Glamography Magazine aims to feature everyday women and their stories. Our mission is to give these women the opportunity to break out of their day-to-day, get glammed up a little, and celebrate their true, authentic selves. This is Jamie's feature from Issue #3 of Glamography:

Conquering Crohn's and Cancer with Faith, Family, and Fortitude

Life often throws curveballs our way, testing our resilience and challenging our perception of the world. For Jamie, a mother and nurse practitioner, these curveballs came in the form of Crohn's disease and breast cancer. Yet, her story is not one of despair, but of unwavering strength, unwavering faith, and the unwavering support of her loved ones.

A Life-Altering Diagnosis

Jamie's journey began with a diagnosis that would forever change her life: Crohn's disease. "I first got diagnosed right after I got out of nursing school," she recalls. "I was going through a divorce at that time and ended up with an ileostomy, which is where they divert part of your colon out into a bag. I had this for a little over a year"

The stress of a divorce and a new health challenge was overwhelming, but Jamie refused to let it define her. "I just remember sitting there thinking, like, how much am I going to let this affect my life?" she shares. "I still wanted to go out and have fun with my friends. I still wanted to have a life."

Finding Strength in Faith and Family

During this difficult time, Jamie found solace in her faith and the unwavering support of her family. "I didn't have much of a faith," she admits. "But my brother talked me into going to church with him, and I went and really got to know the pastor who taught me a lot and ended up getting baptized. And from there on, I felt like that's where my strength has come from, honestly."

Her mother was also a constant source of support. "I don't think I could have gotten through that time in my life without her, to be honest," Jamie confesses. Her family's love and encouragement gave her the strength to face her challenges head-on.

Living with Crohn's

Living with Crohn's disease is an ongoing battle, but Jamie has learned to adapt and manage her condition. "It's something that’s just part of my life. I get infusions every six weeks now," she explains. "It's kind of like a chemotherapy-type medication, so it definitely affects my body."

Despite the physical and emotional toll, Jamie remains resilient. "There are times where my body hurts, and I do not want to do anything, but I don't have that option," she states. "I am a nurse practitioner. I'm a mom. Life is not going to let me stop doing what I need to do."

A Second Blow: Breast Cancer

Just as Jamie was navigating life with Crohn's, another challenge arose: breast cancer. "When I got the diagnosis of breast cancer, it was kind of like, okay, I've been through this before," she recalls. "I've been through the medical stuff, the surgeries, the depression, all of it."

The waiting period between tests and diagnosis was particularly agonizing. "The biggest fear I had was during the waiting," Jamie shares. "Is it cancer? If it is cancer, what kind of cancer? Am I gonna have to do chemotherapy? Am I gonna have to do radiation? And what does this mean for my future?"

Finding Purpose in Writing

To cope with the overwhelming emotions, Jamie turned to journaling. "I just started journaling and just writing how I felt about things," she says. "And then my journaling turned into me writing about doctor's appointments and what the doctors were saying. And then I started writing about how I felt during the treatments and surgeries, and what my fears were… And it just turned into a book."

Her book, Franken Boobies: One Mother’s Account of Her Breast Cancer Odyssey, became a source of healing and a way to connect with others facing similar challenges. "I know for a fact that it has helped others" Jamie says. "And so, like, that's a win."

Resilience and Hope

Throughout her journey, Jamie has demonstrated remarkable resilience and a positive attitude. "You just gotta roll with the punches," she says. "Life is going to throw things at you, and you just have to find that thing that keeps you going through it."

Her faith in Jesus, her family, and her determination have been her guiding lights, helping her navigate the darkest of times. "I've been lucky that I have a really strong support system in my husband, children, family, and friends" Jamie shares. "They've all been there and have all supported me through it, and they've laughed with me along the way, and they've cried with me along the way."

A Message of Hope and Inspiration

Jamie's story is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity. She is an inspiration to anyone facing challenges, reminding us that with faith, family, and fortitude, we can conquer anything.

"Everybody has things that have happened in their life," Jamie reflects. "Everybody has trauma, everybody has really big events that have happened in their life, and you just have to find that thing that keeps you going through it."

Her message is clear: never give up, never lose hope, and always remember that you are not alone.

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