This is Holly she had a scare with breast cancer last year. I had the opportunity to photograph her and some friends along with her daughter. They are doing the Susan G Komen 3 day walk together. All of them have beautiful spirits and I was honored to be a part of this special moment for them.
So I wanted Holly and her family to share some of what they experienced this last year. I hope this encourages you and I would love to know other stories that you feel would be an encouragement to others.
Holly: "I never thought I would find myself contemplating cancer, but yet, on the first day of school in August 2009, I got the phone call that literally changed me forever. One year later, it seems like a blur, but the changes that came with that diagnosis were not all bad. It not only changed me physically, but spiritually and emotionally as well. A friend shared a book with me, that in the first chapter, totally changed how I dealt with His refining fire. "Everyday Strength: A Cancer Patient's Guide to Spiritual Survival" Day 1: Living with Uncertainty...."One of life's difficult assignments is living with uncertainty. To leave the future in God's hands without demanding a detailed road map requires unusual trust." I did, after all, trust my God, so it was time I proved it and if you do, He will not let you down!"
Her daughter Megan: "Mom told us on the first day of school, August 28th 2009, that it was confirmed she had breast cancer. In April, she had a mammography that didn't pick up anything unusual. Later in the summer, she said she felt something and then went to see the doctor.
Although the shock of the word "cancer" is a scary ordeal, my mom continually reassured all of us that it is going to be okay. While waiting on test results to determine the course of treatment, my Mom never once gave any hint of doubt that God was in control and whatever the outcome, He would provide for her the entire way! I truly believe the reason we as a family could embrace this scary moment with hope was all due to my Mom's strong faith in a God who promises to heal.
The test results revealed the tumor was NOT genetic, but hormonal, blessing #1 The tumor was well incapsulated, meaning it had not spread, blessing #2 The tumor cell counts were on the low end of the scale, so my Mom's treatment would only have to be 16 rounds of radiation, blessing #3...and the list goes on. The surgeons were able to remove all of her tumor with one surgery; other than being tired, she had no adverse effects to the medication or radiation treatments.
We all were truly blessed through this experience. We never felt alone because the constant love of our family and friends always surrounded us, whether in a casserole dish or encouraging notes. My mom has been cancer-free since December of 2009 and we are now going to complete the Susan G. Komen 3-Day in the DFW area on November 5-7, 2010! We will walk not only because my Mom has defeated breast cancer, but we walk for those who are still fighting, have lost the fight, and hopefully for a cure so no one has to face the brutality of this disease."
Her husband....what a precious man he is! Love this. :"Early on in Holly's journey I felt somewhat useless. Even though cancer affects everyone in the family when it all boils down to it - only one person "has it". I tried to be extra supportive and encouraging but there were certainly times I felt like I wasn't "doing" anything. Just like you would take a hit for your kids - I would have done it for my wife but there really wasn't any way to do it. I prayed often knowing that would help but you know . . . you want the other person to "feel" something. So I held her and told her I loved her more often than I ever had . . .
Of course, she did great. God saw her through. She was strong then and is even stronger now.
Here's kind of where it ended up for me . . . almost ashamed to say . . . not uncommon in such a crisis, I became so thankful for my wife - like never before. So now, every morning, before I leave for work (while Holly is still sleeping) I give her a soft kiss on the forehead. Maybe she "feels" it, maybe she doesn't but I want that to be the last thing she "remembers" as I leave each day.
My marriage hasn't been perfect . . . but I married the perfect one for me."
Sorry no pics with her and her husband just the ladies this round. Maybe they will be next! ;)
Girl power!
Race for the cure! If you are interested in donating to the cause email me.
