TRIGGER WARNING : CANCER

*Since I originally drafted this email on 6/28/20, my husband Peter has been hospitalized with Neutropenia. Neutrophils make up the majority of white blood cells and serve as the primary defense against infections by destroying bacteria and blood-bound viruses. Without prompt attention, this condition is life-threatening.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband, Peter, has been diagnosed with a rare cancer called Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma. 

Lymphomas are a blood cancer of the lymphatic system. This system removes excess fluids from your body and produces immune cells. Because of his PTCL, my husband currently has an extremely compromised immune system.

When you hear someone speak of having lymphoma, they are typically talking about some form of a B-cell lymphoma.  What Peter has is a rare form of T-cell lymphoma that oncologists lump together with a bunch of other rare T-Cell lymphomas, calling all of them jointly, PTCL.

Peter has been undergoing intensive treatment at our home with anticipation of a stem cell transplant later in the year. 

This means that we are a severely immunocompromised household. The safety measures that were put in place by our State have been vital in ensuring my husband’s health; he would likely have a very difficult battle should he be exposed to COVID-19. We are so grateful for everything that our community has done to protect people like us. 

On June 26th, PA transitioned into the Green Phase much sooner than anticipated. The difference between reopening phases allows for a large jump in gathering sizes from 10 people to 25 people to 250 people in green phase (depending on fire codes). Without clear working guidelines for wedding vendors, we are being asked to proceed with business as usual and to trust that the strangers in our workplace will adhere to social distancing measures while socializing at events where food and beverages are involved. We will likely not know the true ramifications of green phase gatherings of these sizes for several weeks. 

Initially, we had been advised by our oncologists that I could work and photograph with cautious optimism as Pennsylvania reopens. However, with hotspots popping up all over the country, we can only speculate as to who and what will be traveling to our area to attend celebrations this summer and fall. COVID-19 will likely continue to affect our community for quite some time. 

The general reopening environment and partisan divide in mask wearing and social distancing measures is terrifying to my family. The behavior we are seeing does not match our values and makes for a very dangerous working environment.

Peter and I are in the homestretch of his Cancer battle. At this time, we are being advised to distance ourselves from the greater community until Peter’s stem cell transplant, which will offer him the chance of a new immune system. 

This means that I will no longer be able to join my clients for in-person celebrations featuring groups of any size. I had hoped to photograph through the Yellow Phase, but the behaviors that we are seeing in the Green Phase will prevent me from exercising my right to a safe and healthy working environment. 

My husband’s life is my top priority right now. I have been forced to reevaluate my role as lead photographer at Nina Lily Photography and will be temporarily taking on an exclusively administrative role. With this in mind, I have notified our Clients that will be directly affected by my decision to pull back on photographing in the Green Phase. 

As I have reiterated throughout the pandemic, we have put certain contingency plans in place in the event of emergencies both anticipated and unexpected. My husband’s cancer diagnosis is an unanticipated health emergency. We have always had several associate photographers on retainer with similar photography aesthetic and values. Now, they have offered to step up for me in a more integrated capacity.

Thank you for your concern, kindness and compassion during this difficult time. I look forward to documenting and celebrating with you on the other side of this more than you will ever know!

Love, Christina