Images from I AM ALIVE: Since my Diagnosis

Text: Since my diagnosis, I was in the constant motion of loss. Everything that I thought I was or I thought belonged to me, was a part of me, I had to lose or give up or let go until I was on my knees. I was no more. Then I became everything. I have all I need. I am so grateful I lost the debris.

Today is the first day of the second part of my book, I AM ALIVE. These are images from the time of about 4 years post treatment, onwards.

The outlook of these drawings is definitely more uplifting, the trauma is not far away… yet I start knowing how to regulate my nervous system. My body has settled in to itself after the instant menopause. There is a sense of acceptance and at times, liberation. In this part of the story, I am discovering who I truly am. There are moments when I still slip into deep sadness and overwhelm but life feels a lot more manageable.

In sharing these images, I really hope that others whom have gone through a huge crisis will gain strength or courage from this story. When we are brought to our knees, it is possible to stand up again and return to life. It takes time, a huge amount of self compassion and patience. And it can happen.

And for care takers, I know the book sheds light of the internal process of the person going through a crisis (health or otherwise) or deep difficulty.

Keep shining the light.