As she began chemotherapy, the now 33-year-old shared her treatment experiences with her blog followers.
“The internet of illness is a dark and scary place,” Smith tells SELF.
There were a lot of headless doctors office before and afters.
Lydia Hudgens
Naked bodies do not look flattering standing in unflattering lighting without heads.
That wasnt how I saw myself after the surgery.
I liked how I looked."
Lydia Hudgens
Every photo in the series is an image of confidence, joy, and self-acceptance.
It was also a perfect opportunity toprovide hope to other womenfacing a breast cancer diagnosis.
She explains that having a post-mastectomy reconstruction is very different from having a standard breast augmentation.
Lydia Hudgens
“Instead of just inserting an implant, you have to go through the whole process that takes months.
That process was probably the hardest part because I had this rock-hard tissue expander sitting awkwardly on my chest.
You have to have imagination to see that the final result is going to be amazing.”
Lydia Hudgens
Once cancer metastasizes to the bone, it is incurable.
“My official diagnosis is Stage IV metastatic breast cancer,” Smith says.
“Metastatic breast cancer is a totally different disease than we think of breast cancer.
Lydia Hudgens
It has a 100 percent mortality rate.
Im doing great on my current treatment regimen, but I hope every day for a cure.”
“Its shocking to a lot of people,” she says.
“Thats not what I look like or how I live my life.
I tell people its like Im a diabetic, theres this part of my body that isnt working right.
Smith receives treatments every three weeks.
Its like the worst of both worlds.”
Of course, as a beauty blogger, this predicament provides endless inspiration.
“I always say skin is the largest organ of the body.
Smith likes to combat this with a peel or exfoliating mask, followed by a detox or clay mask.
“Then Ill do light therapy or a microcurrent session.
Ill finish it all up with a moisturizing mask.
The idea is really that Im treating myself.
Afterwards I cannot help but feel better.”
“To make a run at get back in balance.
I will also [practice self-care] by just getting dressed and putting on makeup.
Even if I have nowhere to go.
Makeup is fun, or at least it should be.
It feels good to smear things on your face, to add glow and sparkle.”
“Young adult breast canceris just so different than having it later,” Smith explains.
“These days I look in the mirror and I think,damn.
If I lost it all I would still be grateful.
I think feeling beautiful is importantits okay to want that.
Take a look at some of her gorgeous photos below, andread moreabout the shoot onLeo With Cancer.
Lessthan ten percentof funding raised for breast cancer research goes toward focusing on metastatic breast cancer.
Learn more about the cause at theYoung Survival Coalition.
Help the fight against breast cancer by making a donation to theBreast Cancer Research Foundation.
