A year ago today, I was diagnosed with Stage 0 Breast Cancer. I didn’t even know such a thing existed, and I never would have imagined that something so tiny would lead me to a bilateral mastectomy.
A ductal carcinoma turned out to be something complex: my cancer was Hormone Receptor Positive (HR+), meaning my estrogen and progesterone were fueling cancer growth. and a second opinion revealed that my Stage 0 cancer was not Grade 2 (moderate), but actually Grade 3: aggressively growing and likely to spread.
My decision to have a double mastectomy was a hard one to make until it wasn’t. I have a family history of Breast Cancer. I was 34 when diagnosed — the same age my Teta was when she was diagnosed with Stage 4. There were other options, but I knew I didn’t want to go through the rest of my life wondering if or when the cancer would return.
I am so grateful to be cancer free this October 22. As I write this, I am still in the recovery period following my implant surgery. I am still grieving, still learning my new “normal.” My family, my friends, and my darling Owen have been so steadfast and gracious in their care. They were my strength when I struggled.
Photographing myself through mastectomy recovery and beyond has been an incredible healing practice. This has been an outlet for my grief; a way to better see myself when words fail. This first photo is from 2.17.2025, five days after my mastectomy. Some of the images I made are just for me, and some will be shared later, along with more reflections from this time, both here and in my newsletter.
Be well, and take care of yourself 🫶
#breastcancerawarness #breastcancersurvivors
marrakech details, mostly in the medina. many artisans, conversations cobbled together with three languages and lots of gesturing, kids being kids everywhere in the world, and unmatched mint tea. april 2024 with @owen.rogers
marrakech street food hits from the medina. babbouche (snail soup), nuts, olives i still think about, purple prickly pears, seafood, crepes, and so many nuts. around this time in 2024.
linh mai, i’m obsessed with you! 🐘🍼 2.5 months old and 500lbs, asian elephant linh mai made her public debut today (earth day!) that’s my diva 🌟 shout out to her “auntie” swarna for stepping up as her foster mom 💞 photos for @smithsonianzoo
@falasteeenifoodie needs our help! ever since I met Jinan through her @baytibyjinan pop-up events, I’ve known her to be in service of others. she’s such a fierce advocate for Palestinian food and culture, and she always puts her money where her mouth is. she embodies hospitality and community in everything she does.
Jinan has been facing chronic health issues that have made it difficult for her to keep up with work and bills for a while. So now it’s time for us to show up for her. please consider contributing to her GoFundMe if you have the means, and please share. link in b!0 💖🥘🕊️
photos from Jinan’s 2024 olive harvest dinner supporting olive farmers in occupied palestine
On this #transdayofvisibility I’m reflecting on @cassilsartist ’s 2024 TDOV performance of “Etched in Light” on the National Mall in collaboration with @transequalitynow , one of the most powerful moments I have ever witnessed.
Trans and queer volunteers arranged themselves in a way reminiscent of AIDS crisis era lie-ins and die-ins to create a 60 foot cyanotype as part of a larger performance. the event was soft and strong and beautiful, and so was the result. much more info over at cassils.net.
Trans people, I love you and stand with you every day 🤍 visibility is just the start, and you deserve SO much more.
