Every family we photograph, I have in the back of my mind “What if” … What if this is the last time this family will all be together in front of a camera. Life is short and tomorrow is never promised. We approach each session wanting to capture not only beautiful photographs, but beautiful memories and moments. Most important a feeling. The feeling of being held, loved, and laughed with. For the Kennedy family, they do not know what tomorrow will bring, where they will be or how they will feel. This mother of 4 was recently diagnosed with Stage Four Pancreatic Cancer. You may look just as shocked as we were when we first heard the news. Regina looks and acts healthy and fit! She never misses a beat when it comes to taking care of her family. During the family session, she loved so much on each kid. Playing in the water and sand, telling them stories from when they were little. The weather was crazy and we had to chase the sunshine south towards Ft. Pierce. And when we found it, there was a rainbow waiting for us. We have so much hope and prayers for Regina and her family and she starts treatment this week. As you can imagine, the toll this takes on a family is unimaginable! If you would like to help, a trust fund has been set up …..
Please mail any contributions as follows:
“The 2017 Regina Gray Kennedy Support Trust”
Gould Cooksey Fennell
c/o Dillon L. Roberts, Trustee
979 Beachland Boulevard
Vero Beach, Florida 32963
There is also a Go Fund Me Page, so if that works better, here is the link. It does not go to the trust. Thank you everyone for your support and prayers.
From Regina:
08/29/17
”
I met with an incredible doctor today at John Hopkins. While the first line treatment offered has not changed, I believe I’ve met the right person to fight with me through this journey, the “quarterback” on my team. I’m going home to start chemo tomorrow but I’ll be following up with her every couple of months and will make other decisions in time. It was pretty amazing the number of you who pulled together to help us get this appt so quickly. Thank you doesn’t adequately express my gratitude but THANK YOU!
So, what do you do when you’re diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer at the age of 38? You have your share of ugly cries and then you decide to put your big girl pants on so that you can fight. You don’t ask the doctors how much time you have because you’re here on God’s time and he says when it’s time to go… you wake up each morning and think, “I have today” and then praise God that it is so. You pray fervently for healing, the right treatment, that you will live long enough to see your babies leave the house, and to celebrate many more years of marriage to the incredible man who walks by your side. You research as many alternative therapies as you can to use in conjunction with conventional treatments. You ask God to not let this diagnosis be in vain but use it as an opportunity to help others. You begin to wonder and then ask God what you can do for Him with the card you’ve been dealt. You give thanks and praise and believe that come what may, He’s with you every step of the way and because of that you will have victory. If you really trust in Him, you find that you have peace in your heart because it is well with your soul. You choose to fight the hardest fight because you don’t really believe it’s time to leave your family and friends and that you have not fulfilled your purpose. You praise God, focus on your family and continue on.
To all of you, squeeze your family and friends and hold them tight. Forgive where forgiveness needs to take place and live your life to the fullest. Most importantly, spread love. When you see me out and about, please be sure to say hello! Love to you all. -regina”
