"Mondorla" mosaic represents the blending of Western medicine and alternative treatments

Art therapist Gay Walker's battle with breast cancer and then uterine cancer eventually would span years and include 10 surgeries. Throughout the struggle, Walker wrote poems, sketched and created visual art to help her cope.

Continue reading to see more samples of the art that helped bring her healing.

When art therapist Gay Walker learned the lump was malignant, she painted lightning to express her shock.

Her outrage inspired a collage of prescriptions, mammography, news clippings and notes, framed behind a broken pane of pain.

To battle late-night doubts and fears, she assembled "Hamster Wheel," a mixed-media work in which glow-in-the-dark skeletons preside over a tornado of negative thoughts.

Now Walker, 65, has been free of breast cancer for 11 years, and an exhibit of her intensely personal artwork has been traveling to hospitals and cancer centers.

"Art of Healing, Journey through Cancer," was on view this spring at the Western Michigan University College of Health and Human Services, where Walker is coordinator of the Holistic Health Care program.

Butterflies appear in many pieces, and became a symbol for Walker of her experience. Many of the artworks include signs of hope and reflect Walker's focus on mental and spiritual aspects of health.

The art has provided understanding and encouragement to breast-cancer support groups, pastors, students, patients and their families. Walker has shared her story during narrated tours, and says that, like cancer, the exhibit has had unexpected benefits.

"I think some people are surprised that there can be a positive outcome from this. I don't view it as courageous. I view it as 'this is what happened.' I didn't set out to be courageous. I set out to be healthy."