Jennifer

As you may know I had a giveaway at the end of the last year. I had people nominate someone they felt was truly deserving of a free shoot. I haven't said anything until now as I've wanted to have all of it unveiled at once. Well, it's time to introduce the winner…

Meet Jennifer. Nominated by Emily Trafny. A 42 year old Mother of 3 boys, wife of 21 years, just your girl next door. In June of 2010, she found herself faced with the scariest, and most disorienting moment in her life. She found a lump in her right breast. The kind that you hear about, but can't seem to believe when YOU have one. The kind Doctors warn you about. The kind that hurts, and doesn't move. She called her doctor immediately and made an appointment. They did a biopsy and later confirmed by phone call while she was at work. As she talked about how the Dr called her at work, my heart sank. To hear how her friends had to walk her outside because she couldn't walk on her own, how they had to drive her to her husbands work to break the news because she was in shock and couldn't drive. The tears, the hugs, the family meetings to tell everyone. "I have breast cancer". Incredibly scary. Two days later, her and her husband met with the surgeon. Two weeks later, the Dr. removed the mass. During the procedure, the Dr. also placed a special type of IV that is still buried in her chest, that will be in place for 5 years. In August she started Chemotherapy. Six treatments in all (at $11-$12 Thousand dollars EACH!!) August through December. After the first treatment, she had some nausea and body aches. Those problems progressed with each treatment, to the point she couldn't even get out of bed, and when she did she needed pain medication. Her hair started to thin, and fall out. Then came the day she took charge and shaved it off. The hair on her head hurt so bad that shaving it off was a welcome relief. She described it as having your hair in a very very tight ponytail, and when she shaved it off it just felt like when you take your pony tail out and it's just "Ahh…much better". You girls know what I'm talkin about. A very bitter sweet moment I'm sure. But she made it, she survived chemo.



Just when she thought the worst of it is over, after the Chemo, after losing all her hair, the pain, the suffering, thinking all this is behind her, in December she started having belly aches. Not really sure what it was, Appendicitis? A tumor? More tests? "You're going to stick that camera where?" Well, tests confirmed, she had cancer in her appendix too. She had surgery the first of January to have it removed. She started with radiation appointments Jan 24th, and she will go everyday for 7 weeks. In her words " This was the toughest, most challenging thing I have ever done. I don't think I could have gone through it without my friends, and family. So many wonderful, loving people have been so very generous in helping me, and my family. I wasn't able to continue working in a job that I held for 21 years, and that has been difficult. I've always had to be a strong person but this cancer tested me. Radiation... bring it on."



My experience through this has been one I didn’t realize would be so powerful. It started out, me wanted to do a free photo shoot for someone that was deserving, not realizing I was going to get so many heartfelt stories of peoples struggles and hardships. It's so easy to take things for granted like, walking, driving, talking, hair, fingernails, eyebrows, eyelashes…things people just know are always going be there…until tragedy happens. I've never known anyone with cancer. I've always just heard stories through the grapevine about how tough Chemo is, how scary it might be, how it would be so hard…then I met Jennifer. She would talk about so many moments and her eyes would well up with tears, you could see so much pain, so much struggle, but I could also see a fighter, someone that has the courage and heart to beat this. Backed with the love and support of friends, family, her boys, and her husband.



Knowing Jennifer has had the struggle of her life, I wanted the day of her shoot to be very special. Emily (the nominator ) bought her a necklace, blouse and sweater. Something to make her feel pretty. I found a headband that matched the blouse perfectly. I picked Jennifer up at her house and took her to a friend of mines house. Dianna Evans. Hair and makeup extraordinaire. She does hair, makeup, permanent makeup etc. She's FABULOUS, and the only person I trust to touch my head. She donated her time and did a makeover for Jennifer. Jennifer had talked about how she didn’t have any eyelashes, or eyebrows, and hasn't worn makeup for months. So Dianna glamorized her up, back to feeling like a woman again. When Dianna turned Jennifer around in her chair to see her 'new' self in the mirror, she was in awe. All she could say was "Wow…it's so pretty! I love it! It's so pretty!" And "Thank you!" over and over. After that I whisked her away to our location for our shoot. The day was just several hours of just laughing, tears, more laughing, makeup malfunctions, more laughs, me making a complete fool out of myself, and of course…more laughs. It was like we had been friends for years. I thoroughly enjoy Jennifer. She has the spirit of a fighter, and the heart of a champion. She is a true gem. She's had the fight of her life, and she still keeps a smile on her face, and a positive attitude. Thank you Emily for your nomination, Dianna for your time with her makeover, and Jennifer for providing such inspiration to other people, such as myself.