Newsletter April 2,2023
Sent: 4/2/2023 11:08:11 AM

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An Artist's Journey

April 2, 2023

Click the image above to take you to my website.

I invite you to share my newsletters.

Art is an expression of the soul.

Note, at this point, you cannot purchase my artwork from my website as everything is in storage until my new studio is complete and up and running.

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We miss our friends and the mountains.

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I'm enjoying sharing ... my artwork, teaching, and stories with all of you via my newsletters.

"If you want to make God laugh, tell Him you made plans...."

As many of you know, lots of things have changed over the last year or so.

My Unexpected Health Issues - Part 2

I woke up a bit disorientated.

I was informed that I was unconscious for about 18 hours. It took me a while to get orientated.

The first thing I remember was waking up in a hospital bed looking at four doctors and two nurses ready to ask me many questions. They looked confused and concerned. In some weird way, it seemed humorous to me. I thought I was in a scene from MASH.

I was so dehydrated that I could only open my right eye, my mouth was so dry that my lips were stuck together and my tongue was glued to the roof of my mouth. Talking was nearly impossible. I could hardly see or speak but could hear what they were saying.

Nurse Baker - MASH

The first doctor, the emergency room attending physician, was Dr. Baker. After answering her questions as best as I could, I told her that she reminded me of nurse Baker from MASH who (after the Korean War) went on to become a doctor. Nurse Baker was one of my favorite characters from the show. Dr. Baker did not know what I was talking about as she did not watch MASH but she did remember her parents watching the TV show. I smiled inside. Those of you who know me, know that I often find humor in things.

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I was caught in his web

As I lay in bed for some time I became more aware of where I was. I looked around at my surroundings. It looked as though I was caught by Spiderman. There were so many wires and tubes attached to me I could hardly move. It was a like a scene from the movie.

Was I a bad guy? Oh No, They Caught Me!

I laughed to myself.
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The box on my chest lit up like this

Late one night as I lay in my semi-dark room I noticed that lights were flashing amid all the sounds on the floor, I looked down and noticed that there was a box attached to my chest and the lights were flashing. I thought to myself "I'm Ironman". The box on my chest was flashing colored lights. Thought to myself, "It's my battery pack". Yep, "I'm Ironman". I laughed. I guess I can find humor in everything.

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A Blood Draw

Before my first kidney stone surgery, the doctor ordered a special blood draw. He told me that they were going to take a lot of blood for a special test.

Shortly a person came in to draw the blood. He had a massive blood vial, about the size of a bratwurst, that was attached to a long needle. Luckily, he drew blood from my IV. He filled it and then put it in a special padded box.

I was told that he rushed down to the ER where he met a courier. The courier then rushed it to a special lab in Columbia, Missouri. (sixty miles away) Three hours later my doctor had the results of the blood test. They knew exactly what bacteria was causing my problem. They started treating the sepsis infection.

I was, and still am, impressed with the quality care I received at Lake Regional Hospital.

Cindi, Chris, and all the hospital staff saved my life.

I'm forever thankful.

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Heart Attack

Sometime after my hospital stay, at a follow-up doctor visit, I was told I had a mild heart attack while in the ER. The doctor told me he did not tell me about it as he did not want me to worry. I have a treadmill stress test and passed it without any issues. It appears that my heart is OK.

Fractured Pelvis

At some point, while in the hospital I got clarification on my fractured pelvis. They told me I had a slight fracture in my pelvis. I tried to recall a fall. It took a long time to figure out when and how it might have happened.

My best guess was that it happened in late June while moving tools, furniture, or other heavy items, or loading them into the trailers or trucks. If I fell, I must have just ignored it.

I had a deadline and had to get the work done.

It's been nine months and I still have weakness and some discomfort. I guess it will take some time to heal.

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Beef Struganoff or Poop On A Plate

Hospital Food

After several days without eating the staff thought that I might be getting hungry. I really was not hungry.

Cindi was sitting next to me when they brought in a food tray. I tried to sit up in bed for the first time. I wasn't hungry, but I thought that perhaps I should eat something.

I took the lid off the dish and blurted out "It looks like Poop on potatoes" and dropped the lid down on the pile on the plate. I must have made a funny face.

Cindi started to laugh. I guess I was not ready for food yet. She made me laugh so hard that I almost wet myself.

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My next post

My last story about my health issues

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I miss teaching. I miss my SKB friends, my students, and all of my friends in Colorado. The people here are friendly and I'm confident we'll build new friendships before too long.

Creating paintings has been difficult here as I don't have much space here in our temporary house, and I'm constantly distracted. My art supplies are lost in piles of boxes tucked away in every space in this house. At least, I found a few watercolors. They are filling a void and my artistic needs.

Cindi started volunteering at HA HA TONKA State Park. It's a really pretty state park and only 10 minutes from our house. This summer she'll become a valuable asset to the park. She is making friends.

So for now, that's enough information. I'll try to keep you posted as we make progress in building our new dream.

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I hope that during this pandemic we all are learning things

about ourselves in order to reshape our lives.

This is the time to make sure that we redesign our lives to appreciate

each moment we have.

I've been inspired by so many people who have put the well-being of others ahead of themselves.

I realize that life is all too short and fragile.

Perhaps we all should be grateful for this time.

We should use what's left of it wisely.

I encourage you to make your list of what you need to get done

(there will never be a better time),

projects that you've been meaning to finish,

ways to enrich your lives and new things you want to do to learn

and help you grow.

I'm creating paintings I've always wanted to do.

I'm listening more and talking less.

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Shanika Studio
www.ShanikaFineArts.com
2111 Bagnell Dam Blvd

Box 1211
Lake Ozark, MO. 65049

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