PomonaKa
@pomonaka.bsky.social
Artist, traveler, living with advanced endometrial cancer, dogs & cat. Proud, Liberal Californian. She/her.
Another piece from my current exhibit Advanced/Recurrent at the Keck School of Medicine. “Five-Year Survival” started off as depicting how cancer tears through one’s life. It ended up as a celebration of everything I’ve managed to do since my diagnosis. #cansky #oncosky #endometrialcancer
Another piece from my art exhibit “Advanced/Recurrent” showing at KSOM. “Out, Out Damned Spot” reflects advances in melanoma treatment. My initial medical oncologist specialized in melanoma, but also ran the infusion center where I was treated. #cansky #oncosky #endometrialcancer
Next up from my exhibit Advanced/Recurrent currently on display in the Hoyt Gallery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC: Achy Brachy. Brachytherapy, in which needles are placed directly into a tumor, is both brilliant technology & utterly barbaric. #cansky #oncosky #advancedrecurrent
“Pearls of Wisdom” Origami oncology journal pages & cyanotype. Research studies eventually coalesce into treatment protocols. #cansky #oncosky #cancerart
“Before the Deluge” is another piece from my show “Advanced/Recurrent” at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Life is going along swimmingly and then suddenly the waves crash over you. #cansky #oncosky #cancerart
My show “Advanced/Recurrent” opened on Wednesday at the Keck School of Medicine at USC with an artist’s talk for the students. Here’s the first piece in the exhibit: h.p.I. Pixelated photograph of the artist surrounded by medical ephemera. #cansky #oncosky #collagesky
So, this is going to happen. For those not on the L.A. area, you can register to attend the talk via live Zoom (it’s free). The talk will also be recorded and archived on the program website. Scan the QR code or go to: sites.usc.edu/heal/most-up... to register. #cansky #oncosky
Any artist making work about breast cancer out there? This Southern California gallery (yes, it’s legit) is looking for work from breast cancer patients, survivors & caregivers for an upcoming exhibit. Contact office@dnjgallery.net for more info. And please share!. #cansky #oncosky #breastcancer
Whew! My latest PET scan shows no evidence of disease! My previous scans 3 months ago were inconclusive due to a lot of inflammation, But 3 months off the Keytruda/Lenvima combo, it’s resolved! I get 3 more months without tests, scans or visits! #cansky #oncosky #endometrialcancer
Trying to deal with the frustration & abject terror of having to wait 6 weeks for a PET scan to determine if I am indeed having a 3rd recurrence. The only advice: Keep calling imaging to see if they’ve had a cancellation. #cansky #oncosky #thesystemisbroken
Nervous waiting room feet - MRI to determine if I’m having a 3rd recurrence of #endometrialcancer #cansky #oncosky #fuckcancer
The strange emotions of taking off for a 2 week trip to Japan while waiting for biopsy results that will determine if I’m having a third recurrence of #endometrialcancer and coming home to an MRI. Oh, and waiting for the pharmacy to deliver my xanax refill… #cansky #oncosky #stage4needsmore
My second day of a one-month break from Lenvima in advance of an overseas trip. I’m hoping I can actually taste & tolerate food while I’m traveling. I’ve been on Lenvima for 10 months & it’s been wreaking havoc on my entire GI system. 🤞🏻#cansky #oncosky
Good news! My oncologist confirmed that the spot on my lung that lit up on my PET scan two weeks ago was probably nothing as the subsequent diagnostic CT scan did not show any nodule in that location. So I’m cleared for my upcoming travel with a one month break from Lenvima! #cansky #oncosky #oncsky
Just got home from the CT scan ordered to try to identify the spot in my right lung that showed up on my latest PET. Not much scanxiety this time, no idea why. I was a basket case waiting for the PET, but not this time. It will be what it will be.
After an anxious 2 days, I got my latest PET scan results yesterday. No evidence of new or residual disease! That makes 8 months since my brachytherapy & the addition of Lenvima along with the Keytruda. One unidentifiable new spot in my right lung. But I won’t worry about it until we have more info.
I had my first appointment with a Supportive Care Medicine doc yesterday. What a relief to have a doc spend an entire hour with me discussing my concerning, but not debilitating, side effects. Those would be the same SEs brushed off by my med onc because they don’t show up on lab tests. #cansky
Last year I got a PET scan for my birthday. This year I got a blood draw, a visit with my oncologist & an infusion. I would prefer cash. #cansky #oncosky #cityofhope
My view from the infusion room today at the new Hope Plaza outpatient center at City of Hope Duarte campus. Not too shabby!
Got my scan results just now - no evidence of residual disease! (And nothing new either!) Next is to find out how long I have to stay on this damned lenvatinib. So, back with NED, but now I know it’s a fickle relationship & won’t last. But I will enjoy it while it does!