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| Photo Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer |
If you haven't seen this already, please check out this website and blog: My Wife's Fight With Breast Cancer: The Battle We Didn't Choose. This photographer has been chronicling his young wife's experience with breast cancer, and right now things look pretty grim. I was drawn to this blog because of this description on facebook:
During our battle, we have been blessed with an incredible support group. Nonetheless, most people are not aware of the challenges that we face every day. We often hear: "Jen looks healthy, glad that things are back to normal." Little do they know that she is in chronic pain from the side effects of 3-plus-years of treatment and medications. Or that we face fear, anxiety and worry daily. Few know that Jen has to give herself shots every day into her abdomen. She has to use a walker and cane and is exhausted from being constantly aware of every bump, bruise or twitch. She has to do special exercises to fight off lymphedema. The frequent doctor visits lead to battles with hospitals and insurance companies. Pain has sent her back to the hospital twice, for week-long stays.
Sadly, most people do not want to hear these realities and we can feel our support fading away. Other cancer survivors share this loss. People assume that treatment makes you better, that things become OK, that life goes back to "normal." However, there is no normal in cancer-land. Cancer survivors have to define a new sense of normal, often daily. And how can others understand what we have to live with everyday?
But I've stuck around both for the pictures and the sheer love that this man has for his wife. All of it is deeply moving and, of course, painfully tragic. This couple is originally from the Cleveland area, and he is showing some of his pictures in an exhibit you can read about here.
3 comments:
Thanks Katie for posting this. I've passed it along on Facebook and Twitter. Hoping it gives those families who haven't endured this kind of fight and insight into the hidden courage required to fight for your life.
Katie,
I saw this many months ago and I was saddened to read your words. I knew exactly who you were talking about and when I saw the word grim it was very upsetting. It really is time to make a change, isn't it? Thanks for sharing this, difficult as it is for me to read. Those hallways and even those room numbers are horribly familiar which only makes the whole thing that much more haunting.
AnneMarie
"There is no normal in cancer-land." True, so true. The images he captures of his wife are beautiful yet tragic. I'm so glad you shared this so more people can get to know this couple and to see the reality that is a BC fight.
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