In October of 2014, just days after moving home to our hometown of Erie, PA, I received a text message from my mother informing me that they found a suspicious mass on her pancreas, with spots all over her liver. Within hours it was confirmed that she had Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer.  

In just under a week we relocated my mom to PIttsburgh, PA where she would live with my brother and his wife. The oncologist at a high end cancer center in Shadyside informed her that with medication she could expect to survive about 3-6 months.

That was 16 months ago, and my mom is still with us, and still fighting the good fight. 

In October of 2015 I took over has her sole caregiver as she moved from Pittsburgh back to Erie, taking residence in her very own apartment, something I never expected to happen again.

That being said, my mother's illness, and the fact that I am in charge of getting her to her appointments and helping her with housework and shopping limits my availability as far as photography is concerned. It has also all but suspended my ability to do weddings. Long term plans just aren't possible, but I am willing to consider weddings if they are short notice, preferably no more than 6 weeks out. Otherwise, I just don't feel comfortable taking on weddings, the most important day of your life, because I just can't predict what will happen in the future. Portraits can easily be rescheduled if necessary. A wedding can not. 

My hope is that my mom beats this cancer down and things can resume as normal, and once circumstances change, I will be once again available full time.