One word describes the PUMPS AND PEARLS night…aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhmaaaazzzzzzzzzzzziiing! When my breast health navigator and now dear friend, Becky Steele, asked me if I would be in the fashion show alongside 15 other breast cancer survivors, I gladly said “yes”, and then thought, “wait, me! A runway? A fashion show?" But if y’all know me well, you know that I love fashion, accessories, make up, jewelry, clothes, and well anything and any excuse to get “dressed up”. So this was an exciting night that I looked forward to for months, knowing that my tribe would be there to cheer me on as I made my way down the runway. As the newest member of the models, a 3 month survivor, I looked at the other ladies and gentleman in awe. Their stories brought me to tears of how they had been cancer free for 5, 6, 14, and 35 plus years. And the precious little girl that walked with Dabo’s wife, Kathleen Swinney, rocked that runway in honor of her mommy that died of this terrible disease. That! That right there made it all more real. It is so important to help fund the research to find an ultimate cure to end this battle and WE need to do our part to educate others on early detection and more self exams. Being 37 when I found my tumor, and not just ignoring the self “breast check” myself, truly helped me be able to quickly be diagnosed and given a plan to start this fight. If my tumor had not been so large and evident, helping it to be so noticeable, I, myself, may have waited until I was 40 to have a mammogram. Who knows what the future would have look like for me or if I’d even be here? Thanks be to GOD that I did feel it, that it is barely even there now, and I’m on the road to being cancer free. I’m already dreaming of December 22nd, when I get to ring the bell for finishing my last chemo treatments. I’m already thinking we may need Santa, his sleigh bells and maybe his sled to take us for a ride after this leg of the journey. 
So back to the spectacular PUMPS and PEARLS event....the keynote speaker, Claire Ripley was wonderful. She’s endured so much and her light for Jesus is still so bright.
One quote she shared is above...."inhale---courage-----exhale----fear".
Courage and fear are two perfect words that describe me daily! Jesus has given me the courage to be able to take these chemo drugs each week, face the side effects (TAXOL is easier, by the way!) and wake up each morning to tackle the day as a mommy, a wife, and a teacher. But life is hard and keeping it all together is even harder. I spend a lot of time inhaling, taking those deep breaths to give me the courage and strength to make it each day. But the FEAR. That’s there too. Tons of it. Although I can almost barely feel my tumor and how absolutely wonderful that makes me feel, in the back of my mind, I fear my upcoming surgery like no other. I fear the chance that it’ll come back. And I fear that this disease may take my life early. I trust Jesus and I know his plan is already written for me, but I just pray each day that he continues to give me the strength and heals my body completely so that I can LIVE, LOVE, and SURVIVE!
A special thanks to all of the people who helped make this event perfect. I know everyone had a wonderful time for a great cause. Save the date for next year, October 16, 2018. This girl may have an extra special escort to walk her down the runway.
I'm off tomorrow from school for fall break so I go in the morning for my 7th round of chemo. After having dinner tonight with my sweet friend Angie, I felt my fortune was perfect and encouraging...
Yep! I'd like to think that God gave us two gifts. One is choice and the other is chance. I'm choosing to live life, and taking the chance to make it the best.
Please continue to pray for...
-the next chemo treatments (9 more after tomorrow)
-the Clemson/Georgia Tech game next Saturday, as I stand in as the team captain for breast cancer for ALL that have fought, won, and those who have sadly lost the battle
-my family and friends who have been such amazing caregivers
-those who have been diagnosed recently and are starting the journey
Love you all!
"The Lord is my light and my salvation-who shall I fear." Psalm 27:1
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