Weekly Photo Challenge: “The Sign Says” I Have Cancer

Jun5

breast cancer thirties 30's 30s young

*WARNING:  The last image on this page is pretty disturbing — and gross — so be careful as you scroll down the page if you don’t want to see it.*

I am writing this post in response to The Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge topic “Signs.”

While I know this isn’t what Sara at The Daily Post had in mind, taking the post in this direction is what feels right to me.  Rather than compiling a handful of hysterical sign photos (I do have a few!), I have decided to abandon my first inclination and leave funny at the doorstep.  Instead of happy and light, I’ve opted to share a few photos that capture my physical state just months before my diagnosis of Stage 3C breast cancer.

Now, before you run off in the other direction, I’ll tell you that I won’t go as far as posting photos of my breast with its visible lumps.  But I will post more benign shots that really were not benign.

I was 33 in these photos and had lost about 10 – 15 pounds without changing my eating or exercising habits [I didn’t exercise].  It may not show, but I was thoroughly and completely exhausted.  I had been tired before, but this was the first time I would hit a wall where I couldn’t, regardless of how hard I tried, force myself to keep going.

I was so sick.

I had infection after infection.  Bronchitis.  Pneumonia.  Eye infections.  Etc.  Etc.

My lymph nodes were swollen.

My skin was dull and grey.  I was breaking out in rashes and developed acne-like bumps.  I had sores in and on my mouth.  My lips were peeling and cracked, swollen and often bloody.

I had been growing my hair for ages so I could again donate to Locks of Love, an organization that provides wigs for kids going through cancer and chemo (and other serious illnesses). But I was afraid they wouldn’t accept it this time because it was so dry, dull and lifeless.  And it was falling out.

And I was falling.  On one of the occasions when I blacked out and fell down the stairs, I hit my back and head so hard that I ended up in the emergency room.

I was experiencing a constant tingling throughout my left breast, similar to the “let-down” feeling I remembered from nursing my twin boys.  But the pain in the breast, from the surface to somewhere deep inside my chest was just as concerning.  The pain in my armpit was also making me wonder.

And there was more.  But why bore you with the details?

I knew something was gravely wrong.  And I knew that if I didn’t find out what it was soon, it would kill me.

And I was right.

While these photos are not pretty or well done, they are real.  They may not look like much if you didn’t know me before all of this, but for me these photos illustrate clear signs that cancer had engulfed my breast and lymph nodes and that it was trying to go further.  I just wish I had recognized them for what they were.  I wish I had paid attention to the signs sooner.

breast cancer thirties 30's 30s young

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The two photos that follow were taken on Christmas Day, 2009, just under 4 months before my diagnosis.  I was so ill and had been for a while.  And other than pneumonia and very swollen and sore lymph nodes and these recurrent infections in my mucous membranes, etc., no one knew what was wrong with me and why I couldn’t leave these infections and illnesses behind.  These were two of the rare photos I was in that Christmas:

breast cancer thirties 30's 30s death illness young photos

Just a warning:  the disturbing photo is coming after the photo below.  Last chance to turn back!

breast cancer thirties 30's 30s infections young illness death stage 3c

You probably thought I would share a photo of my breast or axillary lymph nodes here, but I promised I wouldn’t do that to you!  The disturbing photo I am sharing is of my eye, my skin, and my swollen (and bloody — though you can’t see the blood here) lips.  Both of my eyes looked like this quite often near the end.  They were as painful as they looked and were infected over and over again.  I knew something was seriously wrong with me because this wasn’t normal.  But no one sought to get to the bottom of my symptoms — I’m sure having no insurance at the time had something to do with this lack of action.

breast cancer thirties 30's 30s young eye infection infections red bloodshot lips

Thanks for making it to the end.  Even though this photo montage isn’t pretty, I think it is important to my story and I appreciate everyone who was willing to see it through.

And I promise that the next photo challenge post I do will be filled with beautiful images of people or places I hold dear…

If you’d like to participate in The Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge, just click here.

29 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge: “The Sign Says” I Have Cancer”

  2. I’m really glad you’re not sugar coating this. I think people need to be aware and you’re doing that, thank you for having the courage to share your story and photos so honestly.
    While it’s evident that you were very ill, you’re still incredibly beautiful. xo

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  6. Your courage and clear message is an reminder that signs are important, and should be respected. I am so very, very sorry that you must go through this….my prayers are with and your precious family.

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  9. You are a brave soul. I am so sorry for you and for your boys that you have to go through this. In comparison to you, my breast cancer seems like nothing, I feel guilty that I, at age 58, with adult children who didn’t depend on me had only a very few months of cancer treatments with few side effects, and you with two young children had to and are continuing to deal with your cancer. I will keep you all in my prayers.

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    • Thanks so much, Melissa! And please don’t feel guilty. As Pink Underbelly says below, cancer is rotten at whatever age and stage. It’s a shame any of us has to face it. And I’m so sorry that you have!
      I am grateful for your kind words and prayers — and that you’ve made it through your treatment. Thanks so very much! ~L

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    • Amen to that, pinkunderbelly!! And I am grateful that you are glad I’m sharing my story (likewise, by the way!). It’s been healing for me, but if feels good to know that it’s being read and that I have this great group of supporters out there who I’ve never met, but whom I’ve grown quite fond of in the past year! Thank you!

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  12. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Fleeting — “Not Enough Time” | cancerinmythirties

  13. I clicked “like” – because I like your gutsy attitude, mademoiselle. Your attitude towards this illness will help you to fight it, and this post is a real wake-up call. Don’t get me started about health care rights, or I’ll still be writing tomorrow morning. Hugs. You’re a force to be reckoned with.

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  14. keeping you in my prayers…thank you for sharing your story…may God bless and completely heal you for your twins who are both so adorable! you are so brave to face your illness like this, take care…

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  15. As always you’re an inspiration and a voice for reason in a world that sees breast cancer as an “easy cancer.” There’s nothing easy about the things you’re going through. Sending love, Tracy xoxox

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    • I know you get that firsthand — but I wish you didn’t!! Thank you for all the lovely things you said. You are so kind to me. I’m glad we have a great group of breast cancer bloggers here (like you!) who are trying to challenge misconceptions about this horrible disease. Lots of hugs xoxo

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