AndyVRenditions

Hello again, friends! Realizing now, that there are only *13* days left until my favorite holiday.. what are your plans for October 31st this year? After work, I will probably hand out candy at home. Is anybody else going to be dressing up? (:

Even though I turned 30 this year, I will be dressing up twice on Halloween; as a cowgirl for work, then as a she-devil, thanks to a sparkly red romper & matching accessories I purchased at a discount during last year's post-Halloween sale.

In other news, just wanted to catch up with you guys. In August, I turned 30, celebrating the transition into my third decade on this planet in Wyoming! I visited none other than Yellowstone National Park. It was a beautiful getaway. I still have not had as much time to draw. But I am around, checking this account from time to time. Something about coming here just makes me happy. Very much needed, given the following story:

Unfortunately, about a month after turning 30, I discovered some red, mosquito-like bumps on both of my legs. So, I headed to urgent care, where the doctors weren't quite sure what to make them. I then got the biggest scare of my life when I was told that my blood levels were "off."

Concerned, I opted to see my primary care physician, who then ordered a re-do. The re-do came back normal, but he still suggested seeing a dermatologist to get a skin biopsy. The dermatologist then ordered a different blood test, which found "elevated antibodies" in my blood. In response, I went to go see a hematologist. Not too concerned with my results, he suggested seeing a rheumatologist, to see if my red rashes were the result of an underlying disorder, such as an autoimmune disease. I did.

The rheumatologist actually ordered a fourth blood test to rule out lupus and other autoimmune diseases. However, he did stun me a little, when he asked if I had received any COVID-19 vaccinations. I told him I had, 3 in fact - between 2020 and 2021. I asked why he was concerned about that, and he shed light on how recent studies indicate that about 15% of the population has been showing changes in their blood, like me, and developing autoimmune diseases after receiving their boosters.

It's been weighing on me, of course, as I would like to not believe this is true. But, here I am awaiting my AVISE blood results, and just kind of hoping for the best. I remain positive, and asides from the fading bruises on my legs, don't have other symptoms. He doesn't expect the results to turn up positive, but the wait is not fun.

What a ride, right? I am sharing my story, as I am curious to know if anybody else has experienced something similar, or has heard of someone going through this after receiving COVID-19 vaccines?

As a healthcare provider, and as someone who trusts science, trusts leadership, and has faith, this has really shaken me. It's not what I envisioned going through while turning 30, and certainly not the result I envisioned for electing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine 2 years ago. I will keep you guys updated! Hoping that others will perhaps want to investigate how a prior COVID diagnosis or vaccine has altered their blood, and if they are predisposed to developing an autoimmune disorder after reading my story.

As always, much love and smiles your way #Andyvrenditions #HappyHalloween

Happy New Year, art friends! 🎉 How is 2023 going so far for you guys? Hopefully better than mine, haha! I wanted to share that yesterday, for the first time ever, I tested positive for COVID. Yup.

This has effectively put me out of work for the meantime, and thus here I am. I'm set to test again on Friday, the results of which will determine how soon I can return to work. Noticed I gained a few more watchers since I was last on here, which always amazes me, as you all must find me through my older art posts. It makes me so happy to have your support, thank you very much, as always. I intend to most definitely return to regular art-making eventually.

Reflecting on my presence on dA.. I mentioned in my last journal, that I had made a career change from x-ray to mammography.

Well, several months later, I was actually offered a promotion, and took on becoming the lead quality control technologist. So, that's where all of my energy got devoted to in 2022, learning those ropes, trying to be the best I can be for my team. My role now entails being in charge of quality control testing of the x-ray units, and coordinating maintenance schedules with field engineers and medical physicists. I get to work alongside the supervisor, as we share an office, and thank goodness for her because she too, has been an incredible mentor. There are things that I get to help her with, like training new hires, making sure certificates are up to date, ensuring that staff is current with their licenses, assisting with accreditation renewals, etc. It is a very loaded gun. There are then also some days when I go home, and still get calls or text messages from work, and it's all very time-consuming.. mix all of that in with the graduate student cocktail, and that leaves very little energy for me to devote to drawing like I used to.

So flash-forward a year out: we just had our federal and state inspection last December, the first one for me in my career, and it went beyond better than I imagined it to go. The inspector was very nice. She made a comment at the end about how she was even learning things from me, as I was going through the quality control manual records with her. Being that I give my all to what I do, and genuinely love my work, hearing this from an inspector made my world. It was the best Christmas present.

It is now 2023, and with that, I officially feel I have a grasp on this role, it's been a very challenging, very rewarding experience. For these reasons, as you can imagine, it pains me to be out sick. It feels terrible knowing how much I am needed within my department, but I also just do not like being at home without anything to do. My final semesters have not yet started, but I can't wait for them to. That is one thing that I am most looking forward to in 2023: graduating with an MS and my MBA. major nerd, I know..

So, how are you guys doing? Is it raining with you as hard as it is in Southern California right now? And what are some things you guys are looking forward to this year, or goals you have set for the new year? What were your most memorable or favorite things from 2022? Favorite Christmas presents you received?

For me, it is my new puppy. She is 6 months old now, and a furball of fire that I received as a birthday gift last year back in August. Say hello to baby Cherry:

Remember to take care of yourselves and your loved ones!

On this April 4th of 2021, it is Easter Sunday 🐇 and I find myself sitting at the computer desk, with not much to do. It's been about 1 year since I published my last journal here - reading it over, I can't help but contrast now with last Spring.

In April of 2020, I wrote that the United States had over 700,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with California being home to 30,000. Today, the US records 30+ million confirmed cases, with California holding over 3 million. Stark data...

And so, I ask again, art friends, how you've been holding up, 1 year into this new normal? How has the past year and the pandemic changed your life, how you are planning your future? How are your families today?

As for me, I remain rather optimistic. Hope is just an artist's nature.

Last month, I participated in my first art exhibition since the pandemic started. I had the incredible opportunity to have my Audrey Hepburn portrait selected for a local gallery showcase.

Thankfully, I've still been able to turn to art. Because as many of you know, dance is another love of mine, which I've actually not been able to do during this pandemic, nor have felt safe to return to doing just yet. I think I will probably wait at least until next year to resume dance classes. I miss it so!

But one thing I don't miss, is the stress of last year - the unknown factor, that made every day so long and so difficult for us all. Last summer, I was promoted to a lead technologist position at the hospital, overseeing the radiology department in the evenings. Despite this honorable recognition, and very amazing experience, I chose to take the daunting step of climbing the career ladder, as I have always known that I was not keen on staying in x-ray forever. The way I see it, there is always more to learn, to do, to challenge oneself with, as opposed to staying at the minimal end of the spectrum, staying comfortable, and playing it safe.

And in regards to radiology, there are just so many fields and directions you can ascend into. So, after taking a course in mammography, and passing my California state exam in mammographic radiologic technology, last December, I finally landed a new role as a mammography technologist ❤ No longer working in a hospital setting, I have since moved to an amazing outpatient center in Los Angeles County. While so many job offers required experience, they took a chance on me, accepting me to the team without any experience, and made the time to teach me everything from scratch, for which I will eternally be grateful.

Essentially, my new job entails screening women for breast cancer and other breast pathologies. Mammography is quite a different profession compared to regular x-ray imaging; more intimate, and far greater responsibility. And it was one of the best Christmas presents that I've ever given myself.

While I was initially nervous to make the move (because who isn't anxious about leaving the work they know how to do, for something completely new?), the transition has actually been rather wonderful and educational, and so worth it. Despite breast imaging being entirely new for me, challenging, but also rewarding, they say that I've a rare, natural talent for it. Very encouraging to my ears.

And when I make small talk with my patients, we discuss the pandemic, and I hear about how so many families have been affected by Covid. I then reminisce about my days at my previous job, going into positive patients' rooms all of last year to perform chest x-rays, and just praying that I'd not come home with the virus. Somehow, I was spared. It almost feels unreal, and unfair, when you hear about so many others who were not.

In January, I had the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, a remedy both long-awaited, but also relatively quick to arrive, in my opinion. Again, I was one of the lucky ones, who experienced no side effects with either dose. And I can't urge enough how important it is to get vaccinated, friends. Don't be afraid. It is hopefully, for our own good. And the statistics are proving everyday, that combined with virus precautions, they work. Today, both my parents have also been vaccinated with their first doses, soon scheduled to have their second this month.

It is emotional at times when I reflect on how blessed my family has been to finally make it to this day, and to be getting through this pandemic, which is all going to come to an end soon.

I have not seen my cousins, or my aunts, uncles, and extended family members in well over a year, but at least we have Facebook to keep in touch.

And we haven't formally dined at a restaurant, but at least we've been able to order takeout, supporting local restaurants.

Haven't attended a movie theater since this all started, I guess watching Godzilla vs. Kong on HBOmax will have to do..

However, I feel as though I have continued to still be grateful for what we do have. I never envisioned working in the healthcare industry under such intense conditions, but at least I am healthy, and I've remained employed. Yes, I have seen expired patients, but I have also witnessed remarkable recoveries, and met incredibly brave people along this journey. I never envisioned becoming a first-time homeowner, only to have to spend my first years inside my home under quarantine, but at least I am comfortable, and safe. We get to clean the house and be together enjoying every inch of it, the above-ground pool that I bought, the patio cover my dad made, and watch the grass and the vegetable garden that we planted grow.

Such is the way the universe is; unpredictable and unplanned, and in every way, uniquely empowering, a beautiful discovery with what every new year brings.

Wishing you all & your families a lovely Easter season ~ 🐤