CAITLEE CARRIER (16)

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THIS PROJECT? Because my mom thought that it would be a great learning experience. I also like to take pictures of people and things.

WHAT ONE WORD DESCRIBES YOU BEST. Helpful.

IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A cat.

IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON AN ISLAND, WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? Family, food and a knife.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOU? I'm afraid of the dark.

WHAT IS MOST "SPECIAL" TO YOU ABOUT YOUR PARENT? My mom's determination and drive to bring out the best in an ugly situation. I admire this characteristic and hope to acquire it someday.

IN WHAT WAY HAS HAVING A PARENT WITH CANCER CHANGED YOUR LIFE? It has made me a more loving and accepting person. It has also made me realize how serious and difficult living with cancer can be. I am so proud of my mom and love her very much.


PAULINE CARRIER (CAITLEE'S MOM)

DESCRIBE SOMETHING THAT YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOUR CHILD WHILE YOUR PORTRAIT WAS BEING TAKEN AND WHAT IT MEANT TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED BY HIM/HER.
Being photographed by Caitlee was very special. I could have chosen any one of my seven children but Caitlee and I needed to get in touch with each other. My mother died of cancer a year ago of cancer. One of my brothers was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer in July. Then, to top it off I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November.

Through this project I became aware of how selfless Caitlee is. She has become a young lady with a giant heart. During my treatment she has been a great help caring for me and never asked for acknowledgement. While spending time with Caitlee, she and I got to laugh, smile and beam with pride!

WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE SHARED WITH YOUR CHILD, SINCE BEING DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER?
The night that I told Caitlee that I was diagnosed with cancer, we made a "date" for ice cream. Her grades were slipping and she thought that this was the topic of our "date".

My mother was a 30-year breast cancer survivor had just passed away. The picture of Caitlee sitting at her side with large tears falling from her beautiful eyes, leading the family in the Rosary was etched in my mind.

I was just hoping that Caitlee could handle the news with the strength and courage that she displayed during her grandmother's death. As we sat in Friendly's, again with teardrops from those beautiful eyes, she asked me if I was gong to die. No was the answer. I had too much to do, too many people who needed me and a good prognosis. I knew from that moment that Caitlee had the courage and strength to help me through the difficult times ahead.

The journey that we as a family are on, though an unfortunate one, has been a time for all to become closer and realize that life is worth living with no regrets.

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