Cancer Hero

I had the pleasure of sharing an amazing photography experience with a dear friend, Julie Anderson Newell. I was so nervous and timid about how everything would go down, not only because I’ve never done anything like this without Jessica being the muse, but because these pictures are for a blog I plan on starting for my upcoming journey around the world. This is a crucial component of my soon to be adventure in which I honor my wife.

Everything was perfect though; the nerves, the studio, how Jessica would have adored it, embracing Julie, holding back tears, staring out of the window for a pose and getting lost in the leaves, my mind wandering to my wife, the sound of a clicking camera, the smell of the floor, the sun beaming through the glass and the passion of Julie. It resembled Jessica’s passion for health and wellness. Julie loves her craft, she has a gift…and I haven’t even seen the pictures yet.

After our session I had to drive home for a little family going away party. I was stuck in traffic because I was in a car…driving in Chicago, big surprise. I told my friend while waiting at a red light for 6 days how everything went. I remember saying; “Julie was wonderful, actually she is a cancer survivor.” I eventually hung up the phone and started to ponder that term “cancer survivor”. I started thinking about what it truly meant…what is a cancer survivor? Our society would say that it is a person who has been stricken with a form of cancer, battled this horrible disease and is now in remission. There is usually a small amount of awe associated with the survivor but I personally feel this term falls so very short of describing a person who not only fought, but beat cancer. I too admittedly had no idea of how arduous the cancer survivor’s journey truly is. I haven’t even lived it personally and I am humbled by the courage, strength, faith, confidence and hope that is necessary to have the title of a cancer survivor. These people fight a war, nothing short of this. Each and every moment of every day they emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically fight for their existence. Most fight for their lives, they never know if it will spread and get worse. There are sleepless nights, constant throwing up, extreme fatigue, absolute fright of death, dozens of horrible side effects from the medicine let alone the disease, no appetite, impossible schedules, countless doctor visits hearing ten different opinions, losing control of every aspect of your entire life and so much more. It is relentless, terrifying and it makes you questions every significant component of your life.

These cancer survivors are fucking warriors, they are heroes, and not just the ones who survive either. The ones who lost their battle as well. They fought just as hard and in some cases harder, but they didn’t win. When a soldier goes to war and has to endure all of the horrific reality that comes along with it, it makes no difference if he returns to his family or if he dies for his country…He is a Hero…not a “war survivor”.

Cancer survivors are heroes too. They have fought for themselves, their children, their spouses, their families, their friends and they fight for God. They shouldn’t be called cancer survivors, they should be called cancer heroes. Julie is a cancer hero, Jessica is a cancer hero. They and so many more are all heroes to me. God Bless them.