I am a poroud member of the Chic Critique Forum. (It's a great place to hang out... you should go check it out if you're anything between a budding photographer and a full blown photographer). I am also a part of the Chic Critique team (I scout out awesome photogs and convince them to come teach "normal" folk like myself.) :) I'd love for you all to go check this article out. There is a DARLING little down syndrome girl who needs a home. So, I'll ask you again... what do YOU want for Christmas? There's only so many toys Santa can bring your kids, so many Christmas movies you can watch, so many ways you can set up for Santa, but what is more affective in teaching your children about the pure love of Christ than by helping a beautiful baby girl be adopted into a loving, forever family? It's a good cause... what more reason do you need?
Miss Angela~ Colorado Springs Hot Mama Photographer
This woman hold a very dear place in my heart. She is Carter's kindergarten teacher from last year. When he got sick and we headed to the hospital, the first email I sent was to her. To say that she was supportive and sympathetic doesn't begin to cover it. She came to the hospital. She tutored him for the rest of kindergarten. She had all the kids write him cards. She dealt with the parents in the class so they knew what was happening. She bought him presents. She would take him on walks to give him a break from the tutoring. She's just the kind of girl you want to hang out with... go to a movie or dinner. I hope we stay friends for a REALLY long time. And I'm really hoping to take their family pictures after the holidays... hint, hint. :)
Regrowth and Maintenance~ Colorado Springs Children Photographer
In two and a half years we will have a cancer-free son! He started maintenance this past month. We have an official "cure" day. May 16, 2014. A meer month before he turns 9. I can't wait for that day. SERIOUS celebrating will be going' on up in her'! I know it's a long, long, LONG ways away still but at least there's a date. We're so proud of Carter for being so strong, brave, and positive throughout all of this. We could not have been blessed with a more perfect son. By Christmas he'll have a short little buzz cut! It's already looking great. When you rub his hair (which is as soft as a newborn's) you can feel little spikes of new hairs coming up. I can't tell if he looks like a cancer patient anymore because to me he has a TON of hair. But then, I think if I saw him like this 9 months ago would I have been horrified?
He was diagnosed with Leukemia 9 months ago today and now he's into his final cycle of chemo. What to expect for the next 2 1/2 years is this:
--> 5 days of steroids a month (3 pills in the morning and two pills at night). They cause insomnia for about a week. Sucks.
--> 1 prevacid each morning (helps with stomach acid which is caused all of the other meds)
--> Mercaptopurine nightly (a type of chemotherapy in pill form taken at least two hours after dinner with only water... I have to set my alarm every night. So annoying. Because it's chemo you can't touch it with your fingers... yet I willingly have my son swallow it. Weekends he has two pills at night. This one makes him kind of sick. I don't like it.)
--> Methotrexate (another oral chemo-- again, can't touch it) every Monday (with a few exceptions). 6 1/2 pills at night.
--> Each chemo visit will consist of Vincristine through his port.
--> Each chemo visit will also consist of an hour long dose of Pentamidine (an antibiotic to preventpneumonia... which could kill him).
--> Every three months he has a spinal tap where they give him Methotrexate into his spine and test the spinal fluids for cancer. (These are the Mondays where he won't take his Methotrexate at home.) We are very excited that he will be getting them so less often.
There is a chance that some of these will be switched up a bit if he doesn't react well to them. For example, the Mercaptipurine caused serious elevated liver counts last time he took it. He had to take it for a month last time and by the end of the month one of his liver counts was 875 and in a normal person it's 25. Left that high for too long there will be permanent liver damage. If he does that again this time around they will have to change it up with another drug. The one that they would use would probably be one that causes serious hair loss and nausea. (Although last time he took it he didn't get real sick... but went VERY VERY bald.) Only time will tell though. Just because he reacted a certain way last time he took a specific drug doesn't mean that he'll react that same way this time around. (Annoying, right?)
I have mixed feelings about his hair coming back in. Him being bald is a very visual reminder that he has cancer. Now that his hair is coming back in I feel like people won't be as careful but he'll still be as sick... you know? But, it's fun to watch his hair come back in. It's pretty light. I think it'll be a dirty blond. Much lighter than before. But there's still time for a curve ball with his hair color.
Miss Kim~ Colorado Springs Hot Mama Photographer
I took pictures of the Hot Mama's beautiful familya few months ago... and we're in talks for taking some snow pictures (PLEASE!?!) some time this winter. She's seriously awesome. It's one of those examples of how every now and again "mixing business and pleasure" actually works out. She has become a great friend of mine and I look forward to years and years of memories!
Miss Cumorah~ Colorado Springs Hot Mama Photographer
Miss Natalie~ Colorado Springs Hot Mama Photographer
What to expect...~ Colorado Springs Hot Mama Photographer
Last month I took out a few friends and had a BLAST! We took some SUPER hot mama pictures. The weather was totally perfect (most of the time) with sun and a good breeze. They were really good sports and hopefully they'll be as happy with their pictures and I am.
4 Ladies and a Dad~ Black Forest Family Photographer
Bryan is so lucky to have bought into a practice with two amazing partners. This is one of his partners, his beautiful wife, and three adorable girls. And his darling wife is one of the best teachers at our gym. They were troopers traipsing through the dirt and trees for me. We had a lot of fun. This mama likes the more formal posed pictures, which, honestly, for me is a little bit harder. Hopefully we got what she wanted. They are a beautiful family so we were at a good starting point. :) The highlight of the entire afternoon for me was when I was doing pictures of just the girls. I had Dad standing behind me so that the girls would look at me and hopefully I could get some natural smiles. They begged him to to the "screeching pig" (I think that's the name... if it's not, it should be changed to that). And, boy, did he deliver! I about jumped out of my skin!!! It was hysterical. One he should definitely start doing in the dental office just to see people's reactions.
The B Family- Colorado Springs Family Photographer
I seriously love this family with all my heart. They are so darling and when I get the chance to photograph them I definitely earn my keep. That being said, this time was SO different! The kids were FABULOUS for me... actually, little Lacey wanted nothing to do with me but as long as Mom and Dad were near by, she was fine. (But I do have some marvelous pictures of her so distraught you would have thought I was coming at her with the Scream mask on.) The boys were champs. They just moved down to the Springs from Denver and I couldn't be happier to have them near us. They are some of our dearest friends who we also have the privilege of being stuck with for eternity! Love you guys!
- Again with the bear butt... :)
Nona and Papa~ Breckenridge Family Photographer
My parents are pretty awesome. They are super in love. They have been married for over 35 years and are going strong. How many couples can say that?! They never fight. And when I say never I literally mean just that. Never. They will calmly talk things over but they never raise their voices at each other. They were a wonderful example to us growing up. They came up to Breckenridge with us. It was so much fun having them along, espeically since Bryan had to come back down to work for the second 1/2 of the week. The kids adore my parents as well. They love playing with them, snuggling with them... really anything. I love my parents so much and am so lucky to have them around!
The G Family~ Aurora Family Photographer
I love those hard working soldiers we have. And this Daddy is one of them. He was home on leave so it was family picture time. He was SOOOOO excited to have family pictures done (*she says with OVERWHELMING sarcasm...*). Seriously, Dad's are always... ummm... how to say it nicely... not too into pictures. :) But, at the end of the day, we got some cute ones and he loves his family so much that even though he was trying to be tough we got some pictures of the softer side. Plus, the awesome mommy and I met up for dessert to look over all the pictures. She is SO cool. One of the greatest things about this business is meeting new people... and Rachel was no exception.
Miss Debbie~ Breckenridge Cancer Photographer
This woman is a fighter, to say the least. She has been battling cancer for NINE years. NINE! She's had breast, liver, brain, and... shoot... one more... dang! I'll remember... give me a few minutes. While we were on our respite week up in Breckenridge the head Domus Pacis woman asked me to do a photo shoot of Debbie. Debbie was visiting her sweet sister, Barb, for the week and they were put up in what I can only imagine was a wonderful space to enjoy a week long, much needed vacation. The entire shoot I just imagined going through this with my sister.... watching her suffer the way I'm sure Debbie has.... and wow. What an overwhelming thought. She was nothing but positive and a complete pleasure to be around. Her wig looked SO awesome that when I answered the door I couldn't tell which one was wearing the wig. She was beautiful inside and out and I will be forever grateful for being able to document this trying time in her life. I wish her a long life of recovery and HAIR!
- I think she is laughing here because I asked her which of her 3 sisters is her favorite.
And of course I still can't remember the 4th... I'm so lame. But, she's amazing. And anyone lucky enough to know her has been blessed!
Day 29~ Colorado Springs Children Photographer
We are entering a rough patch. There's no getting around it. We are ready for it. I just kinda want it here so it will be over, you know? There are all kinds of drugs he has been getting the past month. He has been getting Vincristine (side affects he's gotten from it: dry hands), Methotrexate through a his spine (HATE it when he gets spinals... just scares me... and he gets them all the time!) (side affects he's gotten: little bit of a sore back), Dexamethasone (side affects he's gotten from this: crazy hungry, weak muscles- specifically legs, chubby cheeks, slight insomnia, a little moody), Pegasperaginase, Doxorubicin (side affects he's gotten from this: very rosey cheeks), Pentamidine, and Melatonin (counteracts the insomnia). This week when he finished his steroids (the Dexamethasone) he got horrible pains and cramping in his arms, lower back, and especially his legs. After a little private "Meet the Teacher", Carter and I headed to pick up the girls at Chealsea's. On the way out of the school I could tell he was in pain but he wouldn't let me carry him. By the time we got to Chelsea's he was in the back seat whimpering because his body hurt. By the time we were on our way home (with Chelsea's daughter/Carter's best friend, Taeler) he was outright screaming in agonizing pain. I have never heard him like that. And for him to do it in front of Taeler... I knew it was bad. We headed straight to the Oncology clinic for me to pick up a prescription for a narcotic... apparently you can't really call those in? An HOUR later (takes 25 minutes to drive down to the clinic) I finally got him some meds and got in out of pain. It was torture. For Carter. For me. For Taeler. (My girls didn't seem to mind it. :)) When Chelsea came to get Taeler she got in the car and sobbed. It was hard for her to watch Carter in pain. She's such a little sweetheart and those two love each other dearly. (What?... No.... Me?... Planning the wedding already?... Where on earth would you get that idea...? I have no idea what you're talking about...) And as for me? I cried the entire way to the Doctor's office, while I was talking to the Dr (who gave me a very sweet hug), and then 1/2 way home. I really think the worst part about this "adventure" is watching him when he's in pain. I HATE IT! What parent doesn't? Who likes to watch their kid have the stupid flu, let alone a REALLY bad flu that could kill them and last for nearly 3 and a half years? Here we are, 4 days later and he's still kind of limping around from the cramping and still having to take Ibuprofen at least once a day. One thing I really, honestly, do think about is that our Savior DOES know our pain. He knows Carter's pain and my pain. It DOES bring me comfort. And hopefully it brings him comfort.
Coming up we have a whole new slew of medications. (He was suppose to start all of this today but he SO miserably failed his counts yesterday that they are pushing it off until Tuesday, if not longer.) Most of which I am NOT looking forward to. AT. ALL. Nearly all of them cause vomiting, hair loss, nausea, all that fun stuff that you think of when you think of cancer treatment side affects. The good news is that for the next little bit (at least the next month) there are no steroids, Vincristine, Doxorubicin, or Pegasperiginase. The new meds he has are Cyclophosphamide, Thioguanine (or called 6TG), Cytarabine, and another spinal tap with intrathecal Methotrexate. (I have honestly lost count with how many spinal taps this kid has had.)
The Cytarabine he will be receiving through his port four days in a row, then a break, and then 4 days in a row. We will head into the clinic for him to get accessed (meaning they access his port with a needle through which they can give him meds). They will leave him accessed, then send us home with 3 days worth of Cytarabine. We will give it to him at home through his port in an IV bag. Then we will head back into the clinic (or hospital if it's over the weekend) for them to de-access him. Bryan said he will just do it from home and I know I'm just wimpy but I prefer the nurse or doctor just do it.
The Thioguanine comes in pill form. He will get it nightly for two weeks. He gets two pills a night on the week nights and one pill on Saturdays and Sundays. He was taking the "fraternal twin" of this a few months ago. It wasn't my fave. Because it's chemotherapy, we cannot touch the pills. We have to dump them into a little pill holder thingy. (That's the technical term . :)) You know those things you get when you buy liquid meds for your kids?... those little measuring things. Anyways, then Carter has to put them right in his mouth and take them with water. It has to be water... nothing else. It has to be at least two hours after he last ate. And he can't eat for another two hours. So, right before bed (sometimes we had to wake him up with the previous med like this) he takes this. With the 6MP (the last med similar to this he took- the fraternal twin) when he had to take the double dose (for that one it was on the weekends) they made him sick. He would only puke once in the morning and then he would feel much better. But that drug also did NOT agree with his liver. He liver counts were THROUGH THE ROOF! So, this Thioguanine should be interesting. I'm hoping that last time it was just the combination of the meds he was taking and not just the 6MP causing the liver freak outs.
So, along we go... this is the part I have been dreading for a while and I'm glad it's here. He's such a tough little guy that so rarely complains and I KNOW he can handle this. What would life be without a little puking, anyways? :)
Addi Girl~ Breckenridge Children Photographer
This child.... honestly, she couldn't be more perfect... couldn't be more adorable... couldn't be more sensitive... Sometimes my Mommy-guilt sets in. She is the middle child and I do my best to not let her have "middle child syndrome". But, right now, honestly, it's hard. With Carter going through everything he's going through and with Preslee being such a little spit-fire right now (and potty training), I worry constantly if I am being a good enough mommy to this little sweet heart. She is IMPOSSIBLE to stay mad at. I dare you to try it. You won't be able to. Her heart breaks into a million little pieces when she knows she's done something wrong or made you upset in any way. She sobs very sincere tears and just wants to hug you when she knows your upset with her. Every ounce of frustration or anger instantly melts.
She is also our little snuggle bug. Always has been. Ever since they handed her to me the moment she was born, she has loved cuddling (every mother's dream). She will constantly come to us (sometimes if she wakes up to pee or something at 2am...) and sweetly ask, "Can I snuggle wis you?" in her cute little voice.
We could not be more in love with this little girl. I just wish I could freeze her like this so she doesn't turn into a mouthy teenager. She also says she wants to stay little forever because she doesn't want to "be a mommy and have to get a I.B." (IV... when you have a baby you have to get one.) I know there is a reason the dear Lord gave her to us... not sure what that reason is, but I'm not going to question it. I could spend every last moment of my life with her. She is my little angel.
Preslee Pie~ Breckenridge Children Photographer
Last week we were lucky enough to head up to the mountains for a week off. It was nothing short of amazing! One of the silver linings of our situation is having wonderful people wanting to do wonderful things for us. A group called Domus Pacis Family Respite GAVE us a week in Breckenridge with all kinds of amenities provided for our family. (I'm sure they're accepting donations... :)) We partied hard... cancer style. :) We did every outdoor activity we could find, road the gondola up the mountain FOUR times. The kids could NOT get enough of it. It was truly wonderful. It is also a photographer's dream come true! I went and did mini shoots with each kid, in a different location, on a different day. I also did some pictures of my parents together (they came which was so awesome), and pictures of a beautiful warrior fighting her own nine year battle. Pictures to come on all that. Our baby turned two while we were there. She's been two in spirit for quite some time. :) She's our little pistol. Our TRUE red-head. She's got spunk, fight, and a touch of an attitude. She knows what she wants and she WILL get it, dang it! We couldn't love her more!
Beautiful Pikes Peak~ Colorado Springs Nature Photographer
We are loving our new surroundings up here. Pikes Peak is one of our favorite little excursions. We head out there every few weeks with the kids to let them explore. (Right now being an exception because we are, that's right, potty training- groan...) We love to go visit Crystal Lake Reservoir. The kids absolutely adore picnics and exploring. As long as Carter gets breaks every 5 minutes or so, he does great.
- A view of Manitou Springs. It's such a cute little town!
Best Video EVER! ~Colorado Springs Videography
I so wish I could take any credit at all for this... but I can't. Kelli France, of France Photography make this killer video for me with the help of her super talented videographer because she loves me so very much. :) (I bought her dinner and fro yo... does that make up for it?) I have told her no less than 100 times that it means the world to me. It's so priceless!!! She and Jess (videographer extrodinaire) will never know how much this means to me. It's seriously perfect. They could not have nailed this any better!! Thank you Kelli and Jess! You talent is through the roof!!
Carter's Cancer ~ France Photography from Kelli France on Vimeo.
Happy (Late) 4th of July!~ Pikes Peak Photographer
One nice thing about having a child with cancer is that we spend time with just our little family most of the time. It really is kinda cool... we are seeing really pretty things all over the area. On the 4th, my cute hubby's parents came up so we went out exploring. We came upon some beautiful scenery and some pretty nice light. Not wanting to miss a photo op I tried to snag a few pictures of each of my little ones.
Mine~ Colorado Springs Children Photographer
A few weeks ago I went out with a super awesome photographer friend of mine, Kelli France. (Took the MOST amazing photography business class from her... WELL worth it!!) We took millions of pictures of Carter and she took a million more of Carter and me. We also brought along her videographer which was great because now those two super cool girls are making a video montage of Carter and me together. I am SOOOO excited to see it. I'm rarely on the other side of the camera so when she offered to do this for me, I was more than happy and beyond grateful for the chance to have her use her talent on us.
Patient, Patient Family~ Colorado Springs Family Photographer
This beautiful family is one that has been featured on my old blog a time or two. This is Bryan's sister and her family. They are pretty much awesome. I love hanging out with her and her kids, clearly, are adorable. Too bad they live so far away... we don't get to see them much. We decided to brave the rain and the cold to take some pictures. The kids did pretty darn well considering the weather. I was bummed that the sun never came out to play but, hey, you can't have everything. :) She has been beyond patient with me. We took these pictures about 4 days before Carter was diagnosed with cancer so she patiently waited while my world was turned up-side-down. And I am very grateful for that. But, since I am taking her twin sister's family pictures in a few weeks I figured I should probably get on the ball a little bit. :)
Thanks for the great afternoon, guys! And thanks even more for being so patient. Love you!!