yesterday I mailed in the heart monitor I wore for two weeks. My heart is beating perfectly as far as I can tell but its getting checked because the oncologist heard “something”. Nothing goes unchecked when you are in a Clinical Trial. At 2:00pm, I look forward to seeing my game group and playing Aggravation. Game On and Heart Ready!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, I have spent two years dealing with health issues and life with cancer. A lot goes on within my thoughts and feelings that needs to be sorted, processed, and ultimately, released. The investigation is crucial to living a whole and satisfying life not defined by cancer and prognosis. Bigger questions come into play: Am I honoring my needs and being kind to myself? Am I honoring the needs of others? What impact do people, places, and things have on my mind and body? Stress? Joy? How am I expressing myself creatively? What are my dreams and heart’s desires? I live into the answers a day at a time.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, Here’s a view from the work table at home. Collage and paint materials are easy to access. I also have a great view of my Crosstrek. Yesterday I went to Subaru to ask a few questions. Dino, my salesperson, looked at my speedometer, 221 miles, and said to me, “Why did you buy a new car? You don’t go anywhere! Take a drive, Pamela.” I’ve had the car three weeks and he’s absolutely right! I need to pull my head out of the medical stuff and working in the studio. Clear my thoughts while putting some miles on my new wheels.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, As I dream of warm temperatures, 4″ snow piled up in the wee hours. Ah, we need the precipitation. Sun is already shining so a big melt is ahead. Glad my dermatologist appointment was yesterday. Skin repair began. Regenerating and rejuvenating.
My Body is a Miracle.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Pamela Rose Markoya 