Thursday, July 31, 2014

Face 30......

While walking around one of the Concerts on the Common with my family we had the opportunity to meet Sergeant Joseph Lombardi.
 
 

 
We didn't want to take up too much of his time, since he was working. So I sent him an email to find out more about him for my project.  I will update soon.
 
 

Saturday, July 5, 2014

face 29.....

On July 3rd while attending one of the Concerts on the Common we met

Maggie The Clown!






My daughter asked the questions this time (I love getting them to help me with this)








Q: How long  have you been doing this?
A: 30 years

Q:  How did you make your legs so long?
A:  I have on stilts



My daughter was very excited about asking Maggie those questions because she already knew Maggie The Clown from Burgess.  However this was my first time meeting her.

maggietheclown.com


 

Face 28...........

Something I love about Sturbridge is the Concerts on the Common during the summer!  Where I grew up (in Florida)  we didn't have fun things like this going on so I really enjoy getting out there and being part of it.
 
We had the pleasure of meeting Kim Desy, who is the owner of Desy Ice Cream & Concessions. 
 
 
 
Kim was in law enforcement for 25+ years.
 
Q: When did you start your business?
A:  I have had my bakery, catering and events business for about 22 years and added the ice cream trucks about 8 years now.
 
Q: What is the most popular ice cream this summer so far?
A: Favorite kids ice cream this year is the sour patch kid.
Favorite adult ice cream is the Oreo bar.
 
 
Q: What is your favorite ice cream?  
A: My favorite is the jolly rancher son cones


So if you are ever at the Concerts on the Common go visit Kim and cool off with an ice cream!
 tropicaltreatz.com




 
Two of my Three




 
Meet Graydon, Kim's son
 





 

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Meet face 27....Kori

I have an old (not that we are old) high school friend who is currently fighting cancer.   Watching her posts on facebook and seeing how strong she is, made me want to do something.  Show the world that even when you are fighting everyday with chemo and the emotional toll it has on you, you are still the same beautiful person and always will be.
 
Since I could not do this for my friend, I posted a little note about it on my facebook page.  I said  wanted to photograph and tell the story of a woman fighting cancer and show that even with chemo and all it does to your body while it fights the cancer you are still beautiful.  Cancer doesn't define who you are, how you fight does.
 
With that said above........ I had the honor to meet Kori last week.   Here is her story:


 
 
 
  My husband I and had just been married the August before I got diagnosed in December and had been planning to have a family.  When I started to get a sharp pain in my stomach I thought I had appendicitis and all the doctors I spoke to thought I had a large cyst, no one thought I had cancer as a healthy 27 year old.  I scheduled a surgery for mid December to remove the large 'cyst' and my husband and I vowed to start our family after my recovery.  The morning I came out of surgery I knew something was not right; I finally asked the first team of doctors I saw the and was informed that I had stage three ovarian cancer and I would need to have a second surgery to have a full hysterectomy and potentially remove part of my colon.  I don't remember my first thought but what I do remember are the feelings.  I had a feeling of grief, literal heartache, and complete devastation knowing that my husband and I would not be able to have our own children.  From that moment forward, my definition of what my family would look like changed.  My husband was an incredible support to me at this time, knowing that I was not in this alone.  Both of our parents helped to emotionally support the two of us and were there for us every step of the way.  



 
   Not only did my definition of what my family would look like change but my view on life and what was important to me had significantly changed; I would no longer take special moments with my friends and family for granted and my views on what beauty is changed from hair and makeup to heart and character.  

A couple weeks into my chemo I attended a Look Good, Feel Better program held by the ACS and met a wonderful friend who was in a similar situation as I was with nearly the same time frame.  Connecting with someone who was going through the same things helped me tremendously.  She is such a special person and I am so lucky to have her in my life. Also, having a wonderful and caring infusion nurse and care team helped get me through my weekly treatments.  The chemo made my skin incredibly dry and the steroids made me break out a lot on my neck and back so I started to use coconut oil before I went to bed each night and my skin was like new after a couple days; I even think it helped my hair to start growing again!  




 
Every day I try to remind myself how fortunate I am to have such supportive friends and family and that my situation could be in a worse; everyday there is someone in this world fighting the good fight for their lives.  Life is beautiful and I am so grateful that I am able to continue to enjoy every day of mine with the people I love.


 
Thank you so much Kori for being part of my project and for telling your story.  I hope  with this post you get help others who are struggling with the emotional ups and downs that cancer can bring.