"You'll be fine": photographer captures wife and her battle with cancer
When friends and relatives found out that 26-year-old Faye Eid was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, most had a similar reaction: "You'll be fine. My cousin's stepbrother's uncle also had cancer, and he's fine."
However, Faye, who had to undergo a six-month course of aggressive chemotherapy, did not feel that everything would be all right. Her husband Jarred, a wedding photographer, documented her terrifying journey in a series of photos equally hopeful and heartbreaking. And Faye was able to demonstrate that it's not a crime at all to be afraid, cry and not be brave every minute when you have cancer.
For a year, Faye suffered from severe abdominal pain. It was only in September 2016 that doctors finally diagnosed stage 1 ovarian cancer, although for a long time they thought it was a cyst.
At the hospital, Faye and Jarred were told that the cancer would be easily treatable, but the form is extremely aggressive.
There are also moments of joy in the photo series: Faye dancing in her room, laughing while lying on a hospital bed, and cuddling up to her cat on the floor.
These pictures are bright spots of a gloomy photo series that shows oncology without filters and embellishments.
"Sleepless nights became the norm as Faye couldn't sleep because of the pain."
"So she spent many days — in the toilet, suffering from nausea and pain."
Faye is on the phone with a friend.
A couple of weeks after starting chemotherapy, there was nothing left of Faye's immune system.
"She didn't part with the hygiene bag because she was sick all the time. It was at moments like this that I wanted more than anything to switch places with her and accept her pain."
The temperature rose periodically, and examinations and tests began again.
"The hair began to fall out, and I had to completely shave it off. But she was still beautiful to me."
"The bedroom became a place where pent-up emotions became unbearable. We lay and talked. I tried to hold on and be strong, but just looking at my wife's face made my heart bleed."
Because of aggressive chemotherapy and constant nausea, Faye couldn't stand the sight of food. She lost 10 kg. In the photo, she drinks an ice-cold Coca—Cola - the only thing that didn't make her sick.
Chemotherapy and painkillers even changed his wife's face.
Jarred filmed his wife's entire journey, including what was supposed to be the end—the last day of chemotherapy. However, a few days before Christmas, Faye complained of a severe headache and lost consciousness. She began to feel sick, and by the evening she stopped talking — there was a brain hemorrhage.
The next 48 hours were the most terrifying for Jarred. His wife stopped recognizing him. "Faye is an independent and smart girl, she is a wonderful person. Watching her become dependent on the nurses and on me, how she struggles, seeing her condition was incredibly hard."
On the third day, Jarred was on his way to the hospital when his phone rang and Faye's number popped up. He was shocked to hear her voice. Faye didn't even remember what had happened to her over the past few days.
"I knew I had to keep my worries and fears to myself and not show them to my wife, but I wasn't ready for the reaction of others."
"At some point I realized that I hadn't seen her laugh for a long time, I couldn't remember the last time we spoke. It was already survival. Due to cancer and chemotherapy, my wife has almost completely disappeared. Only the shell remains."
"Most people feel uncomfortable around those who suffer. They don't know what to say or what to do. It was especially hard to hear that everything would be fine."
That's why Faye insisted that her husband publish the photos. Not only to show what cancer patients have to face, but first of all to introduce the disease to those who do not have it.
Faye is in remission now. When the girl first saw her husband's photos, she thought she looked ugly. However, now she is proud of them, proud that she survived, that she was strong.
Keywords: Illness | Wife | Husband | Oncology | Cancer | Photographer | Chemotherapy