by Angela Uttley
“It was May 1st 2014 when I was told I had an aggressive breast cancer that needed an immediate Mastectomy of my left breast. I had not long been back from a six week caravanning trip around Spain, with my husband and friends. I was devastated.
I was given a lot of information, that overwhelmed me. I knew nothing about breast cancer before this. I was offered an immediate reconstruction.
I recognised that I didn’t have long to try and take it all in and understand it.
The mastectomy and reconstruction was carried out in June, so much preparation, but the long operation did go smoothly at the time, but unfortunately, It turned out that I did need chemotherapy and radiotherapy, then Herceptin for a long time afterwards. I am still on daily Hormone treatment, and will be for  a long time into my future, but I still do have a future. I am eternally grateful for that.
I painted these two pictures between May and June, while contemplating my Mastectomy. I used to paint a lot before that time, but then it took me about three years to be able to use my head space to paint again.”
“Finding the Strength”. Oil on canvas, 70 cm x 50 cm
“Facing a Different Landscape” . Oil on canvas, 30 cm x 25 cm
Super powerful. Thanks for sharing.
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