My last post featured my stay in Brittany during the month of May.
However, since then I have spent eight days in Kingston Hospital courtesy the wonderful NHS (National Health Service) and have been recouping ever since, all of which emphasises that none of us is ever creative enough to know how things will actually work out………….
I was two years old in 1948 when the NHS came into being. Having been fortunate enough to experience very good health during my lifetime, I have not had the need to use the Service very much, however, I have always held it in the highest regard.
It’s important to say that nothing is perfect…..and indeed when the NHS came into being the world population was approx., two and half billion….now we are rocketing towards eight billion! This of course puts great pressure on all institutions……including the NHS.
My recent experience in Kingston Hospital has brought home to me how fortunate we are in the UK to have such a Service. If necessary we must go to the barricades to preserve it from those politicians who might see it as a cash pot!!! They are out there waiting to get their greedy hands on it……..
The beautiful Brecon Beacons…Wales – watercolour/gouache
A little known fact is that The NHS is available to everyone within the UK no matter how wealthy or poor….it does not discriminate. I know that in countries where free health care is only given to those who are lacking in financial resources….much division has been caused.
Magical Hummingbirds – watercolour
So what happened to me? I think it’s fair to say that I had probably been overdoing things, especially as I hadn’t been feeling 100% since the beginning of the year. I had been experiencing breathlessness…something totally new for me, and after a couple of visits to the doctor, I decided to let time sort things out!
I suppose time indeed did sort things out only not in the way I had hoped……
Crickhowell from the Bluebell Woods – watercolour
Having just returned from a lovely wedding celebration in Atlanta, Ga, I was resting in my flat when all of a sudden I experienced extreme pain through my middle section and nausea. After fifteen minutes, I realised something was very wrong and for the first time in my life, called an ambulance.
The ambulance service was superb. Once they arrived I simply let go and gave myself to their knowledge and understanding. Magical hummingbirds were clearly overseeing the situation.
watercolour
On the way to the hospital it occurred to me that this might be it. It also occurred to me that where and how we die is not of great importance, ….the key is how we have lived our lives.
Have we loved and been loved? Have we loved the experience of being alive and all that entails? Have we done and said the things we wanted to do and say? Have we been grateful for gifts that we have been given? All of this was mulling around in my head….
Maybe it’s because I oversaw the care of my Mother for eleven years at home and in nursing homes, that I am very clear that I prefer quality over quantity. In other words, I would rather live a shorter life of substance and joy than a longer life inhibited by ill health.
watercolour
And so I arrived at the A & E department ready for anything…and at the same time, although in pain, very peaceful and calm inside.
It was found that I had fluid on my lung, plus blood clots…one of which had destroyed my left kidney. {The good news is that my right kidney is still in good shape.}
I had gone to my doctor a few times since the beginning of the year, but hadn’t always taken her advice. I was convinced that whatever was going on would sort itself out! Well this time it didn’t….
summer tree – watercolour
For the following eight days I received superb treatment. So many tests, I lost count, plus constant updates from nurses and doctors and a feeling of being very well taken care of.
I have never enjoyed hospitals, or needles (had a serious needle phobia up until the age of 60) but this experience was different. I found it all very interesting and it’s left me wanting to learn more about the internal workings of my body.. It was as if fear was replaced with intrigue. Plus there was some wonderful ‘people watching’ to be enjoyed – although having said that I didn’t have the energy even to sketch!
Other than my lovely next door neighbour Jeanie who brought in clean pjs etc I didn’t tell anyone else that I was in the hospital. My two children in the States are still recovering from the sudden loss of their father in February and so I didn’t want to alarm them….and given that I was so tired, and occupied with tests, etc. I wasn’t up to people visiting me.
I did let my children know after three days….Since then they have been so very supportive and have told me not to do that again……
Brecon Beacons – Wales – watercolour
Since leaving the hospital, the support I have received has been wonderful….all of which I am very grateful for.
I suppose I am a little like a cat…..when I get sick, I tend to hide and nurse myself…..:) I even asked my dear friend Gail in Kent if I could hide out in their yurt. It hasn’t come to that, yet, but it seems like a good idea to me.
My aftercare has been excellent and is ongoing. Still lots of tests…including heart scans…. It’s all quite fascinating.
Church Path – Crickhowell – watercolour
I was asked by a good friend yesterday what has been the most important part of my life. My answer ‘creativity’.
It is this one element that has made sense of everything else and has enhanced and nurtured the great joys in my life, – my children, friends, animals, etc. It has also been a great buffer against the trials and tribulations that we all experience through life’s journey.
Those who read my blog will know that I am always banging on about ‘The Creative Process being the key to Emotonal, Physical and Spiritual Wellbeing’. It’s true.
watercolour /gouache
This experience has given me cause for much reflection.
Painting, writing, gardening, and all sorts of other creative endeavours will take precedence.
Much more time spent communing with Mother Nature……
As little time as possible in cities……
And I definitely need to organise my life so that I can have a cat again…..:)
Christeve the Cat – watercolour/gouache
Fortunately I don’t have anything on my calendar until October….and so my plan is to just hang loose. Each day I am able to do more writing and painting….and as I said earlier am feeling better all the time.
I hope everyone else is enjoying their summer and keeping well….and of course being creative.
A Bientot
Janet
I start this blog where I finished off last time. I had just been driven by Heather from the beautiful Rhiwiau to the busy little market town of Crickhowell where I met up with my friend Jane at the Dragon Inn. 
I lived in Crickhowell for twelve years from 1993 til 2005. During that time, along with commissions and teaching, I worked on a project, entitled Focusing on the Future which used the power of art to teach children about their environment and issues such as trust, loneliness and homelessness. Without going into all the details, it almost made it, but sadly in the end it had to be put aside.
On this visit I stayed at the Dragon Inn which brought back many happy memories. When I first returned to Wales in 1993, I stayed with my cousin and family who initially introduced me to Crickhowell, and then I moved into a small flat over the antique shop right next to the Dragon. The people who ran the Dragon at that time, allowed me to use the functions room to paint portraits and entertain my guests….how wonderful is that……
One of the many portraits I painted in Crickhowell. This is Ken…a man of Wales. As I painted people, I asked them to talk about their lives in Crickhowell all of which I have on cassette tapes. watercolour
In hindsight, when I arrived in 1993, it was the end of an era, With the advent of technology the area has become busier, but thankfully because of protection offered by The Brecon Beacons National Park, it still keeps its charm and has a great sense of community.
It has taken a few years for me to feel totally comfortable again in returning. I think along with feelings of sadness, I felt a sense of letting many people, especially the children down because the Focusing on the Future project didn’t come to fruition. However, I am now pleased to say that all of those negative feelings have gone, allowing me to thoroughly enjoy this very special place again.
Another good friend, Lizzy Wilson joined us for a day…..bringing back many happy and some difficult memories. Lizzy was so supportive when things didn’t work out with the project, and helped me to clear my studio before moving to London.
I could go on and on, but needless to say, Crickhowell and the whole area holds a very special place in my heart. I will now look forward to many more visits.
I have loved many cats and dogs, however during the past 11 years since London has been my base, I have learned to enjoy other people’s animals.
Which brings me to Christeve the Cat of the Magical Town of Crickadoon.…having a conversation with a tiger – overlooked by a magical hummingbird….
And Tarrantino whose company I recently enjoyed in Wales….watercolour/gouache from sketch book. 
Just as the creative process is the key to emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing, so I believe is the natural world which – definitely includes the likes of Boo Boo Chevalier. 🙂
My Life as an Artist (2) 