Author Archive
April Event
Posted by: | Comments(Sorry, the formating does not import well. But I would rather get you the information than have a perfect post.)
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Chemo-Brain
Posted by: | CommentsBe patient, your brain will return.
I am an avid learner. I read a lot. Most of us take take that skill for granted until you loose it. Many of us experience a condition refered to many as chemo brain. Things just don’t click like you are used to and it is quite frustrating.
Some time after completing chemo treatments I tried to take a Master Gardening class. I had to drop out. I was so frustrated with the material and the teaching style of the course. At the time, I thought I was not capable of learning it and that the class was too hard. But now I realize that I just was not ready yet. I think the fog from chemo brain just had not cleared enough yet but I really did not know that.
So don’t give up. It takes time and there is no answer to how long it will take as it will be different for each one of us. There is no magic day that it just happens. For me it was so gradual that I could not tell I was not ready for an intense learning situation yet.
But rest assured it does get better and that is the message I want to share. All you can do is continue to try and not be hard on yourself or too concerned if the current project ends up being difficult. It will be okay!
Chris’s Reading List
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Books and resources that were helpful for me:
Spontaneous Healing by Andrew Weil
Peace, Love & Healing by Bernie Siegel
A Cancer Battle Plan by Anne Frahm
How to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural Medicine by Michael Murray
And most important to me was my Bible.
There were other books that were helpful but I have forgotten them or given them to others who are dealing with cancer.
Massage was very helpful for me in my recovery along with lots of hiking.
Chris from Iowa, Survivor 1995 & 2005
Master Photographer Barb Gordon, www.GordonPhotography.Biz
www.PortraitsAndStories.com a photo essay project to bless breast cancer survivors, their family, and friends. Find inspiration and encouragement here through photographs and stories.
Removable Breasts
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Chris from Iowa, Survivor 1995 & 2005
Chris told me about a poster she saw at one of her doctor appointments that inspired her. It was of a woman who had had a mascetormy who was beautiful and vibrant. That poster assured Chris that she too would be fine. That image inspired Chris to want to share with other women-that it will be alright.
Before I knew Chris was a breast cancer survivor, twice, I had photographed her previously for her new business cards for her Geriatric Care Management practice. I did not stop to contemplate that some women have reconstruction surgury and some opt not to. When she mentioned her prosthesis at the photo session, I was a bit confused as I had not thought about that and I certainly couldn’t tell the difference in her regular clothes.
We thought images like this would tell an inspriational story, as she too is a quite beautiful and vibrant woman!
Master Photographer Barb Gordon, www.GordonPhotography.Biz
www.PortraitsAndStories.com a photo essay project to bless breast cancer survivors, their family, and friends. Find inspiration and encouragement here through photographs and stories.
Chemo Brain Event #2
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Although this was tramatic at the time, like most chemo brain incidents, this story is now funny. When one is affected by chemicals or drugs (legal or otherwise), your brain functions differently. It is really hard to describe how mixed up one can get with normal everyday things you normally do just fine with. Those of you who have been through it will relate.
I was getting gas, like I have done how many countless times in my life. I was reading the directions on the pump, normally I just know how to do it. After placing the nozzle in my vehicle, the directions said to press “start” to begin pumping gas. Well there was no button that said “start” on it. On a normal day, one would figure that the big, red button that said “press” would be the button I was needing. Not on chemo brain. It took me ages to get to that point. Oh-but it gets better.
Once I believed I was pumping gas, it wasn’t really working. A very nice man pulled up behind and offered to help which I replied, “No thanks, I will just move on.” He graciously offered to get an attendent from inside, as the pump may be having problems. (It really might have, I really have no way of knowing.) I was in small tears by now, “No, I just want to leave!” I told him. The poor sweet man, had no idea what I was going through, and I was incapable of explaining, I just wanted out of there!
I did go to the next town down the road-got gas without an incident. I still giggle to myself when the buttons are not labeled the same as the instructions say they are!
Do not worry, the chemo brain effects do clear up and you will be able to multi-task again! It does take quite a few months and you do wonder if you ever will be right in the head again, but you will get there!
Master Photographer Barb Gordon, www.GordonPhotography.Biz
www.PortraitsAndStories.com a photo essay project to bless breast cancer survivors, their family, and friends. Find inspiration and encouragement here through photographs and stories.
Feelings Affect Health
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I have found this book very helpful. Disease is the natural consequence of unresolved negative feelings that have been forgotton, ignored, or buried. One of the changes I have made for my health is to not ignore my feelings.
Quoting from the book: “According to Prevention Magazine: “It is estimated that 90% of all physical problems have psychological roots. That may sound like a gross exaggeration. In fact, it’s probably a conservative estimate. A growing body of evidence indicates that virtually every ill that can befall the body-from acne to arthritis, headaches to heart disease, cold sores to cancer-is influenced, for better or worse, by our emotions. (Quoted from The Complete Guide to Your Emotions And Your Health p. 563 by Emrika Padus and the editors of Prevention magazine.)”
“I only know that by using this “tool” I have been able to alleviate about 90% of the negativity and erronous programming in my life, the result of which has brought me the sweet gifts of serenity, love, contentment, peace and joy.” author Karen K Truman
Here is a link to Amazon to get more information on this book: http://www.amazon.com/Feelings-Buried-Alive-Never-Die/dp/0911207023/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257009845&sr=8-1
Flower Power
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I got to know Karen when she did some temp work at the studio. I knew she her favorite hobby was photography so this was the perfect way to photograph her. Her favorite places to visit are arboretums to photograph flowers. The wild background image was a photo she took while I was photographing her. She was not really trying to get an image but I loved the wild, abstract look of it so I asked her to send me the file.
“This experience has taught me: I can not always be in control. I have to let go and let God.”
Karen from Iowa, Survivor April 1998
Master Photographer Barb Gordon, www.GordonPhotography.Biz
www.PortraitsAndStories.com a photo essay project to bless breast cancer survivors, their family, and friends. Find inspiration and encouragement here through photographs and stories.
First P&S Video Completed!
Posted by: | CommentsI have finally learned how to pull video in from You Tube! So here it is! The first Portraits & Stories video featuring the first five survivors I have photographed.
The music provided by my friend Mark Pence of www.MarkVincentPence.com really makes it come to life.
The Oversensitive Nose
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the strange, and temporary, effects of chemotherapy is the over sensitivity to smells. Many things that normally smell good may not at this stage of treatment.
I made the mistake of spritzing my pillow once with a eucalyptus linen spray, you know like you get a bath store? Oh my goodness, I could not stand to go into my room. Even walking down the hall I could smell it coming.
I had no energy to change the sheets either. And although most people could not smell it, I could for weeks.
So friends and family, be careful about cooking, perfumes, and other nice smells like making coffee as it has an unusual effect on your patient at this time.
Barb Gordon from Iowa, Survivor May 2006 Portraits & Stories founder and photographer
www.PortraitsAndStories.com a photo essay project to bless breast cancer survivors, their family, and friends. Find inspiration and encouragement here through photographs and stories.
Chemo Brain Event #1
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At the time this was not very funny to me. Everyone knows you do not put plastic near heat, right? Well, with “chemo brain”, a term for being chemically impared, many things don’t compute. This condition is temporary although it can take up to a year to clear the fog from the brain. Anyway, I was using a rotisery and thought it would be more convenient to leave in the thermometer provided it did not catch on anything as it turned. I studied it so carefully, watching a few rounds to make sure the thermometer cleared at every turn. I was quite proud of myself for handling this by myself. Never cook alone when in treatment! My husband smelled the melting plastic and rescued our dinner and saved the evidence for a souvenier.
Barb Gordon from Iowa, Survivor May 2006, Portraits & Stories photographer www.GordonPhotography.Biz
www.PortraitsAndStories.com a photo essay project to bless breast cancer survivors, their family, and friends. Find inspiration and encouragement here through photographs and stories.