Are You There Cancer? It's Me, Jennie.: The Big Reveal: Saturday, June 20, 2009

Well folks, it's time for the big surprise I promised you. A few of my closest girlfriends, my family, as well as some of my doctors and medical technicians have seen the "surprise" before but most of you haven't had the...uh...pleasure?!? What is it, you ask? The answer: My bald head.

Below are about two dozen photos from the photo shoot I did with one of my favorite photographers, Jen Fariello. I did the shoot to document how I looked in the midst of treatment and to celebrate reaching the half-way point of my wellness campaign (a.k.a. treatment process). The shoot was so much fun and so empowering that I would love to be able to offer "scholarships" to other young cancer patients who want to document some period during their treatment process. In fact, wouldn't it be great for a couple of cancer organizations to partner with art museums to create a traveling "On the Road to Wellness" exhibit? I mean, if 1 in 4 Americans will be afflicted with the dreaded "C" at some point during their life and since more and more young people are having to fight the disease, don't you think a lot of people might enjoy seeing people's journey to wellness? Maybe I'll start working on that...

Anyway, as usual, Jen did a brilliant job! Enjoy! Here we go...

Okay, now if you're still with me, time for some of my other favorites...

With my friend Thomas.

The next several are with my mom.

What's this all about?

So, what's with the title?

I have my friend Christy, the author of Twisted Toes and the owner of Food Matters, to thank for the title of this blog. She came up with the name shortly after I was told I had cancer and well before I knew exactly what I was dealing with. So, the title made sense since I knew I had something really bad in me but was still waiting for many more confirmations, clarifications, and/or a freakin' miracle to occur. Also, who can pass up the opportunity to give a shout out to Judy Blume? It just fit.

Why the teal and lime green text?

Teal and green are to ovarian cancer what pink is to breast cancer. The colors used in this blog are a nod to every woman who has battled this kind of cancer and to the work of the leading national ovarian cancer advocacy organizations. For more information about ovarian cancer or to make a donation to either organization, please see the last two links in the Links I Like section below.

Why no CaringBridge?

I know many folks like the CaringBridge but it just ain't my style. It's way too Hallmark for this girl. One of my main goals throughout this process is to maintain my sense of humor and something about that site is a little too Care Bears and not enough Comic Relief.

What should you expect?

Imagine if Anne Frank, Bridget Jones, and Kris Carr were to meet up in an Amesterdam cafe to share some *yummy* brownies and discuss a potential book collaboration. Wouldn't you want to be there to listen to their conversation? Well, I would. This blog is something like what I imagine their supposed collaboration would produce: a mixture of poignant reflections, funny observations, brief medical updates, and good tips. Oh, and while I don't have the *yummy* brownies to enjoy, I do take the occasional vicodin for chemo pain so there you go.

Also, a warning: You're gonna encounter some profanity as you read. I know the use of profanity is not ladylike or classy but neither is cancer and since I find its use extremely therapeutic these days, please cut me some slack.

11 comments:

MelissaJune 20, 2009 at 5:12 AM
these are great!
AlisonJune 20, 2009 at 6:36 AM
They turned out GREAT!
AnonymousJune 20, 2009 at 6:43 AM
You are beautiful. And the photos are very inspiring!
Michelle
UnknownJune 20, 2009 at 8:58 AM
These are GORGEOUS! Of course, Jen Fariello had an easy subject to make look beautiful. Good for you, Jennie. As always, you are an inspiration. Love, Elena
Cyndi SuttonJune 20, 2009 at 9:04 AM
These are beautiful...and your idea is fabulous, too!

-Cyndi (Sutton)
AnonymousJune 20, 2009 at 9:56 AM
So, this is why you went to Charlottesville! I love them!!! They all turned out so great. I particularly like the one of you that is right before you and Thomas and then I like the one of you and your mom right after the one of you and Thomas. (Jori)
Kristin WhitmanJune 20, 2009 at 10:17 AM
These are simply beautiful!
AnonymousJune 21, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Jennie, you are a most beautiful inspiration. While "Brenda" is quite the looker, you don't really even need her!! Those pics are true art with you as muse. Love, Sara (Nokes) Lindley
Christy PJune 21, 2009 at 8:07 PM
what i love the most? the fierce look of love in your mother's eyes...
Christina MegillJune 22, 2009 at 3:39 PM
You look fabulous, but you always do!
AnonymousJune 23, 2009 at 7:16 PM
bald, bold and beautiful!!!
xo,ali

Are You There Cancer? It's Me, Jennie.

The Big Reveal: Saturday, June 20, 2009

11 comments:

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