Lorrain Ashley shares Catamenial Pneumothorax Lung Art Work

I've discovered a wonderful artist from the UK. Lorraine was diagnosed with Catamenial Pneumothrax. She did something I thought was phenomenal. She morphed CP into art work! Check her works out on her website; I have included her link below.

Lorraine Ashley was born in Rochford, Essex in January 1974 and spent her childhood in
Southend-on-Sea. Ashley gained her independence early, leaving home at the age of sixteen.
She became a tailor, whilst continuing her artistic pursuits. “Ever since being a little girl I have always wanted to be an artist. Most kids would play outside with other kids. I would stop indoors and read, draw or deconstruct things to see how they were assembled.

Ashley's inquisitive and independent spirit manifests itself in her practice. Today Ashley is still creating, albeit using power tools and currently choosing slate as her favoured material.“My aim is to produce beautiful yet challenging work. I enjoy turning my life experiences into desirable art, by putting a highly aesthetic slant on ugly scenarios. I believe this approach creates a more engaging dialogue between myself and the viewer.”
Throughout her art, Ashley employs immaculate workmanship and sensitive use of materials. Equal value is placed on the conceptual and physical aspects of her art practice.

Ashley was awarded a BA Honours Degree in Fine Art by the University of Derby in January 2010.
She now lives in Warwickshire.

 

http://lorraineashley.com/index.htm

Living with Catamenial Pneumothorax and Endometriosis

Living with Catamenial Pnuemothorax and Endometriosis

If someone asked me to describe Endometriosis in one word it would be: Pain. Endometriosis is a consistent, life interrupting, hard to manage pain. And is often treated with hormone therapy, such as birth control pills, Lupron, Zoladex and Depo Provera. Some of the side effects of these treatments are: weight gain, constantly fatigue, irritable mood swings and depressed.

My case was a little different as I was also diagnosed with Catamenial Pneumothorax. This is when a woman has her menstrual cycle and with in  24-48 hours her lung collapses.  Catamenial Pnuemothorax or CT affects 1% of women here in America. Catamenial Pneumothorax is a rare condition characterized by a recurrence of air in the pleural space coinciding with the onset of menses. CPT was first described in medical books in 1958. It is almost always right-sided, and generally affects women in their thirties and forties.

I was in my early twenties, when I started feeling; a tightness in my chest and shortness of breath. I could hardly breathe or talk. A visit to the hospital ER; would reveal that my right lung had collapsed. Treatment was a chest tube, and a week stay in the hospital. This would go on for seven years. Finally, I was diagnosed with Catamenial Pnuemothorax. A biopsy proved that I had Endometriosis and it had spread to the lung. So is my current battle; but I shall prevail.

Catamenial Pnuemothorax symptoms are: experiencing monthly chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue. Some women have experienced multiple lung collapses over a period of several years. Many of these women have also been diagnosed with pelvic Endometriosis. I am one of those women. Endometriosis can spread to several parts of body organs, such as the bladder, bowel, intestines, colon, appendix, and rectum. In my case it was the lung and my pelvic cavity.   It is estimated that 30-40% of women with Endometriosis may not be able to have children.

In the end I had to have an emergency hysterectomy at 28 years of age. Dealing with infertility would be the trying of my faith. I had no kids as at an early age I vowed to God, that I'd wait until I was married; to have a child. But that is another story of victory and triumph to be shared at a later date.

Living with Endometriosis has definitely placed me on a soul and spiritual searching journey. The continual pill taking and still not seeing any changes in my condition was quite frustrating to say the least and to make matters worst it is hard to find the right treatment and for Doctors to believe that this pain actually exists- and trust for me it did and does. It was almost like a mind game. Medical science says one thing and your body is saying another.

I always tell people this and will stick by it: You know your body and if it's telling you something, listen to it. If you don’t know your body; then get to know it.  With a  diagnosed you don't have to settle for one Doctor's opinion, get a second.  Don’t be ashamed nor care what people think about you. The ultimate goal is to get better. It’s the squeakiest wheel gets the oil.

I am seeing the true woman that I am. God's chosen. I am not giving up and I am not yielding to defeat. In this I choose to still be happy and remain focused on what God destined me to be.  In the end God will honor His name as Jehovah Rapha: The God that HEALS.  

If you or someone you know are suffering from Endometriosis and/or Catamenial pneumotorax please visit:

http://www.endometriosis.org/endometriosis.html

http://www.catamenial-pneumothorax.com/id21.htm

Phenomenal Woman

I am proud of who and what I have become. Driving through the fog. There were times I couldn't see what was in front of me. It was then I had to remain focus and concentrate on my destiny. I knew that I was going somewhere and I was intent on arriving to my destination. I am so glad I didn't allow the storms to keep me immobile.


To make a long story short. I did arrived at the place I wanted to be, it was there I was able to get some answers. Some I liked, some I didn't not. In the end, I had to make some decision for myself. To live or to give up. You see, contrary to popular belief, happiness is a choice that we ALL must make. I chose. :)

Here is my tribute all the phenomenal women out there!  Dr. Maya Angelou's poem: Phenomenal Woman.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou