In 2015 I profiled six Idaho women whose breast cancer was Stage 4 meaning the cancer had spread or metastasized outside of the breast tissue and into other parts of their body.
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There is a common perception that once a woman finishes the major components of breast cancer treatment — surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and reconstruction — that she is on the other side of the disease, and her life can go back to normal. Nothing could be further from the truth.
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I found a lump under my right nipple.
My first thought was, “Oh, God, no…”
My next thought was, “There is no way in Hell…”
Then they dam broke and the thoughts flooded in...
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Unfortunately, too many of our friends find out they are facing breast cancer of another color than pink. The current numbers are staggering. As many as 30 percent of those who have battled breast cancer, like my friend Trina, will see it come back. And if it spreads, 97 percent of the
time it can be slowed, but not stopped.
My thoughts and feelings before my art show at Boise State University in Octover of 2014.
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No, I don’t make it a habit of ‘laying on of hands’ when I meet with a woman who has breast cancer. In fact, since I am often taking pictures of them revealing their scars I am careful not to touch them at all. But I also don’t hesitate on giving them one of my hands to grip during the middle of a procedure or exam. And I get a lot of chest to chest hugs (though many of them don’t have the nerve endings to feel it any longer). And the last time one of them kissed me it was from her deathbed and I don’t think that I’ve ever received such a holy kiss.
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When I shared my journey towards taking these portraits Heidi embraced me with her smile. When I explained that I initially faced this project with trepidation and that I had to ask friends to literally help build my faith and confidence – she understood. She also expressed the same gratitude towards my friends as I feel in my heart.
At the end of the night Heidi embraced me in a hug and encouraged me not to stop this project. I think she fueled it for a long time to come.
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When breast cancer came to visit Melissa had to have a double mastectomy. Her curvaceous figure took a hit and then when she lost her hair to chemo she felt like a teenage boy.
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When Jan received an email from a friend letting her know about The Reveal Mission, her curiosity was piqued just enough to pick up the phone. Little did she know the healing that would result just because she took action.
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Cancer was cruel to Cheryl. She lived a very active life, lived for the outdoors, and spent the majority of her free time mountain biking. It was after an exercise session that Cheryl found a lump. She convinced herself that it was from a prior injury, but after a couple of months when it hadn’t gone away she decided to have a mammogram.
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Betsy lost a breast to cancer. When she was given options by her doctor about treatments she was happy. Betsy is not one who likes to be boxed into the corner and have no choices.
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Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) steals the lives of 97 percent of its victims. There is no cure; it is basically a death sentence. Treatments won’t cure the disease; they just keep it at bay as long as humanly possible, or until the patient says, “I’m done. … ”
Many breast cancer patients don’t realize these harsh statistics. Even some oncologists stumble when it comes to explaining the severity of breast cancer if it metastasizes.
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