I met with Danica Lorer well before our interview to give her lots of time to read my books.
I would like to express my gratitude to Danica and the network for carrying through with this. Every little step forward in pushing ahead with promotion of my books is appreciated, and I will certainly make the most of it.
On set at Shaw Cable TV's "Lit Happens" with host Danica Lorer.
Was I nervous doing this? Well, not really. You might say I have done enough of this kind of thing in the past, that I am used to this particular type of stress. I think of it this way: you must recognize the butterflies swirling around in your stomach prior to something like this and COMMAND them to simply fly in formation!
Holding a copy of my first book "Dancing with Rejection".
While this in itself is nothing extraordinary... though I deeply appreciate EVERY SINGLE book sale (more on that later) ... the reason why I am pointing this out to my readers is that in this case, the books are destined to be button-holed into the hands of BOOK CLUB MEMBERS.
My friend (Best-Selling Author) Carey Rigby-Wilcox holds a copy of my second book "A Work in Progress".
Do you know what this could mean? According to the lady from Boulder (who shall remain unnamed) her intention is to FAN the FLAME under these two books. Not literally of course, that would NOT be a good thing.
In my patron's words, " You've sold a hell of a lot of book and you only have 4 reviews?!?! Well, that's un-American and probably un-Canadian! The book is incredible by the way. I am shocked you couldn't get it published. They are fools to have passed up the chance. It's brilliantly written."
Thank you for that! However, I must add, that I did not approach traditional publishers with my manuscript(s). I am REALLY ONSIDE with the self-publishing phenom. That is another whole different post!
In case you, dear reader, are empathizing with the part about REVIEWS, please feel free to rectify that situation by logging on to my Amazon.com landing pages for book 1 and book 2. Any and all reviews are always welcome.
Now, back to the EXCITING PROSPECT of my books landing in the hands of BOOK CLUB MEMBERS in Colorado. That potentially EXPLOSIVE development has left my head swimming, I won't lie.
You can rest assured that I will let you know what, if anything, comes of this in the coming weeks!
About the Artist/Author: Please Visit www.mrgaudet.com to Read More.
There are certain things you, as an author (or wannabe author) can do to BUILD BOOK BUZZ. Of course, every case is different. There is no cookie-cutter solution. Having said that, I want to share my own experience.
You might say, I was over-eager to create some excitement around my new love-child... so I rushed into a very small book-reading at a tiny book-store in Saskatoon. About 10 people attended. Although I thoroughly enjoyed myself, this was a strategic mistake. A couple of months later I expressed my desire to hold a reading at a larger book-store in the same city.
The person in charge of this took extra care to explain that since I had already held my "launch", they could not accommodate me. My feeling at the time was, I never called it a "launch" and also, she could have invested her energy in welcoming me with open arms, versus spending such an inordinate amount of time pushing me away with her long, drawn-out explanation.
My point is... do NOT rush into a less than favorable situation in a small venue. Wait for your cards to line up in a venue that will serve your purposes. It's probably a good idea to generate some advance media coverage and online buzz prior to a live reading. That way, your chances of attracting a fair-sized turnout of fans, supporters, friends and admirers will be greatly enhanced.
Here is a good example of a pre-launch (or live reading) article, that appeared on the front-page of a Nova Scotian newspaper:
Mural painter and author to hold public reading of memoirs in Truro
Michael Gaudet has painted murals across Canada since the 1970s. He recently released his second book, ‘A Work In Progress’, which he will be reading from at the Truro library on Wed., Dec. 13.SUBMITTED
TRURO, N.S.
Michael Gaudet has been painting murals across Canada since the late 1970s, in his words, to ‘leave his mark on the world.’
Now, he is coming back to his hometown to give a reading from his memoirs ‘Dancing With Rejection’ and ‘A Work In Progress’ at the Truro library on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
“The first book, ‘Dancing With Rejection,’ a lot of it is set right in Nova Scotia so I want to read some passages that were reminiscent of the province,” said Gaudet.
Next, what is the meaning of "LAUNCH"? When will you know you are ready? Is it really a one-time thing that cannot be replicated over and over again? Be careful using that word... it has a definite meaning and finality to it.
Back to my strategy... There is a local TV Show on Shaw Cable here in Saskatchewan that is dedicated to the literary scene called "Lit Happens". I made a special effort to meet the host (Saskatchewan-based Story-Teller Danica Lorer) to present her with complimentary copies of BOTH my books. ("Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality" and "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved") She graciously agreed to send me a picture of her holding her acquisitions. This picture has become a staple of my social media promotion.
"Lit Happens" host Danica Lorer was gracious enough to send me this beautiful photo.
A couple of years ago, I was interviewed on "Lit Happens" by the former host, the late great Wes Funk. Here is that interview:
Also, Sasktel Max TV created a wonderful short film that features some of my best artwork, as well as a live reading from my first book:
Now, I am excited to announce that Danica Lorer will be conducting a fresh new interview to build on all of the momentum. You might say, I have done all of the legwork required to EARN more high-profile publicity, in order to create a real BUZZ around my first two books, and also my career as a mural-painter.
Happy Trails, fellow authors. I hope I have communicated a little of what it means to build momentum, and to grasp the opportunity when it comes your way. You have heard the expression "Strike while the iron is hot", right? Well, I am here to tell you, you must come up with creative ways to HEAT IT UP in the first place. You have to come up with a strategy to stand out from the milling crowd. The good news is, with a little perseverance and insight, it is totally possible. You might even say, INEVITABLE. Remember, all it takes to rise above the primordial muck is to show the world that you have something a little special. And oh, it also helps if you have the ability to write a RIP-ROARING good tale!
Following the success of his first book, Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner’s Guide to Immortality, the Canadian artist, author, and kidney health advocate Michael R. Gaudet brings us the second part to his captivating trilogy of memoirs. A Work in Progress: The Life My Brother Saved picks up where book one left off, chronicling Gaudet’s arrival in Saskatchewan with his soon-to-be first wife. Still reeling from his near-death experience as the result of kidney failure, the loss of his father, and the launch of his ambitious career, Gaudet finds himself diving into new projects and experiences on the prairies. His daughter Pearl arrives to the world, born with a congenital kidney condition that puts great strain on Gaudet and his already-troubled relationship with his wife.While navigating the struggles of his daughter’s illness as well as his own, Gaudet continues his personal journey towards healing and success. His spiritual experiences include a life-affirming vision quest alongside his dear friend, a First Nations Medicine Man, as well as the creation of a magnificent mural in a church that brings him closer to God. Enduring various phases of love and loss, Gaudet eventually discovers his soul mate with whom he traverses the vast provinces of Canada.In this fascinating life story, Gaudet offers us glimpses into his bohemian lifestyle and rise to fame as a distinguished Canadian artist. Writing in the style of magical realism, he seamlessly weaves mysticism into his prose. He also speaks with fearless realism of what it means to live with kidney disease, bringing awareness and attention to this insidious condition. As a survivor and an artist, his narrative voice pushes through hardship to bear a wider message about living a fulfilling life and pursuing one’s dreams.
I finished your book and I absolutely loved it. It was thoughtful and inspiring, and all around an excellent read. I've just recommended it to my friends. Wonderful work - you deserve to be very proud of it. I hope it gets the attention it deserves.
Dylan Loewe, White House Writer, Washington, D.C.
Michael R. Gaudet is a renowned Canadian artist known for his monumental murals and activism in promoting knowledge about kidney health and disease. He is the survivor of a near-death experience and kidney transplant that occurred in 1979, when he was only nineteen. He began his artistic career that same year, painting a seminal mural that led him to his life’s calling. Since then, he has painted vibrant, large-scale murals across Canada in both public and sacred spaces. He also works in the challenging genre of high-fidelity portraiture, seeking to immortalize the precise likeness and essence of a person on canvas. In 2001, he was awarded the “People’s Choice Award” for best public artwork by Planet S Magazine in Saskatoon. His first book, Dancing with Rejection, was published in 2015 to great acclaim. A Work in Progress is the second installment in his trilogy of memoirs, with book three forthcoming. Gaudet currently lives with his wife Sharon at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach in Central Saskatchewan, where they operate their seasonal business, “Gibson & Gaudet Gallery & Gifts.”
Remember Book 1 of the Trilogy? "Dancing with Rejection: Beginner's Guide to Immortality" ? (A "cosmic joy ride" of a read) www.mrgaudet.com
Creativity is what saves me as a person who lives with chronic disease. When I say "creativity", I mean painting and writing. When I was initially diagnosed in 1979, at the tender age of 19, with End Stage Renal Failure, it changed my creative path forever. Suddenly, I was painfully aware of my mortality. Indeed, this spelled a harrowing "Near Death Experience".
As soon as I was feeling marginally better, thanks to the powerful "dialysis" therapy that I was soon to undergo, I decided that I must paint a mural called "Recovery". This was my "visual prayer" for my own recuperation from the insidious disease that I was battling at the time.
The seminal mural "Recovery" was a "visual prayer".
Fast forward to 2017... by this time I have designed and painted over 60 large murals in a swath across Canada. But I am getting ahead of myself! Only 7 months after I started on dialysis, my loving brother Steven stepped up to donate a kidney to me. This miraculous Gift of Life saved and sustained me for over 34 years!
In mid-May of 2014, my kidney function had once again deteriorated, which meant, I was forced to return to thrice weekly dialysis treatments. Over the years, I had been working methodically on hand-written notes... the story of my life and the fascinating people I have met over time. I thought, if I fail to write down these stories, they will be lost forever.
My first act upon returning to dialysis (4 hours per session, so 12 hours every week) was to run out to purchase a laptop. I would make the most of a shitty situation! Within about a year, I had published my first book, called "Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality". Follow this link to acquire your copy now...you will be joining a worldwide community of hundreds of readers.
Now, I am combining my writing and painting to live a full, rich life... and in fact I am just about ready to publish my second book, called "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved".
Cover art for my 2nd book...
On top of this, I have just been commissioned to paint another "monumental" mural in Tisdale, Saskatchewan. This is early days and I have not yet started the design...however as soon as I fire it up, I will be sharing the process. Please stay tuned, I am not going anywhere!
This wall is the site of my next mural. Might not look like much now, but just wait!
Chronic disease and creativity might seem at first blush to be unlikely bed partners, but let me tell you... they feed off of each other. There's nothing like the specter of ones own mortality to light a fire in the heart and soul. Put simply, realizing the precarious nature of life and death on a weekly basis is a helluva powerful way to stimulate a driving creativity!
Till next time,
To read more and to purchase a copy of "Dancing..." please visit www.mrgaudet.com
In April 2014, my daughter Ilara told me in plaintive tones, "Don't be a hero, Papa. Forget about 'setting a World's Record' for longest kidney transplant! Just get started with dialysis soon, before you have a stroke or worse with all the toxins in your blood! I don't want to lose you! Promise me you will not wait much longer. Promise!"
A Work-in-Progress... my beautiful daughter Ilara comes to life on my easel.
This heart-felt appeal, voiced with such urgency and poignancy... was a big part in my decision to agree with my doctor's equally urgent admonition. Of course my wife Sharon had a lot to say about it... really, we KNEW the time was near, so we undertook to travel between Saskatchewan and my home province of Nova Scotia. It is 4287 kilometers each way, and we drove the distance TWICE each way in 2012 and 2013! In rough figures, that was 17,148 kms of driving all told. Of course I DID return to thrice-weekly dialysis treatments, or else I would be long-gone.
Dialysis: Do or DIE!
There is a saying, "Dialysis: Do or Die!" It is with all of this and more in mind as I proceed through each day... and week, and month. I have no time or desire for a 'pity party". At all. I will keep on writing and painting, loving and caring about the heaped-on blessings of LIFE and a LIFE WELL-LIVED. It is a with a deep well of GRATITUDE for my energy levels that allow me to stay HAPPY and PRODUCTIVE. About the Artist/ Author
Please visit www.mrgaudet.com to read more about Michael, his artwork and writing projects.
One of the "rewards" that I offered in my recent "Kickstarter" campaign... created to pre-sell advance, signed copies of my 2nd book (called "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved") was... for every contribution of $500.00 or more, I would create a painting based on the photo or idea of your choice!
Four individuals opted for this reward during the course of the campaign.
Here is a picture of one, that is finished:
Painting of '65 GMC truck, for a "Kickstarter" campaign reward, in return for a contribution of $500.00 or more.
I wanted to post this to let you all know that indeed, I am busily fulfilling my obligations to the generous contributors to my Kickstarter campaign, even as I carry on with the #1 goal of finishing the manuscript for Book 2... and also, bringing it closer every day to the ultimate goal of publication!
About the Artist/Author:
To read more about both my artwork and writing projects, please visit www.mrgaudet.com
This is an Professional Editorial Evaluation on "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved"...which is the 2nd book in my Trilogy Writing Project. Click on the embedded widget to read more.
I want to SHARE with all the aspiring
and even established artists reading this blog that I have had an
EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE with KICKSTARTER. For those who may not be
familiar, KICKSTARTER. Is a crowd-sourced funding agency for a vast
array of projects, including publishing (that's me!) and a wide range
of artistic projects. I launched my campaign in the last week of
November and it is terminating tomorrow. The good news is...I have
successfully reached my funding goal !
The Cover Art for Book 2 of my trilogy writing project...the object of my KICKSTARTER Campaign.
KICKSTARTER is a world leader in the
crowd-source funding industry. If YOU have a great idea for a
creative project that requires funding, I highly recommend you take
a shot at a KICKSTARTER. Campaign.
However, here is a warning that you
really should take to heart. There are many bottom-feeding predators
who will offer you the deal of the century in helping you reach your
funding goal. One of the worst offenders in that unsavory business
is a nefarious company called MONSTER SOCIAL MARKETING ( BOO HISS! )that got
through to me about half-way through my campaign. Despite their
glowing promises they delivered absolutely nothing in terms of
contributions but were happy to take my money.
The takeaway? You really should have a
solid network of family, friends and business colleagues in place if
you decide this is something you would like to tackle. Oh yeah, a
fabulous, compelling, brilliant idea wouldn't hurt either.
Take a look at my KICKSTARTER Campaign
in its final hours...here is the link.
Usually, the very best paintings are the ones that you do for your own pleasure, such as "Amethyst Mountain".
One of the most dynamic "REWARDS" that I offered in my campaign was...for every contribution of CA$500 or more, I will create an original work of art, based on the contributor's favorite photo or idea! This concept EXPLODED, with 5 takers!
Another recent favorite..."The Magic Cup". Would it surprise you to hear that both of these were SOLD to an art collector?
Visit my website at www.mrgaudet.com to read more and to purchase Book 1 of the trilogy, called "Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality". If you have already read Book 1, I would invite you to leave your impressions in the comments below. Good, bad or ugly, all comments are welcome. Just remember, play nice!
With the "Dancing..." banner at The Watrous Manitou. To purchase please visit www.mrgaudet.com .
On the theme of "gratitude", I would be remiss not to mention my gorgeous bride and soul-mate, Sharon. Here we are on our wedding day with my mom and step-father.
My heart and spirit are brimming over with gratitude this evening as I ponder the excellent fact:the Kickstarter Campaign that I created to usher in the launch of Book 2 of my writing trilogy is a SUCCESS at 121% w 66 Hours remaining!
My beautiful mom and I on my wedding day.
Called: "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved", book 2 has now officially generated advance sales of 100 copies. It just goes to show you, with an authentic heart and proven track record of success, there is nothing you cannot accomplish if you set your heart on it, and work your butt off. One of the things that I persisted in doing over the brief flare of the campaign was to post regular "updates" that were made available to all of my generous contributors, as well as anyone else in my social media networks who cared to dive in. Now, in the final hours of the campaign, I am happy to post one of the final updates. It is a tribute to my loving, generous and highly intelligent mother. Please click here for the tribute. I love you Mom!
Dear Readers, After the successful launch of the 1st book of my trilogy (please visit my website www.mrgaudet.com for much more on this) I am now working hard to publish the 2nd book...called "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved". My goal with this is to sell 100 copies in advance, to establish a built-in fan base when it comes out in the spring of 2017. Just to let you know, the book is completely finished and now, I am going through the manuscript with a fine tooth comb to weed out any small typos and to polish it up for its imminent publication. My appeal to you is to visit my Kickstarter Campaign( Here is the link to the Campaign) that I have created to usher in the launch. At this moment, I have reached 63% of my target goal of $5000.00, with 11 days to go! To communicate the meaning of the Campaign, I created a video for you all to watch:
This video (above) is short and sweet...less than three and a half minutes. Now, there are a few details of the Campaignthat I would like to share, though when you visit you will see much more. Every Canadian contributor of CA$50.00 or more will receive not only a hand-signed copy of the book in the mail, but also YOUR NAME will be printed with GRATITUDE under the "ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS" section in the front of the book. You will see your NAME in PRINT when you receive your copy! Spoiler Alert: I have opted to use a very powerful photo of this artist at the height of his career, working on the finishing touches of the truly monumental mural that this bog is dedicated to: The March of Trinity at Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Should you question the voracity of this statement, I would invite you take a sneak peek at the cover design...of Book 2 of the trilogy:
Cover Art for Book 2 of the trilogy, "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved".
In case you have not the 1st book of the trilogy called"Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality", I would like to offer you a FREE SAMPLE of the 1st 90 pages! Click on this link...it will whisk you away to the free sample of the 1st 90 pages...that will take you right into the thick of the story.
Sometimes life and career does a complete 360 degree turn, or in other words, comes around full-circle! That is indeed, what happened in the case of my beloved, charmed "Trinity" design. What do I mean by this statement, you ask? Well, in 1981...a full THREE DECADES before the creation of "March of Trinity" at Sacred Heart, I was commissioned at the age of 23 to design and paint a mural that I called...in a precognitive moment..."Trinity 1981". I would like to show you pictures of this early, seminal mural:
Working on the early phases of "Trinity 1981" at age 23.
I was truly blessed at the age of 23 to be the recipient of a "vision" that resulted in the commission to design and paint the mural :"Trinity 1981". I go into lucid detail in Book 1 of the trilogy...the thought process and all of the machinations behind this pivotal work of art. This commission launched my career as a painter of monumental murals, and 30 years later, was pivotal in my bid to paint the most monumental mural of all: The March of Trinity.
My beautiful mother Shirley Gaudet stood with the late Archbishop James Hayes and I after the official unveiling of "Trinity 1981" at St. Mary's Basilica.
After the completion of "Trinity 1981", there was an official unveiling attended by not only the late Archbishop James Hayes, but also many family and friends, including my beautiful, loving mother, Shirley Gaudet.
The finished mural "Trinity 1981".
Readers of "Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality" will understand the significance of the timing and importance of this mural in forging ahead with my career as a painter of monumental murals. Also, they will appreciate the artistic reasoning that fueled the project.
I created a triangular version of the "Trinity" mural that was widely circulated. I sent a copy to the Vatican that, incredibly for a young artist, elicited an official response on the Vatican stationary.
Now, in that "twist of fate" that I referred to earlier, I would like to show you the mural that I was commissioned to paint 30 years later. It is the "March of Trinity" at Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church. The reason I take such pains to point this is out is because...in a similar fashion that "Trinity 1981" was described in Book 1 of the trilogy, "March of Trinity"...which is on a much more monumental scale but was in fact preceded conceptually by the mural at St. Mary's Basilica... a deeper and more informed description in a literary setting unfolds in Book 2.
The finished "March of Trinity" mural at Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church in Saskatoon.
Please take a minute now to visit the Kickstarter Campaignthat I described earlier. The widget below will take you directly to the Campaign. I will reward you with my deepest gratitude and as described at the top of this post, your NAME will APPEAR in PRINT as a sign of my gratitude along with, of course, a signed copy of Book 2 delivered to your mailbox in the spring of 2017, about 6 months from now. Finally, it would mean the world to me if you would deign to SHARE this with your friends and colleagues. THANKING you in advance, TOGETHER WE CAN DO THIS.
Well, I am seriously delighted to say...at over 50% home-free with the Kickstarter Campaign that I created to usher in Book 2 of the trilogy, I believe that I will succeed with raising my target goal!
Cover Art for Book 2 of the Trilogy
With 15 days to go, I am cautiously optimistic that this campaign will be totally successful! This can only happen with YOUR help though, so please take a look to see what all the excitement is about. Kickstarter has provided me with option of generating a live widget for you to visit the site. I think that is a lot more interesting than just a link, don't you? OK, stand by and I will generate it...
There it is...above. When you click on the widget, you will be transported directly to the campaign. How cool is that? Just remember, there are many rewards coming to you when you contribute, as you will see!
Well, I am seriously delighted to say...at over 50% home-free with the Kickstarter Campaign that I created to usher in Book 2 of the trilogy, I believe that I will succeed with raising my target goal!
Cover Art for Book 2 of the Trilogy
With 15 days to go, I am cautiously optimistic that this campaign will be totally successful! This can only happen with YOUR help though, so please take a look to see what all the excitement is about. Kickstarter has provided me with option of generating a live widget for you to visit the site. I think that is a lot more interesting than just a link, don't you? OK, stand by and I will generate it...
There it is...above. When you click on the widget, you will be transported directly to the campaign. How cool is that? Just remember, there are many rewards coming to you when you contribute, as you will see!
When you click on this widget , it will take you directly to the Kickstarter Campaign that I have created to usher in the launch of Book 2 of the trilogy...
W
A Better picture of the cover art of "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved" :
Cover Art of Book 2 of the trilogy.
As you can see by the widget above, I have reached 31% of my funding goal within about the 1st week since launching the campaign. Thank so much to all of the early contributors. My expectation, with the widget, is that it will inform you, in real time, of the advance of the campaign. How cool is that?
Hello friends and allies...I am excited to announce the creation of the Kickstarter Campaign to usher in the imminent arrival of Book 2 of the trilogy...called "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother saved".
Here is the cover art:
Cover Art for Book 2 of the trilogy!
Please click through to this linkto visit the Kickstarter Campaign. And also, if the spirit moves you...please SHARE the link with your friends. Writing is my PASSION PROJECT...please help support this with your contribution. Thank You!
Also...truth be known, we are JUST getting started with my 1st book "Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality"...with several hundred copies sold worldwide. Here is the cover art for "Dancing...":
Holding "Dancing with Rejection" in front of the official banner.
Please visit www.mrgaudet.com , where you will find all 3 formats (Hard-cover, Paper-back and EBook) available.
This is do or die for me as a Dialysis Warrior of 32 months with no end in sight. Stay well...
"The Art of Michael R. Gaudet has generated 54.882 views to date..." How ironic! The Saskatchewan Book Awards has REJECTED my application for the 2016 "First Book Award". For my part, I innocently decided to pay my hard-earned money for a revision round with my publisher, which sadly resulted in a long, agonizing delay in getting the shiny new version in my hands...thanks to a screw-up from my publisher. This unprofessional mess resulted in my disqualification.
So, I must console myself that "Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality" relies on the fact that it is enjoying grassroots support and success with hundreds and hundreds of copies being purchased and read by you. On that note, THANK YOU for all of your continued support. It is EXTREMELY gratifying that you appreciate all of the energy, passion and love that I have poured into this writing project. As a Dialysis Warrior...it's going on 32 months with absolutely no end in sight!...it is vitally important to me that I MUST carry on with my writing. God only knows if I will survive long enough to publish book 2 and book 3 of the trilogy. There are NO guarantees whatsoever that I will ever be the recipient of a 2nd "Gift of Life", as you know very well. This is my appeal to go over the heads of the Saskatchewan Book Awards, who in their wisdom have disqualified "Dancing with Rejection" from an award. Please help prove them wrong with your continued support. This is a rallying call for all of my friends and supporters to rise above this temporary setback...please visit www.mrgaudet.com where you will find all 3 formats of "Dancing..." available, including of course the EBook version. I would certainly appreciate if you SHARE this with your friends...together we can continue with the groundswell of good will and support for my Passion Project. When you visit my website, you will see some very high power endorsements from several amazing supporters. ((Mind Blown!!)) Can you help out...you will NOT be disappointed. This book is like a "life support system" for me, and my most valiant and authentic effort to earn my "mark" on the world while I still have the energy...albeit flagging as dialysis drags interminably on and on...to carry on.
About the Artist/Author:
Dialysis: A case of "Do Or Die"...for the indefinite future...
Blood is a very intimate thing, so you can hardly blame me for feeling a bit shy and hesitant about sharing the sight of my blood with the world. Usually it is unseen inside the body. In the case of hemo-dialysis*, blood must flow outside the body in order to pass through the artificial kidney and then return, cleansed of toxins and fluid overload back into the bloodstream.
Bamboo Shoots Inc crew on behalf of Sasktel MaxTV at dialysis pod.
Can you blame me for being shyand nervous about showing my blood -outside of my body- to the world? I am concerned...will the sight of this be more traumatic to the viewers as it was at first to me?
Blood having "Out-of-Body Experience".
I had to shed my misgivings before I could go ahead with filming this segment of the documentary. Our producer Amanda Bosiak was so warm and loving that everything flowed effortlessly on set. The "set" was my dialysis pod, at my request to raise more Awareness of Kidney Health. *Hemo-dialysis is a technological marvel, invented by Dr. Willim Kolf in 1943, that has come a long way to recreate kidney function. Dialysis sustains the lives of millions of kidney patients every year. Dialysis is the "Gold Standard" for life-saving intervention while hopefully, they await the "Gift of Life". This time of relative "stability" must not be mistaken for "complacency", as it is well known that a certain % of dialysis patients die while waiting for a transplant.
