“I’ll Cross that Bridge When I Get There”
Crystal Hendricks-Kretzer
Chicago, IL
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: Cancer transformed my life in many ways. I approached the experience with a raw and open heart, allowed myself to be more vulnerable than I ever have before, and I came out on the other end so much stronger. The mantra that I would share with fellow survivors (especially those who struggle with anxiety like I do) is to “cross that bridge when you get there.” So much of the cancer experience is not knowing what comes next. Or working through tough, big questions that have implications for the rest of your life. Each time my mind wandered into the realm of “what if” or “how will I know”… I just told myself “I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.” It created space in my brain so that I could insert peace and joy. It lifted the burden of worry—because I genuinely couldn’t possibly know the answer until I got more information or got to the next appointment. What’s the point of fretting about something we have no control over? And I made the choice early on not to. To this day, I still hold this mantra close. And honestly, it has given me a sense of freedom in life that I never experienced before cancer.
Anna Stasek
Chicago, IL
“I’ll Cross that Bridge When I Get There”
Block printing ink and acrylic paint on multimedia paper
18” x 42” x 1.5”, includes frame
$600
Artist Statement: After my first meeting with Crystal, what really inspired me to create this piece was her mantra she revealed to me that helped her through her breast cancer journey, “I’ll cross that bridge when I get there”. Through those 21 weeks of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, she kept her chin up, stayed positive, and battled cancer, all while continuing to exercise, work, and prioritize what really mattered to her. For Crystal, cancer shook her awake in a way that felt like a gift. Before her diagnosis, she was a workaholic, always pushing herself to do more, more, more, but less often stopping to smell the roses. In a matter of a month, that all changed. This work of art encompasses Crystal’s journey, depicting a seemingly endless string of islands connected by bridges. However arduous and tumultuous the journey may be, with waves crashing over each bridge and stormy seas surrounding, the islands serve as a place to soak in the big and small moments of life, each flower a unique moment to be cherished. However tumultuous life around cancer could be, Crystal’s intent on remaining strong, calm, and in the present moment is reflected here.