Telling the story of cancer

Jessica Florence was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. After recently receiving a medical clearance for the disease, she posed for a series of photographs showcasing her 'vision' of breast cancer.

Good morning, party people! I hope you are having a nice November Thursday morning.

I'd like to introduce you to Jessica Florence. She is a 24-year-old student, who in her own words, 'slayed' breast cancer.

Florence found small lumps in her right breast in 2014. Eventually, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. From there, Florence underwent chemotherapy, radiation and a mastectomy of her right breast.

Last week, the aspiring architecture student from Tallahassee, Fla., was medically cleared.

'Every three weeks, I would go to hospital,' she said. 'I had to move home and give up college. I had a list of symptoms that went on forever. The chemo tears the stomach lining which caused a lot of discomfort. I have sensitive skin and was unrecognizable because of the open sores on my face.

'Having cancer is this burden, there are always doctor's appointments to go to and you're afraid you might not wake up the next day.'

To celebrate her recent medical clearance, Florence posed for a series of photos to show her explanation of breast cancer and how her approach to living with the disease is achievable.

'I wanted to share my vision of what I thought breast cancer was,' she said. 'I had these jeans and a jacket and I wanted to go topless to show people what I have been going through. It was me explaining breast cancer and that is why I love this photoshoot. It was so genuine and raw.

'I want to show people you can smile through the pain.'

Each time someone touched by cancer puts forward their story or their images, I'm amazed.

Whether it's someone like Florence who 'slayed' breast cancer or the women from the breast cancer awareness campaign 'Mastectomy,' I am humbled by their honesty and bravery. (You can read about the 'Mastectomy' project here, https://kelleysking.wixsite.com/bolderswedish/single-post/2017/10/04/There-will-be-scars.)

Telling the story of cancer, putting a face(s) behind this disease is so very important, I think. If more people understood how radically different you become physically and emotionally, I like to think there would be more focus on finding a cure.

I appreciate the medical advancements we have seen since the earliest days of this disease. Still, if more people understood, truly understood, the emotional, physical, and financial costs of cancer, I think there would be more progress.

I also understand when some people share their cancer stories, there is criticism. There are questions. There are ugly people speaking up.

In 2013, when I was newly diagnosed with Breast Cancer 1.0, I wrote a piece for Yahoo! News about my diagnosis and pending treatments. Most of the responses were overwhelmingly thoughtful and supportive. Still, one comment will always echo in my brain. I mentioned my two wonderful dogs would love me even without my breasts.

In response, a man posted: 'Maybe her dogs can eat her breasts after the surgery.'

Fortunately, the Yahoo! editors saw that comment and took it down before people started piling on. Unfortunately, it's something I will always remember from those days.

For Florence, the response to her story has been mostly positive. However, there have been detractors.

'The response has been crazy,' she said. 'There has been so much love and support from both men and women. I have had a tiny percentage of negative feedback, including one guy who said breasts are not breasts without nipples but it is nothing compared to the 99 percent of people who have shown support.

'Everybody is afraid to show what they look like,' she continued. 'I hope by doing this it will help somebody else in the long run.'

I like to think Florence and her story already are helping people.

To read about Jessica Florence and her breast cancer journey, visit http://www.cetusnews.com/news/Student--24--who--slayed-breast-cancer--shares-empowering-topless-photos.SymhBa1KmyJf.html.

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Quick update on Bravo. We have had some what I call 'fits and starts.'

Yesterday, Bravo was able to eat more than two cups of the baby food/dog food mixture. He was mostly goodwilled and patient when I harassed him every few hours with the syringe of unholy calories.

In the evening, after he received a second dose of the appetite stimulator, Bravo enjoyed several pieces of boiled chicken and turkey.

The Weed hand fed him the meat. Bravo seemed happy to have it. He certainly was happy I wasn't following him around with the syringe again.

This morning, after an early syringe feeding, I offered Bravo some more boiled chicken and he ate a bowl full. I almost cried.

After updating the veterinarian, we have dialed in a feeding schedule that includes trying to get 1,500 kilocalories in him each day. The veterinarian has dubbed this a critical care diet. It is a bit of a challenge for everyone involved.

Still, I'm hoping this will help our gentle boy.

Thanks for reading and sending good vibes!

Bravo has made some strides in his recovery, eating some chicken and trying to rally. We're no where near out of the woods. Still, I'm hopeful our big dog can come back to us.