Sometimes it sux to be a woman


  • Photographer
    Tracy Leigh
  • Prize
    Honorable Mention
  • Date of Photograph
    July 2016
  • Technical Info
    Multiple images

Tracey S is one of the bravest women I have met. This is a story of triumph over incredible adversity and one that should give every woman the courage to face adversity and rise above it. Due to Australia’s laws, I am unable to fully disclose what Tracey has been through at the hands of her husband, which continued after their separation. In spite of this, Tracey decided that she could not postpone the surgery for her double mastectomy. Given her family history and a number of tests showing changes in her breasts, Tracey bravely went through with the surgery. The post surgical biopsies indicated she had potentially made a life saving decision. The image sequence shows the emotional journey through the mastectomy surgery but there is so much more to this story. The emotions were not just about losing her breasts but also the emotional trauma involved with the ongoing difficulties with her separated husband. The consequences have been horrific: emotionally, physically and financially. Tracey was admitted back to hospital with a serious bacterial infection, had pumps inserted to drain the infection, was pumped full of antibiotics she is allergic to and eventually had more surgery to remove dying skin and infection. It is likely that the stress played a part in this. Women are forced to suffer in silence or suffer the risk of prosecution and threats of defamation action. This story needs to be told, as best it can be, so women know that they are not alone.

Story

Tracey S is one of the bravest women I have met. This is a story of triumph over incredible adversity and one that should give every woman the courage to face adversity and rise above it.

Due to Australia’s laws, I am unable to fully disclose what Tracey has been through at the hands of her husband, which continued after their separation. In spite of this, Tracey decided that she could not postpone the surgery for her double mastectomy. Given her family history and a number of tests showing changes in her breasts, Tracey bravely went through with the surgery. The post surgical biopsies indicated she had potentially made a life saving decision.

The image sequence shows the emotional journey through the mastectomy surgery but there is so much more to this story. The emotions were not just about losing her breasts but also the emotional trauma involved with the ongoing difficulties with her separated husband.

The consequences have been horrific: emotionally, physically and financially. Tracey was admitted back to hospital with a serious bacterial infection, had pumps inserted to drain the infection, was pumped full of antibiotics she is allergic to and eventually had more surgery to remove dying skin and infection. It is likely that the stress played a part in this.

Women are forced to suffer in silence or suffer the risk of prosecution and threats of defamation action. This story needs to be told, as best it can be, so women know that they are not alone.
Due to Australia’s laws, I am unable to fully disclose what Tracey has been through at the hands of her husband, which continued after their separation. In spite of this, Tracey decided that she could not postpone the surgery for her double mastectomy. Given her family history and a number of tests showing changes in her breasts, Tracey bravely went through with the surgery. The post surgical biopsies indicated she had potentially made a life saving decision.

The image sequence shows the emotional journey through the mastectomy surgery but there is so much more to this story. The emotions were not just about losing her breasts but also the emotional trauma involved with the ongoing difficulties with her separated husband.

The consequences have been horrific: emotionally, physically and financially. Tracey was admitted back to hospital with a serious bacterial infection, had pumps inserted to drain the infection, was pumped full of antibiotics she is allergic to and eventually had more surgery to remove dying skin and infection. It is likely that the stress played a part in this.

Women are forced to suffer in silence or suffer the risk of prosecution and threats of defamation action. This story needs to be told, as best it can be, so women know that they are not alone.

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