Princess For A Day: Charity Event

Not a day goes by that I don't look at my daughter and thank God for the blessing he has given me. A healthy, beautiful and smart little girl. As I scroll through my Instagram feed I see all of the mother's-to-be, newborn babies, toddlers and older ones growing up before my eyes. The world is a beautiful place and the lives that walk among it are living miracles.

When I was given information about a local salon and photography studio participating in a charity event for Flashes Of Hope I knew I wanted to attend the event.

Princess For A Day is an annual event that is held to raise money for the Flashes Of Hope foundation. Flashes Of Hope raises funds to find a cure for children's cancer. I can't even begin to imagine having a child living with cancer or worst case scenario losing a child to cancer. Events like these inspire me to do more, live more and to stop wasting time.

Today at the charity event Madison was treated like a princess. Pampering was given by a hairstylist from Tyler Mason Salon where she received a French braid and makeup session.

She also received a manicure and had a photography session with Spotlight Photography.

 

Balloon entertainers, the 500 festival princesses and local vendors also made this day special for the children.

While Madison received the royal treatment and may not know the reason for this special day until years to come I know I participated in helping donate money to a great cause and hopefully some day there will be a cure for cancer. I've lost family members to cancer, had my cancer scare and experience and hear about it almost every day. One event, a few dollars or your time can mean all the difference.

If you are looking for a way to help and contribute please help Flashes Of Hope by making a donation today. Visit Flashes Of Hope for more details.

Two Week Wait

Even though I spent half the day yesterday waiting in the OBGYN office to only find out it will be up to two weeks for my test results to come back, I had a much needed day off and enjoyed every minute of it!

Linking up with Jamie for "What I'm Loving Wednesday!"

I'm Loving...How generous, strong and brave my mother is. With my grandfather currently ill she dropped everything she was doing to be by his side. She helps anyone who needs it and puts everyone before herself. She is a remarkable woman! Prayers are needed for his help so please send them his way!!

I'm Loving...Days off of work that allow me the time to make a great meal for the family. It is less stressful and I can take more time to prepare it! Yummo!!

I'm Loving..That I didn't ball my eyes out at my OBGYN appt this time and instead asked a ton of questions and gained a ton of info! Although these little bad boys can make anyone uncomfortable I managed to make it through the exam without being totally embarrassed.

I'm Loving...Kate Middleton and Prince Harry! I am happy that she delivered a healthy baby boy. Although the drama, news coverage and sudden social media chaos it caused I could have done without. The tribute and reenactment of Princess Diana was a little heart warming. I have yet to hear what the baby's name will be. I am assuming one with 7 names total?!?!? I'm just sayin.



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I'm Loving...In approximately three weeks I will be on vacation again! I didn't realize until today that Madison starts school that week and our original plans to go to Holiday World may just come to a screeching halt. Even thought it is just preschool I feel like attendance in the first week is crucial. I guess plan B of hurry think fast is in order.

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I'm Loving...Whose Line Is It Anyway! The show is back! I have loved it for years and to be able to watch new episodes is exciting!

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I'm Loving...The new song by Lordes called Royals! It is a catchy tune and something unique and different. I'm WAY over Miley and Taylor!

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I'm Loving...My childhood pictures that have been sent to me by my family of our younger days in Tennessee. It makes me miss being small and so innocent then! If you didn't think I looked like Madison, now ya do! Her and I are twins at this age!

What are you loving lately?

 

Cancer Sucks!

In December, one doctor's exam changed my way of thinking forever.

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Most people ignore check ups. You think oh it will be no big deal if I just skip one or if I don't get this or that checked out everything will be good. We all think maybe some other day, time or when it's convenient I will go.

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Let me tell you, one check up saved my life.

When I went for my pap exam in August of 2012 like I do every year, I thought to myself, no biggie everything will go fine and I will be good to go.
Not this time.

I got the dreaded call back from the doctor saying my pap results came back negative and I would have to come back for a check up. (The December appt). Waiting for almost two months was gut wrenching. What would they say? How devastating would the news be?

My aunt died from cancer, along with my grandma and now here recently my other aunt. It just seems like even more today I am surrounded by the word "CANCER".

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As emotional as I was at the appt my doctor reassured me that with a low grade pap result this would mean a small biopsy and I would be good to go.
Was he wrong.

I had never skipped a pap result and here I was in the doctor's office after the second exam being given the news that I would need surgery to remove the cancerous cells within the next week. Over 90% of my cervix was covered in cancerous cells. Even the doctor stared at me in disbelief and shock that it hadn't been caught sooner. Something at this magnitude had been growing for over a year.
I kept asking myself why me, why now, why did this have to happen? I was terrified.
I touched a little on this story back in December when I had the surgery.

I was left with the news that I would have a 6 month check up and would only have a 10% of the cells reappearing ever again in my lifetime. Had I waited and opted out of surgery or not have caught the growing cells and waited until the next year, within in 6 months I would have been dead.

So today marks the day of my follow up appt. It is a little past the 6 month mark due to scheduling with the doctors office but I am in high hopes that I do not fall in that 10% category and that I will never in my life be faced with this issue again or any other cancer for that matter.
My palms are sweaty and I'm a nervous wreck.
I need your prayers and wishful thinking to help guide me through my day.

If you have skipped an appt, or not taken it seriously or thought oh it won't happen to me WAKE UP!
Life is precious and there are people around you who need you and love you, do it for them!
Add it to the to do list as the #1 priority in your life and check it off once your finished! You will feel much better after you have done it!



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Check back tomorrow for What I'm Loving Wednesday, hopefully with some great news!!

Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to find out the results as soon as I do!
I'm hoping for the best, miracles do really happen!!