The Sunflower People
Every two minutes someone is diagnosed with cancer.
In late 2018 I lost my grandmother to Myeloma and have since become impassioned about giving those with similar diagnosis the opportunity to have their portrait taken. Aside from being a precious gift for the participants, the collection of portraits grew to become a way to raise awarness and funds for deserving Cancer Charities in West Yorkshire. Thus 'The Sunflower People' came to be.
Michaela
"Hello, my name is Michaela. I was diagnosed with grade 2 invasive breast cancer in November 2017 and I underwent a full mastectomy with LD flap reconstruction 3 weeks later. I consider myself lucky - not in getting breast cancer, obviously - but I didn’t need chemo or radiotherapy. I’ve just completed the last of my reconstruction surgeries and will now only see my consultant for annual check ups. That’s a fantastic position to be in. I have a strong personality and positive outlook which made a big difference in my recovery. My advice to anyone who has been diagnosed is: it’s ok to not be ok and you don’t have to put on a brave face all the time. Embracing your fear is just as important as staying positive and forward looking."
Sara
"I love each day as if it’s my last as I’m truly grateful to be here. I look at the positive in every situation and don’t waste energy worrying. Something good comes out of every situation. I’ve faced cancer so fear nothing. It’s taught me many lessons."
Dawn
'On August 16th 2018, I was diagnosed with breast cancer (5.2cm), lymph nodes (2.2cm) neck nodes (7mm) and (4.5cm) In the liver. I also lost my Mum on the 4th August. My cancer is stage 4 HER2 positive and estrogen receptive positive, so it is terminal ... BUT treatable but not curable. In January 2019 I finished 6/6 sessions of Chemotherapy ... Docetaxel, Pertuzumab and TransTuzumab, I was told on the 20th February that the chemo had done its job and all 4 tumours had responded well to treatment. I’ve still got to have Pertuzumab TrasTuzumab through my Picc line and Letrazole hormone tablets indefinitely until it stops working and the cancer grows again then I will be offered more chemo, I also have regular scans every 3 months.
Each day is hard - a worry for all especially my husband and 3 children, Mike 33, Kylie 30 and my youngest Sarah who is 16 .... also my 4 Grandchildren, they are who I am fighting for.
But each day I wake up - I take a deep breath and I say thank you. If I do something and it makes me smile and I’ll do it again ... A couple of phrases I use often are
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Yesterday is history
Tomorrow’s a mystery
Today is a gift
That’s why it’s called the present.
Keep fighting with all you have.'
Allison
"I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer on 11th January 2016. I then went on to have 6 rounds of chemotherapy, a right breast mastectomy with lymph node clearance and 15 fractions of radiotherapy. My diagnosis has made me a much more positive person who tries not to sweat the small stuff. It has given me the courage to "give back" by modelling in a fashion show and doing a skydive and the Velocity zip-wire to raise money for the Breast Cancer Haven in Leeds. I am also one of the founder members of the MY Breast Cancer Support Group. As the saying goes "Life is too short. Take the trip. Buy the shoes. Eat the cake." This would be my advice to anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation to mine. Positivity is key."
Ayesha
"I was diagnosed with grade 4 Endometriosis and nearly lost my life. An 8 hour surgery by 3 surgeons saved my life, while coming in terms with this shock, I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer and was told I had 8 months to live without treatment within a space of a year. From a high flying Senior Manager at a bank my life came to a standstill of , pain, scared (literally to death) , no money (no one advised me financially ) , Friends, Colleagues, Partner everyone seemed to distant themselves with my long recovery and struggle for existence. I used my time of treatment to get qualified as a Financial Advisor so that I could advise people to protect themselves financially and also to give myself and people confidence of life on a half battery (that’s what they called it in hospital). The medications/ treatment has long term health issues but finally I got discharged after 10 years in 2018 from Cancer Ward. I survived! Learnt to live again, learnt to live with long term health issues also Gained—True friends, True happiness (a son born out of miracle and modern science), Launch of a Community Interest Company, Successfully self-employed, lots of laughs. Learnt Respect and love for the most important person—Myself. Am at peace with myself as I have survived and thank God for the strength to help others and live to bring up my son. Don’t know what the future will hold but it will certainly have loads of laughter and positiveness as Life is a precious gift and we decide and choose how to live it"
Ann
"I was diagnosed with myeloma in October 2015 but prior to that I worked for the West Yorkshire Police in the department that dealt with all the traffic offences. I was very fit and sadly took that for granted. I have had to retire on grounds of ill health. I have lost 4 ½ inches due to osteoporosis and in 2016 I had a stem cell transplant but then relapsed in 2018 so I am now on a clinical trail. I try to stay positive and I like to keep myself informed but I don’t need to know all the figures or test results. Don’t obsess over every detail. Networking and going to support groups is very helpful. Try and enjoy life and if you can live normally."
Joanna
"I was diagnosed with a faulty BRCA gene in 2017, meaning my chance of developing breast cancer in my lifetime was up to 85%. My mum and grandma both had breast cancer and are no longer with us. In September 2018 I opted to have a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction to reduce my risk by 90%. Since my surgery I have surprisingly become more confident, taking on new hobbies and feeling much happier in myself. Life is too short you have to make sure you make the most of it."
Sally
"My name is Sally, in 2006 I found 2 small lumps aged 48. I was seen quickly had a right side mastectomy lymph node removal and 5 years Arimadex. Life went on as normal when in 2015 during a routine MRI for bone problems it was found I had a secondary breastcancer in my liver. I was told there was no cure. Being a positive person I have just got on with making beautiful memories with my family. I'm lucky I've seen my grandchildren and some greatgrandchildren born. Last year I joined a group of women all affected by breastcancer and we made a modesty calendar for next year and also took part in a This Is Me dance dance routine and fundraising evening for breastcancer now. So out of my comfort zone but I really enjoyed it. Don't let cancer define you go out there do what makes you happy and enjoy life.Good luck to you all xxx"
Julie
"In 2007 I had a test for the faulty braca 1 gene , in jan 2008 I found a lump in my left breast upon diagnosis I had the faulty gene as well as stage 3 breast cancer ! I had a lumpectomy all my lymph noids removed as they were too cancerous , 6 rounds of chemo and 30 lots of radiotherapy, In 2009 I had a mmr scan due to faulty gene and they found a grade 1 Cancer lump , only removal was needed but I opted for a double mastectomy and reconstruction . I had 2 young sons and decided to go for ovaries and Fallopian tube removal as these help reduce my chances of getting breast and ovarian cancer . I was told that I no longer would be able to conceive , whilst waiting for my ovaries removed I fell pregnant (I was told there was no chance of this ) in 2010 I gave birth to a healthy miracle baby boy ! I feel extremely lucky to have my third son and to have survived cancer I urge any ladies in my position to do all possible to help fight this dreadful disease ! I’m a childminder and worked throughout cancer my family my children and my work got me through cancer ! I love each day and do as much as possible with my family as many holidays as possible and time together are precious! I also do as much fund raising to make money for funding a cure and awareness I have had a head shave before chemo , tea parties, sponsored walks bike rides parties and recently a calendar and a dance event with 16 other ladies in which some of us revealed at the end it was an amazing experience!"
Danielle
"I was diagnosed in September 2016, the day after my eldest sons 13th birthday. I had found a mass in my breast, with a patch of redness and warmth. I was diagnosed with the very rare inflammatory breast cancer stage 3 with spread to lymph nodes, a fast moving aggressive breast cancer, usually found at stage 3, as difficult to diagnose.
Hearing the word cancer floored me. Lots of words were coming out of the doctors mouth, I heard none, all I thought of was that I would die and leave behind my two sons, my world. Treatment started quickly, 6 rounds of chemo, hair loss and feeling poorly, a right mastectomy with lymph removal. Then 15 rounds of radiotherapy. Treatment was tough, but when it ended it felt somehow tougher. The unknown. Now its a waiting game, hoping and praying that it doesn’t return, statistics for this are very high with inflammatory breast cancer. There is fear and worry with any ache or pain, the nhs are amazing and always there for those worries. My partner, sons and friends were amazing throughout treatment and continue to be there for me always. My perspective on life has now changed- don’t sweat the small stuff, enjoy every minute, life is for living, and i intend to live it to its full."
Jim
"I was diagnosed with prostate cancer over ten years ago. Surgery failed and then so did radiotherapy, though both left me with life-changing after effects. Then they put me on hormone therapy, which holds the cancer back but will eventually fail. I’ve tried to help myself by adopting an increasingly veggie and eventually full vegan diet, and of course with exercise. I try to live as normal a life as possible!"
