This is Patty Ryan and she was a patient of mine off and on for a year. Patty had cancer, but she fought it right up until the end. She was so full of life and love and everyone who knew Patty, was touched by her. Patty was very dedicated to rescuing dogs and adopting them to good homes. When Patty found out about my photography, she asked me to take some pictures of her. She said she wanted some "cancer pictures" and wanted me to do them. We laughed and laughed while we were doing the pictures in her hospital room. I was still very new to photography, but the life that was within Patty, shined through in the photos anyway.
Patty lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday, September 6, 2005 with her loving husband, Hans, at her bedside. Today, there was a memorial held in her honor. She had planned it and wanted everyone to bring their dogs. It was a wonderful gathering with all her friends telling stories of how Patty had touched them in some way.