Cath
The Butterfly Garden
Watercolor

The Butterfly Garden
Watercolor
“Why me?” Instead I thought “why not me?” That was 20 years ago. After a yearly mammogram, biopsy, and ultrasound, I learned of my breast cancer from my surgeon. Fortunately, my cancer was detected at a very early stage. After conferring with Doctors, including a family obstetrician/gynecologist and family, I decided on a treatment plan which was appropriate for me. Treatment plans are a very personal decision for anyone dealing with a cancer diagnosis. As an EC Special Education teacher, I continued to teach daily while receiving treatment with the support from many. I wasn’t going to let “cancer” make my decision to leave my career. After a few more years of teaching / consulting, I did retire when I chose too. As a life long learner, I enjoy exploring new things. Watercolor has always been my favorite media form of artwork, so I decided to take lessons and give it a try. I have loved what challenges and satisfaction that my paintings have provided. Cancer doesn’t distinguish who it affects, as I have known so many young and old who have been diagnosed with one of the many forms of cancers. My hope is as treatments continue to improve, that those with cancer find love, peace, and success in their treatments. My motto is, “Each day is a gift from God!”
52 Views of Cancer is a deck of playing cards illustrated by people who know cancer firsthand. Each of the 52 cards carries original artwork by a different cancer patient, survivor, or immediate family member, each with their own view of the disease.
The artwork comes first. We're bringing the deck to major scientific and medical conferences and putting these artists' work directly into the hands of the researchers and clinicians working on the cancers they've faced.