Hi redbubble friends.
Just touching base after a long time quiet.
As many of you know Darren Stones has made a number of posts telling of my story,fighting AML leukemia for the last 12 months that has been trying to take me out and my recently relapsing a few weeks ago.
I’m in and out of hospital and at times even get to take a few good pics that I have posted, but I have not replied or taken part as coping with everything gets a bit much at times.
My portfolio is getting close to 59,000 views so I just wish to thank all those people who have left so many comments over the 4 months or so that I have been mostly off the air, and those who have left messages of support on Darrens journal entries for me.
Also had some steady sales which is nice.
I’m pretty pissed off that my wings have been so heavily clipped,never being seriously ill before. Being the ping pong ball in this medical ping pong game is so frustrating.
Well with the aditional chemo treatments and bone marrow transplant taking place over the next 6 months,the doctors give me a 40% chance of a cure so those odds could be better but I’m not in a position to negotiate.
With the treatments started it’s like a 5 shot gun has been loaded with 3 live bullets and 2 chambers are empty. The barrel has been spun and the trigger fired, if the hammer hit a live bullet or an empty chamber… I get to find that out in around 6 months.
On upside an artists work often goes up in value after his death,so buying an image from my portfolio might prove a good investment…the odds are 60% in your favour:-) and I always get a kick out seeing a sale made…but only do so if something grabs you and you want it….no sympathy sales please.
Well that’s were I’m at and the fights not over yet.
Cheers
Joe
Mel Brackstone, 4 months ago
Good to see you fighting it Joe, keep up the good work mate!!
Scott Ruhs, 4 months ago
Joe, I wish you all the best in your fight against this evil disease known as cancer. This awful disease has touch my life much too often through the loss of family and friends. On the bright side I also have family and friends that have fought the battle and thus far have won. My Mother had cancer when she was 54 years old and is still going at 80 years old.
Cheers!
Scott
Craig Watson, 4 months ago
Hello Joe.
I haven’t caught up with your situation… sorry about that. I admire your sense of humour you portray in this commentary. Been along a somewhat similar road myself having undergone brain surgery (1996) and radiotherapy (2004) for malignant brain tumours… I went into surgery with a whole heap of medical cartoons and took one each day to the radiotherapy clinic… got a lot of laughs!
Go in their with all of your own guns blazing and to hell with the the 5 barrel one… just aim it away from you! LOL
Look forward to seeing you on the bubble after the treatment is done!
Best wishes, with fingers, toes, legs, eyes and everything else crossed for you,
Craig Watson.
Joe Mortelliti in reply to Mel Brackstone’s comment, 4 months ago
Thanks Mel for your ongoing support. I’m sitting in my hospital bed at the moment, it’s after midnight,not keen to go to sleep until I’m really tired…every waking hour I can have seems more important.
Joe Mortelliti in reply to Scott Ruhs’s comment, 4 months ago
Thanks Scott,so many people and families effected.
Joe Mortelliti in reply to Craig Watson’s comment, 4 months ago
Great to read you won a good fight Craig,I hope to be able to stay well enough to visit redbubble more often while we nail that cure.
Christine Wilson, 4 months ago
its nice to hear from you Joe – good luck over the next 6 months , you haven’t seen all of Australia yet theres still a heap more photos to take – I admire your sense of humor about investing in art !! I bet your a great personality to have on the ward. Best wishes to yo and your family and looking forward to more shots when its over
peter
,
4 months ago
My thoughts are with you Joe …
Joe Mortelliti, 4 months ago
Thank you Peter for taking the time on many ocassions to touch base and support me.
Darren Stones, 4 months ago
Good to see you about, Joe. Are the nurses providing you comfort? :)
A few tips to get the view count up when not loading images is to write journal entries related to sex, taking the piss out of RB staff (in the nicest possible way of course :-)) and anything that mentions alcohol in the journal title. That’s bound to get at least 150 views a day. Of course views mean jack shite as we know, but hey, at least you’ll have fun pulling in the punters. lol.
Daz.
Joe Mortelliti, 4 months ago
Hi Darren ….mate….still in good form I see:-). Nurses are just great…tried to talk one into modelling,but the only prop we have is a hospital bed…still might get the camera sent in, never know.
Can’t get too excited about views I agree.
Darren Stones, 4 months ago
Joe, that prop idea seems reasonable to me.
The camera on the tripod with the self-timer activated could be a useful technique to apply, and the nurses can learn from your photographic experience at the same time. A win-win situation. :)
Cathie Tranent
,
4 months ago
Hi Joe,
I haven’t said much, I don’t do words, but know that I have been following your progress and still am. You have a good sense of humour on your side …. and of course all of us!
Take care of you ….
Cathie
Joe Mortelliti, 4 months ago
Hi Cathie, thanks for touching base, and being with me:-)
Mark Ingram, 4 months ago
Hi Joe
Sorry to hear about the recent setbacks, with your positive attitude I am sure you will get through the treatment a winner. ther’es no more rounds in the chamber.
Good to hear the nurses are doing a great job.
Take care
cdwork, 4 months ago
Best wishes!
Christopher E..., 4 months ago
joe..cant even say i can relate to what you’re going thru, i sure hate it for you, hopefully these treatments will work out in your favor, you have some outstanding work! that will be your legend!
Samantha Cole-..., 4 months ago
Hey Joe, Short and simple mate, we love ya and send tons of love hugs and kisses for you, marion and the family (kids and grandkids)... Be strong, fight hard.
As you know, i have had someone else dear to me fight this disease 6 months after getting the all clear from Breast cancer, and she came beat this nasty disease a second time. You will make it Joe, i believe that in my heart.
Anyways
Love hugs and kisses…
My prayers are with you.
xx Sam
ShaneBooth, 4 months ago
Glad to see your up and about and still in good humor. Looking forward to time when we can fire off a few frames together in the high country.
Thank care and good health
Joe Mortelliti, 4 months ago
Yes Shane the high country is a dream to explore and photograph and would love to be out with you and the camras again.
Sam you expressions of support for our whole family have been wonderful.
Christopher glad you like my oz landscapes
Thanks Mark, like you want to be shooting the oz outback for many years to come
Thanks cdwork and to all for taking the time to touch base.
Heabar, 4 months ago
Joe its really great to see you back online & in RB we all love your works mate & i just had to have a beaut belly giggle laughing at your humour ~ keep firing the right bullets because i’ve got you in my prayers for a 60% odds for a trully wonderful recovery ~ we love you joe !!!
Wendy Slee KMA, 4 months ago
Joe, I wish you all the best in your fight…..am thinking of you and sending thoughts and prayers your way…... Try to grab a day respite here and there and go anywhere with your camera, shoot anything that nature puts before you and let the beauty of this land you love, help heal you.
Peter Hodgson, 4 months ago
Good luck Joe. sounds like you still have a sense of humour, thats the main thing.
Natalie Manuel, 4 months ago
Good to see how you’re going Joe, love your stuff :)
Joe Mortelliti, 4 months ago
Thanks for your good wishes:-)
Gill Duncan, 4 months ago
Wondered why I hadn’t seen your fantastic images for so long. Love your witt in the face of all you are going through – continue to be strong.
geoff curtis, 3 months ago
Hi Joe
Just to let you know all on RB wish you well…...keep fighting mate.
Geoff
mawaho, 3 months ago
Joe, .......I wish for your strength to return so you can be shooting with a camera rather than that awful shotgun.
Martie Venter, 2 months ago
Hi Joe – I’ve only just stumbled on your portfolio, absolutely brilliant work, what an inspiration – and what an indomitable spirit behind it all! Wishing you health, happiness and many more years of photography – all the best!