Something a bit personal.....

Well, I normally don't do this, but I think I might change that. I am going to post some things that are pretty personal to me. I think it is good for my clients to get to know the non-photographer side of me and get a little insight on who I really am. I want you all to meet my beautiful grandmother, Carol (aka Ganny). She started to get sick in March of this year and has been thru a lot so far. She was diagnosed with Adrenal carcinoma. She had surgery to remove the root of the problem (her left adrenal gland) and it was so severe that she ended up losing her left kidney as well. She left the hospital after surgery and just continued to get sicker. She started having pain on her right side as well. They ended up doing another scan to find that the tumor was also on her right adrenal gland (although not quite as large as a football yet like the left one had been). So the doctors went back and forth trying to figure out what was going on because it is VERY rare to get cancer in both adrenal glands. Usually there is another cause. Well, last month, they finally figured out that it was all steming from her left lung. She has lung cancer. It is stage 4 and she has been having radiation on her adrenal tumor and will start chemo in the next few weeks for the lung cancer. It has also spread to her lymph nodes. I have been missing her and wanting to see her for a while now and I came out to California to see her this week (therefore I am out of town and will be slow to return emails and phone calls). I've made it my mission to do some special photo projects with her because when I go back home, I want to remember everything I can about this wonderful lady. We went to the beach the 2nd day I was here and just watched the big waves. I was trying to be discreet about capturing a few snaps of her, but she caught me and was a little grumpy about it! You will see that in the nice facial expression she was giving me. But today was much better. I went with her to her radiation appointment and to see her oncologist. I did her makeup and helped with her hair and she felt really pretty today. She even willingly let me take a few photos of her. It was a fun day hanging out with her. Later we even made a couple of pecan pies to take to her doctors tomorrow (I hope there isn't a hunk missing from one because they sure did look yummy)! I got a few snaps of her cooking...she has always been a great cook. And finally, I got a photograph of her hands. She was holding a courage bracelet that my mom and sister sent her. I loved the symbolism. I ask for all who read this to pray for her and her condition. I love her very much and just wanted to share her story. She is a brave, strong, beautiful woman that I greatly admire and love.

My Ganny

My Ganny and Aunt Ann

Ganny and Me!

Ganny and Me again! Her kissing me!


We decided to take a walk out into the vineyard behind their house and the grapes looked so pretty that Ganny decided to eat one...it was really sour though...and her face showed it. I was laughing so hard when she did that. I just love the way her nose crinkles up when she makes a face.






This lady can throw down in the kitchen. These pies are so easy to make and I know she didn't really need my help to make them, but it was so fun being in the kitchen with her. We used to make preserves together when I was growing up.




Her at the beach looking out over the ocean. It was kind of cool out that day so she's all bundled up!

The courage bracelet