Today is my twelve year anniversary since my mastectomy. I did not know then that I would live to see my last child graduate from high school, my son graduate from art school, my daughters in their wedding gowns, my first grandchilds beautiful face, my two sisters lives lost to breast cancer... I did not know that my life would change into a more colorful world of meeting beautiful people on the same path or to pursue my dreams to be an artist. Today I wonder why it took breast cancer to force me to take a look at what I was neglecting in myself for so many years. My wish to all beings on this day who have been touched in one way or another by breast cancer is to follow your hopes and dreams and don't let anyone or anything get in your way. My self portrait was my first painting and it reflects my changed body, my fears, and my life blooming into a new world of wonder. Breast cancer changed my body and in return gave me the courage to follow my hopes and dreams.

Toni Camarata
Arcata, CA