Inspiration and a Special Guest Post by Chrisi Adamson

by Skip Cohen

​Today's post is miles away from being directly tied to photography, but it's about inspiration and breast cancer. The short backstory is that it was a post on Facebook by Chrisi Adamson. She's a member of the Memory Care Alliance who I first met almost a year ago. It's also a post that I wish I could make mandatory for everyone to read!

The post is about her fight with breast cancer. It's so inspirational that I'm running it like a public service message. I'm not sharing the video here, but the screenshot of Chrisi ringing the bell is enough to appreciate the message behind it.

And a BIG thanks to Chrisi for allowing me to share her story.

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by Chrisi Adamson

I have held this video moment close to my heart for about three weeks. I am going to share because if this helps one lovely woman out there to go get a mammogram it was worth any discomfort that comes from sharing deeply personal things. It is also the closest way to attempt to thank everyone.

After a double mastectomy on 5/24/24, we found out I had IDC Triple Positive Breast Cancer; the tumor was found after surgery. 6/27/24 I started chemo and immunotherapy. There have been 30 infusions, so many trips to Moffitt, surgeries (with more to come), countless labs, a port, daily shots, bone pain, low white blood cell counts, scars (some you can see, some are just for me to carry), infection scares, poor blood supply to skin, hair loss, neuropathy, weight loss, weight gain, joint pain, menopause, depression, anxiety, deep fatigue, brain fog, and so much more.

Growing up my Gram would always say: “God never gives you more than you can handle.” Well, God and I have had many a chat. I have questioned if he has overestimated my strength but in the end I know Fanny Mae was right. It is not pretty but you keep moving. The only way out is through.
If I have learned anything through this, it is that extremes exist side by side.
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• Where there was fear, anger and sadness, there was also such a deep love from family and friends. Love that moves mountains.
• Where there was pain and tears, I also found laughter. If you don’t laugh, you will cry. Ryan Adamson will forever have my heart for the love and laughter he used to get us through this. Love is real when you almost pee your pants while getting chemo!!
• Where there was isolation, I found that people from all walks of my life were there keeping me surrounded with love and strength. (And flowers, sweet treats, delivered meals, meal trains, blankets, books, PJs, clean products, tv suggestions, fun for the kids, gift cards, laundry services(!!)…the list could go on for days). When depression and anxiety tried to make me feel alone, I never lacked for someone to lean on.
• Where there was total chaos, my family found friends that are forever family now and family that never stopped showing up. They loved our children when we weren’t there to. They went to baseball tournaments, stocked the kitchen, took them to Sea World, had weekday sleepovers, did school pick ups, got them to school, studied for tests but most importantly their love and time let our kids be care free and unworried about cancer, scan results, levels, and recurrence rates.

If I listed 100 people, I would surely leave out 500 more. Every card, every text, every act got me and my family to where we are today. You are all so special.

Woah- see why I have never posted much?! It’s a lot. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and love. Words will never do it justice. Also, my kids and husband are the bravest and strongest people I know.

On 7/17/25 I finished my active treatment! This video happened BECAUSE I went for my annual screenings. I felt nothing (couldn’t have), there was no pain, EVEN the screens missed the tumor found after surgery (I went in due too malignant microcalcifications). I thank God everyday for Moffitt, for screenings, for modern medicine and the research in treatment that makes my outcome so beautiful and real.

Get screened annually. It works, it matters, it’s worth it.

And for goodness sake if you ever need to talk, get facts, scream, or help a friend- reach out to me. I didn’t go through this alone and I am here to help so no one ever has to.