Capturing Memories That Last

Cancer The Other Side

This page is is dedicated to a very special friend…her name is Chris. She is battling cancer and isn’t doing to good right now. I met Chris around 3 years ago on a forum called PhotoImpact International. We both loved designing using PhotoImpact. We would comment back and forth on each other’s posts. Some how the friendship developed. We decided to email each other. One day in an email Chris gave me her phone number and said just call me. So I picked up the phone and gave her a call….god we talked for about 4 hours…we didn’t know each other at all but we sure could hold a conversation. As time went on we our friendship continued to grow. What we talked about well everything under the sun. We continued to call each other everyday and talked for hours while we were editing on the computer. There were times we would talk until 3 in the morning…poor Galen…his wife deserted him. Every time we talked we always had something new to say. She always had a good heart and would listen to all my troubles as we had a lot in common.

As the friendship continued Chris was getting more into photography….her passion and she was good at it. She self taught her self what she knows. Every time I talked to Chris she was buying something new…either equipment or something to use for props. With her passion in photography she found a forum called Mpix. Chris joined Mpix on June 4, 2007. She said Mpix seemed like a very friendly place with a lot of good information to learn about Photography. Chris had been posting in the camera forum on the PhotoImpact board but her skills were developing beyond just your point and shoot. She had a passion to get into photographing children and let me tell you see made it look easy. She would tell me that it wasn’t as easy as it looked. We would laugh about her stories she had to tell when it came to photographing children…and how she would sweat like a pig. I told her that I would be the same way and not sure if I would get back up off the ground as you need to be at their level and quick.

Chris convinced me to join Mpix too so I joined on August 6, 2007. I basically sat back and lurked around reading as much information as I could. After a year or so Chris became known on Mpix as the “prop queen.” She has everything you could think of for props and new just how to use them in her photo shoots. Chris never charged to take pictures,  as it was just something she wanted to do for fun and it kept her mind off cancer. She said that maybe some day she may charge but not right now. She said she needed to be her own boss that she could never work for anyone else.

With her cancer returning Chris began having problems with using her right arm making it difficult to hold the camera. She new the day would come that she wouldn’t be able to shoot pictures again…I told her she may not be ablet to shoot kids photos but not to give up photography as she could still use a tripod…but she never got that chance as her arm continued to get worse.

You know when you talk to someone everyday you can begin to feel what they are going through. I tried to understand as much about cancer as I could…sometimes I was afraid to ask but Chris didn’t mind talking about it. We would talk about how the chemo was affecting her and how she would have such bad reactions to the drugs. People just don’t understand at all what people with cancer go through. I remember a little girl with cancer who was around 8 on the show Home Makeover  saying to her parents she didn’t want to go through with this anymore. She would always be so sick and the pain….not from the cancer but the drugs to fight the cancer. Like Chris always said if the cancer didn’t kill you the drugs would.

The doctors were trying to find a drug or combination of drugs that Chris could take. She always had such bad reactions to what ever they would try.  But no matter how Chris felt she was always there to take your photos or on the phone to talk. Some days she would want to quit just to not have to go through all this but she never gave up and she is still as stubborn and a fighter to this day while she is in icu right now.

I sit back and laugh about some of our conversations that we have had.  You know you have become good friends when you friend eats while talking to you or goes to the bathroom to pee while your talking..neither of us even cared. I keep thinking about how Chris and Galen would joke around while Chris and I were on the phone..they both have such a since of humor…something I wish my relationship would be like…not once did I hear Galen get mad or upset.

Chris has a beautiful family….and has endured it all. Her grandson Jordan lives with her and Galen. Jordan would also keep her on her toes. He granddaughter Gabby would spent a lot of time with Chris and Galen too until just lately when Chris was having a harder time. She always talks about Jordan and Gabby and how when Gabby would spend the night there was never a dull moment and no quiet time until Gabby went home. She enjoyed torchering Jordan and Gabby to be her models to try some new prop on. After awhile they both wanted to run the other way when they saw Chris bring out the camera. Chris got some beautiful shots of both kids. Here are a couple photos she took.

Chris is active with a group called Cancer Chicks…which she talked about all the time. They were all able to get together and take a trip to Florida. These are some of the photos Chris shared with me.

Here is are a couple  beautiful images of Chris and her husband Galen…the second one just breaks my heart and shows the love between two people.

This photo was their trip that they were able to make with the family as Chris felt this would be her last chance to go.

Why did I start this page…well Chris inspired me to offer my services to other cancer patients. After Chris made the move to be in-front of the camera and reading an article in our local paper called “Look Good, Feel Better and Relay to help cancer survivors” I was wondering what I could do to help.  I decided I would like to offer a photo session to cancer patients/survivors in hopes of making their days special and to carry on Chris’ love of photography. Here are a couple articles published in the local newspapers.  Cyndi Cashman who owns the HAIRitage hair and tanning salon is a cancer survivor and activity participates in the event.

You can click on the articles to enlarge for better reading. (You may have to click twice to enlarge to the fullest)

Prescott Journal Feb 2010

Cyndi Cashman also participates in the Locks for Love.

Locks of Love

I will be adding to to this page as my thoughts come to mind so it will be changing from time to time. Chris had Amy take some picutures of her as Chris was always the one behind the camera….Chris says this is the side of cancer you don’t see. Here are a couple of the photos taken.

Chris you are beautiful inside and out!

All images of Chris,  her family, and other images were used with Chris’ permission. She said if I needed anything just use it. Chris

feels what I am doing for other cancer patients is just fantastic!  I know Chris would do the same if she were able to today.

Chris keep fighting! Don’t let the cancer win!

There is one thing in life I regret and that is not ever getting to meet Chris in person! We both let life get in our way.

Here is the folded business card I will be using. (click on the image if you need to enlarge it) If you know anyone with cancer/survivor please let them know what I am doing.

This is the front and back of the folded business card.

This is the inside of the folded business card.

Chris has so many friends thinking of her daily.  If you wish to follow along in her battle and watch for updates you can join in on the Mpix general discussion forum or check here for the posted updates from  Facebook.

Here are some recent updates from Facebook.

This is Danyel Chris’s daughter. I just got home from the hospital so I thought I would give everyone an update on her condition. Right now the bleeding is under control, she is still unconscious though. Her blood pressure is getting better so that is good. She seems to be resting comfortably right now.

Her family and some friends have been with her all day. I know she was asleep but I do believe she knew we were all there. We are hoping for the best and its very nice to know we have all of you thinking of her also.

You all mean the world to her! Dad is staying with her tonight since we cant all stay in the ICU with her so I guess I am going to try and get some sleep so I can be back in the morning….Thank you all again

Please keep the prayers coming for Chris. Her daughter updated her profile. Thanks so much Danyel for letting us know. She is still in ICU and still unconscious, but the bleeding is under control and her blood pressure is getting better.

Regina just posted on the forum about Chris. She talked to Galen and he said she is coming around and talking a little. They gave her 3 units of blood.

Galen just called. Chris is getting better, her BP dropped to 70 over 27 yesterday and the docs told them she wouldn’t make it. But she did. Gave her 3 units of blood and she’s a little bit awake today and talking to him..knows him and knows what day it is. Her kidneys were shutting down, but a little better today, starting to work again.

The vein that broke is close to the surface, so they stitched it and stopped the bleeding. Took her off the blood thinner, so now they will have to worry about the clots again. May move her to a regular room today, but don’t know when she will go home. I just don’t know how much more that poor woman can take. Her body is being assaulted from all sides. She just keeps fighting it off though. That is one tough woman! Thanks for the prayers.

03-10-2010 7:23 AM

© Lois Johnson and Photographic Memories by Lois, 2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lois Johnson and Photographic Memories by Lois with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.