Virginia Wyatt Wharton and Mignon Dupepe
The Story
Virginia Wyatt Wharton
Chicago, IL
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: Facing metastatic cancer as a new mother showed me what I’m made of: pure grit. When I was diagnosed, it seemed unbelievable that my body, which had not long before carried and given birth to my two young children and was still producing milk for my youngest, was dying. I looked healthy, and I felt healthy. But there was something deep inside that was killing me. I had to reconcile these realities and quickly commit to action. I refused to succumb to fear. I did whatever it took to stay alive for my kids, husband, and closest friends, as well as for me. As a mother, it is revolutionary to put oneself first—but nothing illustrates the need to do so more clearly than a life-threatening illness. Although the path to where I am today has been nothing close to straightforward, I kept going for years, and here I am. Getting to the bottom of the cancer that had spread throughout my body was more complicated and time-consuming than anyone could have guessed, but through it all, my life kept going, and there was joy and beauty there too. Those who stayed by my side for the long haul…words can't express the gratitude I have for the friends and family I love best, who love me best. Being held by those strong enough to hold it all has been the greatest fuel and comfort. Yet inevitably, so much of survival, including adjusting to a body forever changed by treatments and surgeries, is deeply internal and personal. I am most proud of how I’ve shown up as my own best friend through physical and emotional pain, as my own advocate, striving for health,and making meaning from suffering. I have deep grief for what has been lost to cancer, and I have reverence for the woman who persevered.
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: Facing metastatic cancer as a new mother showed me what I’m made of: pure grit. When I was diagnosed, it seemed unbelievable that my body, which had not long before carried and given birth to my two young children and was still producing milk for my youngest, was dying. I looked healthy, and I felt healthy. But there was something deep inside that was killing me. I had to reconcile these realities and quickly commit to action. I refused to succumb to fear. I did whatever it took to stay alive for my kids, husband, and closest friends, as well as for me. As a mother, it is revolutionary to put oneself first—but nothing illustrates the need to do so more clearly than a life-threatening illness. Although the path to where I am today has been nothing close to straightforward, I kept going for years, and here I am. Getting to the bottom of the cancer that had spread throughout my body was more complicated and time-consuming than anyone could have guessed, but through it all, my life kept going, and there was joy and beauty there too. Those who stayed by my side for the long haul…words can't express the gratitude I have for the friends and family I love best, who love me best. Being held by those strong enough to hold it all has been the greatest fuel and comfort. Yet inevitably, so much of survival, including adjusting to a body forever changed by treatments and surgeries, is deeply internal and personal. I am most proud of how I’ve shown up as my own best friend through physical and emotional pain, as my own advocate, striving for health,and making meaning from suffering. I have deep grief for what has been lost to cancer, and I have reverence for the woman who persevered.
Mignon Dupepe
Wilmette, IL
www.creativepossibilitiescounseling.com
“The Two Virginias”
Acrylic paint and paper on canvas
30"x40" canvas-no frame
$450
Artist Statement: The passionate heroine of her cancer story, Virginia, is the ultimate model of a “Bad Ass Girl Warrior”! Navigating multiple organ surgeries, including chest, lung, colon, gallbladder, and rectum, since 2019, Virginia instilled a mantra of “not today” and focused on multiple complementary therapies to support her recovery and wellness. Two themes emerged during our conversations: the power and honesty of Frida Kahlo’s art imagery exploring illness and identity and the struggle of balancing individual identities within the limitations of a cancer diagnosis. As a mother, wife, therapist, reiki practitioner, musician, song/ story writer, and poet, Virginia is persistently reminded of the multiple roles that cancer has impacted over the last few years. She makes space for experiences that permit sensory input and interconnectedness toward healing. Esalen Institute, “a holistic educational center offering wild comfort and space for emergent transformation and internal exploration”, is such a space and Virginia’s favorite place to enjoy the ocean, rocky coastline, starry nights, creativity, healing blue and green colors in nature, and peace. These favored spaces are captured in the image in union with the “Bad Ass Girl Warrior” Frida Kahlo style body cast/armor and flowers to showcase this delicate balance of the tender and the tough, witness and the warrior. May this image be a colorful recognition and celebration of Virginia’s perseverance and growth.
www.creativepossibilitiescounseling.com
“The Two Virginias”
Acrylic paint and paper on canvas
30"x40" canvas-no frame
$450
Artist Statement: The passionate heroine of her cancer story, Virginia, is the ultimate model of a “Bad Ass Girl Warrior”! Navigating multiple organ surgeries, including chest, lung, colon, gallbladder, and rectum, since 2019, Virginia instilled a mantra of “not today” and focused on multiple complementary therapies to support her recovery and wellness. Two themes emerged during our conversations: the power and honesty of Frida Kahlo’s art imagery exploring illness and identity and the struggle of balancing individual identities within the limitations of a cancer diagnosis. As a mother, wife, therapist, reiki practitioner, musician, song/ story writer, and poet, Virginia is persistently reminded of the multiple roles that cancer has impacted over the last few years. She makes space for experiences that permit sensory input and interconnectedness toward healing. Esalen Institute, “a holistic educational center offering wild comfort and space for emergent transformation and internal exploration”, is such a space and Virginia’s favorite place to enjoy the ocean, rocky coastline, starry nights, creativity, healing blue and green colors in nature, and peace. These favored spaces are captured in the image in union with the “Bad Ass Girl Warrior” Frida Kahlo style body cast/armor and flowers to showcase this delicate balance of the tender and the tough, witness and the warrior. May this image be a colorful recognition and celebration of Virginia’s perseverance and growth.