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.

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.

Breast Cancer Fellowship

Some projects in out wood shop out back that me and my dad worked on. We have made wood chests, bowls and cutting boards from scratch. Very therapeutic and nice to get your mind away from the stressful hospital visits and chemotherapy.

Fearless Belonging

By Susan Bessey

October 13th, 2022

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