Hey all,

Yes, I still live and breathe (well, live anyway, with the allergies, breathe is questionable some days).

Anyhoo, been enjoying Lost Girl, which means can't resist coming up with a painting. Hehe. Click on the link below to take a look at a larger resolution on Twitpic

A couple of months ago, I threw together an art video for a contest the folks at Venice: the Series had going (deadlines are good for making me learn how to use software, and I really needed to start exploring Premiere...lol). It wound up one of three winners, but I put it together so fast that I wasn't completely happy with some elements. I didn't fix them all (it would take too much time), but did paint a couple of new pieces and changed out the ones I wasn't happy with, plus recut a few things (figured out how to do a fancier zoom/blur thingie). Kinda like it better now, though the original can still be seen on the Venice YouTube site http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT5Ty7o-7S0

P.S. Just realized I forgot to mention in the paragraph above that the video now has a name (poor thing was just sorta cast, nameless, out onto the winds before...lol).

"Perspective" (Venice Contest Video Reedit)

Title: Afterworld: Into the Arms of Darkness
By: Pink Rabbit Productions
Chapter: 54
Date: 12 November, 2011
Rating: R (for sex and violence)
( Read it behind the cut... )

Title: Afterworld: Into the Arms of Darkness
By: Pink Rabbit Productions
Chapter: 53
Date: 17 July, 2011
Rating: R (for sex and violence)
( Read it behind the cut... )

Title: Life and Breath
Author: Pink Rabbit Productions
Fandom: Guiding Light
Pairing: Olivia/Natalia
Part: 33
Date: 15 April, 2011
( Read it behind the cut... )

Title: Afterworld: Into the Arms of Darkness
By: Pink Rabbit Productions
Chapter: 52
Date: 7 April, 2011
Rating: R (for sex and violence)
( Read it behind the cut... )

Title: Afterworld: Into the Arms of Darkness
By: Pink Rabbit Productions
Chapter: 51
Date: 23 February, 2011
Rating: R (for sex and violence)
( Read it behind the cut... )

Title: Afterworld: Into the Arms of Darkness
By: Pink Rabbit Productions
Chapter: 50
Date: 8 Feb, 2011
Rating: R (for sex and violence)
( Read it behind the cut... )

First off, my thank to all of you for the support, kind words and good wishes. All are much appreciated and it’s helpful to know folks care. I intended to write about what’s been going on sooner, but best laid plans of mice and men and all that. Which is to say, things didn't quite go as we hoped on surgery day. Not the best news, but not the worst either. During the laparoscopy prior to the procedure, the surgeon found a couple of spots where the cancer had metastasized. They are very, very small and sitting on top of the liver and intestines, rather than dug in. However, any sign of metastasis is enough to cancel the surgery. Basically, if it's escaped, then the surgery gains nothing and would delay getting chemo started.

Sooo, we've been scrambling to get back to square one. Chemo. There was a lot to get done with the change in plans. New tests, meetings, things to learn about. Lots of appointments. Her oncologist is very well respected, and there's really only one standard chemo for pancreatic cancer. Gemcitibine [sp?]. There is a phase II study going of a new drug that adds a second drug to the standard treatment. Mom is in the study, but as it turned out, she was randomized into the control arm of the study, which means she only gets the standard treatment and not the additional drug. Though that could theoretically change down the road a bit.

Friday was her first chemo. The Gemcitibine is supposed to be easier on the body than a lot of things. Less nausea, fatigue, hair loss, etc. She’ll presumably be taking it on a six month cycle–once a week for three weeks, then a week off with a CT scan every two months. She felt good today, but supposedly the worst point is at about the three week point of each cycle, so we shall see how it goes. One good thing about being in the study. Even though not on the new drug, she gets additional support and testing, so they will be tracking her even more closely than normal.

We also saw the surgeon for the followup checkup and there is some chance that if she were to respond well to the chemo, surgery would be a possibility down the road. So no doors are truly shut.

So, for the moment, we're just working on getting her as healthy as possible and keeping her that way. Hvae her on a really healthy diet, supplements, getting more exercise, etc. Took a few days to get through the aftermath of the surgery-that-wasn't, since they went ahead and put in a new biliary stent while she was in the hospital...second surgery, with all the same prep requirements...so she basically didn't eat anything for about five days. Which isn't ideal. Shelost several pounds through it all. We're getting her weight and strength back up though.

We’re also trying to hold onto sanity in the midst of all this. Had some rough days, but then got things back together. Can’t afford to let it get to me or I’ll wind up in a corner, sucking my thumb. Pink Panther movies and old Addams Family eps seem to help. Something to be said for laughter therapy.

It’s hard and scary as hell sometimes, but right now, she’s doing remarkably well. Says she feels the best she has since last August before the biliary blockage problems started. So, we keep muddling through. Not much else to be done.

Meanwhile, didn’t do much writing there for awhile, but am trying to get things moving again. It’s good for me. I’m a lot more mentally healthy when writing. Hoping to post a new chapter soon

So that’s pretty much the story. Hopefully things will go smoothly and I’ll be posting again soon.

Take care all.

I hate writing notes like this because I never know what to say and I generally try to avoid personal stuff in fandom (I even annoy myself when I get whiney), but I know some folks have picked up on the fact that there are some things going on in my life, and since I'm about to pretty well disappear for at least a couple of weeks (hopefully, I'll be able to be around at least occasionally after that), I thought I'd at least explain a bit. First off, since a couple of people have asked, my health is fine (well, except for a frakking sinus infection that won't let go). My mother, however, has a very serious health issue. Basically, after a bout of jaundice a couple of months ago, and the merry-go-round of tests and biopsies, we found out it was pancreatic cancer. Which anyone who knows about such things knows is pretty much the last diagnosis you want to hear for someone you love. It's scary shit.

However, she seems to have gotten lucky and they believe surgery is a possibility. They won't know for certain until the day they do it, but according to her surgeon, it's about 90% certain that they will go ahead. Owing to the holidays, it was delayed a bit, but is scheduled for Jan 3. The surgery—the Whipple procedure— is pretty massive (removes the gall bladder, about half the pancreas, 40% of the stomach, then reconnects everything), so she's looking at a a minimum of a couple of weeks in the hospital, plus several months recoup time and some serious lifestyle changes for the rest of her life. I've cleared my schedule and for now, my first job is her health.

That said, I plan to keep working on Afterworld. Writing helps keep me sane and this is the first thing in a long time that Mom has been reading something of mine (my doing, not hers), so it's important to me to share with her. I'll be staying at the hospital a lot, but planning on having a notebook along so I can keep writing during the down hours.

Meanwhile, we're mostly pretty upbeat. This is a situation where it's dangerously easy to get lost in stress and mostly so far we've avoided it. Obviously, there's a lot of fear, but she has an excellent doctor and a fantastic hospital and cancer center and is currently feeling pretty good and basically symptom free.

I had hoped to have Afterworld a couple of chapters further along before the pause hit, but unfortunately, there was just no way with everything else going on. I do apologize as I wanted to leave it at a rather more peaceful point. I had hoped to post one more short chapter before Monday, but it doesn't look like it's happening. Way too much to do. Many thanks to everyone who replied and offered commentary. I definitely bear such things in mind when writing. I'll try and check in now and then as I can, though I don't know if I'll be able to post (the hospital is supposed to have wifi access, but not sure how well I'll be able to connect with an older unit).

Past that, say a prayer, send good wishes, light a candle, or whatever makes sense to you. My mother is as fine a person as I've known. She deserves all good things and I can only hope this works and helps give her a lot more years.

—PRP