It’s official. I’ve completely recovered from years of illness and brain surgery. How do I know? No, it's not the results of the post-radiation MRI, that's not until August. I know because I made beads! Yes! Woohoo!

 

I got my propane tank two weeks ago, and had my oxygen tank delivered this past week. You can just imagine my excitement when it came to lighting the torch for the first time. And fear too. After all, it’s been five years! I had to email my friend Karen to ask her what pressure settings to use. And it’s a good thing I did, because my own recollection was double what they’re supposed to be. She warned me that after five years, my regulator diaphragms might be dried out, so to keep an eye on them. Good tip! They’re holding okay for now but sure enough, are a little finicky. I’ll probably have to replace them within a few months.

At first I didn't have any bead release, so was not able to make beads right away. I started off melting short rods together and pulling stringers and making murrini cane and other components for six days. It was so much fun!

 

But would I be able to make beads again? Back when I stopped making them in 2003, it was hard to explain why I stopped. We now know that it was the tumor pressing on my frontal lobes, which control “working memory, motor function, and problem solving. The frontal lobes assist in planning, coordinating, controlling, and executing behavior. People that have damaged frontal lobes may experience problems with these aspects of cognitive function, and are impaired in their ability to plan and execute complex sequences of actions. Disturbance of motor function is typically characterized by loss of fine movements and strength of the arms, hands and fingers (Kuypers, 1981). Complex chains of motor movement also seem to be controlled by the frontal lobes (Leonard et al., 1988).” Click here to see the MRI of my tumor. See how much room it's stealing from the frontal lobes' space? I reached a point where I just couldn’t do it anymore. But now, with the frontal lobes all puffed out and healthy again, would they work the way they’re supposed to? Right after my surgery I had trouble with manual dexterity. I had to relearn how to feed myself, couldn’t hold a needle and thread, and even months later had shaky handwriting. I really wondered if my hands were up to the intricate demands of beadmaking. Would my brain still know how to send my hands the right messages?! I still have so many memory problems (or do I? I can't remember, lol) and pockets of complete amnesia about my past. Would I remember everything I need to do? For a long time during this year of recovery I wanted to get back to it but never felt ready until now.

 

I’m happy to report that it has gone extremely well! It’s all coming back to me. I can hardly believe it. There’s a Russian saying, roughly translated, “The first pancake is a blob”. The same applies to beadmaking! I’ve made some mistakes, but learned something with each one. It turns out to have been a blessing that the bead release took so long. I needed to practice, just me, the torch, and the glass without the distraction of making a bead and running the kiln. The bead release arrived Tuesday, I dipped the manrels and made my first beads. Look what I made! Here are two days worth:

 

 

The first thing I did was share my joy with fellow beadmakers on lampworketc.com. They were so happy to see me back and were very encouraging. I had some technical questions and they came through with all the information I needed, instantly! Gotta love the internet.

 

I thought I would just practice for a few weeks, then start posting auctions when we get back from our vacation in Michigan July 16-22, but when I opened the kiln yesterday morning two of the beads said in their high, squeaky voices, “eBay!”. I always listen to my beads, so last night I posted two auctions! Brand and I were so giddy when they got bids right away! I’m so excited! This is what I used to love to do, make beads and sell them on eBay. It was so much fun. After five years of illness and recovery, I finally have my life back! This is a major milestone in my recovery.

 

{Drumroll...} And here they are: Jinx's two eBay auctions

 

And if that weren't enough, I have now lost 40 lbs since I got home from the hospital last spring! I work out at the gym every other day and walk three miles on the other days. I rewarded myself with a new pair of jeans in the next smaller size. Only 12 more lbs to reach my goal, then I hope to be able to fit back into my wedding ring.

 

And speaking of the hospital, imagine our surprise the day before yesterday when we found in the mail a bill for $13,999.47 for services rendered during Gamma Knife! It claimed that PATIENTS COVERAGE TERMINATED. Wha…?! I spent quite a bit of time on the phone yesterday getting it all straightened out. I called my insurance and learned that no, my coverage has not been terminated, “the hospital is mistaken”. The hospital rep said that they billed the insurance company and were told my account was inactive. I told her that I’d just spoken with insurance and my account is fine. “Not according to our records. This bill is your responsibility”. Finally, the insurance called the hospital while I was on hold and they kinda got it straightened out. During their chat the hospital “somehow” hung up on her, but they had reached a point where the hospital had agreed to “review the case”. In any event, according the insurance company, “You shouldn’t be getting any more bills for this claim.” Can you imagine?!

 

We’re getting our 35 year old roof fixed this week. Yesterday they dropped off their materials. I thought their truck was a trip so I took a picture.

 http://jinxgarza.googlepages.com/roofingtruck.jpg

 

We had our computer hard drive backed up this week so we won't have to suffer the loss of all our documents and photos and files again like we did in 2005. Or was it 2006? I can't remember, but I know I lost all my pictures of my beads. We also got a cool new flat monitor since the old CRT one was on its last legs, and in anticipation of my eBay exploits we got new anti-virus software. Good to have that all taken care of.

 

Before I sign off, I wanted to give BIG thanks to the Best Husband In The Universe for taking such good care of my studio while I was ill. When we had the floor replaced a few years ago, he and a buddy of his packed up every little tiny bit of glass and equipment, including the kiln which weighs about eight thousand pounds! (jk), squeezed it all into another room while the tile was being laid, then put it all back in the studio. Back then, we had moved to an apartment for three months during our major remodeling, and I was too sick to even come "supervise" the studio move. I knew there was no need to stress. He did an amazing job. He made it so easy when I was ready a few months ago to unpack the boxes and put everything together for beadmaking. Without him there'd be no beads today. Love you, honey!

 

So that’s the scoop for the month of June. We’re doing well and enjoying the summer. We’re excited to be going to Michigan next month. There are a couple of parties planned so I should be able to see all 150 members of our extended family! I can’t wait! Then I get to come home and make beads. Life is good.

 

Next update will be in August after the post-Gamma Knife MRI review to see what the radiation is doing to the tumor.

 

Hugs,

 

Happy Jinx & Happy Brand & Happy Clementine

            

Questions and comments can be mailed to jinxgarza@comcast.net .

Check out my Gamma Knife story here.

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