Jordan and Anna Rathkopf’s lives changed forever when she found a lump on her breast on her 37th birthday in 2016. Two weeks later, she was diagnosed with stage one triple-positive breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease. The New York-based couple’s son, Jesse, was just two years old at the time, and Jordan had to become his wife’s caregiver as she fought for her life.
The professional photographer said he felt powerless as Anna underwent chemo treatments, radiation, and surgeries. Jordan started photographing his family’s journey, including images of Anna sick in bed, shaving her head, and tender moments of her with their son.
He turned the images he took of his family into a photo essay that is featured on both his website and The Komen Blog.
Anna also took self-portraits while she battled the disease, admitting she felt betrayed by her body
Jordan recalled how terrified he was that he would lose his wife and become a single father
Anna has to take Tamoxifen daily until 2028 to lower her risk of recurrence, a fear that is always in the back of their minds