Barbara's world was once filled with the vibrant colors of her artistic creations, her lifelong passion that had brought her immense joy. However, life presented an unexpected and formidable challenge when, at the age of 67, she was compelled to let go of her artistic pursuits due to excruciating arm pain. Initially, she believed it to be a case of tennis elbow, but the truth turned out to be far more alarming. A lesion on her humerus bone revealed that melanoma had insidiously spread from her neck. From that moment on, Barbara's life took an unexpected turn, and her artistic endeavors were overshadowed by a challenging battle against cancer.
In pursuit of the best care possible, Barbara and her husband embarked on a journey from Florida to New Jersey, seeking solace in the expertise of Astera Cancer Care. Having previously experienced the compassionate care provided by Dr. Michael Nissenblatt, Barbara's husband placed his trust in his hands once again, knowing that he would provide the best possible care for his beloved wife.
Radiation Oncologist Dr. Edward Soffen, a pillar of support throughout her treatment, embarked on a multi-faceted approach to restore Barbara's health. With radiation treatment and a surgical procedure to remove the lesion, Barbara's path to recovery began. However, the road was fraught with challenges as she underwent immunotherapy, enduring its arduous side effects. Yet, these tribulations served as markers of progress, indicating that the treatment was indeed making a difference. Amid the global pandemic, Barbara confronted each appointment and treatment without her husband by her side, a testament to her determination in her battle against cancer.
The journey toward recovery, however, was far from smooth. Pain and complications necessitated additional surgeries, pushing Barbara's resilience to its limits. April of 2022 marked the first of these surgeries, which involved the insertion of a new plate and screws into her arm. Yet, the ordeal was far from over, as Barbara faced yet another setback in October 2022 when the plate became dislodged from her arm, plunging her into a sea of agonizing arm pain once more.
The realization struck hard that her ability to engage in the art that had been her solace and passion for years would be severely impacted by the ensuing surgery. As a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology and Brooklyn College, art had been the cornerstone of Barbara's life, and her dream was to teach others the beauty of artistic expression. The thought of being unable to hold a pen, let alone paint, devastated her. The surgery, although necessary, threatened to rob her of her artistic outlet.
In January of 2023, Barbara underwent her final surgery—a partial shoulder replacement with a prosthetic humerus replacing the damaged bone. The procedure marked a pivotal moment in her journey, as subsequent scans revealed no evidence of cancer, filling her spirit with a much-needed glimmer of hope during this arduous period.
Barbara, ever resilient, refused to let her circumstances define her. Instead, she harnessed her artistic talents to support the Melanoma Research Alliance, crafting a beloved character named 'Mrs. Puddingface' and adorning tote bags with her image to raise funds for the alliance. Over the past three years, her efforts have raised over $3,000, shining a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.
Though her surgeries have left her grappling with the challenges of regaining her full range of motion, Barbara's optimism remains unyielding. Determined to continue expressing herself through art, she perseveres, embracing the art of doodling and drawing, pouring her heart and soul into every stroke. "I'm hoping that eventually, I'll be able to use my right hand to paint and draw," she said.