Celebrating through Photographs

I was a 37 and pregnant with my fifth child when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. One thing I regret, five years later, is that I have no photos of me during this time period. No photos of me and my kids or even my newborn.  Well actually I have two photos, and neither of them are decent ones.  I believe it is important for me to embrace this fight as part of made me who I am today.  Cancer doesn’t define me but it certainly touched me and changed my life. So why not look back at your cancer journey and celebrate each step that made you into the strong woman you are today?  It sure would be easier to do with a journal and photos!

So, if you are or ever have to take the difficult, yet empowering, journey through cancer treatment heed this advice, take photos.  You may not want to look at them right away but eventually you will and you will be glad you have them.  I promise.  If you are afraid you won’t survive the fight, take them anyhow, your loved ones will be very happy you did.

If you would like to read about my cancer journey you can do so here.

Here are the two photos I have:

This photo was taken my my now stepdaughter with her Polaroid wristband camera.  This was in October of 2006, I think I had just finished with the last of my radiation treatments. (Yuck I gained SOOO much weight.)

This was taken my Miranda's Kindergarten teacher at Parent's Day, toward the end of chemotherapy.

So you see the only reason I happen to have these two photos is because other people took these pictures.  I had forgotten about Miranda's until her teacher sent it home at the end of the school year.

I wish I had more so heed my advice, snap away, journal, document, start a blog about your journey, even a private blog for only you.   This is just another part of your life that will determine what makes you you.  Good luck with your journey.  Tammy