Four-Time Cancer Survivor


  • Photographer
    Callie Giovanna
  • Prize
    Honorable Mention
  • Company/Studios
    Callie Giovanna
  • Date of Photograph
    July 4, 2013

My grandmother is a four-time cancer survivor. She finished chemo for breast cancer in June 2013. She has been self conscious of showing her hair loss, wearing wigs out, and scarves when at home, only removing them to sleep and shower. Knowing how much it would mean to women who may see these photographs, she willingly sat for this portrait session. She approaches life with unmatched vitality and positivity, taking each circumstance head on. Her beauty and strength emanate in these photographs, chronicling her journey, her fight, and her ability to embrace her plight keeping her head held high.

Story

My grandmother is a four-time cancer survivor. In her thirties, cervical/uterine cancer; in her fifties, a cancerous radical tumor in her bladder; in her late sixties, breast cancer; and skin cancer on - going. Each time diagnosed, she approached surgery and treatment without hesitation - having a hysterectomy, her bladder completely removed and replaced by an Indiana pouch (an internal urinary diversion made of her intestine and colon), a double mastectomy, multiple surgeries for skin cancer, and undergoing chemo twice. In addition, she has had many complications with infection, she battled sepsis in 2012, and lost one of her breast implants after her reconstructive surgery. She finished her last round of chemo for breast cancer in June of 2013. She has been self conscious of showing her hair loss in both rounds of chemo, wearing wigs out, and scarves when at home, only removing them to sleep and shower. Knowing how much it would mean to me and our family, as well as the women who may see these photographs, she willingly sat for this portrait session. I have never met a more spirited and positive woman. She approaches life with unmatched vitality and takes each circumstance head on. Her beauty and strength emanate in these photographs, chronicling her journey, her fight, and her ability to embrace her plight and keep her head held high.

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