Name
Tara Berg

Brain Tumor Type
Other

Date of Diagnosis
2020

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)
This piece was done with pen, ink, and charcoal. I merged two different art pieces in photoshop. My art represents a constant emotional and physical struggle dealing with major health issues. This piece portrays youth vs. aging.

Artist Bio: Tell Us Your Story
Hello, my name is Tara Berg. I am an artist, graduate of the Art Institute of Philadelphia, with a degree in graphic design. I enjoy drawing, painting, murals and refinishing furniture. I am entering this contest to help bring awareness to the brain tumor community and the families that care for their loved ones. For years I suffered from severe migraines . I have a pituitary microadenoma, and I also have a brain aneurysm. It’s being followed with routine MRI by my neurosurgeon. My health the past year has deteriorated from other ailments related to Lupus SLE nephritis. Lupus is not a one and done it is a constant annoying disease that pops up attacking different parts of the body at random. I spent the entire month of August into September in the hospital. When I was allowed to return home I had a nurse caretaker at my home and was hooked up to oxygen 24/7 and monitors. I started getting stronger and healthier only to have a relapse in February. I have chronic lung issues, asthma, scarring on my lungs and was diagnosed in March with vocal chord paralysis. I have speech therapy once a week ever since.
I need to be really careful as I have had sepsis, chronic pneumonia and kidney issues. I get two infusions by IV every month. One for lupus, one for asthma. I’m 53 years old, have always exercised and was so interested in nutrition so in 2010 I went back to college and got a degree in dietetic science. I was a personal trainer and Pilates instructor. I was always working on a project in my garage art studio. Now I have a nurse that goes to every doctor visit with me and my diagnosis list is growing. Most recently, degenerative bone disease in my neck that is causing vertigo so bad that I have gone to the hospital because it causes really bad nausea. The list seems endless and it is overwhelming. I have missed every special event the past year, holidays, weddings, vacations., moving my daughter into college, all of it missed. What gets me through is my family and friends I’m blessed and grateful for; My husband Mark is a teacher, son Hayden anddaughter Haley. My mom, dad, sister and her family and all of my in laws are so supportive This has been really hard on everyone in my life, health issues can really take a toll. My prognosis is most likely surgery for the brain anuerysm in the next 5 years, Dr. said with a coil to contain it. The microadenoma is being monitored. Lupus is being controlled with the biologic infusions. Asthma, is controlled right now, I have oxygen still when needed and nebulizer treatments, plus the infusions are helping. I am unable to work at the moment so my art and drawing is something I can still do. I have hope I will be able to do the things I love again.