C. M. Manfredi

Three shows in May the first of which is …….

I draw because I can and because sometimes a thing tickles my brain and I have to draw it.

It did! I’ve watched a few friends go through this process and it’s always so lovely to watch people become more themselves. It’s always 🤯 to see the changes.
❤️

None of this is new. It’s just the first time too many of us have felt its impact. For marginalized people (people of color, the lgbtqa community, the disabled, and the poor) this is their lived experience and has been for as long as any of them can remember.
🧵

It’s on us to understand our roles intentional or not in what’s happening now. It’s mind boggling how few of us know our own history, and the history of this country. The shock and dismay I see other white liberals engaging in. Like the cruelty and hate they are seeing is something new. It’s not. 🧵

Now I fight by offering my home as a safe place. By making local conservatives froth with rage. By pushing fellow white liberals to leave their comfort and use their privilege to help others. Turns out middle class white women don’t like knowing their inaction helped pave the road to Trump.
🧵

sexists, and bigots.
Now I’m borderline disabled. I no longer attend the protests or show up where they congregate to start and finish fights. I’m too sick.
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Many many years ago, before I had a kid, before that pregnancy flipped the switch and triggered my body to develop autoimmune disorders and chronic pain…
I was a social political activist. The fist fights with nazi wannabes kind. I’ve been injured, stalked, and harassed by bootlickers, racists,
🧵

I’m finishing sculpting inventory today. I think I’m going to unlist everything in the the Shopify till the end of May because May is going to be busy busy busy!

This is why the cats only get cat nip of the vacuum is going to run soon.

My coworkers consistently display inappropriate pda and sleep on the job🙄🤣

Seriously though, they were being so cute I had to take pictures.
#catsofbluesky

FanExpo Cleveland was awesome. Now I’m fighting a cold. It’s fine. I did not get into the show I applied to for April so I have a month to make as many monsters as I can because I have 3 shows in May! Alt Street Market, FanExpo Philly, and the Thursday market at Colossal Con.

I have a helper starting at 4 pm which is a relief.

Sully got out a few years ago and discovered that there is open cat food across the road. Now he makes a break for it every chance he gets.

The show is going just fine, my body just sucks and my normal helpers aren’t available.

Sully is a damn idiot however.

No worries he’s back. He let me stumble around in the dark shaking treats and yelling his name for a good 20 minutes before appearing on the front porch.

I knew this weekend would be a struggle. I’m flaring, I’m mostly on my own (think I might have at least a little help tomorrow), then I left the door open when I got home 😱 and this jerk got out.

Table A421 at FanExpo Cleveland! Doors open at 1pm❤️

Waiting for the loading dock to open! Day 1 FanExpo Cleveland!

A little test run of this year’s set up. The monsters are packed, the gear is ready to go into the car Thursday evening, and I can’t wait to set up and see everyone Friday! We’ll be at table A421. I love that the first convention of the year is in my home city. #fanexpocleveland #artistalley

More labs came back. Multiple organ systems are involved.
Cool beans. Maybe I’m finally sick enough for a formal diagnosis.
There’s still a half dozen tests to go that do not involve bloodwork.

My former doctor was sure it’s lupus, I think she was right.

I’m always worried about my son’s meds.

I’m in good company the vast majority of chronically ill people I know are in the same boat.

I’m definitely hoping to get the following I have on Insta and FB here so I can drop those platforms.

It depends on the severity and type of lupus.
I’ve been sick for 18 years and it’s so frustrating.

Oooo I feel like that’s my next book purchase!

The end result?
My medical chart says it’s a “lupus like autoimmune disorder”
It’s never been formally diagnosed and never treated. I just cope.

Maybe this time it will be different?

I’m not holding my breath.

It’s very likely lupus. My now retired former doctor was convinced it was. But I was never able to get a rheumatologist to spend more than 10 minutes with me for a formal diagnosis.

One even told me I wasn’t sick enough and to come back when I developed more symptoms.

The results are indicative of inflammation (duh) and most frequently seen in people with leukemia or lupus.
I’m positive it’s not leukemia because I’ve been cleared by oncologists every time I get these results.

I’m not feeling great today so I made a comfy nest using the inflatable mattress, blankets, and pillows. This is where I’m working.
I had new labs run yesterday and once again there’s wonky shit going on.