The Healing Power of Henna • by Linda Olsen

In September of 2008 I found out I had breast cancer. I had had my first mammogram in August of 2008. I am 56 years old and breast cancer runs in my family. I had made every excuse in the book not to have one. I just didn’t want to know anything. Silly me! I came to realize that the day you find out you have cancer is the day you begin to fight cancer. I chose to look at that day as a very good day!

Something Profound Happened
Between the time I had my biopsy and my surgery — three weeks — the cancer became more aggressive. The tumor was small; the prognosis very good. I had a double mastectomy because I didn’t want to worry about it anymore. But wait there is more ... from the beginning I have chosen to look at the positive side of this experience. When I had lost my hair from chemo I saw a blank canvas. Yes, I am an artist and I have many artist friends. My thoughts flowed to henna. Why not let a henna artist do their thing on my head? I found I didn’t like wigs, scarves or hats. I didn’t want to hide my cancer. I wanted to be myself. I had no idea what a profound experience I was about to have.

I got in touch with a local henna artist, Wendy Rover (rovinghorse.com). She is fabulous! Again I wanted this to be positive, so I invited a young photographer, Jennifer Hummel, and some girlfriends and we made a little party out of it. My landlady, who is an artist as well, was also there. We all networked, had fun and it was a wonderful experience. Wendy had donated her time and artistry for free. I am a tassel designer and maker so instead of paying her, I created a tassel for her.

My Henna Crown
The difference in how I was treated with my “henna crown” was stunning. I became approachable. People came up to me and asked questions. They had smiles on their faces. They shared stories of their loved ones with me. I gave them an idea of henna art to share with their friends and family.

When I didn’t have a henna crown people looked at me strangely, they would look and then look away. When I rode the bus people would even get up and sit somewhere else. They didn’t want to get too close. It was interesting.

Staying Positive
Jennifer Hummel had e-mailed me an ad on Craigslist asking for someone who had a mastectomy, if they could take pictures for an article someone was writing. My thoughts were if I could help someone, somehow, why not? Here I am a bald woman walking around with henna on my head, no breasts, and really trying to stay positive. I called.

Goodness Magazine, a new venture, was doing an article about a doctor who had breast cancer and wrote a book to help tell her kids that mommy has breast cancer. They wanted to have a photo of a mastectomy. I said ok. At the time I had a henna crown. I mentioned would that be ok. They were curious. They wanted to know more.

My Photo Shoot
They arranged for a photo shoot. I suggested why not take pictures of Wendy giving me a henna crown and it turned out she gave me “A Shield of Victory,” as I called it. My chest would also have a henna design on it. This was going outside my box, but I thought “Why not?”

Joni Schrantz was the photographer for Goodness. The day was decided upon and I was informed that two days after after the henna was applied there would be a photo shoot on location and in a studio. (You have to wait two days for the henna stain to be its best after application). I thought “Now what have I gotten myself into?”

The location was McMinnamans Edgefield, Ruby Spa Pool and the studio was at Joni's house. Long story short, the editor liked the pictures so much that I got my own article and the cover of the 2009 June issue. I was truly honored by this experience. I was told that I had made a difference. That was a very profound thing to hear.

My Mission
Henna art was such a positive experience for me that I began to wonder if anyone else had a similar experience. So I searched on the Web and found people. I was not alone. I wondered if other henna artists had sought out cancer patients. They have, and they do. My mission is to encourage henna artists to use their very special gifts with cancer patients. I want to educate doctors and nurses about henna and the empowering benefits of henna art with cancer patients and to promote the awareness of henna art to cancer patients, so they know that there is another choice we have to express ourselves during chemo treatments.

The Henna Art Quilt Project
I came up with The Henna Art Quilt Project to raise awareness and promote henna art as a form of empowerment for cancer patients. Henna artists, both nationally and internationally are donating their skills by creating hennaed fabric panels to be made into an art quilt that will be auctioned off to raise monies for projects that will benefit cancer patients.

My Tassels
As an artist, I also create hand-dyed, hand beaded tassels. In this tassel, the head is gilded and I used real pressed leaves for accents. I do custom work as well. Clients send their fabric and paint samples for me to hand dye fibers, creating for them one-of-kind pieces of art for their homes. I love what I do. It is my passion. It is my bliss! Having breast cancer has awakened my senses and desires again to create my tassels. I have longed denied my passion. Not any more!

I am sure I have left some things out but that is the jest of it. I hope you enjoyed my story. I have been profoundly touched by the healing power of henna art and those artists who have shared freely of their gifts.

Linda Olsen is an artist and breast cancer survivor who lives in Portland, Oregon. You can read her ongoing story at hennaheads.blogspot.com and thehennaartquilt.blogspot.com. She may be reached by e-mail at You can read the Goodness Magazine article at goodness-magazine.com. It’s in the June 2009 issue, which is online. Linda may be reached by e-mail at lyndune2@yahoo.com .

Comments

[Goog]

Wow, this is a beautiful story from a very brave lady. I love it.

[Susan Houseman]

Your courage is overwhelming as is your story. I'm deeply touched by your inner strength, but sadden by the fear others showed you until you wore your "henna crown". The thing I love most about your story is that the artist in you saw a new canvas to explore, which in turn brought joy and comfort to you and those you meet.

[Judi]

This is a wonderful story and I wonder if the "typo" in the last paragraph was intentional instead. If she told just the basics of her story, it would be the "jist" of the story. But, her story is full of humor, so perhaps "jest" is the right word after all! Thank you Linda!