I remember meeting Tina when I was a young girl…I adored her immediately. Tina has a gift of making others feel special. She is one of those rare individuals who can make others incredibly happy just by being in her presence. She is not only beautiful on the outside but 100 times more beautiful on the inside! She is a true friend to all of us who love her.
On Monday Tina will be facing the biggest challenge of her life. She will undergo a bilateral mastectomy. This agonizing decision was made as a result of Tina’s past history with breast cancer combined with a strong family history. Having this surgery reduces her risk of reoccurance by 95%. I would never even pretend to understand what an incredibly difficult decision this was for her to come to terms with. As women, our breasts are certainly a strong part of our womanhood. The internal private conversations that she has had with herself have prepared her for what is to come. Life will certainly change in some fashion. And personal grief is understandable. I have assured her (as I am certain so many others have) that she is ENTITLED to mourning the loss of part of her body. Just thinking about it makes me grieve for her. But that is simply not Tina’s style. She remains strong, determined and remarkably positive that this is the best decision to assure that she is around to see her precious daughter get married one day. Tina is fortunate to have a wonderful husband (who happens to be my 2nd cousin) at home to love and support her in every way.
Here is what I know for certain about Tina…she will bounce back in no time. She will probably no quicker be out surgery before she is picking up the phone calling others checking on them! In fact, this is what an INCREDIBLE person she is…when I asked her if it was okay to share her story this was part of her response verbatim “If I can help anyone going through the same thing, I am more than willing. I am also giving you permission to give my cell # out if anyone ever needs a shoulder.” That is Tina’s truth. She is by far one of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. This world is a better place simply because she is in it. Seriously.
On Wednesday Tina and I packed up and headed out for a final photo shoot before surgery to begin documenting her journey. I am honored to have the privilege of assisting her in remembering what was and welcoming what is to come. No doubt this will be a tough chapter in her life but I have 100% confidence that she will come out an even more inspirational woman than she already is now…if that is even possible. Tina, I love you, respect you, admire you and am so proud of you. Thank you for trusting me to tell your story through my work.
Beautiful work as always! You have a wonderful model :)
<3 Kim
She is a seriously beautiful woman and looks absolutely fabulous (HOT) in pink!! The next to last photo just made me smile BIG!! I pray for a quick recovery and a L O N G and healthy life following her surgery!
She is absolutely beautiful and you did a fabulous job as always. I wish her a long, long life of happiness and health.
let me wipe away my tears first…wow, amazing photos and story. Dawn, not only do you work magic with your images, you are an excellent writer as well…still wiping away tears. Tina – I am so very encouraged already by your story and especially for wanting to be around and healthy for your daughter. You are a beautiful woman! I’m looking forward to following your journey and seeing the pictures of you at your daughter’s wedding, no matter how far off that may be.
Awesome! I look forward to seeing and reading along this journey of hers. She sounds like a fantastic would and I wish only the best for her! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the second to last picture … it is amazing : )
Amazing! This is beautiful.
WoW! What an AMAZING Woman and story! I am in tears over here!! I am excited to follow along on this journey with y’all by reading updates and hearing all about that fantabulous woman!! <3 BTW, that twirling picture has me smiling really big!! <3
What an uplifting story. I have had two very close family members affected by breast cancer and each and every survival story is a true blessing.
What an amazing story! I love all the pictures. The lady is beautiful. Her story is so touching. Great job photographing such a beautiful model.
Oh Dawn, what amazing women you both are!! Tina, you make me proud to say I am WOMEN and darn proud of it. Your beauty shows loud and clear from the photos, and Dawn’s testimony shouts out about who you are. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
What a beautiful story – I will keep her in my prayers~
What a beautiful woman, both inside and out. I love how much personality she has and you captured. She looks like a cool lady to hang out with and talk about everything over a cup of coffee. I hope she has a quick recovery and a lifetime of love and laughter ahead.
So many great photos. Hard to pick a favorite. I have not known Tina very long. We actually met on Facebook. I saw the pink ribbon on her profile picture and felt compelled to talk to her about what she was going through. You see, my wife is going through breast cancer as well. Not as drastic as Tina. We have a become good friends over the past several months. She is truly a wonderful woman. And I can tell by her attitude she will be able to beat this.
I look forward to following her journey through your work, Dawn.
Tina is and will be an inspiration to anyone who may be going through this very thing.
First, I want to THANK each and every one of you for the prayers and well wishes. I am so BLESSED to have Dawn in my life. She is not only my family, but she is my sister and dear friend. I knew in my heart from the very first time I met Dawn, that she would be in my life forever. I had to find a way to make sure of that, so I roped her 2nd Cousin into marrying me… : )
I am so fortunate to have her AMAZING talent able to share my story in such a BEAUTIFUL way. I am quite swollen in these photos due to my meds, but her ability to keep that camera from breaking was a true miracle like SHE is. LOL
The nerves are kicking in… my surgery is on Monday, the 14th. I wish I could press pause on this moment and preserve it forever, BUT… God has a plan for me, so I shall continue putting one foot in front of the other. The cards I have been dealt can make you bitter, or make you better, and I have definately chosen the better road.
I am quite emotional about having to close this chapter of my life, but in many ways I can’t WAIT to have that quality of life back. I will have a long road ahead of me, but I will welcome it with open arms and the best attitute I possibly can. I have the most AMAZING Family and Friends. I would not trade them for all of the money in the world!
Laurie.. I had to laugh…. One of my favorite sayings is… ” I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR!!”.
The 2nd to the last picture was tooo funny. I tried to keep my usual craziness going while my heels were digging into the dirt and I was about to bust my butt… BUT ONLY DAWN could make me look as though I am graceful and not ” The GRACE” (cluts) that I truly am…. : )
Mark, you and Vicki are MY Inspiration!! May God BLESS Vicki on her Journey as well. We are so blessed to have such wonderful men behind us and never having to doubt their love.
Hugs to all of you for now.
Dawn, I love you SOOOO very very much. I am so blessed to have you on this Journey with me!
The pictures are really beautiful yet they give only a microscopic glimpse of the inner beauty that Tina possesses. She has ALWAYS been strong for those who have needed her and it is no surprise that in her time of need she would handle this with the utmost grace and style that we have come to expect from her! Although the best decision is rarely the easiest, we can learn from Tina what is really important. Thank you my friend, once again, for selflessly putting yourself out there and letting us in. I love you. K
((tears))) Gorgeous!
I havent known Tina that long. But when we met it felt like I knew her. I pray for her daily and I will be praying on Monday. love you
B
First thing, came to light; YOU, Ms Tina ARE one; gorgeous, sexy, outspoken, warm, funny, LOVING, WOman. I say WOman, cause, that’s how much spunk, you DO HAVE, and will coninue to do so. I remember, when you were younger, you have NOT changed, 1 iota. You’re still the same Tina, who I was introduced to, eons ago. You have the most beautiful; family(immediate, cousins) I am so truly blessed to have you, part of my small family. I KNOW, you’ll be on the healing, before they get you back into your bed. “T”, you are so much like Bernie, and if Irish has ANYTHING to do with ALL the factors, you have MORE than a win-WIN situation. Stay strong, continue to be the true spokeswoman, you are, and always, ALWAYS remember what I said, with my daddys line; “Remember the Spider; just keep hanging in there.
I love you “T”.
Janie
Tina,
I love you so very much !!!! You are my backbone so very much I will always and forever be thankful for having such a WONDERFUL SISTER I never could of hand picked a more loving or beautiful sister Thankyou for being you and so very very SPECIAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE YOU
wow! amazing pics & story. Tina is such a strong women & has always been there for so many others. Now is her turn to have others rally around her. we all love you Tina & are there for you. Hang in there & for heaven’s sake, let us be there for you to lean on. Love you, Ann, Jeff & Andrew
What beautiful pictures of our “little brown girl”. Our sweet sweet Tina. Heart of gold with a pure pure heart – so full of love for everyone else before herself (Much like her mom and dad). God truly blessed us when he introduced you into our lives and became part of our “ohana” (family).
Such awesome photography Dawn…. with an amazingly beautiful subject….those eyes are to die for.
Our Tina, we said a very special prayer for you at mass today. Will continue to keep you in our prayers. Hang tough like you always do. We love you soooo much..Uncle John, Aunt Bles, BJ, Ronnie & family.
God bless you, Tina. And great work Dawn! I can’t wait to see the follow up pictures. Tina will glow no matter what. She can’t help it.
Dear Tina,
Although we’ve never met I can’t help but think of you today as your life enters a new chapter. One full of life. One without the worry of cancer rearing its ugly head in and disturbing it.
As the granddaughter of two cancer survivors, and the niece of another, I have seen the strength and courage it takes to fight cancer and I admire their, and your, determination to live life to the fullest and sometimes against all odds.
May God watch over you today and each day in your new life that starts today. And thank you for not only sharing your story but opening your heart and lending an ear to those who might need uplifting or support. And should you ever need a fresh ear to listen or shoulder to cry on please don’t hesitate to call me at 609-759-0311. Although I don’t personally know your struggle, I’d be happy to listen.
To Dawn, my sweet new friend, thank you for sharing your amazing friend with us. As I’m sure many others will agree, I feel blessed to know you not only as a college, but as a friend. And I know I’m a better person because of you.
God Bless you both and here’s to a speedy recovery for Tina!
With Love, Heather “James” Alkhateeb
Like everyone else tears are flowing here. Although I don’t know this beautiful lady today I am thinking and praying for her. Tina my heart and prayers go out to you and I will be praying for your speedy recovery.
I am very inspired by your story Tina and look forward to following you on this journey. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this next season of life. May you continue to walk with courage and forge a path where others who are dealing with similar situations can follow in the same grace that you are walking in. You look amazing in your photos! So full of life and joy. And Dawn, as always, you did a marvelous job of bringing out the best in Tina and telling her story with eloquence. God Bless you Tina! We’re standing with ya in prayer!
What an amazing story and what amazing photos!!! Love your work Dawn. Will say a special prayer for your friend Tina, may the Lord give you strength and comfort during this period of your life!!!
MY SPECIAL PLP. WHEN I FIRST SAW YOU I WAS IN AWE, YOU WERE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL I EVER SAW. TODAY, I FEEL THE SAME WAY. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE INNER BEAUTY YOU NOW HAVE THAT RADIATES AROUND EVERYONE YOU MEET. YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR SOMEONE WHO NEEDS YOU, THE COMPASSION YOU HAVE FOR EVERYONE NEEDING A HAND OR ENCOURAGEMENT, THE GENEROSITY YOU HAVE TO UNSELFISHLY GIVE . YOU HAVE BECOME ONE AMAZING BEAUTIFUL PERSON. IN SPITE OF WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH, YOU STILL CONTINUE TO HELP AND REACH OUT. THE PRIDE I HAVE IN BEING PART OF YOUR LIFE AND THE PRIDE I HAVE IN OUR FAMILY CAN NOT BE PUT INTO WORDS. YOU ARE SO SPECIAL AND I LOVE YOU SO. I AM SO PROUD TO BE YOUR DAD. I LOVE YOU PLP FROM YOUR PBP.
Tina, I have known you since you were 10 months old. You grew up to be a very loving giving caring positive honest young woman. We lost contact for several years and very recently have reunited through FB.
I now find you going through a journey of healing and I must say you have remained the same beautiful happy upbeat positive hopeful caring and loving young woman as I always knew you.
When I read these words I thought of you:
A Strong Woman is one who feels deeply and loves fiercely;
Her tears flow just as abundantly as her laughter;
A Strong Woman is both soft and powerful;
She is both practical and spiritual;
A strong woman in her essence is a gift to the world.
“We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails“. You are right on course and I know you are going in the right direction. Stay strong, The Lord is With You.
GOD Bless you!
I Love You,
Aunt Suzy
Tina, WOW! You are AWESOME! I know that you are going to take this journey with a smile on your face, and know that there are SOOOOO many people that LOVE you and are praying for you. You have been GREAT through it all…
I wish I could hug your neck before you take this first step of your journey. Just know that I LOVE YOU and I will be praying for you.
These pictures are GREAT, and you are GORGEOUS! (and always have been).
I LOVE YOU! XOXOXOXOXOXO
Wow..Beautiful!! Even though I have not know Tina all my life there was an instant connection. A friend..a real friend, and for me a true inspriation..The Lord is with you through out this journey and I know he is protecting you, healing you, and making you stronger everyday..I am proud to call you my friend, Love Julie
T, You look so peaceful, Your beauty glorifies your spirit. LOVE YOU,
Wow, Thanks for sharing Tina! I love the picture of you spinning…Your an awesome example of how to get through tough things in life with, “GRACE”. Love you
Tina, My beautiful friend, and your are you know….beautiful inside and out. I just want you to know that the day you walked into my life, from that day forward, I know really know the true meaning “she just lights up the room”.
I want you to know that I second everyone’s thoughts and prayers. Everything everyone said is so true. You are beautiful and a true friend to everyone you meet. Thank you for letting me follow your story. I will pray for you each day, You will do just fine, I know that you will, I will pray for a speedy recovery as well.
Dawn, you did a great job on your story and photos.
Love ya Tina, hope to see you soon
Donna