Mary Needs a Microscope

Mary needs a microscope! 

Hi, I’m Mary Hanson, an author, artist, nature photographer, and Certified California Naturalist living with terminal cancer. I’m also a blogger: https://chubbywomanwalkabout.com/   I use my blog to advance citizen science participation in the naturalist programs in the region and provide seniors with information on places where they can get some low-impact exercise in nature.

[[This is a photo of me in the field, photographing wild turkeys.]]

My cancer:

On Thanksgiving Day 2018, I was rushed to the hospital with severe pain in my abdomen. t turned out I had two forms of endometrial cancer; one somewhat sluggish and passive and the other one super-aggressive. The aggressive one had formed a tumor the size of a grapefruit (which I called “Wilson” after the soccer ball in the movie “Castaway” with Tom Hanks) in my abdomen which is what was causing the pain I was feeling. You can link to a video of the CAT scan that was done HERE .  You can also read more about it on my blog .

Wilson was removed in mid-December, but not before he took the opportunity to rupture and spew cancer cells throughout my abdomen (which I now call “The Sons of Wilson”). There’s no way to tell where the cells will attach themselves to next, and the prognosis is not a good one. Bottom line, I may have about 5 years to live.

[[I survived the cancer surgery but the cancer is persistent.]]

Rather than spending what time I have left going through chemo treatments which would make me miserable and not guarantee me any more time, I’ve decided to forego treatment and spend my final years doing what I love: nature walks, photography, volunteering, and teaching future naturalists.

Why I need a microscope:

My most current naturalist focus is on small lifeforms like slime molds, tiny invertebrates, and fungi.  I can get fairly good photos with my camera and macro lenses, but I’d really like to be able to see things on the microscopic level as well. 

[[Me using my cellphone to get some close-up images of lichen.]]

I’d like to get a microscope that can link to a cellphone and/or laptop so I can capture images to share with my fellow naturalists and the general public on my blog.

Unable to work because of my cancer, I’m currently living on a fixed income and can’t afford the expense of a good microscope, so I’m reaching out to you to get help in purchasing one.

I’d like to get an ESSLNB 2000X Biological Monocular Microscope with Vertical Trinocular Port, with X-Y Axis Double Layer Mechanical Stage NA1.25 Abbe Condenser Oil Immersion Slides and Phone Adapter. Compound biological microscope comes with a 30° inclined binoculars viewing head, two pairs of widefield eyepieces (WF10X, WF20X), four Din achromatic objectives 4X, 10X, 40X（S）,100X(S, Oil), large X-Y Axis double layer mechanical stage with scales, NA1.25 Abbe condenser with iris diaphragm, coaxial coarse & fine focus knobs and variable intensity LED transmitted illumination system. You can see it on Amazon.com.  

Mary needs a Microscope!  Will you help?

[In the event of my death, I intend that the microscope will be donated to further other naturalists education.]