Name
Kasey Oliver

Brain Tumor Type
Other

Date of Diagnosis
1994

Participant Group
Brain Tumor Survivor / 21 and over

Category
Drawing/Painting/Printmaking/Chalk Art

Artist Statement (include type of art, techniques & materials used, what it means to you)
I like to pen doodle around words and phrases. This was done using a PaperMate Ink Joy gel pen and colored in with a yellow Sharpie. This doodle represents my current feelings towards radiation because it continues to leave marks years beyond my initial radiation treatment.

Artist Bio: Tell Us Your Story
I was diagnosed in 1994 with Rhabdomyosarcoma and given 6 months to live initially. I underwent a partial resection followed by radiation and intensive chemo treatments. Radiation has greatly impacted my quality of life. At nearly 40 years old I am still the height I was when I was diagnosed at 9. I lost feeling on the right side of my face and eye in 1995. Radiation has fused my jaw muscles making opening my mouth and eating difficult. It has greatly affected the health of my teeth and osteoporosis doesn't help with bone degradation. Hypothyroidism, Reynauds, cataract and slew of other issues can be blamed on radiation as well. Necrosis crept up on me 3 years ago and the entire right side of my body went numb. I'm regaining mobility and dexterity of my dominant hand back day by day. I always loved art and it has been a difficult journey regaining the love and skill I once had.