Swine????

OK I am curious. Are any of your kids coming home with cases of the Swine Flu in their schools? I received a call today that I should be getting a letter today from one of my girls school with 2 confirm cases. What are we suppose to do? How do we protect the other students? Of course with my situation I am trying very hard to stay healthy.

I will be back and let me know what I find out. Hope you all are healthy:)


Cindy
fighting like a girl

Small World

Brenda thanks for you donation!


I am visiting lunchtime with Savannah and was speaking to her teacher. She is new (2nd yr) so I really don't know her that well. Can I say God is good! We were talking about growing up in the same city. Of course Miami is huge. We were talking about what schools we went to. To make a long story short the private Christian school that I went to and where we went to Church is where her grandfather was the minister. Can you believe her grandfather was the pastor of my childhood church. SMALL WORLD!!! My daughter is being taught by his grand-daughter. How sweet is that. It is not like Charlotte NC is around the corner. Just thought I would share:)

Update on me:

Feeling good
Lymphademia is pretty bad:(

Still Praising God for getting me this far. It has been a yr now since I had my first chemo treatment.

Thanks for all your praying and support

Cindy
fighting like a girl

Thanks

Thank you for joining my team:

Stephanie
Mom
Teri
Carrie
CCS


Thanks for the donations:

Tom Kendrick
Molly Carver


Keep them coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Susan G Komen

I am forming my team! If my local blog friends want to walk with me you can email me. If you are not in Charlotte you can sign up under my team and click on the sleep-in link. If you would like to make a donation or collect for me that would be fabulous. Remember every $1 counts. I know money is tight and life gets busy but it is my calling to fight like a girl for myself and my hope is for not another woman go through what I have!!!!


I am on facebook or you can email:micialsa@aol.com

My team goal is 1000.00 I have until the 3 of Oct to make this happen.


Love Cindy
fighting like a girl

Where have I been and what am I doing??

Lillie my yorkie had her babies about a week ago. So I have been busy have tons of fun.

The girls are all in school and adjusting fine. Mike is feeling better and the Army is keeping him very busy. The house is still for sell so we will see how that goes. I am running around working at the girls schools. I am at Alexa's school once a week at the school store. I am the PTO vp at Savannah and Madison's school. We are getting ready to kick off our first fundraiser INVEST-IN-A-KID. Wish me luck:)

I am forming my team for the Susan G Komen check it out below. I know everyone gets busy and money can be tight but I would love for you take a look. You can donate 5. Every little bit makes a difference. I am going to fight like a girl for myself and my dream is that another woman does not have to go through what I have gone through this last year. Thanks in advance:)

Cindy

Results.....

I am going to make this short and sweet! ALL CLEAR:)


Off to turn flips and chat with the girls on their first day.

Love Cindy
fighting like a girl

love you mike hope training is going good-we all miss you

CT Scan

I had my ct scan today. Waiting for my results. Hope you all had a great weekend. Getting the girls ready for school while Mike is away training.



Wishing everyone a wonderful week.

Cindy
fighting like a girl

One year

I wish I knew how to add my post a year ago today. I went back and read it and it was just as painful as when I was given my results last year. So much has happened. If you would like to read you can go back. I remember waiting for what felt like forever to get my results and when the call came in it was the beginning of one of the hardest journeys that I have taking or watched someone take. I look back and can not believe that I have made it this far. I have had my ups and downs. Chemo was scary and I hope never to have to revisit that again. Surgery was tuff but I am glad I did it. Radiation was tiring and painful. My body took a major hit and I am still here. I saw the neatest saying last week. The first day you are diagnosed is the first day you are a survivor. Sometimes it sounds weird to even say it. I am still so raw and I consider myself still battling. I am not sure when you start letting the fear go. So much has happened and I know there is so much more to do. My girls have been through a lot and they have done so good with everything. I was lucky to have my family and Mike's family take care of the girls and myself. I could not have done it. My dr and care time worked hard to keep me going during all my treatments. My friends here and in blogland were amazing. The power of prayer brought the Miracle that I wanted. So I thank you for that. Thank you for wearing the bracelets. AS I continue to walk this journey I am still given Him all the Glory.


One year down and looking forward to the next. THANK YOU!


Cindy
fighting like a girl

Packing packing packing

OK so I am soooooooooooo tired. I have had 3 days in Greenville to pack some stuff before school starts in Charlotte. I am sore and tired. I have been by myself. It is a good thing because me and the big man upstairs have been talking a lot. Tomorrow is a big day for me. I am glad that I have been too busy to dwell on it. Anyway off to jump in the car and head to see my husband and then my girls tomorrow.


Thanks for praying for me:)
Cindy
fighting like a girl

PS The mtns were incredible and pictures to come.

Vacation Time

Not sure if we are going to have Internet at our mountain house. We are leaving today for a week. Will post our pictures when we get back. Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!!


Cindy
fighting like a girl

Responding to you

Good Morning:) So I know a have a lot of lurkers who never comment that send me emails or contact me on facebook and I think so much of all of you. This last year would have not been the same without you. I just wanted to respond to some of you. I have been told that I have not been posting enough and that I have not been updating my health enough. The last few months have been crazy. I am still trying to sell my house in G-Vegas and my husband is working at the MEPS. So we have been traveling back and forth so we can see him. It seems every time I am in one of the cities I need something from the other...chargers, sticks or plugs for something. It gets so frustrating:( So as of Sept I will be better about posting. I love it.


As for my health I have had lots of appointments in both cities. My apt on Thurs went well. I really like the new oncologist. I saw my breast surgeon on Monday. He was so sweet. He was very excited to see me. He said that I was looking great. I was healing wonderfully. He said that I was going to start feeling much better and looking more like myself in the next 6 months. So I am going to start taking my picture on the 1st of every month so I can see for myself. How am I feeling? I feel pretty good. I have my days. I still get tired and my endurance just is not there. The one thing that I am dealing with now is lymphedema. Since my lymph nodes have been removed my arm swells if I do to much. It is such a pain. I do have a compression sleeve that I wear so it helps.

Update on whats new with us. The girls are doing great and the Army is keeping Mike super busy. (still waiting on his number for promotion) We are going to the mountains for vacation on Sunday. Yes a week in the mountains. Fun fun fun:)

Well there ya go. Sorry I have not been as good as I was but I promise to get better once things slow down. Thanks for praying for me!

Have a blessed day

Cindy
fighting like a girl

Doctor Apt

I have so much to tell but not enough time. So sorry I have been away for a week. Charlotte-Greenville and back....crazy!

My dr apt with the new oncologist yesterday was great. She said that I am doing great. She is going to send me for a scan to check out a few things. So pray pray pray!


I will be back with lots of updates: I met one of my bloggy friends yesterday for AZ. She has been with me this entire year. So I got to give her a big hug. YAY:)


Cindy
fighting like girl

Never gonna believe this

So I get home last night run to the computer because I am feeling so bad about leaving everyone hanging.....AARRGGGG I forgot the camera. I have the stick and the cord now but no stinking camera. So these are not the original ones. I just took these myself and I am not good at taking them myself as you can see:(. So first of all I look super different since all my treatments. I am a little shy and some what insecure. How do you like my new hat??? It says I love my soldier. I thought it was cute. I have become a hat lover post chemo. So this is how you will see me a lot:) Here is me trying to take a picture so you can see the color and how much it has grown. AS you can see from above I loved long hair. So I so do not know how to fix it but I am working on it.

Here is the back. It is a cinnamon color on the bottom and sides and crazy and wild blonde on the top. I figured I would have fun with it while it is growing.

So here ya go! It was a big ordeal to get this done. I was suppose to get it done on Friday and my girl was running late so after all said and done it was canceled then Sat came and she was running late again. She colored it the bottom color. She was afraid to do anything else. NOT me! I went to the PX on Sun and got this Blonde kit for short hair:)

I really wanted you all to see all the pictures so when I get back to Charlotte I will show you other pictures. Sorry it took so long. Let me know what you think. I can so change it.

Cindy

trying to deal with short hair but happy to be ALIVE!!!

fighting like a girl

Heading to Greenville

So Mike is at some training in Ft. Jackson so the girls and I are heading to Greenville to check on the house. I so need to sell my house. Please say a little prayer for me.

I am going to be messing around with my blog for the next week so bare with me:) As soon as I get home I can show you my hair.

I also have 2 blog awards that I need to pass on so I am looking.

Off to bed

Cindy
fighting like a girl

This is a bummer???

My daughter took the before pictures and after on her camera. Ok fine so I go to upload them and her memory stick is not the same size. Her cord is in Greenville and I am in Charlotte. So how am I suppose to do this. Maybe I am not such a computer person. Is there anything that I can do? Trying to figure this out. HMMMM:(


A batch of bracelets went out today. Hope you love them!


Cindy
fighting like a girl

Finally

I have been w/o a computer since I posted last so sorry! I will be putting my pictures up today with my crazy story and my wild hair:)

Check back later and I am glad to have my computer back!!!!!

My hair day:)

So I am super nervous! I am going to have my hair done for the first time in a long time. A girl should never have to go through this. Wish me luck...not sure what color or anything. I am taking all of your advice and going with no plans. Just going to have fun.

Love
Cindy
fighting like a girl

I hate CHEMO but my hair is growing-Help

So as you can see my hair was super long. I have always wore it long a few times shoulder length So when I was diagnosed with cancer the first thing I thought of was Oh my goodness am I going to die and not be able to raise my girls? It was so scary.(still is) The second thing I thought of was my hair. What was going to happen? Sure enough the drs told me that I would lose my hair after about 2 weeks of chemo. So I started letting my girls cut my hair before I just let my husband (strong army soldier) shave my head. Lots of tears. The girls handled pretty good. They kept telling me how beautiful I was as for the soldier...he was strong for me but shortly after shaving my head he took a little drive as for me cried like a baby. Anyway this is bringing back some very painful memories. So here I am my last chemo treatment was Dec 31! My hair is growing and it is not the same. The color is different shades of gray and it is curly and super thick. I have no idea what to do with it. So it gets a hat most of the time. I use to wear my wigs but no so much anymore. So my question is what color? How do I style it? If you have any suggestions I need some help:)

Cindy
fighting like a girl

Meet Alexa my oldest and the blog award she won!

Hi I'm Alexa and i was awarded a blog award from Rich Gifts. Thanks Edie. The rules are you have to nominate 7 people and list 7 things you may not know about me. Here they are:

Here are 7 things you may not know about me.

1. I love to babysit

2. I can eat Chinese food 3 days a week

3. I love to cheer/tumbling

4. I love to play with my 3 dogs

5. I love to stay up late at night while everyone else is sleeping

6. I like to be by myself in my room

7. I love to mess with hair all the time

I have loved making bracelets for my mom! We still have bunches of states to cover so dont be shy to ask for one!:)

Meet my middle daughter Savannah Noel

Hey I am savannah.I am 10 yrs. old.I am going to fifth grade.I like cheerleading and make-up.I like to help my mom clean too.I also like going to church. Thanks for praying for my mom.I am so upset that michael jackson died.His daughter was so sad.i bet it would be confuisng if my dad passed away.I am so glad I have two loving parents and two great sisters.Thanks again.

Meet my youngest Madison Belle

After seeing Michael Jackson's daughter speak today it made me wonder. I bet my girls have a lot to say. It has been a long and tiring year fighting like a girl. This is one reason why I do. Here is Madison:)

HI im madison im eight almost nine. now what im doing right now is SPILLING MY HEART to all you guys watching this right now. A couple of hours ago i watched michael jackson's mamoriael and his daughter speak.the first time my mom said michael jackson i thought she was talking about michael jourden

i like to jump on the trampoline i like to have sleepovers and i am very girly girl. i can do back hansprings backtuck. i love babies. i like to do make up.i like to sing and dance

thanks for wearing my moms bracelits thanks for praying for her. you are good people. mommy is better when you pray for her it makes her happy we love and pray for you every day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THATS MY STORY LOVE MADISON BELLE SUMMERS

Remember

A friend received this from her boss and I thought I would share. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY: Thank you for what you do, thank you for what you are doing and thank you for what you will do.

SFC Summers wife:)
fighting like a girl




Dear AT&T-North Carolina employee:
This weekend our country celebrates the most American of holidays - "Independence Day." While the parades, family reunions and fireworks displays are great, let us not forget those who made it all possible.
Without the sacrifice, dedication and devotion of the men and women of the Armed Forces, and their families, the Fourth of July would be just another summer day.
North Carolinians understand this well, for our state is home to many Army, Marine and Air Force installations. As far back as the Revolution, Tar Heels have paid the ultimate price to protect our freedoms, falling on many fields:
· from steamy Pacific jungles to cold Korean hillsides,
· from Virginia slopes to Afghan hills,
· from the outskirts of Bastogne to dusty Tehran streets, and
· from the waters of nearly every ocean to a beach called Omaha.
Throughout the years, military families have shouldered a special burden as their kin offered up years of their lives and, often, gone in harm's way. Hollywood and history books overlook these homefront heroes. We should respect and admire their fortitude, sacrifice and strength, just as we honor those who have worn our country's uniform in her defense.
Standing in the gap between freedom and tyranny is an act that echoes through history and touches generations. The mayor of a small French town, a toddler back in June 1944, summed it up when he told a group of college students: "We welcome today the children of the young Americans who liberated my town 40 years ago. We thank you and we will never forget."
Today, the concept of a citizen-soldier hits home for all of us. Many from our AT&T-North Carolina family have been deployed recently or are once again on active duty.
If you are a member of the Reserve or National Guard, please accept my heartfelt thanks for your dedication and service. You are a modern Minuteman, a patriot ready to step out of everyday life and take up arms for the country. Likewise, your family gives up so much to enable you to serve in this special way. Please share with them my appreciation, as well.
During this Independence Day weekend, I challenge us all to set aside a few quite moments to reflect on the courage and sacrifices which have given us the country we all enjoy today. As the opportunities arise, I hope you will personally share a word of thanks with veterans and offer a prayer for the safety of those serving today. I will.
Sincerely,
Cynt Marshall
President, AT&T-North Carolina

Another month and no promotion

OK well you remember last Fall when I told you that Mike made the promotion list. He was so excited and boy did we need some good news with all the bad news. Here we are in June and the Army has not promoted one E-8 in his MOS. Not one!! Poor thing looks every month. Oh well it is gonna happen that is all I care about. I wish I had a camera with me last week when he was here. He had his new rank in his car displayed on the dash. HA how is that for motivation.

I have been blog hopping lately and enjoying reading. Some of you are such great writers. Which has brought me to two thoughts. The first thing is I am getting excited to meet some of you that will be attending the She Speaks Conference in Charlotte. I am not going to be attending but am looking forward to getting together with some of you so that I can thank you for praying for me face to face. It has meant the world to me. So if you have not let me know that you are coming please do:) The second thing that has been weighing on my heart is where do I go from here. God has my attention. What direction am I suppose to go? Am I suppose to put my journey into some sort of book to help other woman going through cancer? I am not a writer but I keep getting this nudge.

I have received several emails about the bracelets. Alexa will be home on Wed. So give her a few weeks. I know there are lots more states so don't be shy to ask.

Heading to PT tomorrow I cant wait.

Happy Summer
Love
Cindy
fighting like a girl

Bracelets- Do ya need one:)

Someone told me that their bracelet broke the other day. How sad:( Alexa said no problem. If you would like to wear one of my bracelets that my daughter started or yours needs to be replaced just let me know. If you do not know the story when I told my daughter I had cancer she starting making these bracelets to remind people to pray for my complete healing. WE are trying to get one person from ever state to wear them. Send my an email: micialsa@aol.com


Thanks for praying

Cindy
fighting like a girl

5 months-post surgery

First of all Happy Fathers Day to all of you out there:)

Today is 5 months since I had my surgery. It has flown by but at the same time it feels like yesterday. It has been fight but I have been up for it. I was just sitting here wondering how long will the pain last?? How long will I have to fight my arm from tighting up. It is a daily struggle to keep my arm stretched. How long will I have to fight lymphedema? All of these questions are driving crazy today. I know radiation continues to accumulate. My dr said that I should start feeling better in by Nov. at least from the side effects. So I guess we will see. I don't like to complain a lot I do have my life:)

I did not take any pictures today of the girls and Daddy because Madison has been sick with a bug all day. Poor baby threw up for 12 hrs. She is so tired and sore. She was so pitiful all day. She kept telling me that she felt like flat Stanley. I sure many of you with kids know who he is but if you don't she is referring to how skinny she is now not having anything in her body.

Mike is getting on the road first thing in the morning. Miss you already.

Well off to take care of my baby

Cindy
fighting like a girl

Daddy's on the way

I am soooooooooooooo happy Mike is heading this way. The girls are waiting and they are so excited. Savannah has had a hard time the last 2 nights. She starts freaking out about dark time. She keeps telling me that she is afraid to die and how does it feel to die. She has gotten sick over this. She keeps thinking someone is going to break in our home and kill her. She told me that she wanted daddy home and that I could not fight someone off. I told her you would be surprise what a mama can do when someone messes with her babies. Anyway I talked to her for a long time last night to find out where all this coming from. I think with all that has gone on with me and now Mike having his issue that she is just scared. We have done everything to hide a lot of this from them but kids just know. So tonight I am looking forward to her jumping in his arms and feeling that secure feeling that sometimes a daddy can only give. Please say a little prayer for Savannah. Looking forward to a great weekend:)


Cindy
fighting like girl

Mike here

Im speechless!! I feel guilty for having a wife and friend as great as you. YOUR THE BEST!!! I remember all the moves, houses,neighbors,challanges,and great times and experiences we have had in the past...theres not one person that Id rather of spent that time with than you.. I look forward to the rest of our lives together as much if not more than the past I cherrish so much! I said I was speechless but you know thats impossible. Cant wait to see you Friday night when I get HOME. DR Brin would be so mad! HAHA Love ya!

Its almost 1 in the morning and Im to excited to sleep! Wonder where alexa gets those genes from? I have a busy day Friday and need the sleep but NOT going to look at the ceiling. I will get out as soon as I can and get on the road. As always trying to avoid the rush hour traffic.

15 years as a Soldier's Wife

Happy Anniversary Baby! OK so being that I am between two places waiting to sell my house I do not have any wedding pictures but I will put some on later. Not sure where to start. It has been a journey of its own. I met Mike not too long after he came back from Germany. So here we go... Mike and I married when I was 24. It was goodbye family and hello Army. The only thing is that a few weeks after we were married Mike was in one location and I was in another. It was weird and NO the separation pay was not worth it! After about a year I thought I was going to be moving to Ft. Gordon, GA but we ended up at Ft. McClellan, AL. Goodness all by myself did not know anyone. This tiny town and living off post with little pay. Crazy...hey you can't even get a ticket by the MP's w/o your soldier knowing HAHA! I kept forgetting how slow you are suppose to drive when you get on post:) I was just happy to be with my soldier.I did not care where we lived. So from there when we received our first orders to move of course Mike had to leave while I had my first experience with transportation and moving our stuff. I think he went to Paratrooper School or what I call Jump School. I wish I had all my stuff so I can remember for sure. Anyway I was a baby and it was time to learn that to be a wife of the military you want it done you got be independent and strong. So I lived through it and off to Ft. Bragg, NC. It was sooooo much bigger than MeClellan. Goodness we were not there very long and I am talking weeks before I found out that our first Army Brat was on the way. I was so excited. Another crazy experience though. Alexa was born at Womack. Yes the Army hospital. I will save you from the details. I just know that I had to take care of myself most of the time. I am sure it is a lot different now. Remember when you are in your late 30's you are considered old in the Army. So I am going to fly through this now because I know I am not the only blog you read. This was the start of a fun journey. We moved so many times I have lost count. After Alexa was born Savannah came 2 years later in Florida at a civilian hospital and then 2 years later Madison. I think by this time we had moved 3 or 4 times. So here I am Mike leaves for 4 months and I have a 4 yr, 2 yr and 3 month old. I think this is where I became super mom. I could go anywhere and do anything. I was very proud of myself. I was fine with moving around and meeting new people. I have made some great friends along the way. Fast forward...It has been hard, fun, adventurous, sad and wonderful all at once. I am just extremely proud of the dedication my soldier has for his country. He told me from the beginning he wanted to serve 20 and he's almost there. The only thing we did not plan for in our a future was at 17 years that I would be diagnosis with breast cancer. It has been a tuff 9 months but my soldier and I switched roles. I became the soldier fighting for my life while he had to sit back and take care of the house, kids and everything else that comes along with taking care of the family. I know it must have been hard watching your wife battle this terrible disease and tell his three little girls Mommy is going to be OK and not really knowing. It breaks my heart but he was there 100% and I could not have done it w/o him. I love you Mike! Just when I think things couldn't get any worse Mike has a heart attack. This is just not fair. We are both too young to be dealing with all of this. 18 years active duty and 3 daughters and 2 major issues. There is still so much we want to do. The Army was been good to us and thank goodness for our health insurance because chemo is no joke! Well this was a quick look at the last 15 years of my life as the wife of a soldier. So far it has been great and I look forward to being around for the next 15. To all of you wives out there I know it is hard and you feel like you are married to the military sometimes but be strong you can do it. You never know what is going to be thrown your way. Everything happens for a reason and I can say life is a little sweeter now.

Have Faith! Through Him anything is possible!! Thanks for all of your prayers and support.

Happy Anniversary Mike - I LOVE YOU

Cindy
fighting like a girl

Results

I am so happy! My results are negative. So my girls do not have to worry about this gene in our family.

As for the reason I am fighting this battle...the doctor said that I just need to watch everything. So today I am going to take time to figure out what I need to do to put myself first:)

Thanks for being there
Cindy

Genetic testing results

It has been the longest day today. I left Charlotte this morning for Greenville. It was sad to leave Mike but I needed to get Savannah to camp today. She is going to a Christian camp. I already miss her. I think it is going to be great for her to express her feelings with other girls her age. It has been a rough year for the girls. So pray for her this week to feel a personal relationship with the Lord. She is a great kid. I cant wait to see her on Friday and hear all about it.

Mike is going back to work tomorrow. Pray for him to keep getting stronger. He is feeling better though.

I get my results Monday morning. I am nervous. I remember waiting for my results to see if my biopsy was malignant or not. Then when I went to get my results after chemo and surgery to see if all the cancer was gone. Both times I was so crashed. So here we go. I keep telling myself each thing that I go through is going to make me stronger.

Cindy
fighting like a girl

Heading home for a while

I am so tired. I am heading to Greenville for a few weeks to check on the house. Lots to catch up on. Thanks for all you calls and emails about Mike. He is doing better. He is just taking things slow. He is going to go back to work on Monday. So I will be checking in with him to make sure that he is keeping up with what the doctor said.


I am still going to give Praise for all we have:) Pray for safe travels for the girls and myself.


Thanks Stephanie and Jon for opening your house! See you soon.

I hope everyone enjoys the summer with their families.

Love
Cindy
fighting like a girl

Miss you Mike:(

Update

Mike had his procedure this morning and is doing fine. I am happy to say that the doctor said that this was caught early enough that the medicines they have been giving him reduced the blockage by 30%. So now with diet, exercise and medicine he should be able to turn this around. Praise God! Mike is going to have to follow up with a Cardiologist in a few weeks. Having a heart attack this young is not good. So he is going to have to stay away from stress. Well as you all know our life has been all stress for a while now. So pray for our family to be able to continue to fight.

The girls are doing fine. The poor things have been through so much. They are in Charlotte and being taken care of by family and friends. Thank you so much for being there.

Your praying worked and I am so thankful. When he is up and about I can wait for him to read the comments.

Now for you Satan I guess you must have not been happy with my results Friday so you thought you could mess with my man! Well I hate to break it to ya. We are fine:)

Cindy

fighting like a girl and thankful for my husband

Pastor Reggie, pat, Ken,Sue thanks for coming

Quick Prayer for My Husband

The girls do not know yet!



Mike had a heart attack last night and we are in the hospital in Greenville. I will update after his procedure tomorrow. Thanks in advance for you prayers.

Cindy

Apt Today with Oncologist

Ok the Dr says I look good and my counts are good! I ask tons of questions. It seems that I just need to get through the next 6 months. I see her again in Sept. It is time to start adding vitamins, calcium and vit D to my diet. It seems that the medicine that I am on makes the bones weak. So I will have a bone density test next time. Still waiting on my test results from the genetic testing. Another apt out of the way. Lord I am claiming this! Looking forward to seeing that 3 year mark!!!

Send up a Praise for me tonight thanking God for getting me to this point! Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for everything.

Sending blessing to all of you

Love Cindy
fighting like a girl

My teacher, mentor and friend

I have been so excited to blog about this but it was not the right time until now. When I was a little girl about Alexa's age I had a Math teacher who I loved. She was a young, energetic, positive young lady. She was always smiling and working the classroom. She knew how to keep us focused and keep us in line. A few years after I had her as my teacher she helped me during my parents divorce. She was very good to me. I remember her telling me when it was time for her to get married she was going to have me in her wedding. I guess about 5 years later I was asked to be in her wedding. It was a blast. She has kept up with me all these years. I have called on her when I needed advice. I have called on her when I needed help with teaching the girls Math. She has been a great friend. Why she picked me to take under her wing? Over the years she has worked hard and now has her doctrine. I am so proud of her. She has a gorgeous voice and gives all the Glory to God. She has written her own songs and has her own CD. She has a passion for loving the Lord. During the last 9 months she has been there for me. Sometimes I would just call her and ask her to pray for me. She did not allow me to feel sorry for myself. She knew when I needed a push. So back in April she can to stay with me for a week. She shared my life, went to my church (which I love so much) and prayed with me. It was an amazing time. I want to thank God for bringing her into my life.

Dr. Mary J. Woolridge-you are an angel from God and I am blessed to know you. I pray for God to protect you. I pray that God continues to use you.

I love you-Friends Forever

If you want to hear her sing look at my sidebar

Dont have the energy to hang

It is the end of the year for school and boy is there a lot going on. Friday I did field day with Savannah, Sat the carnival with the girls school and today field day with Madison. I can not hang like I use to. The sun and the heat...I just can not do a long day. It is really hard for me not to be able to do everything that I use to. My prayer tonight is please allow me to become stronger and healthier.

Thanks for you comments last week. I am starting to get uptight about my dr apt on Friday. I know this is probably normal.

Tomorrow I am going to share my visit with a friend. I have been wanting to blog about her for about a month. Just so much going on. Miss the blog world and plan to catch up over the weekend.

Looking forward to school getting out and Summer fun with the girls!

Praising God for continuing to heal me. Thanks for praying for me:)
Cindy
fighting like a girl

It's Been A While

I am looking forward to this school year being over! It has been one thing or another. It seems like nothing is going right. Do you ever feel like you can't get a break? Well that is how I feel. I have completely lost focus and it feels terrible.

My results for my genetic testing came in but they can't get me in until the 15th. So I said well why did you call me then?? So on the 15th I will have a better idea of what I am dealing with. I have my next oncology apt on the 5th. I will be going back to Greenville for both of these apts. My prayer for these two days are that the Lord continue to keep me protected. I am praying for my results to be negative so my girls do not have to worry about this ever. I pray that my oncologist can guide me on what is next. How do I build my immune system? I feel like a am having to fight against some of the side effects from radiation. Pray for my body. I have been feeling muscle tighten, swelling in my ankles and sometime it seems like popping in my lungs.

Just a little lost right now. I know you all will know what to say to help me back on track.

Cindy

My birthday pictures

Here I am surprise! Sorry I did not have these sooner. Thanks Teri for taking pictures:)

My Mom and sisters...Stephanie and Sunnie

Stacy and Mary ....Friends from Charlotte....Mary is Madison's second Mama-Thanks for filling in:)

Mimi (my blog friend who surprised me first time meeting her)

Debbie and Me

My sister

My girlfriends since we were all 4 yrs old! Keri and Carrie...We grew up together in Miami and now all live in NC.

Mimi and Nicki (three girly girls) help keep me focused

Sharon and I became great friends because of Savannah and her daughter Madison. Love their entire family

My cousin...single and looking....any takers!

My cousin's mom and awesome friend. She has been a great angel in my kids lives thanks to Jeff (my cousin who is deeply missed)

Me and Carrie (came during treatments to help)

Midi and Me...my girlfriend from HS. We are still very close.(came to help during treatments)

Teri and Me. Thanks Teri for everything you are truly part of the fam!!

Madison(my baby) and Me.....Not sure how Mike and the girls missed the camera???

Great Memories....I am working on my thank you notes now. Thanks for all you support and prayers. God sent all of you to me and I feel so blessed.

Cindy

fighting like a girl

Relay For Life Pictures-No Words Too Many Emotions

Pictures :) Going home to see my kids

Do you remember when I talked about God giving me a sign during one of my apts at radiation and when I went into one of the rooms I looked up and saw this blue butterfly. I love this picture. It seemed whenever I needed some encouragement I was sent in this room.

This is the room I ended up in today. I have been released from radiation until 6mons from now. The dr said that if I am going to have any side effects it will happen in the next 6months.

While I have been home I have been enjoying my roses. I love taking care of them. It is one of my favorite things to do.

The back of my house. Lots of roses everywhere. It was nice to be home.

This what I woke up to on Mothers Day! Did you see me traveling from Charlotte to Greenville????

I will be on my way back to Charlotte in the morning. I have a prayer request. My back has been hurting for about 2 weeks. I am a little worried so if you can pray that God touch me.

Cindy

It was Amazing-Relay for Life

Thanks for all your comments. It was a great show on Friday night. I am in Greenville and I left the camera in Charlotte so I will post pictures over the weekend. You all would have been proud of me. I wore my purple while giving God all the Glory! I even went w/o my wig towards the end of the night. You all know how hard that was for me. So you will get to see some great pictures. Thanks to all of you who came out to support me. Hemby Bridge had a fabulous tent. Thanks for being so great to me and the girls. Ms. Stanley it was great to meet your Mom. She is a fighter! To all the teachers and staff you all are wonderful and you represented your school with honors. I am proud to be a part of HB. I am still fighting like a girl!!

Tonight was awards night at Alexa's school in Greenville. I attended and little did I know she was getting a trophy:) It could not have come at a better time. She is going to be so happy on Friday when I can hand it to her. She just found out that she did not make the squad here in Charlotte. So lots of tears:(

The girls are feeling better and Mike is starting to feel bad so thanks in advance for you prayers.

I went for genetic testing today and I will get the results in 2 months. Pray for my results to come back negative. It will lower my girls risk for this terrible disease.

I owe you all a lot of pictures. So I will be back in Charlotte on Friday to work on that.

I have my radiation follow up on Thursday. Praying that he gives me a good check and that everything is fine.

Nothing on the sell of the house. I am leaving in God's hands!!


Much love
Cindy

Happy Mothers Day Late to all of you wonderful Moms

My first Relay for Life! PURPLE

So today is the day that I have been dreaming of for a while now. It is my first relay for life. I will be walking at 6pm today with my purple survivor shirt on:) I am nervous and excited! My family and friends will be there with me too. All of you in blogland will be with me too. I hold every message, letter, card and call in my heart. This has been a scary journey. So thank you for all your support and prayers. I AM A MIRACLE!

I know that the next 3 yrs are going to be the most risk for me. I am up for the challenge. I love you all. Remember 9 pm lights out with all the candles burning. Light one for me (where ever you are) and say a prayer. Lord continue to HEAL ME. It is working.


Cindy
fighting like a girl

Lost Puppy

So I am in Charlotte still. I am trying to keep up around here. I feel like a lost puppy pulling out me hair. The only thing is my hair is not long enough to pull out:) I am going to ask for a few prayer request. Alexa and Savannah have not been feeling well. Pray for a quick get well.

Alexa has cheer leading tryouts tomorrow. She has worked hard and really wants it. So say an encouraging prayer for her.


I miss everyone and cant wait to catch up on your blogs and catch you up on me.

Cindy
relay for life May 8 & 9

Surprise to me and Praising God for friends and family

Sorry I have not been on in a while but I have been trying to get organized and get the girls on a schedule. I am doing fine. My skin is looking good. I go back to the Dr on the 13th for a check. So I am feeling pretty good. I have been staying busy and I guess so busy that my family and friends had me thinking that I was going to a birthday party for a little girl yesterday....well to my surprise it was my party. I was in shock because I am not one for liking surprises. I must say it was a lot of fun and it was so great to see everyone. I was very emotional. I know all of you have been pulling for me and praying for my daily. I would have pictures today but I did not bring my camera so I will have to wait to get them from my friends.

One of my surprises was I got to meet one of my bloggy friends!! A dream come true. Sorry I do not know how to link yet but it was Mimi. You can go to my side bar and go to her blog to see the pictures. If you have never been there you will be blessed for sure! It was so wonderful. It meant the world to me. She has prayed and followed me from the beginning. I knew immediately when I saw her and her husband. It was too awesome. Of course I feel like I know all about her and her beautiful family. Nicki from Three Girly Girls help set this up so thank you Nicki. Nicki has also helped me stay focused from the start:) Make sure you stop by her blog too. It was neat to see my family who reads when they comment get to meet them.

Thanks again for all the effort everyone! I love you all tons. I hope to have pictures up soon. Thanks for celebrating with me.

Cindy
fighting like a girl

Thanks!

Hey there I am in Charlotte and have not been able to get on the computer. I know a lot of you are looking for me. My facebook is gone for now. I received a ugly virus on my computer. So here is my email until I get another made:

micialsa@aol.com


Yes today is my birthday and I am praising GOD for this day!! I am proud to say that I am 38:)

Thanks for all your support and love.

Giving God all the Glory, Honor and Praise!!

Cindy
fighting like a girl

THE WINNER IS.......

MY ADHD ME

Let me know what your initials and address are so I can send you your car monogram:)

Love Cindy

New Graduate of Radiation 101

Finally finally finally!! The radiation machine was fixed over the weekend. So on Friday I was treated on a different machine and then yesterday and today I finished. Hallelujah!! Of course the doctor was in a procedure so I have to go back in the morning to get released until I see him again in 4 weeks. Oh well. I made it. A little over 7 months. Can you believe it. Yes that was the key to this all. Even when I could not see or did not know what direction to turn. BELIEVING was the answer.

Thank you Lord for getting me through 6 chemo treatments, thank you for getting me through a double mastectomy and removal of my lymph nodes, and thank you for getting me through 30 radiation treatments. Giving you all the Glory.

Thanks to all my family and friends. Thanks to all my blog friends for guiding me and keeping me focused. Thanks to my girls for telling me that I was beautiful and that I was the coolest Mom with my bald head. Thanks to my husband for loving me.

Continue to pray for me to heal and detox my body. Now it is time to celebrate. If you have not left me a comment on my giveaway you still have time. I will pick the winner tomorrow at 9pm.

The girls are doing great!

Cindy
fighting like a girl

Laurie and Tracy did you get your koozie?
Cindy waiting for my order still:)

GIVEAWAY TIME-I Love Monogramming

Well the radiation machine is still broken. I have never heard such a thing. They are hoping to be able to treat me tomorrow. So we will see. Mike and the girls are traveling tomorrow to come home. So I am super excited. I was wanting to celebrate being done with radiation with another giveaway so I am going to continue. So here we go. Monogramming on the car is very popular here. I think it is very cute. So all you have to do is leave me a comment for one entry and mention it on your blog for another entry. Thanks so much for all your support. It means so much.

Continue to pray for me during these next few days. I know that God is in control and I will follow.

Happy Spring Break

Cindy

fighting like a girl

How do you deal with stress?

I go and buy a wig:) So what if I cant go to radiation today!

RADIATION MACHINE IS BROKEN:(

I am getting ready to walk out the door when the phone rang. Mrs. Summers our radiation machine is down. It will be down all day because they are flying in parts from somewhere else. Oh and not sure if it will be ready tomorrow. We will let you know. AARRRRGGGGHHH....NO NO NO NO I wanted to be done on Friday. This a real bummer. I did go to the gym though and walked an hour so I could chill out.

Be back later

3 more days of Radiation

I am a walking drug store right now. What am I using? Well I am using pure Aloe (not the green or blue we always use after we go to the beach) because it does not have alcohol. I have learned that the other stuff actually dries out your skin. So try pure aloe from the health food store it is a great healer. I use polysporin on the parts that are raw. I use vitamin E pills (pop them and pour on the skin) and cooling lotion without parabins (toxic chemicals). I also am stretching and trying to fight the tighten of my skin. It is a lot but I rather do more than not enough. Continue to pray for me during this last week.

3 more days, 3 more days! I cant say that enough today.

The girls are coming here on Thursday and I am so excited. Thank goodness for Spring Break:)

Friday will be time to celebrate so I will have a giveaway. So pop back and help me celebrate the end of a long 7 months. I know that I still have a long time ahead of me but it is nice to see the end of this chapter. Racing to the finish line and fighting like a girl.

I love you Mike, Alexa, Savannah and Madison Belle

You would have thought I have been somewhere tropical

First off I just got home today from seeing my girls! It was a fun weekend. They all look great. Thanks to all my family and friends for helping out. Without you ALL I would be having a much harder time here. Mike you are doing a great job.

So now it is time to celebrate only 4 days left of radiation. I am so sunburned and I can not even say that I have been to some exotic and tropical island. Oh well I will just pretend. One thing that they told me is that it will keep burning for sometime after because of the accumulation. I was not happy to hear about that. So just say a little prayer for my body to heal from all of this.

First showing of my house. Come on buyers get out there!

I know that I have missed bunches of calls in the last few weeks. Sorry between radiation, PT and the gym I have had little time. The dogs have filled in the rest of my resting time. Spoiled little monsters.

Have a wonderful day I am looking for the finish line:)

I LOVE YOU ALEXA, SAVANNAH AND MADISON

Your blog is Fabulous Award

So here are the rules: Copy and paste the rules and instructions in your post. When posting on receiving the award, make sure you include who gave you the award and link it back to them. Post five winners and link back to them as well. Post FIVE of your addictions. Add the award image. Let your winners know you gave them an award by leaving them a comment on their blog.

I know this is way over due:) Thanks to Cindy at Consider It All Joy and Mimi at Mimi's Memories I can pass this on to blogs that I think are FAB!

Five addictions :

1) Spreading the WORD

2) Shopping with or for my girls

3) Blogging/Blog Friends

4) Chocolate covered Strawberries

5) And Last Being Cancer Free

(I have no idea how to link back so here we go)

And now I must pass this on:

Three Girly Girls

Living My Life On Purpose

Our Journey

Prayer Gifts

The Patterson 5

Make sure you stop by and check these Godly Women who have been a wonderful support in my life from day one:) Congrats to you all!!!

Of course I love you all as you can see that I follow you often. Mimi and Cindy thanks for walking this journey with me from the beginning.

Sorry I did not post this weeks giveaway but I will next week. I have been pretty uncomfortable with my burn but 6 more treatments to go. So continue to pray for me. Tomorrow is Friday and you know what that means. My turn- off to Charlotte after PT to see my three babies.

Love Cindy

fighting like a girl