It’s been a while since I could add new works and visit RB… and I really miss my friends here.
Truth is, I have been a bit ill… and very worried too. I don’t exactly know how to say this as I did not want to explain but I decided perhaps I need to tell you why I have been away for so long…
Well… besides being busy with teaching and painting – which helped to keep me sane, I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in July last year and had to have several operations, etc, back and forth to hospital and needless to say, quite worried.
When you are suddenly confronted with the big ‘C’, you realise how short life can be. I am so thankful for my wonderful family and friends and through them all I was able to keep a positive attitude and the future is hopeful.
I was lucky in many ways… I have wonderful doctors and the medical staff are brilliant. It always takes some time to ‘get into the system’ but because of my caring GP, I got the diagnosis and operations necessary. Now, I can only hope and pray that this horrible, deadly cancer will not return.
I love the sun… most of my life was spent loving the sun and being outdoors. But the sun can be deadly and I can only ask that anyone who has ever ‘loved the sun’ PLEASE take care!! No tan is worth dying for!
To my friends who knew and supported me through this time… I can only say ‘thank you’… you will never know just how much it means to me.
barnsis
I am so sorry to hear this has happened to you but the advances they have made in treatment of this disease are wonderful even if very difficult to go through and many who had no chance in years past now can be cured. In my heart and mind I am sure you are cured and will pray for you to stay cured.
Avril Brand:
Thank you dear Byron!
Susan van Zyl
So glad that you got wonderful doctors and great care from the medical staff! So glad you are ok! Do take it slow. One’s health is more important than anything else. We surely did miss you and your wonderful artwork.
Thanx for the warning on the sun. When we lived in Dubai, my son Danté had lots of fun in the sun and was ok in the warm humid weather, but now that we are back in the African Sun, we need to be so careful as the sun here is so harsh and unforgiving. He got first degree sunburn at school during a water feast thingy. he needs to put on factor 60 protection from then onwards. Just goes to show
Avril Brand:
Dankie susan!! Please keep a careful watch… I did not know about it because it was between my shoulder blades and difficult to see. I was fortunate that my doctor knew it for what it was and acted fast.
Laura Redmond
Oh Avril i wondered where you were, i am sorry to hear what you have been through, may you be healthy for many, many years to come. x
Avril Brand:
Thank you so much Laura… I will have to be treated for at least two years (preventative) but it is little compared to what could have happened… take care!! Hugsxxx
Anne Marie Kil...
Avril, I can’t imagine how hard and worrying the past few months have been for you but am so glad that you are, please god, past the worst.. am also very glad to see that you have a possitive attitude – it really does make a big difference.. take care of yourself!
Arie van der W...
My God Avril, that is terrible, I’m shocked to hear this. But I’m also glad everything went well and I’m sure you will be fine, because we need to see a lot of your marvellous art here!
Be safe and take care of yourself Avril, you will be in our thoughts lots of times!
loralea
oh all the best to you Avril! I had a cousin in law with the same – she loved the sun also- but she is C free now for 22yrs! take care and keep painting those wonderful scenes of the isle
I plan to see someday in person!! LLC
Jim Phillips
I truly had wondered where you were, Avril. I hate that you had to fight that battle, but it sounds like your doing OK. I know things like this can certainly change your focus on what important in life. I’m just glad you let your friends here of RB know as well. Continue to take care and God Bless. It’s really good to hear from you.