Brushes with Cancer pair, Tina and Violet

In the face of a cancer diagnosis, the journey can feel like navigating a stormy sea. For Tina Domske, diagnosed with metastatic triple-positive invasive ductal carcinoma, and Violet Alexandre, who witnessed her grandmother’s battle with cancer, the path has been one of resilience, adaptation, and profound personal growth.

Tina’s Journey

 Tina’s story began with an unexpected diagnosis at the age of 36. “I was diagnosed with stage four cancer,” she shares, “and at that point, you’re just trying to prolong your life.” Her journey has been marked by a series of treatments, including chemotherapy and hormone blockers, which have brought her into full menopause. Yet, Tina’s focus remains on the time she can spend with her daughter, embracing each moment with gratitude and determination.

Coping Strategies

For Tina, coping with cancer involves a blend of acceptance and proactive engagement. She emphasizes the importance of community and sharing her journey openly. Tina also practices gratitude, finding joy in small moments and maintaining a positive outlook despite the challenges.

Violet’s Perspective

Violet’s connection to cancer is deeply personal, having lost her grandmother to the disease. As an artist, she channels her experiences into her work, creating pieces that reflect the emotional landscapes of those she connects with. Her art becomes a conduit for empathy and understanding, offering a unique way to process and honor the journeys of others.

Violet’s experience working with Tina has been enriching and meaningful. Violet approached their collaboration with the intention of understanding Tina beyond her cancer diagnosis, focusing on who she is as a person. She found Tina’s ability to transform challenges into positive thoughts remarkable. Violet described Tina as someone who, despite adversity, remains positive and inspiring.

Throughout their collaboration, Violet has been creating art that reflects the emotional journey shared with Tina. She emphasizes that the piece is not just about one person but about the journey Tina and her daughter are taking together. Violet’s artistic process involves expressing the emotions she absorbs from her interactions with Tina, resulting in a piece that captures the essence of their shared experiences.

Violet appreciates the collaborative nature of their work, where both she and Tina respect each other’s roles and contributions. This partnership has allowed Violet to create art that not only represents Tina’s journey but also resonates with the shared human experience of navigating life’s challenges with resilience and hope.

“As I thought about the art I was going to make, I wanted to understand who Tina is outside of cancer. What are her unique gifts to the world? She is so positive and very inspiring – Tina is able to transform whatever is happening into a positive thought.”

Both Tina and Violet remind us that while cancer can be an isolating experience, it also offers opportunities for connection, growth, and transformation. As Tina puts it, “The elephant in the room is only awkward because we’re not talking about it. So I want to talk about it.”

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