I'm Still Standing

Little did I know that after hearing James Roday’s father talk about his son’s new role as a breast cancer survivor in ABC’s “A Million Little Things” that I would be diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2018. My mantra became “I’m still standing” as I went through my first surgery followed by 7 weeks of radiation. 5 days a week I would make the 45 minute drive for those treatments – without telling but a handful of my closest friends of what I was dealing with. I did not want to risk losing work because of my diagnosis and treatments. I would focus on the sky and clouds as I made that drive day after day so I would not cry – and these visual memories have been my inspiration for my collage art during the past 11 months.




During this time I also had to handle significant home repairs or risk losing my house insurance. These expenses, on top of the other bills the insurance didn’t cover, put me thousands of dollars in debt.  I had to go back in for a second surgery in February 2019 generating additional hospital expenses and I’m still not 100%.  I have constant breast pain 4 months later - the damage from the radiation is making my recovery very slow. I don’t sleep well - making it difficult to run my business and give back to my community. In the fall of 2018 I began hormone suppression therapy which has been very tough as I experience all the side effects. I am fighting hard each and every day to give the best to my 3 children, my clients and the community where I live.    



I am a single mother of three teenage children, a self employed graphic /website designer, collage artist and I currently serve as President of local art group, Gainesville Area Visual Arts. I was named “Mover & Shaker” by my community for my efforts raising thousands of dollars for art scholarships for graduating High School Seniors. I also volunteer my time - and artistic talent – for the Hershel "Woody" Williams Medal of Honor Foundation – with the goal of building a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Gainesville, Texas.



Asking for help is something we all seem to struggle with.
It is with great humility that I now ask for help...