I was recently honored in being able to take photos for a beautiful family; that I’m fortunate enough to call friends. This family is gorgeous inside and out. To look at them on the outside, they are an All-American family. Dad is a police officer, mom a nurse, and the kids are unbelievably gorgeous. At a quick glance, they look like the perfect family that has it all, but a couple years ago, they almost lost it all. This is Tyania’s Story….
As a expectant mother so many feelings and emotions consume you; joy, excitement, frequent urges to pee. It’s a time of the picking names, deciding nursery themes, and anxiously awaiting your little one’s arrival. Unknown to Tyania though, it would be a time that would lead to her having to fight for her life. Tyania and her husband Kyle were excitedly awaiting the arrival of their second child. Tyania, a Registered Nurse, was diligent in her health and paid attention to her body. Her pregnancy had gone just as expected; until one day when she was 36 weeks pregnant. Tyania had found a lump in her breast. Being a RN, Tyania did not take it lightly and saw her Nurse Practitioner. After a routine exam, Tyania was sent home and told that lump was normal breast changes and not to be alarmed. Tyania returned home, and returned to her daily routine. A few weeks later, Tyania, Kyle, and their daughter Brynlee excitedly welcomed their new addition into the world; a beautiful boy, they named Maverick.
Tyania and Kyle returned home to start their new journey; little did they know, their journey was just about to take a life changing turn. Eight weeks after Maverick was born, Tyania noticed the lump had not gone away. Concerned, she went for a second opinion. Two weeks later, Tyania received the life shattering phone call, it was Stage 2 Breast Cancer!
“Shocked doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling I had when I heard the news.”
Tyania knew it was time to be a warrior, for herself and for her family. Suiting up for the battle, she fought with everything she had. 8 rounds of aggressive chemo treatment would be her new reality. With grace, dignity, and strength, Tyania entered into treatment immediately.
“ I had 1 treatment every 2 weeks. After chemo was done, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy, with immediate reconstruction. The surgery was tough, but nothing was as bad as chemo; so it was bearable. And to me it symbolized the END OF IT. The cancer was finally out of my body. I tried to keep my kids lives as normal as possible while going through this. Maverick won’t remember, but Brylnee does. It’s affected her more than I knew. She talks about it sometimes.”
It’s been a long road to recovery; mentally, emotionally, physically. But, Tyania never gave up.
“ It’s been 2 years now, and I feel good. I’m grateful for all I have. My life has forever changed; any bad habits I had before, I don’t now. I live healthier and am more aware of my precautions, and what I can take to prevent a reoccurrence. I know life can change in a blink of an eye. I know take the time to smile, smell flowers, look at the clouds, watch my kids laugh and play, and watch them sleep. I’m so grateful to be alive.”
October is usually associated with Pumpkin Spice, Apple Cider, or whatever else turns us into the elusive “Basic B&*ch”, but it’s also known for Breast Cancer Awareness. Cancer is unbias and undiscriminating to gender, age, healthy status. financial class, etc. Be your own advocate. If you feel or see a change, get it checked. Had Tyania not followed her instincts, I wouldn’t have had the honor in writing this blog.
a
