A TAMWORTH woman battling breast cancer has shared an uplifting message of hope and awareness through a photo shoot in her wedding dress.
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Kahlie Watkins, 29, was married in September, following a shock diagnosis of breast cancer in July.
The mother of one began chemotherapy days after her wedding and soon after, started losing her hair.
It was then Mrs Watkins said she felt like she was starting to “lose herself.”
“A few days after my wedding, I started treatment,” she said.
“You do have your bad days, and I thought I’m starting to lose myself in the way I wasn’t my perky self.
“I thought my wedding day was the last time I felt normal and thought why not have another photo shoot in my wedding dress.
“It was a good excuse to wear my dress again; with my bald head.”
She “threw the idea” at her maid of honour; Tamworth photographer Rachel Deane, who met with Mrs Watkins, husband Michael and son Noah at the end of October.
Ms Deane posted the heart-warming photos to her social media page this week, with a tribute to her friend. The post went viral and the response was one neither of them had anticipated.
“It was mind-blowing, really overwhelming and a little confronting at times,” Mrs Watkins said.
“People were giving me all these words of encouragement and love and it was really amazing. I honestly feel so much taller. I feel more confident and have a spring in my step again.
“In treatment, you feel so exhausted and drained, after having these photos done, I’ve also got friends going through cancer treatment, and it’s unbelievable how many people have been affected by this (post), it’s amazing.”
Mrs Watkins said part of her mission was also to raise awareness.
“The biggest thing for me with my whole journey is, I hope that everybody gets to know their body themselves and is constantly checking,” she said.
“If something unusual pops up, get it checked straight away and if you aren’t happy with the first opinion, keep asking and find someone else, it could save your life.”
Ms Deane said she was more than happy to help.
“I’m very proud of her for wanting to get it (her message) out there,” she said. “I was definitely expecting people to appreciate it, but the response was quite overwhelming.”
