Note from Alexandria Stylebook: Last year we had the pleasure of featuring Delia with her daughter in a street style post. If you are unfamiliar with Delia’s story, please read the original post here. We checked in with Delia recently, one year later, and she agreed to fill our readers in on how she’s doing.

by Delia

Looking back at the 2013 Alexandria Stylebook photo shoot will always bring a smile when I think of that crisp fall morning. At a time when I was literally losing parts of my self it felt good to take life a little less seriously and have some fun! Not focusing on what I was losing, my breasts, my hair, physical strength and energy. I had an opportunity to put it all aside and celebrate, with my daughter, all that I had not lost! Plus, wear some pretty awesome clothes from Kiskadee.

As a photographer myself, I don’t usually like being on the other side of the camera. That morning became a celebration of sorts, a time to model for my daughter that there is much more than how you look on the outside but how you handle what you are handed, from the inside. This time last October, I had just finished my second round of chemo. Overwhelmed and miffed by all the pink everywhere…I wanted to call October “Breast Cancer ACTION Month” and still do! Keep the conversation going, encourage each other as women to not be afraid of our body’s signals, but to listen to them and ACT. Get your mammogram and ask questions. If your doctor won’t listen, get a new one! I am so grateful to be healthy now and full of life!

Here are more ways to take ACTION:

– The art of the handwritten note. One of my favorite gestures I received during my treatment were handwritten notes or cards arriving via mail or left on my doorstep. This gesture was the inspiration for the notecards I created along with the notecard challenge. (Read more here.) Having a creative outlet was a great healing tool. I encourage you to take the challenge. We all have someone who would love an unexpected note to arrive in their mailbox. As a family, we took the challenge and each send two cards a month. To a grandparent, friend or someone needing a little extra love! Send a note to anyone, not just a breast cancer patient.

– Consider a donation this month or anytime to one of these organization that provides support to breast cancer patients and their families.

Life with Cancer

https://foundation.inova.org/pages/life-with-cancer-donation-form

http://www.lifewithcancer.org/support.php

Living Beyond Breast Cancer

http://www.lbbc.org

Look Good Feel Better Program

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/supportprogramsservices/look-good-feel-better