Jordan and his wife Anna, who live in Brooklyn with their son Jesse, have navigated a challenging journey following Anna’s breast cancer diagnosis 7 years ago. At that time, Jesse was only 3, and their lives quickly changed when Anna found a lump in her breast. Despite being dismissed initially, she persisted in seeking medical attention, and a biopsy ultimately confirmed that she had triple positive breast cancer, shocking both Anna and her doctors due to her youth and absence of typical risk factors.

The diagnosis affected Jordan deeply, reigniting fears he first experienced when his mother battled cancer when he was 11. To manage his anxiety and stay present, Jordan, a photographer, began documenting Anna’s treatment through photography, finding solace in capturing their shared journey. Anna, also a photographer, also took photos of her own, though she kept much of her work private until later. Both found that photography allowed them to process their emotions and created a visual story of resilience. Over time, these images and their disparate experiences inspired the couple to compile a book intended to offer others hope, focusing on early detection and real, unscripted portrayals of the cancer experience.

The process of documenting their journey also opened communication lines between them. Jordan initially struggled with expressing his fears, feeling societal pressure to be “strong” as a breast cancer caregiver. However, they discovered that both felt vulnerable and isolated by their fears and pain. Sharing these emotions years later brought them closer and deepened their understanding of each other’s unique struggles during the treatment period.

Jesse’s understanding of his mother’s illness has evolved. Initially, his parents tried to normalize Anna’s treatment by involving Jesse in shaving her head and explaining her fatigue as simply feeling “unwell.” This compassionate approach helped him accept her condition, and to this day, he instinctively comforts her when she feels ill. However, recent discussions about the impact of cancer on their family, such as Anna’s lost opportunity to have more biological children, have introduced more complex feelings for Jesse, leading the family to seek support from organizations focused on children affected by parental cancer.

In addition to their son, Anna and Jordan have faced other hurdles, including challenges with adoption and foster care when exploring options for expanding their family. While Jordan focused on Anna’s health over the possibility of preserving her fertility, Anna grieved the loss deeply, causing strain in their relationship. Their differing needs and feelings revealed the significant emotional toll cancer imposes beyond physical health.

As survivors, both Jordan and Anna face ongoing challenges, especially regarding mental health and the unpredictability of life post-diagnosis. For Jordan, periodic depression and an underlying fear of recurrence make long-term planning difficult. He hopes their story and visual documentation can help others understand the nuanced reality of survivorship, including the often-overlooked emotional, financial, and physical support needs that extend well beyond initial treatment.