Toxic, Tattooed and Tougher than Margaret Thatcher:                     Chronicle of a Year with Cancer

When I was diagnosed with cancer in 1997, I devised an unusual way of managing my disease, by photographing myself during various phases of treatment. Faced with a choice of experiencing a terrible tragedy or a great adventure, I chose the adventurous route. By seeing myself as a survivor, and presenting myself that way to others, I can encourage people to see themselves as survivors. By taking myself out of an unpleasant situation and making something more of it, I transformed the experience. The photo essay provided a focus during treatment; it was entertaining and distracting to think of chemo and radiation visits as photo opportunities. By sharing the story I've been able to demystify the disease for many people. I hope this candid, informative and humorous exhibit will be useful not just for people facing cancer, but also for anyone who needs to find humor in an otherwise humorless experience.

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