Sunday, June 26, 2011

Recent Artwork

I haven't done much painting in recent weeks.  I have had numerous doctor appointments, tests and physical therapy which have not only taken up my spare time but also made it hard to concentrate and keep a steady hand.  The picture below is based on the photo banner at the head of Weaver of Grass's Blog.  She very kindly gave me permission to copy it.  I think it is an attractive photo and makes a lovely painting.I hope I did it justice.
          Cows at the Fence

This one I chose to name Woosh!  It is descriptive of some of my experiences in recent months.

So for some of you who have been concerned, here in a nutshell, is what we have discovered about my health problems.
It would seem that there is a genetic problem on one side of my family which causes poly neuropathy. It is called CMT or Charcot, Marie, Tooth disease. (Names of doctors and nothing to do with teeth.) I have .neuropathy in my legs, feet, hands and arms. I have now also been diagnosed with vestibular  neuropathy which is causing the vertigo.
None of this is life threatening or terribly serious -- just a number of things that are a nuisance.  There is no cure but there are therapies that I can do to minimize its progress. It's also nice to know that there is a name for my problems and it's not all a product of my imagination!
The first priority is to minimize the pain, also connected to my fibromyalgia.  The up side of all this is that I have lost 15 lbs in the last three months and  I am now also walking 15-20 minutes three or four days a week, and only minimal pain killers, which all has to be good. Then I still have physical therapy twice a week for another 5 weeks.

That's it.  All very time consuming. Hope to get to more painting soon.

12 comments:

MorningAJ said...

Firstly... the pictures are wonderful. The cows at the fence are brilliant and I think you've done them justice. I'm sure Weaver will think so too!

Whoosh gives some idea of how you've been feeling. And I don't envy you. You'll have seen from my other blog that I suffer from sciatica so I get occasional glimpses of what you must be going through. Have a <> because they do help.

Last question.... can you swim and does it help? A fellow swimmer at my gym said he was recommended it by his doctor as part of a pain management scheme and he reckons it's been wonderful (And I swim to help my sciatica, hurts like mad at first but DOES ease things after a while) Just a thought.

Take care

AJ

MorningAJ said...

Ha ha ha..... I forgot about HTML! Between those brackets should be the word HUG. But it thought I was telling it to do something. So have a HUG!

jabblog said...

I'm glad to hear that your health problems are being addressed. It certainly sounds as though what you're doing - and having done - is having a positive effect.

Like MorningAJ, I have sciatica from time to time and swimming and aquarobics certainly help. Swimming is good all-round exercise.

Your painting of the cows is delightful:-)

Autumn Leaves said...

I love the drawing with the cows, Chris. So lovely! And you chose a perfect name for the colorful second piece too. I have a neighbor who suffers from vertigo occasionally and I know she doesn't feel well or like it much. I always have chronic pain from the fibromyalgia, but the worst part of it for me is the danged fatigue. I am ALWAYS so tired.

Anonymous said...

might not cure anything but sometimes it does help to at least put a name on it!

snafu said...

Glad to know you have a diagnoses and understand what ails you. That often helps simply because you know why you feel like you do. The picture of the cows is good. I hope I don't ever feel like Woosh it looks like you had some nasty moments.

Patty said...

Sounds like your time has been consumed with doctor appointments. Sorry for all of that. Hopefully you will be showing lots of improvement soon. Great looking painting.

Dartford Warbler said...

Your painting of the Yorkshire calves really does capture the inquisitive creatures in Weaver`s photograph.Getting immersed in some art or writing is a good way to forget about physical troubles, for a while at least.

I hope that you soon feel a lot better.
At least you know what you are dealing with now. The "not knowing" is horrible. Good luck with your treatment and with enjoying all that walking.

Anonymous said...

Sorry the pain comes with the names. Now you know what is causing it all. The solution is learning how to cope and nobody knows how that will be. Take your pills with care and follow the doc's orders.

Rarelesserspotted said...

Great pictures - particularly the Whoosh! Head up girl, keep up the exercise and good work!
XX

Elizabeth said...

Love that Whoosh, Chris - I can certainly relate to that one. At least now you know what you're dealing with and can face it lttle by little, step by step. My continued prayers are with you. x

Wanda said...

So good, Chris to get an idea of what's been going on with your health issues. Wish I could drop 15 pounds..I'm working on it.

Love your paintings. The first is just so realistic. Great job, and I think we all relate to your "Whoosh" painting. Have experienced that a few times too.

Is the marine layer burning off before noon now?