My Life So Far
By Kazuko
Introduction
My name is Kazuko, Japanese. I live in
Pretty ordinary, isn’t it?
I have rheumatoid arthritis for 20+ years.
It was not very easy with its nagging pain and deformation.
In addition to that, it stole my both physical and mental freedom.
My life had changed 180 degrees.
Last three years, I had six joints replacement surgeries for severely damaged joints, TMJ joints (2007), both knee surgeries (2008), and both hip surgeries (2009).
After TMJ surgery, my pain became so severe, it finally made me decide to try new RA medicine. Doctor was very pessimistic if it works on me or not.
It didn’t matter if it works or not.
It was the last chose.
It worked!!!!!
It was amazing.
That nagging pain was gone, most of it.
It was blessing!
I felt better.
However, most of my joints were already severely damaged.
I was not able to walk without walker and needed to be dependent on the power chair.
I decided to get my knee replacement done.
At first, the surgeon turned me down.
Instead, he gave me an excuse.
“You are still young for the knee replacement candidate.
You may wait for several years….”
He just didn’t want to do it because I had a lot of risks doctors don’t want to take.
I was angry.
“Who knows what’s gonna be in several years?
I had enough already. I want to try even if it doesn’t work.
I won’t regret.”
I was desperate.
After the first knee surgery, I was still in pain, healing pain.
But I was happy.
Between the knee surgeries, I started the urge for drawing, but didn’t know what or how.
Last time I drew was in the art class in junior high.
After the second knee surgery, I bought 72 color pencils.
I was excited just looking at the colors.
It was soothing.
My purpose of drawing was coloring.
However, I couldn’t find the coloring pads I like.
To tell the truth, I didn’t like them.
So I drew a sun.
It was toward the end of October, 2008.
It may be nothing special, but it was totally enjoyment to me.
That was the start.
I named my drawing “Positive Thinking”.
I drew more than 300 of them in last 22 months.
July 23rd 2010, I had another drawing opportunity.
I was asked to put my drawing at the
Then, I drew the festival at my hometown,
It’s titled “festival in the small town”.
These are my story so far.
I still need to do some rehab by myself, but I want to do some volunteer work, like visiting hospitals, schools, or anywhere to show my artworks and talk about my story.
These are my goal now.
So, what’s next?
This is Kazuko’s blog introducing positive messages with pictures, encourage myself and hopefully some others.
So I see you around?
