About
In love and struggle.
This project began as a way to document my natural breasts ahead of my bilateral mastectomy, after being diagnosed with breast cancer in my late 30s. It quickly evolved into an exploration of moments throughout my health adventure, including getting ready for a gala one week after my surgery (hiding JP drains in formal attire was an unexpected life experience!), fighting valiantly to make fetch happen and preserve my hair during chemotherapy while adjusting to tissue expanders, and finally to my #BuildBackBetter reconstruction reveal.
Project: Self. has been divided into two parts: a photojournalistic journey through what were, to me, four distinct phases of the process, with photos by Paulo Netto; and a studio session incorporating the art of Kintsugi into scars, with photos by Jackie Abbott.
Cancer is hard, but it taught me a lot, and showed me an abundance of love and joy. (It also turned out to be an absolute comedy goldmine.)
xoxo
Caileigh
Caileigh Scott, gleefully age two.
Photo by Peter Herb.
Caileigh Scott
I’m a whole entire human outside of being someone whose A cups tried to take her out! I’m a storyteller, comedian, philanthropist, equestrian, coffee connoisseur, and former child. Always an advocate for elevating women+ stories and women+ voices, I love any opportunity to use my own voice to create community, connection, and social impact. You can learn more about me here.
If you’d like to connect, say hello on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. :)
IMPORTANT! If you’re experiencing or have experienced breast cancer and need a friend, you have one! Please reach out on social media or via email.
NOTE: The phrase “in love and struggle” is borrowed from two sources:
• In Love and Struggle: The Revolutionary Lives of James Boggs and Grace Lee Boggs, by Stephen M. Ward
• In Love and Struggle, a live event series produced by The Meteor
There is no intent to compare my journey with the lives of Black Americans. I encourage folks to discover, tangibly support, and uplift both the aforementioned works.
The concepts of both Love and Struggle were paired and threaded throughout my experience with a major health issue.