These pieces developed following an extended period (January 5, 2006 - September 2008) during which the artist suffered from cervical spine spondylosis with myelopathy. This caused severe pain in her neck and back and paralysis of her left (dominant) hand and arm. It was only relieved by an operation to remove the osteophytes impinging the nerve that fed that arm and replace the shattered disc at C6/C7 with bone taken from her hip. The accompanying prints below refer to the excruciating pain and state of mind that the artist was in for much of that time, unable to teach or do anything that involved holding things. The drawing shows her delight in being able to hold a pencil again.