Amy Camie - The Journey

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure and opportunity to join Amy Camie on her journey through chemotherapy and breast cancer. I have to say Amy is no ordinary person therefore her journey is not the typical “battle” most face with cancer, in fact I wouldn’t say it is a battle at all.

 

When you talk with someone who has walled this path of breast cancer or any journey with cancer you hear words like “battle”, “survivor” and “fight” and while I’m sure it is a life and death struggle at the cellular level, it is quite a different journey at the spiritual and emotional level with Amy.

Amy is a musician and her heart sings every note in harmony with her circumstances and relationships, even if it is a relationship with the wayward cells of cancer. In fact every email I’ve ever received from Amy over the years has been signed “Loving life…all of it.” She is!

 

 

I have had the pleasure of working with Amy on several occasions for promotional photos, and CD covers, but this project was special.

 

As an artist I was thrilled with the vision we discussed when planning these images. Although planning is a somewhat deceptive word to describe how we started this project. The “Plan” consisted of Amy saying, “Will you take some pictures of me after I’ve lost my hair? Here’s what I see…” and described a picture partially born out of her experience with peeling back the layers of who she is and what she’s learned from this journey and partially by what she saw in the mirror.

 

 “I see it.” I said. In as much as I could imagine it. Let’s play with this without any preconceived plan of the outcome” I suggested.

 

Play we did.

 

 

I put on her CD “The Magic Mirror” in my home studio, as we talked. Her uninhibited presence played with the light and the shutter, as images revealed themselves like little presents before my lens. The session was electric. The Divine was present that day; whether you call it God, the Holy Spirit, Jesus, Divine Energy or the great I AM. It blew in the most beautiful way.

I read a quote this morning by Mark Batterson: from his book Primal.

"Love doesn't play it safe; it takes risks.

Love doesn't make excuses; it takes responsibility.

Love doesn't see problems; it seizes opportunities to step up and step in.

The Greek word for 'strength' means 'the antithessis of apathy.'"

This is what I see in Amy and I think is represented in this image.

 

 

When we were done, my husband, who had been in his home office working said, “It sounded like you guys had fun, I heard a lot of laughing.” So true - it was fun. The laughing was mostly at my squeals of delight when I looked at the back of the camera. This was the first image that got me.

 

 

I hope you enjoy the images, and can see the remarkable, multifaceted woman Amy is. She has asked that I not retouch them so I have respected her wishes. You will notice a lump below her left collar bone, which is a port through which she receives her chemotherapy medicine. I wouldn’t have known if she hadn’t told me so I thought I’d share it with you.

 

Amy has shared her music with cancer, hospice and grief communities for many years and has been heavily involved in the research of how her CDs relax the body, reduce anxiety and support brainwave and immune system function. Now she has had the opportunity to experience the healing effects of her music first hand.

 

I hope you will also visit her site and support and sample the gift of her music she has waiting there.

 

Here are some of our favorites set to her music.

 

Comments

[Joyce buekers]

Amy, What a remarkable woman you are to help so many and have such wisdom for healing. I will continue to have you as a mentor, in my thoughts and prayers during this Easter Season, Blessings, Joyce

[Marti Soler]

Amy,

You walk in the sandals of Teacher, Sage, Wise Woman, Mother, Truth Seeker, Partner, and Friend...to others, yes! But also to your own Self! This latest journey has taken you to places beyond imagination yet you have gone willingly with Courage, Trust, and Faith! Your inner beauty continues to match your outer beauty. We have all learned so much through your journey. And, Julie, what a gifted artist you are... these photos tell The Story of Amy's latest creations.

[Maryellen De Vine]

Amy and Julie,

This is an amazing, Light-filled, beautiful piece of Art. Thank you, Amy, for sharing your journey as I believe it will touch and help many. Thank you for sharing this wonderful work of Love, Ladies!

[Timberland Outlets]

Excellent post. It makes me realize the energy of words and pictures. I learn a lot, thank you! Wish you make a further progress in the future.