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Beautiful YOU 2014 | Laura Gordillo Photography| Phoenix Arizona Photographer

30 Friday May 2014

Posted by lgordillophotoblog in AZ, Beautiful YOU!, Buckeye, cancer, El Paso, goodyear, Phoenix, Phoenix, Photography, scottsdale, Tempe, TX

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arizona, avondale, breast cancer, cancer, chandler, El Paso, gilbert, glendale, goodyear, litchfield park, palm valley, peoria, phoenix, photographers, photojournalistic, professional, scottsdale, surprise, tempe, texas

Meet beautiful Amber! This lady had such a wonderful personality!! She brought her mom along and they were both such a delight to have around! They actually stayed about 2 hrs after the event and we all just hung out and chatted! Amber opened up and shared with us her story, her struggles, and about her amazing family the support system God has blessed her with! She is a beautiful person, inside and out! Please scroll down to read her story!

 AZ, Beautiful YOU!, Breast Cancer Awareness, Buckeye, Buckeye, cancer, El Beautiful YOU 2014, phoenix, AZ, photographer, cancer survivor

AZ, Beautiful YOU!, Breast Cancer Awareness, Buckeye, Buckeye, cancer, El Beautiful YOU 2014, phoenix, AZ, photographer, cancer survivor

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Amber Childers : Courage is my strength and I believe living is something very special to be thankful for

I live and grew up in Mesa, Arizona. In my short life of 33 years I have a 16 year old son and had breast cancer twice. Although my Grandfather passed away of cancer a few years back, I’ve never known anyone to have breast cancer and thought it only happened to older woman. I led a normal busy life of work, a mother, a daughter, a sister and took pretty good care of myself. Never in a million years would I think I would be telling you this story.

The First Year
It was the summer of 2010 taking a cold shower I felt a lump in my right breast. Not a large lump but large enough to make me pay attention. Days & months past it continued to grow as did my worries. Not having health benefits or knowing there’s organizations that educate and help fund mammograms I waited. Finally in June of 2011 I was approved for health insurance through my employer. The very next day appointments were made and physical exam scheduled. During my physical exam the doctor immediately scheduled right breast coral biopsy and then advised my specialist would be in contact with me. Three long days later the breast specialist called me while I was at work and momembaled “you have breast cancer” and he needed to see me later that day. I was blind sided, devastated, and hoping this was a mistake. It all happened so fast, next I remember laying in a PET scanner having no idea what its for, just going through the motions and doing as doctors said. Its like the world exploded and I was in space being pulled, pushed in every way with no time for clarity.
Through the blur of the following months chemo started July 22, 2011. At stage 3 my team of doctors set me up with chemo every 3 weeks first to shrink the tumors than surgery. My hair thinned out after the first treatment so I had one of my good friends a hair stylist shave it off. I didn’t want to cry over hair falling out daily when I could go shopping for hats, wigs, and scarvs. Always looking to find the positive. My last chemo treatment was November 4, 2011 and I celebrated gaining life back, at least my reality and being okay it. Not showing the buckets of tears shed but the courage and strength to continue on. About a month later on Dec 18, 2011 had my double mastectomy followed with weekly radiation ending March 3, 2012. Woo I was cancer free and seeing the light at the end of this dark tunnel I continued to work. Months passed and reconstructive surgery begun.
Headed in the path of remission hair flowing and growing, skin bright and shining and andromison the meds in the past. Things continued to get better not only for me but for my son as well. Chemo, radiation or cancer wasn’t going to stop me from cheering him on in school sports but now I was able to play basketball, racquetball, catch and ride a bike with him. I could go shopping, be in public, have real conversations that didn’t include doctors, meds, or cancer. Take a long drive see earth, listen to music blaring and best of all feel the wind in my hair.

Round 2
June 13, 2013 my worst nightmare returned. I had a surgical biopsy and re diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Not till October of the same year did treatment begin. My Oncologist said I will be on chemo for the rest of my life but I pray that it will end soon. This time it took a tole on my family especially my son “Michael”. He was starting football his sophomore year and his coaches wanted him to play on the varsity team. He didn’t want to hear the bad news from me so he found out on Facebook. The minute I seen he “liked” my comment I felt he was ready and we were able to have the conversation. A week passed and he told me he quit football, said he just was not into it and all he can think about is losing his mommy. I didn’t like his decision and wanted to ensure he knew what he was doing; giving up his first year of High School football. He reassured me he wanted to be there for me and make sure I get through this tough battle. It broke my heart, all I can do is cry. I didn’t expect anything like that from him. He’s still a kid and wished he could’ve enjoyed his childhood. It has brought me and my son closer than ever. Experiencingthe stages of breast cancer and everything that comes along with it.. being sick, having no appetite, losing my hair, and losing my breasts. Then being put back together with wigs, fake ones to feel like a lady, the out pour of encouragement, love and support from family, friends, and organizations. We both learned a lot together. Michael is so happy he sees me getting better day by day, and just seeing him makes me stronger and wants to fight more. My PET scans keep getting better, so far I have my hair and going to the center 3 times a month is helping. I will not give up!
With the removal of 17 lymph nodes on my right side I developed lymphedema and my right arm is hard to move so I have to see a therapist to help the fluids flow to the right spot so my arm doesn’t swell up any more. It is so painful that it’s hard to sleep or even go out to have a good time. Another challenge, but with the grace of God I power through the pain and get through the day the best I can.

Courage is my strength and I believe living is something very special to be thankful for. As a younger woman being diagnosed with Breast Cancer has been overwhelming but over all able to impact others in a positive way. Struggling with any type of cancer is shattering and with all I’ve been through I find ways to be a good supportive friend, able make others feel good inside as well the outside, and have a happy heart when I see them smile. I have strong faith and love for God he has truly been really good to me and has helped me get out of my tough times. “Romans 10:13”

I want to thank my dad Kelly, mom Maria, brother Jason, sister Jasie, and son Michael for all their help and support without them I would be lost in the wild. Also my awesome Brother for buying a bigger house so we can be together. Will never forget Singleton Moms for being a part of my family and my sister girls for their support and friendship I can not ask for anything more, you all are there when we need a shoulder to relief stress, or just cry. You all make me smile when it hurts, thank you for being you.

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Beautiful YOU 2014 | Laura Gordillo Photography| Phoenix Arizona Photographer

29 Thursday May 2014

Posted by lgordillophotoblog in AZ, Beautiful YOU!, Breast Cancer Awareness, Buckeye, Buckeye, cancer, El Paso, goodyear, Phoenix, Phoenix, Photography, scottsdale, Tempe, TX

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Tags

arizona, avondale, breast cancer, cancer, chandler, El Paso, gilbert, glendale, goodyear, litchfield park, palm valley, peoria, phoenix, photographers, photojournalistic, professional, scottsdale, surprise, tempe, texas

Meet beautiful Tiffany! I was so glad she was able to attend our Beautiful YOU event because she was hurting pretty bad ! You see she suffers from stage 4 breast cancer and poor thing was not feeling well at all! But she made it and enjoyed the event very much! She was so grateful and appreciated everyone who participated in the event! I had the pleasure to meet her daughter Ezri. She is as beautiful as her mama! She made her mom a beautiful heart necklace and Tiffany wore it for a few of the images I took! We also took a few mother & daughter pics and I LOVE how they turned out! Please scroll down to read more of this gorgeous lady’s story! The true definition of a WARRIOR!

Hair by: TheBoyz DoHair

Makeup by : Adriana Garcia

Beautiful YOU 2014, phoenix, AZ, photographer, cancer survivor,

Beautiful YOU 2014, phoenix, AZ, photographer, cancer survivor,

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Tiffany was first diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2004, at the age of 37, after a routine doctor’s visit found a lump. She was scheduled for surgery on July 5th 2004 and discovered the week before her scheduled surgery that she was pregnant with her daughter Ezri. She had to proceed with the surgery to remove the cancer for her own health, but the doctors were very concerned about doing surgery while she was so newly pregnant. She opted not to go through Chemotherapy during her pregnancy because she did not want to risk exposure to her unborn daughter. Doctors told her chemo can be done in the second trimester safely, but it wasn’t worth the risk in Tiffany’s mind. She and her partner had been trying for several years to get pregnant and Tiffany was just told a week before she found out she was pregnant that she would never be able to have a child due to the cancer’s dependence on estrogen and progesterone to survive.

Ezri was born in February 2005 and was a healthy baby! Ezri has had no health issues!! Tiffany was able to breast feed for 3 months and then had to take an estrogen blocking medication for 5 years to help prevent the cancer from re-occurring.

Tiffany celebrated her 5 year “cancer free” mark in July 2009 when she was told by her doctor that after 5 years with no signs of cancer that she was considered “cured”. Little did she or her family know that the cancer was likely already making a home in her bones. Her oncologist at the time failed to mention to her that the tumor markers, which were still technically in a “normal” range, had increased from the previous year.

In the fall of 2010, she saw her oncologist and got a clean bill of health, even though the oncologist did not run any tests at that appointment. Tiffany had also learned in the fall that her partner of 10 years had been cheating on her. He left her for the other woman after a few months of appearing to try to work things out. Tiffany scheduled an appointment with her PCP for check-up due to all the stress she had been under. She asked her PCP to run the cancer marker blood tests since her oncologist had not done them. The news was not good. Her cancer markers were very elevated. She was scheduled for a PET/CT scan in February 2011 only to find out the cancer was back and was in multiple locations throughout her bones. Her oncologist gave her a very poor prognosis after seeing the PET scan results. She fired her oncologist and turned to her family to help her find another oncologist. Tiffany’s brother, Tom, located the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) and her parents immediately rushed over to talk about her cancer care. Tiffany started a very aggressive chemotherapy regimen with her doctor’s at CTCA to try to put the metastatic breast cancer into remission. The doctors say there is no such thing as a “cure” when talking about stage 4 cancer, only remission. Her bones are more brittle from the cancer & chemotherapy’s, so Tiffany has to limit her physical activities and be cautious with even normal activities. She almost reached complete remission, but then the mediations stopped working and she tried a new medication in October 2013. She had radiation in November of 2013 as well. As of her last scan, these medications are not working and she will have to try another medication regimen and perhaps more radiation. The medications and treatments cause fatigue, extreme joint pain, and other symptoms which have limited her ability to care for herself, her home, and her daughter. She has been unable to work since her diagnosis in 2011. Her family & Singleton Mom’s have been there the whole time to support her and help with her needs.

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Premier Phoenix Arizona Wedding Photographer| Laura Gordillo Photography| *A* & *I* Engagement Session

25 Sunday May 2014

Posted by lgordillophotoblog in AZ, Buckeye, El Paso, engagement, goodyear, Phoenix, Photography, scottsdale, Tempe, TX, Wedding

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Tags

arizona, avondale, chandler, El Paso, engagement, gilbert, glendale, goodyear, litchfield park, palm valley, peoria, phoenix, photographers, photojournalistic, professional, scottsdale, surprise, tempe, texas, wedding

I had the honor of photographing this gorgeous couple’s engagement pictures recently and I absolutely LOVE how they turned out! They have such great chemistry! Their connection is like no other! Throughout the session I kept showing them pictures from the back of the camera and they kept telling each other “I can’t believe that’s US!” It was adorable! They totally rocked their engagement session and I am so excited to capture their wedding in Tempe next month 🙂

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Beautiful YOU 2014 | Laura Gordillo Photography| Phoenix Arizona Photographer

02 Friday May 2014

Posted by lgordillophotoblog in AZ, AZ, Beautiful YOU!, Breast Cancer Awareness, Buckeye, cancer, El Paso, goodyear, Phoenix, Phoenix, Photography, scottsdale, Tempe, TX

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arizona, avondale, breast cancer, cancer, cancer sucks, chandler, El Paso, gilbert, glendale, goodyear, litchfield park, palm valley, peoria, Pet Scan, phoenix, photographers, photojournalistic, professional, scottsdale, sentinel node biopsy, surprise, survivor, tempe, texas

Meet ANGELA! A truly amazing lady! She had been emailing Desiree before the session telling her how nervous she was and she didn’t know what to wear! Desiree told her not to worry about anything that we would take care of it! Desiree knew Angela had had a tough year and just wanted her to feel comfortable! I remember her coming in very shy and timid! I have to give a HUGE shout out to TheBoyz DoHair  and Chik A’la Mode for giving her a new do’ and look! She became an absolutely different person when they cut and styled her hair. She seemed so much more confident and brightened up so much! I was delighted to see her so happy and smiling away! Please scroll down and read her story below 🙂

 

Beautiful YOU, Phoenix, AZ, Cancer, Warriors

Beautiful YOU, Phoenix, AZ, Cancer, Warriors

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My name is Angela Harris, and I was diagnosed with Triple Negative breast cancer on September 14, 2012 while I was pregnant with my third child. I was 38 years old at the time of diagnosis and my daughter, Courtney, was 4 years old, and my son, Rocky, Jr. (we call him Li’l Rock), was 19 months old at the time.

The first of several surgeries was performed on September 28, 2012. I was pregnant at the time of diagnosis, so they could not perform a sentinel node biopsy, so we didn’t really know exactly what stage my cancer was in until after the birth of my son on November 9, 2012. The lump when found on September 14, 2012 was 2.4 cm. When the lump was removed on September 27, 2012 it was 2.9 cm.

I started my chemotherapy treatments on October 23, 2012 while I was pregnant. I gave birth to a happy, healthy beautiful baby boy, Mason on November 9, 2012. The doctors induced me a month early so that I would not be so weak for my second chemo treatment on November 27, 2012 or for the upcoming surgeries. On November 19, 2012, I had my second surgery to perform the sentinel node biopsy and remove any suspicious lymph nodes, install the chemo port above my left breast and to remove more tissue from my right breast. As it turns out, 2 lymph nodes were found enlarged and positive for cancer. At this point, the oncologist had informed me that I was Stage 2b, but closer to a Stage 3.

A few months prior to my diagnosis, I had started a new job which I lost as a result of having cancer. I had just bought a new car two weeks prior, which I also lost since I was no longer employed. To add insult to injury, not only were we evicted from our apartment, but the father of my 3 children decided to go a separate way, so the kids and I moved in to my parent’s house, where my caregiver is my 70 year old mother.

I have a really high chance of recurrence within the first 3 years. I still have debilitating bone pain and neuropathy in both arms and legs that prevent me from being able to maintain employment. I have already made it past 1 year, so if I can make it past the next 2 years, then there’s a good chance that the cancer will not recur. I have everything to live for – I have 3 beautiful Angels to enjoy life with and I intend to do so. Thank you for taking time to read my story.

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Premier Phoenix Arizona Baby Photographer | Laura Gordillo Photography | Baby *M* 1 Year Milestone Session

29 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by lgordillophotoblog in AZ, Baby, Buckeye, El Paso, Family Session, goodyear, Milestone Session, Phoenix, Photography, scottsdale, Tempe, TX

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arizona, avondale, chandler, El Paso, gilbert, glendale, goodyear, litchfield park, palm valley, peoria, phoenix, photographers, photojournalistic, professional, scottsdale, surprise, tempe, texas

I cannot believe this little guy is 1!! I remember his newborn shoot as it it was yesterday! Mom came in with some adorable props! A froggy hat, grandpa’s Super Bowl ring, and a little couch which had his name stitched on it! After that, I had the pleasure of taking his milestone sessions every 3 months! It has been wonderful to watch him grow! He was an early walker! He was walking a little before his 9 month shoot! He’s such an incredible little guy, and I am so honored to be his photographer ♥

For session information please visit http://www.lgordillophoto.com/

1 yr, session, milestone, baby, photography, phoenix, az

1 yr, session, milestone, baby, photography, phoenix, az

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Premier Phoenix Arizona Maternity Photographer | Laura Gordillo Photography | *M* Maternity Session

29 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by lgordillophotoblog in AZ, Buckeye, El Paso, goodyear, Maternity Session, Phoenix, Photography, scottsdale, Tempe, TX

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arizona, avondale, chandler, El Paso, gilbert, glendale, goodyear, litchfield park, Maternity, palm valley, peoria, phoenix, photographers, photojournalistic, professional, scottsdale, surprise, tempe, texas

I had the pleasure of taking maternity pictures of this GORGEOUS mama of soon to be 3! Doesn’t she look amazing!! She was a bit hesitant of allowing me to show her bare belly pics but then warmed up to the idea! I am sooooo glad she did! I was dying to share these! I cannot wait to meet the new addition in a few weeks!
For session information please visit http://www.lgordillophoto.com/

 

maternity photography, session, phoenix, az

maternity photography, session, phoenix, az

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Premier Phoenix Arizona Maternity Photographer | Laura Gordillo Photography | *L* Maternity Session

29 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by lgordillophotoblog in AZ, Buckeye, El Paso, goodyear, Maternity Session, Phoenix, Photography, scottsdale, Tempe, TX

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Tags

arizona, avondale, chandler, El Paso, gilbert, glendale, goodyear, litchfield park, palm valley, peoria, phoenix, photographers, photojournalistic, professional, scottsdale, surprise, tempe, texas

I had the pleasure of taking pictures of this beautiful couple this past weekend! Future mama had been on bed rest and we were uncertain if the session was going to be possible. Luckily, her doctor cleared her and we were able to capture some AMAZING images! I cannot wait to meet their little guy in a few weeks!!

For session information please visit http://www.lgordillophoto.com/

maternity photography, session, phoenix, az

maternity photography, session, phoenix, az

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Premier Phoenix Arizona Newborn Lifestyle Photographer | Laura Gordillo Photography | Baby *H* 9 Days New

17 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by lgordillophotoblog in AZ, Baby, Buckeye, Buckeye, Child Photography, El Paso, Family Session, goodyear, Newborn Photography, Newborn Session, Phoenix, Photography, scottsdale, Tempe, TX

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arizona, avondale, chandler, El Paso, gilbert, glendale, goodyear, lifestyle, litchfield park, palm valley, peoria, phoenix, photographers, photojournalistic, professional, scottsdale, surprise, tempe, texas

Most of you know, I offer two types of newborn sessions. It’s either a lifestyle session or a posed. Lifestyle are images taken with parents, siblings (if any) OR Posed which is baby by him/herself with props etc. Most of my sessions are Posed, but these parents chose a lifestyle session! Something different for me because I am used to posing the baby with cute hats and such, but I truly enjoyed taking these images! They turned out beautiful! 🙂

For session information please visit http://www.lgordillophoto.com/

lifestyle, newborn, photography, boy, family, phoenix, az, el paso, tx

lifestyle, newborn, photography, boy, family, phoenix, az, el paso, tx

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Premier Phoenix Arizona Newborn Photographer | Laura Gordillo Photography | Baby *O* 7 Days New

17 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by lgordillophotoblog in AZ, Baby, Buckeye, Buckeye, Child Photography, El Paso, Family Session, goodyear, Newborn Photography, Newborn Session, Phoenix, Phoenix, Photography, scottsdale, Tempe, TX

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arizona, avondale, chandler, El Paso, gilbert, glendale, goodyear, litchfield park, palm valley, peoria, phoenix, photographers, photojournalistic, professional, scottsdale, surprise, tempe, texas

I had the pleasure of hanging out with this little guy last weekend! I took his big brother’s newborn pictures almost 2 years ago! Crazy how times flies! He has gotten so big! LOVE how these turned out! ♥

For more information please visit http://www.lgordillophoto.com/

Newborn, photography, baby, phoenix, az, el paso, tx, boy

Newborn, photography, baby, phoenix, az, el paso, tx, boy

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Premier Phoenix Arizona Photographer | Laura Gordillo Photography | Best Friends

17 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by lgordillophotoblog in AZ, AZ, Buckeye, El Paso, goodyear, Phoenix, Photography, scottsdale, Tempe, TX

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Tags

arizona, avondale, chandler, El Paso, gilbert, glendale, goodyear, litchfield park, lovely ladies, palm valley, peoria, phoenix, photographers, photojournalistic, professional, scottsdale, surprise, tempe, texas

I have had the pleasure of knowing these lovely ladies for quite some time now! We all taught at the same school. These three had a GREAt bond a friendship like no other! One of them moved to Cali and came out to AZ as a b day surprise 🙂 LOVED hanging out with them for a bit last weekend!

For more information please visit http://www.lgordillophoto.com/

Phoenix, photographer

Phoenix, photographer

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