Breast Cancer Survivor- Rebecca’s Story
Meet Rebecca. Strong, fearless and resilient. When she decided to participate in the 40 OVER 40 campaign, she was seeking more than just a photoshoot; she was searching for a way to feel complete and beautiful again. She wanted to reconnect with the woman she knew she still was, beneath the scars and the battles fought. Rebecca shared her story with me, not only through her campaign interview, but it was a conversation we had throughout her shoot. What I loved most about this photoshoot is that Rebecca was truly celebrating herself. This is what I want for all the women that come through my studio, but every woman comes in for different reasons. Some come because they really aren’t thrilled with who they see in the mirror and they are hoping that the professional hair and makeup, fancy dresses and shoot will cover who they are. Not Rebecca. She was proud of what she has been through. She wanted to celebrate for herself and show other women that there is hope. She wanted to encourage women not to give up when it gets hard. But to fight.
When asked what she loves most about being her age she replied, “My favorite thing about my age is being proud of not only my own accomplishments, but also those of my friends and family. I feel so much pride and joy when I look at where I am in my life and all of the challenges I have encountered. Even when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I said “it is what it is”, and proceeded to tackle it head on.” Rebecca’s images are a reflection and celebration of her story. Scroll on to read Rebecca’s story and if you know someone that this would resonate with, share it with them! Don’t forget about The Worthy Campaign that is sharing the stories of more remarkable women!
The first trial Rebecca spoke about was finding herself pregnant at only 15. Scared to death and naively unaware of what life had in store for her, she became a young mother with so much to learn. With the unwavering support of her parents, she managed to stay in school and defied the odds by graduating with honors.
Determined to carve out a future for herself and her child, she leaped straight into college, obtaining her nursing degree at only 20 years old. Imagine administering narcotics before legally being able to drink alcohol! She began her nursing career working in the Emergency Department, setting her sights on becoming a Flight Nurse. Through sheer hard work in the ER and ICU, gaining valuable experience and advanced certifications, she achieved this goal within three years. Flying soon became her passion, and she set her next goal: obtaining her private pilot license.
Learning to fly was the most nerve-racking thing she had ever done until that point, but the freedom she felt while soaring through the skies was unparalleled. For 13 years, she worked passionately as a Flight Nurse, saving lives mid-air, before accomplishing yet another goal—becoming a Nurse Practitioner. This new role brought her back to her roots, reminiscing the days when she first put on her nurse’s uniform at 20.
At the age of 39, she found a lump in her right breast. Having had two normal mammograms in the past, she assumed this was another benign fibrocystic lump. It wasn't. The diagnosis was stage 3 breast cancer, having spread to her lymph nodes. She was scared, sad, and angry, unable to believe that she had cancer and regretted not getting the lump evaluated sooner.
After the initial shock, she resolved to tackle cancer head-on. She built her prayer army, shared her story to help others facing similar battles, and began chemotherapy right away. Treatment sessions every two weeks for four months were followed by a mastectomy and radiation therapy. Unfortunately, her cancer was not as responsive to chemotherapy as hoped, leading her doctor to recommend a two-year clinical trial for oral chemotherapy.
Cancer treatment took a tremendous toll on her body. She described it as feeling so much older than her actual age, with treatment forcing her into menopause. She battled fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, weight gain, and emotional turmoil. Her cancer journey felt like she had to mutilate her body just to survive.
She endured five different breast surgeries, experienced fluctuations in weight, and even faced the loss and regrowth of her long, beautiful hair. But through it all, she never lost hope. Now, seven years cancer-free, she reflects on how her life has transformed. She talked about how it’s difficult to recognize who she was before cancer, but the journey has changed her physically, mentally, and spiritually. She now loves and lives more fully, cherishing each day because “you never know what tomorrow will bring.”
“I have been poisoned, cut apart, and burned in order to save my life. Participating in this campaign has made me feel complete and beautiful again.”-Rebecca
When asked what her favorite part of the campaign experience was she answered, “Viewing my photos for the first time absolutely blew me away. It was such an emotional experience to see myself look absolutely amazing after having my body go through hell and back. I didn’t believe it was me in those photos! I keep looking at them, and want to pinch myself to make sure it’s real! Jessica made me feel completely comfortable and completely beautiful at the same time.”
If you’ve never felt joy looking at images of yourself, that can change. Scheduling a photoshoot for yourself can be a celebration of where you’ve been or where you’re going. You don’t have to wait to lose the extra ten pounds or change anything about yourself. What would you say to your daughter or best friend that said they could only have photos if they lost weight? You’d say, “That’s ridiculous!” That applies to YOU as well.
There’s a story within all of us. You are valuable. Consider a session that will leave a lasting impact on you and those around you. I’ll forever be honored that Rebecca chose to celebrate her story through the 40 OVER 40 Campaign. She is an inspiration to those around her and a radiant light to women who are struggling. Thank you Rebecca for sharing your story so freely!
“I have learned to love my scars, because they tell my journey.”
If you’re interested in learning about a session for yourself, I’d love to talk to you. The current campaign has amazing women in it and I’d love for you to join this community! Learn more about the campaign by hitting the button below!