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Julie Cowdin, 36, carries this photo, which shows her without hair, as a reminder of tougher times when she was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Because she tested positive for the cancer gene BRCA 2, she underwent a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy on her 35th birthday.

Photo by Bill Snead

Julie said that her daughter Riley obsessed about her mother losing her hair so the two would draw pictures of a bald "Mommy" figure, adding hair of various colors including a spotted Dalmatian variety.

Photo Courtesy of Julie Cowdin

Rhonda Young, Julie's mother, stands behind her daughter and granddaughter Riley during a visit to the Japanese Friendship Garden near 11th and Mass. St. Julie tested positive for the cancer gene BRCA 2. Her mother, 61, only recently had the test which was positive but has had no history cancer.

Dona Snead/Journal-World Photo

Julie Cowdin and her mother Rhonda Young display their breast cancer bracelets.

Photo by Bill Snead

Riley Cowden finds her very own rock to share with her Raggedy Ann doll. She was with her mother in the park next to the Watkins Community Museum of History, 11th and Mass St. .

Dona Snead/Journal-World Photo

Julie's mother, Rhonda Young, left, joins her daughter Julie and granddaughter Riley for a photo. Rhonda, 61, has also tested positive for a cancer gene but thus far has had no problems.

Photo by Bill Snead

Julie Cowden at home.

Photo by Bill Snead

Julie participated in Lawrence Memorial's writing workshop, "Your Life is Your Life: Writing for Hope and Healing." "I was the Edgar Allen Poe of the group," Julie says laughing.

Photo by Bill Snead

Julie Cowdin

Photo by Bill Snead

Julie participated in Lawrence Memorial's writing workshop, "Your Life is Your Life: Writing for Hope and Healing." "I was the Edgar Allen Poe of the group, " Julie says laughing.

Photo by Bill Snead

Julie and Tim Cowdin walk up the hill below the Campanile following their two sheepdogs and daughter Riley.

Photo by Bill Snead

The Cowdins, Tim, Julie and Riley, 6, on a Saturday morning outing with sheepdogs Andre and Abbey, right. "Family outings have taken on a whole new meaning," Julie said.

Photo by Bill Snead

Andre manages to trip up Riley during a Cowdin family romp near the Campanile on the KU campus on a Saturday morning.

Photo by Bill Snead

Who is leading who here? Riley, Julie and Tim Cowdin following their sheep dogs Abbey and the puppy Andre.

Photo by Bill Snead

Reading to Riley is an everyday occurrence that guarantees quality time for mother and daughter.

Photo by Bill Snead

After her cancer treatments finally came to an end, Tim and Julie dressed in costume to attend the Stepping Out Against Breast Cancer Dance at the Lawrence Holidome.

Julie Cowdin/Special to the Journal-World