Hope's Cancer Journey

Her 40 over 40 Story

What is your favorite body part or feature? 
Ugggghhhhh, it was my stomach but that has been cut wide open and scared! I would have to say my lower back now

What is the reason we are doing this photoshoot? 
Conquering my Frankenstein look! Accepting my scars and feeling beautiful with them!

What is the most valuable lesson life has taught you?
Life’s too short! Fight your best fight and never give up no matter what! 

What wisdom would you like to share with your younger self?
Don’t settle! And no matter what make sure you take care of YOU first! 

Who was the most influential person in your life and why?
My maternal grandmother! She was my biggest fan and my best friend!  She was my Bible, my calculator, my dictionary, my cookbook, and my cheerleader!(to name a few)

What's your favorite beauty secret?
Messy hair don’t care!
I don’t wear makeup on a regular! I’m all natural 

What are you most excited about when it comes to this photoshoot?
SEEING MY FRIEND!!! (That’s YOU!)
Being pampered and feeling beautiful! All eyes on me! 

What do you hope to gain from participating with the 40 over 40 campaign?
To share my story with others! Knowledge is power!
And to begin to accept my scars as part of me and my future! 

Describe yourself in 3 words
Mother, survivor, determined

What are you most anxious about when it comes to doing this photoshoot?
I have ants in my pants!!! I can’t wait till it’s my turn! 
Dancing like a kindergartner that has to pee! 

Describe when you felt the most beautiful.
When I was pregnant with each of my children! I was glowing all the time!
My first wedding day I felt like Cinderella! 

When were you the most proud of yourself?
Having the strength to get through two divorces and standing on my own two feet in the end! 
Beating my battle with cancer!

My Beautiful Friend

This little glimpse into Hope doesn't begin to explain how strong and truly inspiring this woman is. Hope battled stage IV ovarian cancer, had a total hysterectomy and beat cancer.  After learning she has the gene for breast cancer, she had a double mastectomy so she didn't have to live the rest of her life in fear. 

Hope then turned this horrible experience around and stood before a room full of women at the 40 over 40 Gala and openly shared her very vulnerable story with the goal that other women would hear her story, take action, and live to tell their story too! 

Hope's goal with her 40 over 40 photo shoot was to see her scars and love herself AS IS.  Her scars will always be there, as will the memories, but that didn't mean she couldn't learn to love Hope 2.0.   Hope is an inspiration to all and I am grateful that she allowed me to photograph her in the most beautiful way possible.