{"product_id":"anna-mullins-selena","title":"Selena","description":"\u003cp\u003eA hand-signed black and white portrait from \u003cem\u003eThe Menopause Effect: An Appalachian Unmasking\u003c\/em\u003e, Anna Mullins' ongoing series photographing women across Appalachia as they move through one of life's biggest changes. Each portrait is shown alongside the woman's own words.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy story is a little different than most, but yet all too familiar for far too many. Last October, at 45, I was diagnosed with PR+ ER+ Stage 2 breast cancer. And I never in a million years would have thought the \"after cancer\" would be the hardest part.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI don't recognize myself anymore. Not so much physically, but the essence of... me, and I just don't like myself right now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBloodwork showed that I wasn't anywhere close to menopause yet, but the medication I started after surgery basically shuts down female hormones. I went from nothing to full blown menopause, which I call Nought to Menopause.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the beginning I yelled, cried, threw things, kicked walls, cursed like a drunken sailor, slept a lot then couldn't sleep at all. But now I hurt, my body just hurts. Everything hurts. And my only mood is aggravated... constantly aggravated, which really aggravates me. Its a vicious cycle. And these hot flashes, these hot flashes come from deep in your soul and engulf every bit of you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe doctors all look at me like I'm joking when I tell them, I can feel the hot flashes start in my feet, my feet literally go numb and it starts moving up my legs as the sweat starts pouring.. from everywhere! I get sick on my stomach, dizzy, and weak. *Crickets* from the doctors. Or... \"that's all part of it\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat has been my experience as a medically induced menopausal Appalachian women, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSelena Saferight Alexander\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Selena\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Anna Mullins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Menopause Effect: An Appalachian Unmasking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMedium:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black and white photograph, hand-signed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrint size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11 x 14 in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFramed size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 16.5 x 19.5 in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFraming:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black wood frame under glass, acid-free black core mat, acid-free foam core backboard. Ready to hang.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShips from:\u003c\/strong\u003e Formato Fine Arts, Wytheville, VA (available for gallery pickup)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the artist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Anna Mullins is a photographer documenting women in perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause across Appalachia. Her ongoing project, The Menopause Effect, is powered by Patchwork Kinfolx and is, in her words, judgment free, gender affirming, and Appalachian rooted.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Anna Mullins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68030357930095,"sku":"MULLINS-PHOTO-SELENA","price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0632\/6317\/8863\/files\/P1010086BW.jpg?v=1790197035","url":"https:\/\/formatoart.com\/products\/anna-mullins-selena","provider":"Formato Fine Arts","version":"1.0","type":"link"}