Things can change in the blink of an eye. Literally. One moment, I was fine. I was happily creating my art, sewing, drawing, and painting. I’d been noticing that I was having trouble reading but didn’t think too much about it.
Then, one day, I went to use pure white on my computer. (The hex code is ffffff.) But something was wrong – it looked yellow. I checked with my left eye. Yellow. I checked with my right eye. White. I called and made an eye appointment.
In the span of one week, I was diagnosed with melanoma in my left eye. The next few weeks meant having a bunch of tests and seeing specialists. I’ve been told that the treatment I’ll have on April 28th means I’ll lose a portion of the vision in my left eye. And that’s a lucky, lucky outcome!
Even with all that, I still find myself wanting to make art, in fact, more desperately than ever. I’ve been sewing and sewing. And painting. And crying.
I am being honest here: This has been a terrifying and, yes, eye-opening experience. I don’t know exactly what the extent of the vision loss will be. I do know this – I am going to keep creating. It may not be the same, but I know it’s something I must do!
I also know that I am grateful. I’m grateful that I undertook my art journey when I did. I’m grateful for all the things I’ve tried, that I’ve been brave in sharing my creations, and that I have so much support from my family and friends.
I regret every moment I spent feeling insecure or not good enough. Now I know it’s such nonsense.
Go and make art joyfully.
