Hello Everyone!
Once again, I find myself in the position of saying goodbye. All About African Violets will not be returning to production in 2022.
I want to assure you that I’m healthy and strong. I am very lucky that my cancer was caught so early (Grade 1). Endometrial cancer is very treatable and has a 99% cure rate. From the beginning, I focused on being in that 99% and I am 🙂 The treatment for me was a complete hysterectomy along with a couple of lymph nodes. I had this surgery on October 29, 2021. My surgery was minimally invasive and done on an outpatient basis (!) I am still amazed that I had major abdominal surgery and came home the same day! My surgeon did the Sentinel Lymph Node procedure on me – giving me a 90% LESS chance of ever developing lymphedema in my legs. The pathology came back about a week later with the result: No Residual Cancer. Anyone who has ever received that result knows that it means that I am cancer-free (Yahoo!!!!!). It also means that the cancer had not spread from the polyp where it was initially found. Because it had not spread, I did not even need to have chemo or radiation. My final results were Grade 1, Stage 1A. This was the best possible news for me! Again – I know how lucky I was and continue to be. My 6-week recovery period went smoothly, and I have recovered well. My cancer journey is chronicled on my personal blog. Feel free to share that link with anyone who might benefit from it.
You can see that I have MUCH to be grateful for. And I am. Grateful. But receiving a cancer diagnosis changes everything, you guys. It really does. So much happened to me last year – I actually underwent four surgeries: two oral surgeries, one of which happened before I was vaccinated; and two gynecological surgeries. Four surgeries in one year in the time of COVID . . . it was a lot to process. It’s still a lot to process.
But learning I had cancer and then learning I was cancer-free – those two things had the biggest impact on me. These are life-altering events, and everything is different because of them. I feel like I have been given a second chance in my life and I’m making decisions on how I want my life to look as I keep moving forward. And so, while it’s not an easy decision, it’s time for me to say goodbye. I want to thank Douglas the Digital Dude for all of his behind the scenes help over the years. He’s seriously amazing, you guys! I would be remiss if I did not thank my resident experts, Joyce Stork and Dr. Jeff Smith. Big thanks, too, to everyone who helped defray the costs of production – and, of course, to all of you for watching. All About African Violets has always been a labor of love for me and I’m glad you have all enjoyed it. If you learned something from it, so much the better 🙂 I plan to keep posting the occasional photo of my plants on Instagram. Here is a link if you want to take a look at what’s on the stands from time to time.
And finally, I encourage you to find your joy. I did and it brought me this podcast.
Again, thank you all for watching. I wish you all the best – keep growing! And remember: Limit. Your. Collection!!!
Annie 🙂
Endometrial Cancer Survivor since 29 Oct 21
I’m going to leave you with a song from a wonderful movie. It’s called If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out, by Yusuf/Cat Stevens, from the wonderful Hal Ashby film, Harold and Maude. Thank you all – so very much. 🙂
All About African Violets 
Dear Annie, I am relatively new to violet growing and your videos changed and improved everything I was doing. Every time I remove leaves, I think of you! I wish you continued good health and joy!
Donna – thank you. I’m so glad you learned from All About African Violets!! Yay!!
I love that you constantly are moving forward. Your podcast and friendship changed me for the better, and I look forward to seeing where you go from here.
Best,
Douglas
Thank you, my friend. You are just so awesome 🙂
I had endometrial Cancer in 2001 and was declared cancer free after 1 surgery …no chemo for me either. I know what it feels like to get the call that confirmed that…I cried. I thought it would change my life but slipped back into my old ways after a short while. Thank you for reminding me of that and also thank you for the podcasts that you have done. Take care. Life is good!
Wendy Cooper
Wendy, congratulations on being cancer-free!! I’m so glad for you, and yes, crying was involved here when I got the good news. I understand how easy it can be to slip back into old habits. I’m choosing to move forward now to help cement many of the new habits I have been working on in the past months. It’s really important to me. I’m so glad that you enjoyed All About African Violets. 🙂
Thank you, Annie. You are a fabulous teacher and I really appreciate the effort you put into all the wonderful videos. May the rest of your life be “full of all the things you love”. (I learned that from you and use it regularly now.)
Much love,
MECurtis
ME, thank you so much! I LOVE that you use “full of all the things you love.” I’m really glad you found value in the podcast. 🙂
Dear Annie,
Im so happy to hear of the improvement you are having in your health struggles. The news of beating cancer is a lifechanging time and brings such hope to others. Thank you for sharing and updating us.
I use many of your podcasts as educational links on my facebook group. We have collectively been praying for good outcome for your health. I will miss all the wonderful information. Im sorry to see the podcasts no longer available.
I can appreciate how your life has new meaning and new focus. I hope you continue in good health and your new interests bring you more joy than anything else ever has.
Much love
Vicky Richard,
Florida
Vicky – thank you so much for your kind words and for your prayers. So many lifted me up in prayer throughout my journey – people I didn’t even know were doing so. Like you! And your group. Thank you, thank you thank you!! I am so glad that you found benefit in All About African Violets. 🙂
Annie, I feel like you are a friend that I’ve had for a long time. You will never be far from my thoughts because every time I look at my violet stands, I think of you. I also am a cancer survivor of over 20 years. Thanks for all your wonderful, wonderful work. I loved your visits and interviews to the shows, but everything you’ve shared has been so great.
Kitty Bo – I know you’ve watched from the beginning! Thank you so much. Thank you for sharing that you are a cancer survivor, too 🙂 How wonderful that it’s more than 20 years!! It touches my heart to know that my work and the podcast have touched you 🙂
Dear Annie,
I have been enjoying your podcast in Japan and I just wanted to say “Thank you!” for sharing your experience and your wisdom. I have learned a lot from you! I will keep your words and limit my collection to enjoy. Thank you and I hope you will have healthy and happy days!
Akiko – thank you very much! I’m so glad you have enjoyed the podcast and that you have learned from it! 🙂
Thank you Annie! I have enjoyed your podcast and the amazing things I learned, every time I watched. I loved seeing the progression of some of your favored plants, but it was always your joy, your enthusiasm that brought me back. I hope you continue to continue! Thanks again!
Will, thank you! I am so glad that you learned from the podcast over the years. You can still see some of my plants as I will be posting on Instagram, at @allaboutafricanviolets
I just found you and now you will no longer be doing this. Too bad. I am just starting to build a collection and am new to it and want to get many varieties as I can but how many plant should I limit it to until I get mire experience.
Oh wow, those two events (diagnosis and overcoming) definitely will change someone’s life, and I respect your decision to relook your life’s direction. Wishing you all the best, and go pursue your new path with the knowledge that the blogosphere will always be here if you decide to come back.