Hello everyone! Survivor Saturday is something I have had on my heart to do as a photographer for awhile. I have wanted to highlight women that have survived by having a glam day for the individuals. It is a little girls day out type session where hair and makeup is provided and I shoot them in a contemporary glamour session! it is time to celebrate the women that have survived all cancers and tell their stories so that it might help others. Please meet the first survivor of the series....Jennifer!
Jennifer was diagnosed in early 2015 with adenoid cystic carcinoma. It's a rare salivary gland cancer (primarily) but can be found in several different glands in the body. She didn't have any symptoms other than she discovered the lump in her neck by accident. She was initially misdiagnosed but after surgery to remove my gland, they did another test and that's when it was discovered that it was malignant. For Jennifer, it was a trying time to manage and find her own care. It took her 9 months to find doctors to assist her and finally determine radiation treatment was needed. Jennifer spent 6 weeks (33 sessions) receiving radiation to my head and neck. Jennifer is in the Air Force and was medical TDY about four hrs from where she lived to a German hospital. She was able to receive a type of radiation that is only available in Germany and Japan. The treatment itself was not painful, but the side effects from radiation to her neck area were rather painful.
Jennifer states that she is blessed that not to have any significant lingering side effects so far. Jennifer says. "This journey has not been easy. It has had great impact on my personal life and relationships. I joke sometimes that I didn't receive my "Congratulations! You have cancer..." handbook because no one can prepare you for how to deal with it. In the military, we learn to push a lot of stuff down and move forward because we have a mission to do. I tried to handle cancer in the same manner and it did not work. It's something that I still struggle with at times. I am ok most of the time. As soon as it is time for a scan (every three months) or a cancer-related appointment, the reality of "oh wow...I have cancer..." is back to the forefront. Since it is still relatively new to me, I am still learning to "live with cancer". I'm still trying to figure out what is my purpose in this. For now, I feel as though I can do things like this to share my story and hopefully provide someone else hope as they fight their battle with cancer."
If you know a deserving woman that would love to have a session please send contact information to info@catherineraephotography.com.
