{"title":"\"Healing\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eA series of 10 large paintings telling the story of breast cancer journey.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"not-great-news-2-10","title":"'Not great news' 2\/10","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot great news - 2\/10 (2024)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMixed media on canvas, 100cm x 100cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing the biopsy, the preliminary results typically arrive quite promptly, usually within approximately one hour. During my wait, I maintained a relative sense of tranquility, convincing myself that the issue at hand was not serious. However, as the delay persisted, an overwhelming anxiety suddenly engulfed me, as if my intuition had already revealed the results. I started to cry, but quickly made a conscious effort to cling to a positive outlook.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen the doctor eventually apologized for the extended wait, I responded with a reassuring tone, saying, \"Not a problem, as long as you have good news for me.\" Unfortunately, that was not the case. Attending the appointment alone, I left the hospital with an indescribable heaviness, akin to the feeling of losing someone dear. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMy usually colorful heart shattered into a thousand pieces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Karolina Baldyga","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56965551915391,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0957\/5288\/0511\/files\/2_low.jpg?v=1771197514"},{"product_id":"just-wake-me-up-3-10","title":"'Just wake me up' 3\/10","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMixed media on a deep canvas, 100cm x 100cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs it turned out, my diagnosis wasn't as dire as expected, and my prescribed treatment involved a lumpectomy and radiotherapy, with no need for chemotherapy. Since I had never undergone general anesthesia before, my primary concern at this point was the fear of waking up after the surgery. One of my final expressions before losing consciousness was a plea to be awakened. Surprisingly, the experience ended up being a pleasantly restful one.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReflecting on that day, my memories are dominated by the color blue, a patterned gown, long white socks, the three bright lights of the operating theater, and the two incisions made during the procedure – one to remove the lump and another under my arm to test the lymph node.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Karolina Baldyga","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56978682708351,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0957\/5288\/0511\/files\/3_low_9ce0b383-810c-4b93-a4fc-ca2f0dd30d7c.jpg?v=1771412172"},{"product_id":"radioactive-glow-4-10","title":"'Radioactive glow' 4\/10","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMixed media on a deep canvas, 100cm x 100cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnother significant phase of my treatment involved a 9-day course of radiotherapy. Initially, I underwent measurements and received three small tattoo dots to precisely position me each day. Now these dots, along with my two scars, serve as lasting mementos from my breast cancer journey.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring each session, I lay down in a chilly, white room, ensuring my positioning matched that of the measurement day, with green light lines and my three dots serving as crucial reference points for the hospital staff. The machines maneuvering around my delicate upper body while I remained motionless with my arms raised reminded me of a chicken roasting on a grill. So, that's how I approached each day of the radiotherapy experience – 'Roasting chicken day 1, day 2, day…'.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Karolina Baldyga","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56978721964415,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0957\/5288\/0511\/files\/4_low.jpg?v=1771412918"},{"product_id":"the-bell-5-10","title":"'The bell'  5\/10","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMixed media on a deep canvas, 100cm x 100cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ringing of the bell marks not the end but the beginning of the healing journey. Ahead lies a path abundant with opportunities to fortify myself against cancer's return, and to nurture both body and spirit. The road ahead appears long and arduous as I delve deeper into research, but my desire for a prolonged and meaningful life propels me forward. I yearn for many more moments: to create, to savor a morning cup of coffee, to share spontaneous dances in the kitchen with my daughter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe colours in this painting mirror those on the radiotherapy device used to protect the lungs and heart by measuring equal breath-holds, as well as the rainbow printed beside the bell.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Karolina Baldyga","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56978741690751,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0957\/5288\/0511\/files\/5_low.jpg?v=1771413150"},{"product_id":"community-6-10","title":"'CommUNITY' 6\/10","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMixed media on a deep canvas, 100cm x 100cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt first, I believed healing meant hospital treatments. But I soon realised that it was the other elements that truly mattered—because it wasn’t only my body that required healing, but also my emotional and spiritual self that impacts the body.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe earliest and most vital part of the journey were the people around me. Close friends and family, but also people I hadn’t spoken to in years. And then there were the new people          I met: women who’d been through breast cancer, online communities from across the ocean. It was about forging connections—and also about setting boundaries and stepping away from anyone who didn’t have my best interests at heart. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis painting honours the many hearts I connected with and those who are with me in spirit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Karolina Baldyga","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56978763972991,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0957\/5288\/0511\/files\/6_low_3e2d2db7-9354-4c64-80cd-2cb5ad3aad89.jpg?v=1771415998"},{"product_id":"it-does-matter-7-10","title":"'It does matter' 7\/10","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMixed media on adeep canvas, 100cm x 100cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOur genetics play only a small role in determining the risk of cancer. One of the greatest influences — though not the only one — is the physical environment we live in. I’ve been told by medical professionals that what I eat or drink doesn’t matter, that my cancer was simply due to my gender and bad luck. I strongly disagree. I believe that the quality of our air and water, the chemicals we encounter daily, the food we consume, our movement, and the balance within our bodies all profoundly affect our health. It does matter what we consume.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis painting was inspired by a heart-shaped raspberry — a symbol of vitality, nourishment, and the deep connection between nature and our wellbeing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Karolina Baldyga","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56984842076543,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0957\/5288\/0511\/files\/7_low.jpg?v=1771496764"},{"product_id":"hide-in-there-8-10","title":"'Hide in there' 8\/10","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMixed media on a deep canvas, 100cm x 100cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShortly after my diagnosis, I found myself craving cold showers—something I had once avoided. A naturopath later explained that cold water can inhibit the growth of lumps in the breast. But for me it wasn’t just that: there was a crisp, uplifting sensation after a cold dip          in nature, and I only first experienced it once my lumpectomy scars had healed. After the initial shock to my body, it felt like endorphins dancing through every cell. It was a moment                        of happiness amid fearful times.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlongside the water, I spent long hours walking in the local park and through Hillsborough Forest Park. Watching nature under fresh air, inhaling all the green hues—it brought me peace. There is scientific evidence that nature heals, but I don’t need it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn my local park there stood a large flowerpot filled with small, colourful blooms that, when viewed upside down, formed a heart shape—and that grew into the inspiration for this painting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Karolina Baldyga","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56984888967551,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0957\/5288\/0511\/files\/8_low.jpg?v=1771497387"},{"product_id":"untouchable-9-10","title":"'Untouchable' 9\/10","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMixed media on a deep canvas, 100cm x 100cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is a growing body of research exploring how our emotions influence our physical health. An integrative oncologist shared that nearly every cancer patient she treated had experienced some form of emotional trauma two to three years before their diagnosis — something I can personally relate to. Our emotions, stress, and unhealed wounds deeply affect our bodies.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis unseen world of emotion and spirit fascinates me. It is also where \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#loveyourselffirst\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e resides. Self-love is not warm baths and cozy blankets — it is the courage to face our inner darkness, to accept ourselves fully, to confront the emotions we often hide behind addictions or distractions. It is standing up for yourself, setting boundaries, listening to your inner calling even when it’s uncomfortable, and releasing the need for external validation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#loveyourselffirst\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a lifelong journey, constantly evolving and revealing itself in new colors as we move through different phases of life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Karolina Baldyga","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56984972657023,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0957\/5288\/0511\/files\/9_low.jpg?v=1771498200"},{"product_id":"seek-joy-10-10","title":"'Seek joy' 10\/10","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMixed media on a deep canvas, 100cm x 100cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter my diagnosis, I was determined to understand \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewhy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. My curiosity led me to regression hypnotherapy, where the conclusion was both simple and profound: joy — or rather, the absence of it. I realized how much joy had been missing from my life. Like many, I was caught in the constant worry of daily survival — balancing the demands of single motherhood, managing a tight budget, and trying to hold everything together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe live as if we’re here forever. But if you were told you had only two more years, what would you do? Would you focus on paying off the mortgage, or finally write the book that’s been living in your mind for years? Is safety the ultimate goal?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJoy doesn’t always come from grand gestures or faraway holidays. It lives in the simple, present moments — the smell of coffee in the morning, a conversation with a stranger, cooking a nourishing meal while your favorite music plays, or the warmth of a hug from your child or pet. Joy takes many forms, but it becomes truly powerful when we choose to notice it, to welcome it consciously into our lives.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMy joy is found in the creative world — a space filled with bright, bold colours that awaken my spirit and remind me of life’s vibrancy. Creating allows me to reconnect with the simple beauty of being present, to feel alive, and to celebrate the energy that colour brings into our lives.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Karolina Baldyga","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56985010045311,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0957\/5288\/0511\/files\/10_low.jpg?v=1771498845"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0957\/5288\/0511\/collections\/collection.jpg?v=1771499221","url":"https:\/\/karolinabaldyga.com\/collections\/healing.oembed","provider":"Karolina Baldyga","version":"1.0","type":"link"}