CompleteLife art show at IU Simon Cancer Center
My cancer center is incredible and the patient, care giver and employee art show it truly the highlight to my year. This one is a little deeper, hope you enjoy.
Last week was the opening of the CompleteLife art show at the IU Simon Cancer Center. This cancer center saved my life, literally, after a surgeon in Petoskey, Michigan told me my tumor was inoperable and I didn’t have cancer (don’t ever trust rural medicine and always get at least 2 opinions). They have been putting together this amazing art show for survivors, care givers and staff. I have been entering and donating a piece for the last 4 years but never had made it to the opening before.
I am so thankful I was able to attend this year. It was completely emotional, beautiful and just brought tears to my eyes. For many reasons. Being back in my cancer center always fills us with a bit of anxiety, PTSD, whatever you want to call it. Not only was the art beautiful on its own, the artist statements moved you to tears. Literally.
Meeting other survivors, patients and seeing care team members from the past 6.5 years of my life is also amazing. The donors that attend to make it happen and help fund the IU Health Foundation are truly remarkable humans. Working in a donor based business is always hard, but when it is for something this special, I think their jobs are a lot easier.
When I say easier, how could anyone say no to this CompleteLife center at IU Simon Cancer Center. These are the programs they offer (taken from their website):
CompleteLife Program
The CompleteLife Program is a comprehensive therapy program that attends to the body, mind and spirit of the whole person. CompleteLife services are available for patients and families of IU Health Simon Cancer Center and IU Health University Hospital.
The CompleteLife Program offers complimentary:
Art therapy
Massage therapy
Music therapy
Support groups
Yoga for relaxation
Additional programs are provided by IU Health team members:
Spiritual care
Social work services
Psychiatric/psychological consultations
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 317.944.0301 or email CompleteLife@iuhealth.org.
Now truly, who would ever deny the worst days of existence for anyone going through cancer these programs. During chemo treatments I got foot massages during some of my sessions and let me tell you, when you are nauseated and cold getting injected with toxins for 5 hours that foot massage was the greatest thing in the entire world. I also was able to have music therapy after I had my open chest surgery, once I was out of the ICU a musician came to my room and soothed my anxiety and pain with their musical abilities.
At the end of the touring show every year artists have the option to donate their work to the hospital, I always do. Throughout the IU hospitals (I go to Methodist, University, North, Neurology and Simon Cancer Center) they display beautiful artwork from patients and staff. Those little touches make a patient and care giver feel more at ease in the most trying days of their lives.
I am so thankful to everyone at IU Health, all of my care team and my incredible partner of 11 years… 7 of which have been based around my health issues. All of these people have left a huge impact on my life and I will always donate art as long as I still can
The Chaos Chronicles by Kathryn Reuschel
17 x19”
Hand dyed cotton mask scraps, cotton thread and synthetic mesh fabric
Patient/Survivor Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
This quilt represents the array of emotions and paths my journey has been and continues to be. You can feel the chaos and order come together in every stitch. The darker fabrics represent my moments of fear and my struggles. While the lighter fabrics represent hope, transformation and how light can emerge even in the darkest of journeys. No journey is ever linear. The stitches and raw edges represent that. My journey will never be over, but I have the strength and resilience to continue on whatever path comes my way.
I know this wasn’t a usual post from me, but I hope it helped those that are new here learn a bit about me and what matters in my life. I don’t create art, fabrics, wallpaper, quilts just because I love doing it. I do it because it is a calling. Bringing joy, a smile, comfort to someones home is a sense of deeper purpose. I also do it to pay bills, like any job. But it truly is so much more than a job.
I made a list, that I add to regularly of shoppable cancer patient items. This was always a question friends would ask, what do you need. What does my friend, father, mother, brother, etc. need when they go through treatment. Cancer Patient Must Have Items
If you ever need to reach out, please feel free to message me privately. I am always willing to talk to someone going through this journey.
That quilt is incredible. Haunting and hopeful.