Meet Pat P.

Hi, Oh where to begin the journey of a lifetime in just a few sort years.

My Name is Patti and I am a SURVIVOR. I am a WARRIOR. I am a THIRIVER… I will be damned if I let Cancer beat me… and I now make it my purpose and passion to support, encourage, engage and aid in any way possible others who are diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Really any cancer… there is physical, mental and emotional damage and pain when going through treatment, there is never a good cancer .

I was 43. Finally married to the man of my dreams with my son and youngest stepdaughter both seniors in HS. In February of 2008 I was getting ready for work one morning and found a lump in my right breast. I did what I thought was the right thing. I immediately scheduled an appointment to have a mammogram, luckily this appointment was within 3 days of my finding the lump. As I walked out of the M.O.M. van I called Dr. Semrad my OB/GYN and told them I found a lump and that I needed to schedule an appointment with them. I was able to get an appointment with them a few days later. On February 6, 2008 I had my exam. The Dr. most certainly felt them lump, commented on the size of it by making a joke regarding my husband liking golf since the mass was the size of a golf ball and told me it was fybrocystic change and nothing to worry about. He then said he did not have the mammo results yet but was certain it was nothing to be concerned about and sent me on my way.

Fast forward to August 8, 2008, I decided to kill 2 birds with one stone and figured I would consult with a plastic surgeon about removing the lump and getting a bit of an upgrade in the form of a breast lift at the same time. I saw the surgeon, he most certainly would do the lift but said he could not remove the mass I would need a general surgeon for that so began my search for a surgeon. Though It was crazy just trying to secure an appointment every one I called was booked months out for a consult. Well, I think God decided to intervene at this point… On August 12, 2008 I was getting ready for work and applying deodorant and felt pain under my arm. My first thought “this can’t be good”, so I called my OB to let them know. To make a long story short in this regard… they were less than responsive… Which in my book is totally unacceptable under the circumstances. It was after seeing my Primary Care Dr. who fit me in immediately that I was referred to a breast surgeon, unfortunately that surgeon was out of town until the end of August. My friend Kim to the rescue, she called her OB – and explained what was going on, her Dr immediately gave her 3 names and told her that if I was not able to make an appointment soon – to call her back and she would call from her back office… Now that’s the way a Dr should respond.

Three days later August 15, 2008, I saw a breast surgeon Dr Mark Runfola (lovingly nicknamed Dr Hottie- LOL), he immediately did a biopsy and ordered another mammogram and an ultrasound… A week later I heard the words that rocked my world, ‘I am sorry you have Breast Cancer”. I couldn’t breathe, my husband had left that morning for a trip and I was totally unable to keep it together. I left work and on the way home the oncologist office called me … Not only did I have breast cancer… but very aggressive Triple Negative Breast Cancer and I was stage 3 because of the size of the lump (now 6 cm) and the lymph node involvement.

This was going to require quick action… I would see the Dr. the following week, have a heart scan, bone scan, Pet scan, MRI, multiple blood tests… the list seemed to go on forever. September 7, (just 2 weeks after being diagnosed) I started neoadjuvant Chemotherapy, to try and shrink the tumor and stop any further lymphatic advancement. So for the next 2 months at 2 week intervals I had chemotherapy… Thankfully the tumor shrunk. The Monday after Thanksgiving I had a double mastectomy, 2 days before Christmas I had to have a port placed because my veins where shot, unfortunately I ended up in the hospital overnight as there was concern that an artery had been nicked… Thankfully it was okay and I started my 2^nd round of chemotherapy on December 29^th, (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year) LOL. Come mid April after chemo round 2 and a few weeks to recover (hmmmm – not sure I really did) It was time for radiation. You see with Advanced Triple Negative BC they through the kitchen sink at you for treatment because they do not know what feeds it so they have no medication to keep it away later. SO you get all the Poison and Pain they can give and you can handle. For 6 weeks I had daily radiation treatment that required a week out of treatment because of 3^rd degree burns to my chest.

The reality of seeing myself in all my pear shaped glory every day without breasts, not sure what type or shape this would be now…. Made me so angry and upset… there was no beauty in my mirror for a long time. Because of everything, I was having to take medication to sleep and keep me from crying and … and… and… I was never one to really appreciate the ‘better living through Chemistry philosophy’ but I embraced it…for now.

The burns to my chest have caused extensive issues with my first reconstructive procedure which is failed and now on January 5^th I am set to undergo a different procedure, which is the best option based on my circumstance. So I have 9 months more to deal with the imperfection of my body because of cancer. My new procedure will be in 3 stages and require out of state travel on 3 occasions to complete. I am just so ready to be done with it all….

But the funny thing is I am not angry anymore… I know that both my OB/GYN and the Radioloist failed in their responsibilities in February of 2008, I will advocate for others because of this. But I can not live in anger. It is counterproductive to Healing, Life and Love. I am alive… I have been given the gift of a changed perspective on many things … Held tightly to the people and things that matter most to me, and released people and things that do not… Saw my kids graduate and welcomed 2 of my 3 grandchildren into the world, sadly I too had to say goodbye to my precious 23 year old nephew who didn’t understand that he could get through the pain and hard times, who thought the only way out was to take his own life, I listened to my big brother (my only sibling), cry out in pain and agony as his son was wheeled away to have his body used to give life to others… I have met amazing women to walk alongside during my journey and been given the chance to hold hands with people just embarking on their own journey. I do not know why in any of this – other than God believes I was the best person at this time and I rest in His peace, grace, mercy, love and promise…

My Name is Patti, I am a SURVIVOR!

Please post a comment, email me at jamie@imagesbykay.com or call the studio at 602-393-9333 to cast your vote starting November 1st!

Meet Cher O.

I was 18 years old and found a lump in my neck, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease. I had Cobalt Radiation to my Neck, Chest and Abdomen, 5 days a week for 25 weeks. Every year I would get a CT scan to make sure that I didn't have any new signs of cancer. At the age of 23 I was Diagnosed again with Hodgkin's Disease, however this time I was recovering from a severe Pilonidal Cyst, I was admitted to Sloan Kettering in NY, where they performed a rare procedure called Rotation Flap. I was in the process of moving to Arizona, and the Oncologist at Sloan referred me to an Oncologist in Phoenix.

Upon arriving to Arizona, I immediately applied for state insurance so I could start Chemotherapy. I was on Chemo for 6 months when they diagnosed me in remission. Everything was fine in February of 2007 at the age of 37, I went to my Primary Care Physician for my yearly Well Woman exam. He was examining my breasts and he found a lump. I knew immediately and my heart sunk. I was referred to a Breast Cancer Surgeon who performed a Lumpectomy and called me a few days later stating that I did in fact have Breast Cancer.

I was told that I didn't need a Mastectomy and that I should be fine with just Radiation, I went to a Radiation Oncologist, where I was informed that I was not a candidate for Radiation since I had already had it 20 years prior and that I did need a Bi-Lateral Mastectomy. I was absolutely devastated. Within weeks I had the surgery, which I believe is the worst part of the entire process. I unfortunately got Necrosis and that delayed the start of Chemo, I had to go to the surgeon once a week for dressing changes and the dead skin to be cut away. Everyday I had to flush the wound and pack it with wet to dry gauze.

I started Chemo about 6 weeks after the Necrosis finally healed, I had 4 sessions across a 12 week time span. I again for the second time lost my hair, I was very weak from Chemo, I was suffering from anxiety attacks daily, sometimes a few a day. My attitude was horrible, I hate the way I looked and felt.

The time came to start reconstruction, I was so excited to finally move on and start getting my life back, I was forced to move in with my parents because I ran through all my savings. The same week I was diagnosed, I lost my job and went on state insurance again. My plastic surgeon was not approved with Ahcccs, and he fought long and hard with Ahcccs for them to approve him to treat me since he was my DR prior to me loosing my job and insurance. Ahcccs made me go to three different plastic surgeons who all didn't want anything to do with me because I had Radiation therapy in 1989. In fact, one was so rude he told me that I will have to look like this for the rest of my life. I had a severe anxiety attack in his office and left bawling my eyes out. I cannot believe how incredibly rude this man was. I called the plastic surgeon what I was told and he reassured me that I would get this surgery and would get my reconstruction.

After about 6 months of fighting with Ahcccs, I was finally approved with Dr. John Rowley, the wonderful man who fought so hard for me. We immediately scheduled surgery for expanders! I again had a problem with the same breast that had the Necrosis, I got a staph infection and lost the expander, another devastating moment. A few months later I was healed enough to have the second expander put in. Of course another staph infection! I was admitted to the hospital and had the area flushed out and was on heavy duty antibiotics for 5 days and another surgery to flush the area. This time the expander was saved! After a few weeks I started getting the expanders filled and surgery was scheduled for the implants and reconstruction.

It is now about 2 and a half years later and I went back to school to become a Medical Assistant, I graduated with Honors and Perfect Attendance. Finally, I am starting to get my life back!

Thank you for taking the time to ready my story

Please post a comment, email me at jamie@imagesbykay.com or call the studio at 602-393-9333 to cast your vote starting November 1st!

Celebrate Survivors Contest

‘Celebrate Survivors’ Photography Session Contest

In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As part of our quest to support women’s issues, Images by Kay & Co. Photography is excited to announce our complimentary, first Annual Breast Cancer Survivors’ CelebrateSexy Photo Session Contest.

Having any kind of cancer is frightening and confusing; but breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among U.S. Women.

Research shows us that the impact of breast cancer can be minimized with accurate information. As an all female team we are committed to supporting this cause and proud to be providing Arizona women a place to be photographed in a way that builds confidence about their bodies once again. The pampering that occurs during a CelebrateSexy photo session helps ease feelings of vulnerability. After surviving such a serious health challenge, women sometimes feel betrayed by their bodies. The beautiful photographs from the session help to bridge that gap, building peace and self-assurance.

Images by Kay & Co. Photography will hold a contest during the last two weeks of October for cancer survivors. If you or any woman you know has been affected by cancer, please consider entering our contest to win a FREE CelebrateSexy Diva Photography Package. Entering the contest is easy, simply send us your survival story along with one or two photos of you and we will post the entries on our blog. Then you, the readers, will choose the contest winner based on the person receiving the most number of votes. The winner will receive a Designer Diva Package and will be treated to professional hair styling and makeup application during her CelebrateSexy session. The images in her album will be a wonderful reminder and celebration of her beauty.

Anyone with a cancer survival story is a true winner - all finalists will receive a gift certificate toward a CelebrateSexy photography session. In addition, Images by Kay & Co. will contribute a portion of each CelebrateSexy session in October towards breast cancer research. Please join us in our support of breast cancer research by donating to this important cause.

To enter the contest:

This contest is for any woman who has survived or is fighting cancer in any form.

Please email your story to jamie@imagesbykay.com with the subject line: SURVIVOR CONTEST. Send a picture of yourself and any other photos you would like to share.

Your first name and images will be posted on our CelebrateSexy and Images by Kay & Co. Blog for our readers to view and vote on.

Feel free to nominate a deserving friend - just please ask their permission first and send us their contact information so that we can get their confirmation.

We will be accepting entries until October 31, 2010.

Viewers can cast their votes through November 13^th and the winner will be announced on November 14^th.

Good luck and we look forward to hearing your amazing stories!