Pictured above from left to right: Arthur (4), Jucienne, Henry (7), and Augusto. Jucienne currently has stage 3 breast cancer, completed her chemotherapy and waiting on scan results for surgery plan end of September. Upon entry into their home there was a genuine encompassing feeling of love that couldn’t be ignored. Jucienne’s smile quickly lit up the room while her sons’ won over our hearts with their innocence. As you walk further into their home you can see a workshop with a collection of Lego sets alongside a work in progress wooden model plane. Augusto tells us this is where him and his children bond and spend quality time, whether they’re building legos, a model plane, or a puzzle; it’s one overall theme for everything they do… Unity. It’s very clear that they are each others foundation, love for eachother and belief in a bright future is what keeps them strong through such a dark time.

“I started chemo and I started cutting my hair. My biggest concern were the kids, with every process, and after one month when I saw my hair starting to fall I shaved all my hair and Augusto shaved his head too and this was very Important because this was a big change for the kids”

Jucienne attributes Augusto shaving his head to creating a sense of normality for the children.

“I try to joke and play with the kids because they’re only kids and they don’t need to feel this bad feeling”

To stay positive Jucienne says to herself:

“Cancer is the only symptom and I know that If I

have positive things in my brain my body will

have a good response. Every day I’m in pain in a 

lot of places in my body but I think “I’m ok”

THIS is the healing process, and so I put 

positive phrases on the wall saying 

“I can do this” and I accept my cancer

With love because… I can do this 

Her personal mantra in Portuguese is: 

"Eu aceito,

Eu recebo,

Eu agradeço

E devolvo para o Universo em forma de amor"

I accept

I receive

I thank

And i send all to the Universe in the shape of love

Pictured above from Left to Right: Jacelyn (7), Juliette, and Al Porter.

Walking up to the Porter's home our entire crew made remarks about their beautiful garden, as you walk up to the door a trail of different colored plants guide you. This instantly let me know that if there was one thing, life and love exist in this home. We were welcomed in by Juliette and as we were taking off our shoes, Jacelyn walks in hugging the hip of her father Al and steals the attention of everyone in the room. Then and there we decided the family portrait would occur wherever Jacelyn saw fit, which is why they were shot at her play area. Juliette was diagnosed with breast cancer it took a little more adjustment than it typically could. Their daughter Jacelyn suffers from mild autism, which requires her to need more attention than the average seven year old. Pairing that along with going through radiation Juliette was left drained. On days that she physically could not keep up with her daughter they’d tell her “You have to be gentle with mommy.” To which Jacelyn would try to give her massages and offer her her boo boo bunny, Jocelyn’s ice pack wrapped around in a plush bunny. Juliette completed radiation this past summer and is currently waiting for results for next steps. The love they all have for each other is ever so evident, and it’s clear that that is what gets them through their dark days.

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