Walking in Faith

I captured this image the day after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I do have a good prognosis. The photo seems symbolic to what I'm going through. It gives me serenity. I hope that it is comforting to those who are struggling.

Amazing Wonder

Sun Dance

Above the Rim

Rise and Shine

Colors

At Last !

Day Break

A flock of canadian geese fly over the P& LE Railroad Ohio River Bridge in Bridgewater.

Fishing Village

I took this photo a few years ago while traveling through Portugal. I wish I could remember the name of the fishing village. It was so beautiful!

Daydreaming !

My dog Katie always seems so bored I can only imagine what she is daydreaming about.

Full Moon

Ice Storm

Happy 2011

Happy New Year everyone! May 2011 bring good health, happiness, love, and numerous blessings to each of you!

Time Out !

Sandy and Katie in trouble again.

Refelection

The Power of Prayer

Fall Sunset

Candle Light

St.Frances Cabrini Catholic Church

Butterfly

Blowing Bubbles

My niece and her friend blowing bubbles. I added a filter to create a different effect.

Fruit

Turning a Page

What's done is done and it's time for me to let go, find peace within myself and move forward - focus on the positive and be thankful for what I can do. If I keep looking at the past I will never see the future. So from this point on I plan to post a new photo every week. I can't thank everyone enough for not giving up on me! God bless you all!

Impatiently Waiting

It’s been a year his month that I have been impatiently waiting to return to my life.The most difficult part is sitting and watching life go by. Yes, I have made some improvements and I am taking an anti viral drug along with weekly IV treatments. I loved running, working, and I lived my life in constant motion, and I loved it. Everything that reflects me as a person has been stripped away.I really struggle at times to hold on to hope.

This should have never happened to me because I did everything I could to stay physically fit and healthy, but it did matter.
I replay all the events the lead up to my medical mishap. Looking back, I should have done my own research before I ever accepted the MS diagnosis.

How do you live after your life is gone? It’s been a very tough year.

On the Right Path

At last, I have the correct diagnosis and I'm finally getting the proper treatment to take care of the original problem and repair the damage from the wrong medications. In the near future, I'm hoping to be posting a new photo to my blog. Thank you all again for your kind words of support.

Happy New Year !

I wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Your support, prayers and encouragement truly has carried me through this difficult time. I am looking forward to 2010.

Long Journey Home

I’m still here. I was diagnosed and treated for a disease I do not have. Consequently, that has placed me on a dark and lonely path far from home. Day after day and mile after mile I’m getting closer. With the love of friends and family, I know I’ll make it. I want to thank everyone for their prayers and kind words and support.

Senora, Senora !

This photo was taken in front of a church in Rome. A sweet old lady sat on the steps, selling prayer cards.

Mount Pilatus, Switzterland

Since I don't have any recent photos to share, I thought some from my travel archives might be interesting. Mt.Pilatus has a cogwheel train which is the world's steepest with its 48 % gradient passing through five tunnels.
Once we reached the summit, the view was breathtaking. I felt as though I was looking down from heaven. I had forgotten all about my fear of heights once I climbed into a two seater glass cable car for the trip down the 7,000 foot mountain. It was a thrilling unforgettable trip of a life time!

Snail Pace

Update: Still recovering from Solu medrol treatment. Unfortunately, not as quickly as I had hoped. As with any treatment, there are side effects. I have experienced serveral side effects which seem to be worse than what I was being treated for. I am very anxious to return to work, walk my dog, and take photos. If anyone has first hand experience on this type of treatment, please pass it along.
Thanks to everyone for sending well wishes and positive encouragement.

Living With MS

I am a photographer. It’s not just a job; it’s who I am. The moment I gripped a camera and covered my first assignment, my life changed in a profound and positive way. After searching for the majority of my adult life for a career that was meaningful to me, I knew this was the path that God had intended.

Unfortunately in September of 2008, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

My first thought was: “Oh no, what does this mean, thousands of people have MS and function normally. I will follow my doctor’s orders and start treatment immediately.” Albeit, that wasn't my deep deep feelings: I was scared, mad and angry. Other than the death of my grandparents, I have never been so low.

Then the heat of summer arrived. Now, I love summer; I live for summer. But, the heat literally paralyzed my body with exhaustion to the point where I could not take a step or lift my head. This, I wasn’t prepared for. I’ve never let fatigue or illness get in the way of my job. But this year, the heat stopped me dead in my tracks.

I’ve been told it’s unprofessional to share my illness. However, I am part of the community in which I work and live. I want to reach out to others who may feel alone. Part of the wonderful experience of my job as a photographer is sharing people’s grief and joy. So I am sharing my grief and joy also.
Recently, I had an episode that placed me immobile. From the severe weakness, I literally collapsed.

Upon high recommendation, I am receiving several consecutive days of intravenious steroid treatment. I am being optimisic that this treatment will restore my life to being active again.
If anyone would like to share information that may be helpful, I’m welcoming it. I joined a support group that will resume in the Fall.

I am going to fight this with everything I have.
It may slow me down but it WILL NOT ROB ME OF MY PASSION !
I'll see you on Friday.

Aiming At Fun

Logan Williams,gets doused by Kody Oravetz,and Jade Rea,while playing a game during Crocodile Dock vacation Bible school at First Lutheran Church.

Wild things first baseman Ernie Banks grabs the helmet of Southern Illinois' Jereme Milons instead of the baseball during the game.

Putting The Kick In Kick Ball

Malik Wells, plays kick ball during the LeMoyne Center Camp Challenge.

Canonsburg 4th of July Parade

Members of The Wonders unicycler club, juggle thier way down Pike Street during the Canonsburg fouth of July parade.

Reserve Unit Bound For Iraq

U.S.Army Reserve Pfc. Donald Stark hugs his wife,Angela,before boarding a bus with members of his unit bound for Fort Dix,N.J., from the American Legion Post in Washington. The 619th Transportation Company is preparing to deploy to Iraq.


Pfc. Joel Laliberte with his family.

Summer Fun

Robert Smith, bowls during the Washington Hospital Teen Outreach Summer Program Playground Program. The organization is hosting the program, which runs through July 31. Children may registered by calling 724-222-2311

He Just Keeps Going

Ron Beinlich, owner of Triple B Farms of Monongahela, is tending this year's crop in a new self-service orchard where customers can pick their own apples. Read the complete story in the Observer-Reporter.

MS 150 Bike Ride to Lake Erie

I would like to thank all my family, friends and coworkers who contributed to this cause.

With anticipation and excitement, I waited with hundreds of cyclists for the start of a 2 day journey covering 150 miles. In my mind I was wondering if I could overcome my own personal challenges. It turns out, I'm a much better photographer than a cyclist- MS 150 slideshow

What made this event most extraordinary was the riders. I saw everything from the serious cyclist to the average biker but they all shared a common goal. For some it was more personal, as they wore the names of individuals they were riding for on their shirts. Mile after mile, hill after hill, the riders persevered with such determination to make a difference in the lives of people with MS.

A special thank you to Laurie, Theresa, Lynn !

Photo above is of Mary Lynn Rote from Erie at a rest stop on day one of the ride.

Wild Things vs. Gateway Grizzlies

Wild Things' pitcher, Sean Heimpel, fires away from the mound against the Gateway Grizzlies at CONSOL Energy Park.

Down The Line

Nick Cumer returns a winner down the line while playing a match with a friend on the campus of Washington & Jefferson College.