I received good news today, but first the back story…
In 1944, my mom lost a baby. When she was pregnant with my sister in 1947, me in 1951 and my brother in 1962, she was given Diethylstilbestrol (DES) to prevent miscarriages. DES was given to pregnant women between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriages and other pregnancy problems. This drug was found to cause cancer. The FDA finally banned it. The drug affects the mothers and children and possibly grandchildren; male and female. My mom developed Vulvar Cancer at age 89 (deceased at 90). My son developed an astrocytoma of the thalamus at age 11, grade 4 (living). My brother had a benign brain tumor in his 20s (living). My sister developed endometrial cancer in her early 70’s, but she had delayed treatment and remains terminal. I was recently diagnosed with endometrial cancer this year.

I have had two episodes of post menapausal bleeding, a sign of cancer. The first episode was in 2014. A D&C showed polyps, but no cancer. Then in July 2022, I started having another post menapausal bleeding episode. In Oct 2022, I had a D&C that determined I had endometrial cancer FIGO grade 2. In late Nov 2022, I had a complete hysterectomy. My doctor today told me that I am virtually cancer free, but recommended 5 radiation treatments of the vaginal cuff due to the grade 2, stage 1B. He said that during surgery, the cancer could have spread to the vagina; hence the 5 radiation treatments that start late January 2023. I’m very happy with this outcome; that I caught the cancer early. Cancer might reappear down the road, but at this point I’m very happy and positive.

The reason for this personal story is that to remind people to get regular check-ups and if something seems abnormal, it likely is, so see a doctor. Please.

As my strength builds back up, I will get back to painting more regularly. I have been painting almost daily since 2018. My illness was a set-back, but not for long.

Merry Christmas; Happy Holidays; Happy New Year 2023!!!