Story and Styles by Jennifer Porter | Photographed by Anne-Camille Collins
Karen McKee of Pottersville, Missouri is a two-time cancer survivor.
She was diagnosed with colon cancer in August 2009. After surgery to remove the cancer, she was relieved to hear they were confident they had removed it all. A year later she was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer that had spread to her liver.
In September 2010, Karen began a year of treatment that involved several surgeries and many rounds of chemotherapy that had a devastating effect on her face.
She went to see Dr. Mark King in Mountain Home. He and Certified Laser Technician Jill Caruso completed a series of Sciton Laser treatments to correct the discolorations and the texture of Karen’s skin. Today, Karen is cancer free. She says she is very grateful to King Dermatology for helping her look and feel like herself again.
We asked her to share, in her own words, her experience as our June/July Marvelous! Makeover:
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It is hard to put into words my experience of being part of Marvelous! Magazine. It was an honor to feel the joy Jennifer and Lucinda experience every day, and it was a pleasure to meet and visit with Deb.
I am the type of person who doesn’t like to be up front and have my picture made. I never felt like I was pretty enough to be in a picture. To be honest, when Jennifer started talking about modeling, I almost changed my mind. If I had not wanted to thank Dr. King so much for restoring my face after all the chemotherapy sessions, I would have changed my mind.
On a Friday afternoon, I had my nails done. I had never had a pedicure before. And then I was treated to a spray tan.
Saturday morning I had my hair and makeup done, and Jennifer dressed me in a beautiful outfit for a photo session with Anne-Camille. What an awesome experience!
I have never felt so special or had so much fun in my life. The only way to say how I felt was marvelous.
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Karen credits her wonderful family and all her friends with her recovery. Without their love and prayers, she says, she does not believe she would be here today.
Acknowledgements
A big thank you to everyone who donates their time and talent to helping me make women look and feel beautiful:
Anne-Camille Photography
City Nails at their new location on Hwy. 62 next to Lil’s Bridal
Susan Snyder of Shiny Lime Hair Salon
Allure Salon on Hwy. 62 next to Judicious Spirits for Karen’s spray tan
Makeup was by yours truly, Jennifer Porter.
Karen and her husband, J.D., live in Pottersville, Missouri.
Shopping
From Posh in Mountain Home:
Necklace and Earrings $24
Blouse $29
Ring $15
From Stage in Mountain Home:
Necklace $20
Bracelet $18
From Catos in Mountain Home:
Skirt $29
From Runway Fashions in Mountain Home:
Shoes $21
M! June/July 2012
Erica Warmoth
Karen is truely one of the most beautiful women you could ever meet. I met her several years ago when I joined the Mtn. Home Lions Club, of which she is a vital member. She has a way of making everyone she meets feel special.
When she told me of her diagnosis…well, I just could not imagine this world without this lady!! I say a prayer of thanks to the Lord everytime I see her.
Love you Karen!!