Veronica boudoir session

A couple weeks ago, I had the honor and priviledge of shooting a boudoir session for Veronica. It wasn't until I got to the shoot that I realized she had suffered through breast cancer 5 years earlier. I wanted to sit down and ask her all about her journey, but I hesitated. I thought it was best to do the shoot and ask later. As I was looking through my lense the whole time, I felt so proud of her, although I barely knew her, I could feel her sense of accomplishment.

I emailed her a few days later because I wanted to share her story. Here are some excerpts from that email...

“…I am pretty strong in my FAITH, but this close experience to death has made me appreciate life to the fullness and rely on GOD more than just when I needed HIM. I like to educate others and bring awareness to young women. We always think that it is never going to happen to us…
I was in the process of planning our daughter's second birthday and there it was the cold truth of CANCER. I found a lump on my left breast and was told that it was just milk and fat tissue. The mass continued to grow and by that time it was on stage 3B, meaning that it was spreading rapidly. It sure was a roller-coaster of emotions. By the time I was to have the breast removed, the cancer had spread into the other breast and into my chest wall and lymph nodes…
I had six months of chemotherapy and radiation and then a hysterectomy. My cancer is caused by hormones and I could not get pregnant and doctors where afraid of it moving to my ovaries. It was a long and painful year. Many times we thought I was not going to make it. But with GOD’s grace, prayers, and many friends and family helping me, I made it through. It was devastating to lose my breasts. As a woman I just did not fit in, my husband did not care, but I just wanted them formed. I had a reconstruction two years ago, as you saw just the breast and nothing else. I went back to my normal size, not bigger. I am getting back to some normality. I still have a hard time looking at my scars…I have some effects from chemo, but pretty blessed to be here and continue raising our two children. I do not feel normal as I look in the mirror, but you sure made me feel beautiful that day. So with that, I wanted to do something special for my husband that stood by me these five years of doctor’s appointments, and really expressing his love for me by being my bedside nurse 24/7. Even when I had no breasts and I was bald, he kissed me good night…every night.”

..."I know it is a part of me and who I am and who I have become. It has definitely made me a stronger women, mother and wife."

Veronica, I am so blessed to have met you, you are a gorgeous woman, inside and out. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share your story.

Because I try not to post boudoir shots on the web...here is one of the props from the shoot (Veronica's husband is a fireman).