I am so grateful to you for making the photo shoot a comfortable experience for me. It was not easy and you seem to understand the complex basket of emotions I brought with me. (Dealing with Breast Cancer) :) The hard seltzer definitely helped blanket my jumpy nerves and certainly talking with you while Livi worked her makeup and hair magic.
Future Grinkiegirls need to know that you will guide them through any uncertainty they have! The idea of a photoshoot prior to having my breasts removed seemed so incongruous to the adversity I was facing. They need to know you will show them a part of themselves they either didn't know existed or never had the courage to acknowledge the beauty that had always been with them. When I looked in the mirror for the first time, my first thought was that I was looking at a distant relative I had never met. My brain felt like it was misfiring trying to accept that it was me I was looking at.
My favorite part was handing the reins over to you!! I had NO IDEA how to structure up a photo shoot to accomplish something great....and you did! I would love to be a part of a blog, not just yet. There is still so much for me to process.
Given my daughter may carry the same genetic marker which increases her risk of breast cancer, I want to be a good role model for her. I never imagined it would be a real model! I wanted to show her that I have courage and was willing to go out of my comfort zone to do something meaningful for both of us. I also selfishly (in a good way) wanted a timestamp of my body before my breasts are gone. I don't really think it was selfish-more of a bold way to take care of myself emotionally.