I used the program Inkscape to create the design

When we are diagnosed with cancer, we involuntarily join a group of people with similar experiences. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I joined the “Breast Cancer Sorority.” The picture represents my joining of the “sorority.” 

I decided to use the term “fellowship” as men can get breast cancer too. The graphic represents the treatments I received: chemo, surgery, and radiation along with my transformation. 

I included the breast cancer ribbon at the center of the graphic. The infusion represents chemotherapy, which was the “devil.” The person represents breast surgery. The last stage of treatment was radiation, represented by the person in the radiation machine. The butterfly represents my metamorphosis from life before cancer diagnosis, through life during treatments, and to life after them. 

My transformation on my long-haul journey and living with the undercurrent of recurrence.

I graduated from one of the finest design schools in 1978 with my art and design winning awards and appearing all over the world for close to 30 years. Then my successful life imploded and crashed without a sound when it was confirmed that I have a brain cancer tumor and the prognosis is my life will end in three months to three years.
 
So, on Ground Hogs Day, Feb. 2nd 2007 at 5:31 a.m. I began what is now a 15-year adventure.
 
I lost coordinated function of my right side due to this tumor in the left temporal area of my brain and also CNS non-Hodgkin type “B” lymphoma ravaging my body. I survived four brain surgeries with many mistakes, an exploratory lung biopsy, and the toxic cocktail of an aggressive chemotherapy. Toss in the implosion of a marriage of 28 years and everything I ever worked for put on the block. Dark times are an understatement.
 
Despite years of trials and tribulations I regain function of my right side and my creative side has blossomed with encouragement and support of my family, and my neuro team.
 
I’m approaching my sixteenth year of survivorship and have created over eighty artworks in multiple forms of media. 
 
The watercolor artwork I present to you is titled “Olivia”. The woman presented is a model that reminded me of one of my neuro-oncology nurses.

Olivia

I painted this this year and it is part of a theme called "Fearless Belonging." I did this in acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 inches as part of my Red Thread Guide training and using the practice of Intentional Creativity.

I painted it about one year after my last chemo, and, just when I was about to paint her hair, I stopped and sat down, realizing that this more truly represented my experience. Since then, I keep her on my bedroom wall and remember how grateful I am to be feeling like myself and even have hair again. 

Fearlessly not knowing. I/we matter.

It is about not feeling less than others because I had cancer, and what was so powerful to me is how vulnerable and naive I was. And how courageous going through cancer treatment is on so many levels.

Breast Cancer Fellowship

By Patricia Butler-Cefalo

October 13th, 2022

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