the Chemo Port

2 1/2 yrs after having it put in, I had chemo port removed April 2, 2014.  Surgery always makes me nervous.  My surgeon snapped this photo of the port after taking it out and cleaning it up.   Yes I wanted to photograph it but the "happy juice" knocks me right out in OR!!  I am a light weight!!

the Chemo Port is OUT!!

Yes I had surgery to remove it April 2.  Here are some photos of Art work by my co worker and friend Andi to celebrate the removal of the Chemo port.  I didn't get to take photos in operating room because I went right out when they gave me the happy juice.  Oh well maybe at the follow up visit I get a photo of the port so you see what was inside me for 2 1/2 yrs.  I feel a freedom now that it is out. 
I will be going to see Rock of Ages with my sister in law on Sunday to celebrate the removal - so excited to see this show.
Peace love photography!!

Artwork by Andi before de-porting

Art work by Andi the day after the de-porting

Chemo aport removal is tomorrow

So I decided to paint flower over the port as a way of saying good bye to it

I was pet sitting when I did this lovely artwork and my friend Andi did the artwork in the last photo

By the way I am a photographer not an artist so my flower is sad looking but its by me

I drew a heart to send live to the good fairies of chemo for helping me

Artwork by Andi - she painted my head for Chemo 2 times so I had to ask her to paint the final goodbye for my chemo port

3 yrs ago today Feb 21, 2011 Monday

Feb 21, 2011 Monday my journey began with a sore left breast and lots of test until May 24, 2011 when I heard the words "you have cancer!"

I am a photographer so taking photos is my stress reliever and therapy.  I photographed my journey and am work on putting a book together to inspire and share with others my journey.   I had 4 books I read while on my journey but being a photographer I wanted something visual.   I was so excited when I ran across the "The Battle we Didn't Choose (my wife's fight with breast Cancer)" on CNN one morning at work.  Finally photos of what someone was going through.

I fell in love with the black and white photos Angelo Merendino took of his wife Jennifer as she went through her battle with the breast cancer that came back.  Angelo's photos of Jennifer were so powerful in black and white and they showed me what I might go through if my cancer came back.  I was going through radiation by the time I saw their story but those photos WOW!!!!   I contacted Angelo to see if I could attend the show he was having in NYC so excited to see the photos in person.  I was shocked when I first read Angelo's reply - he said I couldn't attend the opening reception.  What are you kidding me.... then I read the rest of the email because I was still in treatment and my immune system was so low he wanted me to come the day before to meet him as he hung the photos.  Awesome! 
I arrived at the gallery and felt right at home with Angelo and 2 of their friends.  I have to admit I was totally in Awe of his work and it didn't sink in until later that it was Jan 20, 2012 and Jennifer had just passed away Dec.21, 2011.  Angelo is such a strong man and his passion for photography and his wife was very present in every photo.  I have kept in touch with Angelo via FB and tell everyone I meet about this amazing man, his beautiful wife and the incredible black and white photos.

Angelo and friend hanging his photos of Jennifer.

“Love every morsel of the people in your life.” – Jennifer Merendino

I will admit working on my photo book I feel like it will never compare to Angelo's powerful BW photos of Jennifer or the other photo book I came across was Kiki's Courage and I know I just have to remember all our stories are different.

I just want to show you what it was like for me and also inspire others if I can to try art therapy.   I used my phone alot or a point and shoot and photograph myself and what is happening to me so you don't need a professional camera.  Trust me when my arm was bothering me or the port was making me nuts it was easier to pull out the phone and capture the moment than run upstairs for the Big Girl Camera!!!   What I believe is photography helped me and art will help you.... even if it is just coloring in a coloring book.  I handed out quite a few of those to people with crayons when i sat in waiting rooms.  ha!!  

Peace Love Photography

When you are truly comfortable in your own skin

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When you are truly comfortable in your own skin, not everyone will like you, but you won’t care about it one bit!

this was me January 2012 - photo taken by my dear friend/photographer Debra Rothenberg 

 

 When I was going through all the treatments, surgery, doctors appts,  and exams that go along with Breast Cancer.  I never once lost my sense of humor or smile.  I have always been comfortable with myself and never really cared what strangers or loved ones had to say about me.  I love the way I am and I am not changing for anyone.  When this photo was taken my hair was starting to grow back already and I got alot of stares from people who I sometimes responded to by sticking my tongue out.  ha! It usually made them laugh and I would tell them chem took my hair but not my zest for life. Sometimes I would say to people "Take a Photo it last longer!" 
Peace love Photography - that's my motto.

“life is my favorite side effect…”

I have to say it's hard sometimes keeping smile on my face everyday but I did it through Cancer treatments and I will do it the rest of my life.  I try to find a happy thought that will get me through the hardest times and laugh at most everything.
Don't ever tell me I can do anything because I have been through Breast Cancer, scans, what seems like endless doctor appts, chemotherapy, radiation and 2 surgeries.  when life gets hard I say bring it on!!!

“life is my favorite side effect…”

A friend gave me this scarf while I was going through treatment - love it - I am a Warrior of life

Beautiful Day

You don't know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

- unknown

I had my head painted 4 times while going through chemo - this painting session was for my last chemo.  To be continued means to me life goes on.   I never knew how strong I could be until I got diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011

The arm hurts

The blue marker marks are from Elyce and Monica checking my are for swelling - the size hasn't changed thank goodness but since I am having the muscle tightness I will start treatment when I return from SC - gotta get fluid out of lymph system now before arm swells.  therapy will be massage and moving fluid around in body.

RIP Talia

Photo borrowed from Talia FB page - love this photo for so many reasons

this was the post from AngelsforTalia fb page yesterday - sweet angel couldn't fight any longer
 
#‎prayfortalia‬ It is with a heavy heart that we share with all of you that Talia has earned her wings at 11:22am. Please lift her beautiful soul, her beautiful light to heaven and please send your love and prayers to her family during this most difficult time. God speed little one, may you be free from pain and suffering, may your soul feel the light and love that you brought to so many of us on this Earth during the short time you were her with us. We will miss you more than you will ever know baby girl.

2 yr Annv Breast Cancer removal

Two years ago, on June 28, 2011. I was getting a wire placed in my breast for Breast Cancer surgery.  I was alittle nervous but more anxious about the fact they were suppose to put this wire in while doing a mamography on me - Ouch!  Luckily my cancer was on the bottom of my breast and it couldn't be down so we had to do it by sonogram.  Greg drove me over to the hospital and into Pre-op we went.  I laughed and joked with the nurses.  I was in shock still so I didn't take photos that day - wish I had.  My surgeon and I have agreed when I have my port out I will take photos.

This is a shot of the drainage tube that I had under my arm after surgery - i took this shot the day I was getting it out - 2 wks after surgery

Today is a good Day

I had a 6 month follow up for Mammo and Sono today - can you say OUCH!!!   if you ladies think it hurts normally trust me it is much worse once you have had surgery and Radiation on a breast.

As I sat in the waiting room after the Mammo collecting my thoughts and getting copies of my Magazine article out to leave, I sae a lady come out of room 1 and thought Bless you my friend - she was there to have wire put in and head over to the Hospital because her journey had just began.  I wanted to run after her and say stay positive, eat healthy and LAUGH alot!!  but I felt overwhelmed with memories of June 28, 2011 - my surgery date.  

I left 2 hours after entering and with great news - NDD (no disease detected) or NED (no evidence of disease) - woo hoo!!  this triple negative BC lady is happy with that news.  I will go back in 6 months for a follow up.   

the sun was coming out as I arrived and almost made a heart in the sky - that's a good sign!!

the lovely gown you get to wear during your appointment.

 here's the shot I took of the machine we all dislike!!

yep these were placed on my breast before the Mammogram and taken off for the sonogram - forgot I had them in my pocket

Photographer living with Breast Cancer

That's me showing this sweet little angel a photo I took of her.  photo by my friend Andy Mars Jan 2012

there's a new Pink Angel in Heaven

I lost my dear friend and Chemo buddy - Antoinette

Antoinette and I were diagnosed within months of each other and started Chemotherapy together.  We would sit and talk when she got to chemo but within 30 minutes of the nurses starting her treatment she was asleep.  I snapped a few photos of her asleep - sweet lady didn't get mad when I told her either.  

Antoinette always loved to see what I would be wearing or after loosing my hair what I would have painted on my bald head.  She said I was her rock and I kept her believing in the good and positive of Breast Cancer.   

Antoinette was stage 2 triple negative and I am stage 3A triple negative.  It is scary to think she lost her battle in just 2 yrs - I believe she was diagnosed in Feb of 2011 - I was diagnosed in May of 2011 but found my swollen lymph node in Feb 2011.  Heaven gained another Pink Warrior.  - Rest in Peace sweet angel.

June 2012 - Antoinette and me - she had just been re diagnosed with cancer

"What if today, we are just grateful for everything"

I saw this on a friend's fb post with Charlie Brown and snoopy dancin - "What if today, we are just grateful for everything"

I actually said this to a lady and man in Staples last year, who were complaining about only 2 registers being open - they both looked at me as I stood smiling with my bald head at the other register and I simply said - "what if today you were just grateful for everything" - they shut up!! I hate drama!!!!

This is the season for giving people and we should be grateful everyday.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - I had my 6 month Mamo and sonograph done, wore my eco and got a new tshirt - what did you do???

My little Pink Van

I have to find my Pink Van - can't remember where I last photographed it and need it for my adventures
the search continues tonight!!!

the Pink Van at a Chemo session

Peace Love Photography!!!!

Bracelet

My sister sent me this gorgeous bracelet to wear - she has one too......

My sister sent it before I was diagnosed with breast cancer so I am guessing I got it in 2010 - should have wrote the date down!!  I wore it during treatments at first but stopped because the chemo would make bracelets give me a rash - the radiation I couldn't wear jewelery - now I am back to wearing my bracelets and necklaces.  This is one of my favorites to wear.

Bone Scan results

I finally called about my bone scan - and after 45 minutes of having to wait for call back - I cryed when Lori said NO cancer found!!! Woo hoo!!

This is a photo of me after hearing No cancer found in bonescan!!!

One year ago today!!!

It was one year ago today that I got the call to confirm I had breast cancer. Hearing those words nearly knocked me off my feet but me being me just said " ok so what do I need to do now"!!! I started my journey and even though I am still on it I will not let it knock me down!!!!!! I made a post on FB this morning about the one year anniversary and a childhood friend started posting memories with me about our childhood - which I thought meant more to me than him but I was wrong - thanks "Chucky" for making my day a lot brighter!!!! I shot the image below in front of FIT in Manhattan - actually asked a guy to move (he was standing on it) so I could get a photo of it - this is true my Photography(art) is my weapon!!!

Eat your Veggies and fruits

STOP the lies — there already are cures for cancer.   Breast cancer, along with other cancers, are being treated and cured successfully every day with alternative therapies, and have been for quite some time. But do big corporations and organizations like Susan G. Komen stand to profit off of those treatments?  Of course not. So we aren’t hearing about them!
 I’ll soon be sharing some of the more successful holistic, alternative cancer treatments (hint: most of them are centered around real food NUTRITION!) that have been curing patients without a single dose of chemotherapy or radiation. Or a pinkwashed product! But even modern advancements in safe and effective cancer cures are being found — and thwarted by the FDA and the pharmaceutical giants (in which Komen has monetary stock, remember?) which support such government agencies.
 I strongly encourage everyone to watch the documentary film, Burzynski the Movie: Cancer is Serious Business, for an incredibly eye-opening look into what happens when cancer cures are actually found (their creators are faced with a prison sentence!).  The film documents the work of Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski, a medical doctor and Ph.D. biochemist who has discovered the genetic mechanism that can cure most human cancers.
For a limited time, you can actually watch the film in its entirety online for free. Do it! Prevention is the best cure More importantly, what the medical establishment fails to recognize is that cancer is largely preventable.  And Susan G. Komen for the Cure is no exception to such ignorance.  There are no mentions of eating a healthy foods, getting proper levels of cancer-preventing Vitamin D, or cutting out sugar — the substance that feeds cancer cells — in any of their “public health education” efforts. Even though these are scientifically proven ways to prevent cancer.