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Breast Cancer Awareness Sesh
Kayla’s Story
Madysen’s Story
Flawsome Boudoir put on a Breast Cancer Awareness Session. Each lady who came in either had to be currently battling or had previously battled breast cancer. We had three women show up. We took time chatting, hearing their stories and bonding.
Although I personally, (as the photographer) haven’t been through what these women have I have had 4 mammograms before the age of 40 due to masses found. My grandmother also passed from breast cancer. So this session held a special place in my heart and I really wanted to take the time to honor and recognize how powerful and strong these women are!
They each got 2 shirts, one had to encompass a negative word associated with their cancer and treatments and one had to encompass a positive side of their experience.
Sheila
Throughout diagnosis people kept saying, "they are just boobs" I don't think people realise how much of my identity was in feeling feminine. To lose them, or the idea of losing them is hard.
“I took the "unconventional" route with my breast cancer diagnosis. I refused to do any chemotherapy or radiation. I only opted for a unilateral mastectomy and then breast reconstruction. No toxins. And so far ... I am thriving”
My name is Sheila Herrera and this is my story:
I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on April 3, 2023. I found out it was ER positive, PR positive, Her2 negative, and not genetic. After that, it was a whirlwind of information and hard decisions. For me, I chose to do a unilateral mastectomy on the right side. And elected to forgo any chemotherapy or radiation and just be monitored. My surgery was August 2, 2023, and I am currently in the process of my breast being re-built to match the other side. I have been lucky in having a supportive group of friends and family. They have reminded me that we can find humor in every situation and have kept me smiling. I have a 16 year old daughter, Tea, who has been there to help out and has been to every single doctors appointment with me.
Caitlin
After getting divorce and my diagnosis my ex husband said to me “this is your karma, for ruining my life.’ That was the meanest and hardest thing someone said to me in all of this.
Invincible to me means that no matter what happens, I will fight and make it through, because I will always be stronger than whatever life throws at me. 💪
I am Caitlin and here is my story:
Both of my mom’s sisters had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 9 years so I pushed for early screenings with my doctor. At first they didn’t want to order the mammogram, saying that I had dense breast tissue and the scans would be hard to read, but I finally fought hard enough that they ordered it. My first scan in 2020 was clear, so was my second in 2021, but my third scan in April 2022 identified a mass. This was also almost a year after my divorce was finalized, and 6 months after buying a new home for me and my kids. I had no idea how I was going to do it on my own, but I had to do everything I could to fight this for the sake of my kids.
So I went back in for an ultrasound and as soon as I saw it and the blood flowing to the mass I knew I was in for a fight. The biopsy confirmed it was invasive ductal carcinoma and I immediately elected to get a double mastectomy. By the time of surgery in July the mass had grown and there were already cells in my lymph nodes, so chemo and radiation were my next steps.
I did 4 rounds of chemo with 2 meds, and then they wanted to start 4 more rounds with a new 3rd med, but it started causing nerve damage almost immediately and I was losing feeling in my feet. Luckily, after talking with my oncologist he agreed that the benefit I would get from finishing my last 3 treatments would not outweigh the risk of permanent damage so we stopped chemo then.
After that I moved on to radiation and had to go for a total of 25 daily treatments. I finished the Friday before Christmas and had lots to celebrate, despite having 2nd degree burns all over my breast and armpit from the treatments.
6 months later I had reconstruction surgery and finally had my chemo port removed from my upper chest. It was an incredible feeling finally being done with the extremely uncomfortable tissue expanders and port that had been in place for a year at that point.
My 3 young kids were my biggest cheerleaders and helpers all throughout this process. While I tried to juggle multiple treatments, take care of them, and work my full time job. It was hell, but luckily I come from a long line of tough-as-nails women who had my back the whole time.
Jen
I was just numb to life, everything going on I was emotionless.
As my story shows, having cancer transformed my life honestly for the better. I am actually living life now rather than just being alive.
In the years leading up to the discovery of the lump in my breast, I felt like a passive observer of my own existence, merely going through the motions of life without truly living. During this time, my diet primarily consisted of Ruffles potato chips and Pepsi. I had become somewhat of a hermit.
In July 2020, everything changed. As I layed in bed, I shifted in my position and had a pain in my breast. When I reached down I found a lump present. The discovery was shocking and unsettling. Without delay, I scheduled an appointment for a mammogram. The experience of the mammogram itself was unexpectedly painful, causing discomfort that added to the anxiety I was already feeling. Normally technicians won’t disclose any news on if the lump or results are cancerous. The tech I had told me it was cancer, the doctors were not happy about that. I quickly got dressed and left.
The anxiety I had long struggled with became an overwhelming force. My self-imposed isolation made the idea of leaving my house to attend medical appointments a daunting challenge. The weight of uncertainty and the fear of a life-altering diagnosis led me to seek help in the form of anxiety medication, this allowed me to leave the house for my appointments.
I went through chemo, losing my hair and gaining weight were hard. It was a hard transition, I don’t think of myself as vain but being bald was really difficult. I wouldn’t look at myself in the mirror. I also had a double mastectomy after going through the treatments. After that, I was on the path to recovery. My insurance provided me with 3 months at the gym. I honestly haven’t looked back.
Cancer saved my life, I learned to live. I am the happiest and healthiest I have ever been and I don’t know that, that would have happened if it wasn’t for my diagnosis. Coming out of the other side, it was a hard journey but it opened my eyes a lot.
Fighters!
These women are some of the strongest women I have had the pleasure of getting to know! I wanted to capture them as fighters! So we put on boxing gloves and showed their amazing strength!
