Thrilled that Babble included Jill's picture in their !!
If we ever met in real life, I'd like to think Jill Brzezinski-Conley and I would be instant friends. Hers is an incredible, brutiful* story splattered in courage and love.
My sister-in-love shared a post to introduce me to Jill, and before I read a word or watched her video, I saw a girl after my own heart: a princess spinning in front of the Eiffel Tower in a flurry of pale
pink and tulle.
Her story will wreck you–
- Diagnosed with breast cancer one day before her 32nd birthday, only six months after she married the man of her dreams.
- She learned the younger you are (like Stephanie in , the more aggressive cancer can be; her treatment included 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 31 rounds of radiation and 4 surgeries including a double mastectomy (with additional surgeries to follow).
- After two years her cancer was in remission; but a year later it was back with cruel vengence, this time burrowing into bone and diagnosed terminal.
Jill's story is personal to me because breast cancer is so intrinsically tied to who I am; it robbed me of memories of my mom. Jill is so brave, she's willing to bear her scars to make them less scary for others…and seeing hers catapulted me back in history to that one time I remember seeing Mama's scars.
Women who endure mastectomy are the steeliest of magnolias.
Jill has become a living cautionary tale, urging others to screen, educating about early detection, and hoping to help at least one woman with her story.
She's not gonna get that wish; her story is already helping thousands.
The mini-documentary below is stunning; a collaboration between photographer Sue Bryce and film maker Hailey Bartholomew. Jill's candor, powerful ferocity and joie de vivre will inspire you. You'll weep for her circumstance while cheering her on as Torchbearer for worthy cause. You'll understand how she can say " I really do believe god gave me this horrible disease for a reason."
Jill's powerful words below capture what I was trying to express in my previous post, A fool's delusion, a cautionary tale and how Downton Abbey can save your life—
Sue Bryce, the brilliant photographer who captured Jill's life and message published this familiar reminder about cancer, juxtaposed with the perfect image from Jill's photo shoot. I adore Sue's take on Jill's story, "This is not a story about cancer. This is a story about love, and it’s a story for all."
I'm inviting you (begging you?) to help me share Jill's story. Pin, Facebook share/like (the button is right at the bottom of this post!), Tweet, Email, Stumble, Tumble or social-network-whatever my post and any of these links I've shared.
This one is sealed with love from me to you. xo
Thanks for your visit…won't you come again? I'm always grateful when new friends subscriber in a reader or by email.
Let me know you if you do, k?
Related links ~ you'll want to click every one. I have, some over and over…
- Jill's Facebook page
- A portal to donate safely to Jill's medical bills
- Photographer Sue Bryce
- Film maker Hailey Bartholomew
* Brutal + Beautiful, borrowed from my lovie and author of Momastery, Glennon Melton.
Title quote by Kahlil Gibran.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I have been through breast cancer twice; the first time fifteen years ago and then again two years ago. I have had two mastectomies, so now I joke that I have the body of Peter Pan. But I embrace my scars, because they are tangible reminders of how God led me through two very difficult times. Love to beautiful Jill.
Oh, Carol…you brave, amazing SURVIVOR! Thank YOU for finding grace and humor, yes, even HUMOR, in your circumstance; to me, that is amazingly God-glorifying!
Amazing??? Oh, goodness no! But I serve an amazing God, who continues to bleed grace into the open sores of my life, enabling me to say regarding cancer: Yes, Lord, this too. Blessed be.
I watched the documentary the other day and included it in my What I’m Into post. It left me teary eyed. Her message is so important.
Leigh,
I’ve known many with breast cancer, survivors and those who battled and left too soon. Jill’s strength and hope to help others makes me want to shout her story from mountaintops. SO glad you saw this and decided to share it :).
Robin
Your passion for breast cancer awareness and the women it has and will affect is infectious.
Thank you for sharing this powerful story. Your words are beautiful and reveal how this illness profoundly touches everyone in its path.
I am walking this road now and also feel the great need to shed light on this disease. God has revealed himself so mighty and faithful!! I too have made several videos during this journey. (Nothing compared to Jill’s) but I know God has used them. If you are interested they are on YouTube under search- Ginger Pillar, one is before I lost my hair 8 days into diagnosis and the other is after chemo and double mastectomy. I was able to dance in a healing service
I am blessed!! May you be too!
Thank you for sharing this. Every time I see her story, these beautiful ripples of courage and gratitude, I am humbled and recommitted to helping keep breast cancer, its warriors, survivors and those who are made to grieve because of it, in the public mind.