My Breast Cancer Story . . .

In honor of breast cancer awareness month my friend and fellow survivor Sherry over at "Finding the Fierce"  interviewed me about my experience going through breast cancer treatment as a young widow.  I am now an 11 year survivor and was so pleased to have the opportunity to share my story.  

Click HERE to stop by Sherry's blog and check it out!  There is also a book giveaway involved!  If you would like the chance to win a copy of my memoir "Breastless in the City" do check out the interview post over at Sherry's!  

xo

What I See. . .

'self portrait'

graphite sketch

"Scars are souvenirs you never loose,

The past is never far . . ."

~ John Rzeznik, Goo Goo Dolls

I did this self portrait sketch over a month ago. I am nervous about sharing it. I guess because it is so raw and personal. As some of you may know already I am a 10 year breast cancer survivor. I have been wanting to sketch this type of portrait for months now. Maybe it took me so long because I was afraid of what I would see. And yet I see this image each day when I get out of the shower and look in the mirror. It is something that has become a part of who I am. Although the scars have faded they will always be there. The emotional scars though are what have taken a toll. Those are the scars that I battle each day in my mind.

My husband reminded me the other day of this song by the Goo Goo Dolls which I have quoted above. It has always resonated with me because of all I have gone through even outside of my cancer experience. For me it is so true. Although the past is never far, (for me and all of us I would suspect it is just a thought away) somehow we need to keep moving forward.

This is what I have been struggling with lately especially with all that happened during 2011 in my personal life. I am longing to put the past behind me. Yet it creeps up in my mind on a daily basis haunting me like a bad dream.

It was healing for me to get this image out on paper.

Art is saving me in more ways than I ever imagined . . .

Sharing over at Sunday Sketches

A Special Art Auction

"Cancer Clowns"

by Lauren Hammons Groover

For those of you who don't know I am a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at 31 years old. I have been many years cancer free now and try to do what I can to support the cause especially when it affects the young adult community. So when I heard about this special art auction in honor of a young adult breast cancer survivor who recently passed away I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

The above painting was done by Lauren Hammons Groover who was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in 2006. She was only in her late thirties. The Live for Lauren Foundation was started in her memory. Last year this art auction raised 2500 dollars which was donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This year the auction will be held April 9th on Facebook. I will be donating a piece of my art to the auction. They are accepting all types of art including photography and handmade jewelry.

For more info on how you can donate artwork to this event click over to the Facebook page HERE!