Made a tag and a vent

I had to get in and do something artsy-its been since Monday since I have done anything creative and I need this more than ever. I got some new Copic Markers and had to give them a whirl. This stamp was the first one I grabbed, so I decided to give it a go.

I pretty much went with the flow today-I loved Shelly's Gesso AI technique so wanted to do that one again. Oh, and the adorable stamp is from I Brake For Stamps, from the Winged Whimsy stamp sheet that I can proudly say I designed, many years ago :)

I told myself I would not blog about this. But, Its like a journal right? I think it would be therapeutic to blog about it, and I can also mark my progress so that I can look back at it later on. On tuesday I went in for a routine exam. First off, my blood pressure was moderately high. My stress level has been through the roof lately-coupled with anxiety attacks. In the middle of the exam I was notified that doctor had found a LUMP. Yes, A LUMP. I don't need to say where. I FREAKED out. REALLY. My blood pressure shot up over 200 after they informed me of it. She gave me something to calm my nerves (absolutely necessary). They were so concerned that hours later after the visit the nurse called me and said that she wanted to see me again to check my blood pressure. It was still very high, so they had to put me on BP meds. I am 40! 40!!!! I have never met anyone 40 years old on BP meds. She also sat me down and told me I need to make changes-I have kids, a house, etc. She knows I have mega stress in my life. To say it was a wake up call is mild. I am scared stiff. So now, I am trying to enjoy life a little more. Trying not to get stressed. Doctor said alot of my stress has to do with my personality (I am a perfectionist and everything has to be just right). I need to let things go, and in a BIG way. I hate being a perfectionist! But now I have no choice.

As for the lump, I am trying to be positive. I know it could be nothing at all. But, the scary thing is, my Mother in Law died of this (gulp, the "C" word)10 years ago. Recently, I have had a friend (also 40) who just went through treatments for that "C" word.

I have some friends in the medical field who are checking with me on a regular basis and I am checking my blood pressure several times a day (yes, I am very paranoid). I am trying to relax. I need to LAUGH more (doctors orders, literally). I have been so tensed up the past couple months I have not even truly been able to enjoy life. I have honestly tried to, but apparently but not enough to bring the BP down I guess). Not to be a downer-really. I am just venting. But this has opened my eyes so much. I am not feeling sorry for myself. I am given this challenge for some reason, I don't know why. Maybe someday I will have to help someone overcome the same challenge (s)? I don't know. But I am determined to get through this. I look back at all my other challenges, and I survived those. I can do this too. But I know I really need to take this seriously.