Linda Bennett - A True Fighter.

Hello everyone. I know it's been a while. Have been very busy with a lot of stuff. From family, work and photography. But today it's not like any other blog that I have written. As you all know or if you don't know now you will. I give free Breast Cancer Survivor Photo-Shoots. Yes free. This has been my third year doing this. And it's a an amazing joy to see a smile on these amazing woman I photograph. But this blog is dedicated to a true fighter, a survivor and a single mother. Who you may ask? So let me introduce you to Linda Bennett. Here is her story.

"Hi! My name is Linda Bennett.  I am a 53 years old and I am a breast cancer survivor.  I was diagnosed in July of 2012 with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of my left breast.  
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), sometimes called infiltrating ductal carcinoma, is the most common type of breast cancer.  About 80% of all breast cancers are invasive ductal carcinomas.  Invasive means that the cancer has “invaded” or spread to the surrounding breast tissues.  

I had never suffered any major sickness in my adult life, so I was completely shocked when my doctor informed me that I had breast cancer.  I felt numb, empty and was certain that I was going to wither away and die.  After meeting with my doctor, I went home and cried…and then cried some more.  I kept asking God “Why me?” but also “Why not me?”
  
Prior to receiving my heart-breaking diagnosis, I was separated from my husband for 2 years and was a single mom raising my two boys alone.  After the initial shock and overwhelming sadness, God bestowed a genuine calmness over me.  From that moment forward, I knew everything would be ok. I was no longer completely consumed by the devastating diagnosis I had received and my attitude toward everything that was happening in my life positively changed forever.  

I went through every doctor's appointment and every surgery with a smile and positive thoughts and expectations.  My doctor offered me 3 choices: undergo a full mastectomy, have a partial mastectomy or take medications.  I chose a full mastectomy. My surgery was scheduled for August 5, 2012 and my doctors informed me that I was a candidate for the tram flap surgery. 

TRAM stands for transverse rectus abdominus, a muscle in your lower abdomen between your waist and your pubic bone.  A flap of this skin, fat, and all or part of the underlying rectus abdominus (“6-pack”) muscle are used to reconstruct the breast in a TRAM flap procedure. I gladly chose this reconstructive procedure over inserting silicone.

My journey with breast cancer encouraged me to make significant changes in my life.  I divorced my estranged husband, recognizing that his abusive ways had no place in my new life.  I made the decision to leave Florida, where I lived for 30 years, and start a new life for myself and my children.  I relocated to Tennessee to be near my brother and his family and begin the next chapter of my life.  The Lord has been with me for every step in my journey because he has continually blessed me and opened doors for me and my family.  

When people look at me and say things like “You've never been thru anything”, my reply is always “You have never walked in my shoes”.  I'm happy and smiling daily because, no matter what is going on in my life, I'M TRULY BLESSED.  I share my testimony with whomever will listen, because you never know who you may positively touch and help by sharing your story.  God Bless. "

What an inspiration. It was truly amazing being able to spend time with this lovely lady. So if you have an inspirational story to tell and motivate someone please come forward. Maybe your story will encourage and inspire others to also fight and get help. Thank you for reading. Feel free to share.

"Travel the world, capture every moment and feel blessed you were there at that moment in time"

BoriPhotography

Cumberland River Walk - A river with beauty and enchantment.

We take another journey through Cumberland River Walk. A river traveled by boats and barges. Used for fishing and other marine sports in the summer. Have found my self waling down the 1 mile walking trail just fascinated of all the beauty found there.

This river walk is a stage year round. Where different activities are show cased there. But I have to say that for me the most amazing thing to do there is to take photos of its scenic beauty. How the trees reflect on the river, the snow makes it look like a magical place, the early morning fog covering the whole river. It's just amazing.

A LITTLE HISTORY:

Clarksville’s historic downtown area was changed forever on 22 January 1999 when an F3 tornado struck leaving approximately a 4.3 mile, 880 yard-wide path.  Estimated wind speeds were in excess of 200 mph.  It first struck along Riverside Drive, destroying the Petri Cigar Building, damaging trees in Valley Brook Park and devastating the Dog Hill neighborhood.  In approximately five minutes, it had taken a five-mile path through Clarksville to St. Bethlehem area, hitting the campus of Austin Peay State University area and the Red River neighborhood. (Info pulled from http://www.mchsociety.org/Index.html)

Then again in 2010 Clarksville TN is hit by another devastating flood. The flood broke all recent records and came within 5 feet of the largest recorded flood on record, the 1937 Flood. The flood stage is 46 feet, the previous record (1975) was 57.10 feet, the crest of this flood was 62.58 feet (info: http://www.clarksvilleonline.com). It left many businesses so damaged that they didn't open again. All the cars at the dealership were completely totaled. If you go to the Wendy's Fast Food restaurant there you will see a mark that will show you up to where the water rose. It was a devastating and sad moment for Clarksville.

But since then Clarksville Montgomery County has taken measures to ensure that doesn't happen again. From expanding the river sides to making sure all debris is cleaned from the river.

Now I will share with you some photos that I was able to capture these last couple of day. If you would like to see more of these amazing shot please follow the link BoriPhotography Galleria.  Thank you all for your amazing support. Please feel free to like, share and comment.

"Travel the world, capture every moment and feel blessed you were there at that moment in time"

BoriPhotography

Dunbar Cave - A gem of its own.

So today we embark to a journey to Dunbar Cave Natural Park. A unique and beautiful sanctuary to admire and enjoy. A national landmark that has brought so many people together. From our own locals, visitors and many photographers like myself that love its pure nature. Where you can enjoy an early walk/run or take your camera and start shooting away.

From its beautiful fauna to its memorizing flora. Plus we can't forget the history that is felt there. Dunbar Cave is located in Clarksville, Montgomery County. It's situated on a 110 acre land and it has numerous sink holes, plus Dunbar Cave is over 8 miles in length is one of the largest cave in Montgomery County.

Thomas Dunbar and his family settled the land containing the cave in 1784. Dunbar thought that he had title to the land, but due to incorrect paperwork he was never actually the legal owner. The first known owner, Robert Nelson, claimed the land in 1792. Mr. Dunbar and his family were ejected from the land (Dunbar immediately purchased the land next to the cave property and lived there until his death in 1826). The cave retained Dunbar’s name as he was the first settler to live there. (Info pulled from http://tnstateparks.com)

I have been numerous time at Dunbar Cave. It's peaceful and I'm one with nature. I haven't been inside the cave but you can feel a cool breeze coming through the locked gates. They say it's a constant 58 degrees in the cave. The entrance of the cave was an amazing location for different activities, where bands played, food was sold and an enjoyment for everyone.

Now the park is being under construction to restore the lake. You can still enjoy the beauty of this place. From it's epic trails to it's serene views. If you do visit Dunbar Cave please remember not to litter, we need to keep these historical locations as beautiful as they are.



Thank you for your epic support. You're are more than welcome to share this article with friends and family. Check out this beautiful video of an early morning at Dunbar Cave before they did the reconstruction of the lake YouTubechannel. Also want to check out more amazing photos from this amazing place click on the following link and it will direct you to my galleria BoriPhotography Galleria.

"Travel the world, capture every moment and feel blessed you were there at that moment in time"

BoriPhotography