Life’s Biggest Detour: Cancer
Because this is a photo journal, I won’t go into all of the trauma, treatment, and terror I went through over the next five years. Trying to stay strictly with photography, with only necessary introductions, which became therapy for me.
Thank you to my readers of the photo journal. Much appreciated!
I bought my first high end camera, a Nikon D700, in 2009, beginning my career as a photographer in Santa Fe, New Mexico. But these photos (mostly iPhone) will be unedited, so you can understand my struggle of just making images.
I was diagnosed with brain cancer just before Thanksgiving 2014. Cancer took over my life for five years, and then dealing with the aftermath.
Because Santa Fe had limited neuro oncologists, I was treated at the University of New Mexico’s hospital in Albuquerque, 70 miles away.
After a lifesaving tumor removal, I was unable to walk, talk, speak, read, write - everything everyone takes for granted. I had to relearn all of it. Including photography. Because I had an iPhone 4S, it was simple. Just one button.
I had the shakes for months, as you see in my photos. One of my favorite subjects was a chapel made from stained glass in the hospital.
After my months long stay in the hospital, I entered a rehab facility nearby to learn how to live again. But every two weeks, I would receive chemo at the hospital. Usually a 2-3 day stay, depending on my levels.
Eventually, I was released from rehab but would need to return for more chemo. But I was going HOME!
The magic of Santa Fe sunsets replenishes your soul.
Gifts from friends and family who were rooting for me.
Still in a wheelchair, my first outing was to a mall in Santa Fe because it was flat. I was really trying to figure out how to work around my shakes and photography.
I learned to celebrate the small victories, such as tying my shoes.
As well as the holidays and big celebrations.
My daughter and Bambi were grilling out for Opening Day and Easter flowers. You will notice the cookbooks for cancer patients. Chemo blasted my taste buds into oblivion. Everything tasted like burnt charcoal. I found Rebecca Katz’s cookbooks online. (Now there are a slew of cookbooks for those being treated for cancer.)
While vacationing in New Orleans, I enjoyed Cafe De Monde’s coffee. I ordered some online for when I could taste again. A goal and a treat at the same time.
Two years… But it was worth the wait!
Where am I now? You can find me on Blue Sky.