A mother’s bond with her child is nothing short of magical, and for Emily Johnson, that connection was beautifully captured in a recent photo shoot marking her last day of breastfeeding. Emily, who adored nursing her five-month-old son, Leo, had originally planned to breastfeed for an entire year, but a shocking diagnosis of stage two breast cancer changed everything. “Breastfeeding was my absolute favorite thing,” the Kansas City mom shared. “I often find myself getting emotional about the fact that I had to stop. It was incredibly difficult.”
To commemorate her final feeding, Emily organized a photo shoot and shared the stunning images on the popular Facebook page Breastfeeding Mama Talk. Her goal was twofold: to raise awareness about the importance of regular self-examinations for lumps and to inspire other mothers facing breastfeeding challenges. “I hope that sharing my story encourages others to take a moment and appreciate their journey, reminding them how fortunate they are to experience this,” she said.
Emily first noticed a lump in her breast during her pregnancy and initially dismissed it as a normal part of nursing. “I thought it was just my milk coming in and didn’t think much of it,” she recalled. However, the lump persisted after Leo’s birth. “After he was born, I was so focused on being a mom that I lost sight of it. But every time I nursed him, I could feel that bump.”
Like many mothers, Emily often prioritized everyone else’s needs over her own, frequently neglecting self-care. Fortunately, she made the critical decision to consult her doctor, leading to an ultrasound, mammogram, and ultimately a biopsy that confirmed her diagnosis. A single mastectomy was soon scheduled.
To celebrate the special bond she shared with Leo, Emily wanted to capture their last breastfeeding moment. She reached out on Facebook and was fortunate to connect with Sarah Martinez from Vintage Lens Photography, who generously volunteered her time to take the photos. “Even during those tough moments, holding him close and feeling his comfort was so special,” she reflected, noting the deep connection they shared.
While three friends have stepped in to provide Leo with donor milk, the transition away from breastfeeding was still challenging for Emily. “I thought I would go for a year. Letting go of that was incredibly hard.” Aware that chemotherapy would likely lead to hair loss, Emily decided to dye her hair a vibrant hot pink for the shoot. “My friends and family weren’t surprised at all. They said, ‘Of course you did that!’ and I love how it turned out!”
Currently, Emily is healing from her surgery and gearing up for 24 weeks of chemotherapy. We wish her strength and positivity during her treatment journey and beyond.
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In summary, Emily Johnson’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of mothers. Although her breastfeeding journey faced an unexpected end, her love for Leo and determination to raise awareness shine brightly through her heartfelt photo shoot.