Abi, United Kingdom

I made this piece in 2023 in an art workshop at Future Dreams Breast Cancer Charity.   I had just been diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time after having a local recurrence.    I had started a new chemo regime; treatmen every 3 weeks which I still continue on today.   This artwork represents how I feel living my life in cycles.   I have my treatment and the side effects hit like a wave and knock me off my feet, taking me into darkness, both physically and mentally.   But the light always comes, in chinks at first, and then the light floods in as I start to feel like myself again towards the end of the cycle.  I have to tell myself on repeat that "I can do it", that I can recover each time and go again in order to hopefully stay cancer free; for myself, for my children, my family, my friends and to keep living my beautiful life.   This artwork is as relevant to me today in 2026 as when I created it in 2023 and I know it will continue to be.  To anyone whose life has been turned upside down by cancer like mine, remember that you can do it x