Hi Guys!
It’s been a while, but that little blogging break is just what I needed.
First of all, THANK YOU! Thank you for the e-mails, calls, messages, texts and THANK YOU for the prayers. We truly felt them over the past couple weeks.
My blogging posse-Andrea, Narci, Shay, and Sheaffer are are all back in our virtual spaces. Today, our hope is to bless some amazing women with a blardigan who are in the midst of the trenches fighting their own battle with cancer. We’re doing it all in the name of our dear friend, Manda. Manda often wore her blardigan to get treatments, around the house resting, or traveling to and from doctors’ appointments. In Manda’s honor, we want to give away 10 blardigans to 10 incredible women. We’re hoping to send some light, love, and comfort from our McKinney, Texas, hearts directly to them. You can comment on any of our blogs today and nominate yourself or a friend. That’s your entry. Ten random entries will be selected and the winners announced on Friday. One entry per person, please.
There’s no other way to say it…Manda was an amazing inspiration. I’m praying each of you are touched by her story. If you would like to watch her Celebration of Life service, you can see it here. This is a link to the video that was shared during the service. In her own words, Manda explains why having a relationship with Jesus is so important.
Many of you have asked about how you can help. Here are a couple options…you can purchase the new Manda Strong tee. Or you can contribute to a Go Fund Me set up in her honor.
Manda lived everyday with FAITH over fear. We truly hope you can see that.
I’ll be back tomorrow with a double dose of Show and Tell Tuesday. Glad to be back, girls. XO
Love honoring Manda with you today!
XO
Love you! xo
Love this!
I just think this is so cool! What a great way to honor your friend. You ladies have such a special friendship and I love it!
Love you and so thankful to call you friend! Xo
Hi!! My name is Mollie, and I would like to nominate one of my best friends, also named, Molly! She was diagnosed in December and is currently half way through her chemo treatments. She has fought this battle with such grace with Jesus her sole source of strength. She has two little boys, ages 4 and 2. I know she would love to win a blardigan!
I'm nominating my amazing aunt Marlene. She was diagnosed with breast cancer 25 years ago. She was so young and had three young children. She dodnher chemo, fought hard and beat cancer. We thought it was done. She was cancer free, living her life. Theee years ago we got a call the cancer was back. It sucked. She was determined and strong and was planning on fighting the fight again. And she did. The treatments were tough on her but she did it. And she once again got a clean bill of health. A few months ago we got a call that rocked our world. The cancer was back again for a third time and spread to her liver and it was terminal. She is unable to do chemo and is currently on a trial and she is fighting hard. She is paon almost daily and it Dicks. She is a strong and such a beautiful person no one deserves a special gesture more than my aunt. Having cancer sucks, it coming back for a third time is just the absolute worst. We pray this trial works and she has lots of time left here with us.
Your friend seems like a true blessing in each of your lives! I have a friend/ former coworker who is just getting started in her breast cancer chemo treatments. She seems so similar to your friend, from what I have read. She has such an amazing faith and never talks about anything negative. She is such a strong rock for her husband and 2 young girls. Her name is Shelly. I don't know what other info you need, but any fun surprises right now are a little extra sunshine to her day I know that! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your memories of Manda.
Welcome back! What a wonderful thing you guys are doing in honor of Manda.
http://www.lettinginthelightblog.com
I want to nominate Shelley Thompson. She's battling breast cancer since Aug 2013. It's gone from the breast to the skin, lungs, and now brain. She's in a wheelchair but takes PT twice a week to walk again. She's been unable to work due to vertigo and seizures but she's set a goal to come back in May. This woman is a fighter. Cancer has caused her to realize her faith and to cherish life. Her phone number is 812-493-6713. Cancer has given her arthritis, it's ruining her teeth, and she's gained weight since she's been unable to get around so she now has high blood pressure also.
I would love to honor my friend's mother, Mary S who is battling cancer. What a sweet way to honor your friend!
I'd like to nominate my neighbour Fei Fei. She has beeen diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She has surgery scheduled and then they will know what sort of treatment she will need. She has two little kiddos and a loving husband. I know she would appreciate this special gift.
My Mom is currently battling leukemia. My Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer in April 2014. We lost him in March 2015. My Mom started getting sick a few months later. And received her diagnosis in September 2016. It has been a tough road. But my Mom is a fighter. So glad I have her. So honored to take care of my parents during this stage of life. I'm only in my 30s…so it's hard to see my parents like this. They were always my rocks. But my Mom has such strong faith. On the days, when I feel like I can't go anymore…God is holding us up. Sending me words of encouragement. Giving my Mom strength.
I would like to nominate Mary Cooke. Our sons are in third grade together and are best friends. Mary is battling breast cancer as a single mom, but she always has a smile on her face. I would love for her to be blessed in this way, she really deserves some pampering.
I would like to nominate my daughter in laws best friend Emily Sassenhagen. She was just released from two weeks in ICU. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at 24 years young�� She was cancer free for about 4years. She is now only 33 years young It has come back several times in different areas. She has two beautiful children and a wonderful husband.She is the sweetest person I know. And she loves Jesus. She is made Brave
What a great group of ladies Manda had supporting her and I'm sure will continue to love on her family! I want to nominate my dear friend, Amy Wood, battling breast cancer for the second time.
Happy to have y'all back, friend! Can't wait to hear about your trip! Love what y'all are doing in Manda's honor! 💜💜
My mother-in-law, Jane, was recently diagnosed with Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma. While she is still very early in the process of treatment, we are storming the gates of Heaven on her behalf and praying for total healing. She and her husband (my father-in-law, Mike) are currently helping to raise two of their grandchildren ages 15 and 13. Jane is a phenomenal women who loves the Lord and her family and I know that your gift of kindness would bless her immensely.
I want to nominate my mom, Nancy. Fighting stage four breast cancer these past six years. Multiple rounds of chemo, radiation and surgery and still a smile on her face. She will always be my inspiration and hero and best friend.
I would like to nominate my Aunt Sue. She was called while on vacation a few weeks ago to let her know she had an aggressive form of uterine cancer. Within the last few weeks she has gone through so much. The best thing about her is that even when everything should be about her, she still is most concerned about the health and wellbeing of everyone else. She is bright, vivacious, loving and oh so strong. Even while being wheeled away to surgery this weekend she was still making sure myself and the rest of my family had enough to entertain us while she was in her procedure! Cancer is unfortunately very familiar as I work in the breast cancer department at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and volunteer in the Pediatric unit. The people I have met are all fighters and now my aunt has joined them. It doesn't take much at all to make my aunt smile. A blardigan would surely make her day :).
I would like to nominate my friend, Caroline, who is battling Uterine cancer. Not only is she fighting cancer, she is also dealing with MS…double trouble! Being a single mother, she has sacrificed so much of herself with such Grace, I would love nothing more than to see her Blessed with this gift. I know she would be honored to be the recipient of the Blardigan Blessing.
I would like to nominate my friend, Caroline, who is battling Uterine cancer. Not only is she fighting cancer, she is also dealing with MS…double trouble! Being a single mother, she has sacrificed so much of herself with such Grace, I would love nothing more than to see her Blessed with this gift. I know she would be honored to be the recipient of the Blardigan Blessing.
I would love to nominate my neighbor! She is my age (early 30s) and the week before Thanksgiving she went to the ER with what she thought was a migraine. Turns out, it is a Stage 4 Glioblastoma (inoperable brain tumor). They have given her a ~3% chance to make it to THIS Thanksgiving. She is such a strong woman, wife, and mother to a 4YO son. While they are aggressively treating the tumor with surgery, chemo, and radiation, sadly, the odds are not in her favor. I just know how hard she is fighting and the brave face she is putting on and it just breaks my heart for her and her family. This would be such a blessing. (Also, just FYI, my BEST email is jchristian83@yahoo.com.) Thanks so much! ~Jamie
I'd like to nominate my friend Jen who is battling stage three ovarian cancer. She just underwent a ten hour operation two weeks ago and starts six rounds of aggressive Chemo in about a week or so. This would such a blessing to her. Thank you.
My dear friend Laura Chaale
Nominating my BFF Tracy Newton. She lives right in McKinney too! Her cancer is back for the 7 time. Her oncologist gave her 6 'mos left. She still fighting and is in Tulsa at Cancer Treatment center today to start chemo.
She's a counselor at Slaughter in. McKimney and worries daily about her lil kiddos, not herself.
She wore my blardigan at Christmas and loved it as she's soooo cold.
I'd love her to have one as she continues her fight of 16 years
Her cancer is similar to Mandas. Breast cancer that has mestaticized elsewhere.
Please pick her! She's the best
Praying for all these ladies and lifting them up. Praying for complete healing and thankful they all have amazing friends. XO
I would like to nominate my sweet friend, Bethany Pridmore who is battling sarcoma for the 3rd time and is receiving chemo again..She is such an inspiration to all that know her and shares her faith with everyone she meets…She is a real trooper!!!
Would like to nominate my mother who was just diagnosed with liver cancer. She moved from Guatemala where she is from to Baltimore for treatment. She is not used to the weather and is always cold. The blardigan would be perfect for her.
I would nominate my friend Jenn – mother of 3 w/ thyroid cancer
Is it ok to nominate myself? I go to chemotherapy biweekly for Stage IV colon cancer. The drugs make me very sensitive to cold and I'm trying so hard to be strong for my kids, but it is a bummer.
Prior to me nominating anyone, I would like to say I am again, so sorry for the loss of Manda. Also, I am happy to see you back! This is a wonderful thing you and your friends have put together!
I would like to nominate my best friends mom. She is a ROCK. She developed a melanoma on her toe when we were 15 and had to have an amputation. While she was going through treatment she opened her home to myself and my friends as I was going through the loss of my mother to cancer.
20 years later she again opened her home and took care of her grandchildren (and my son) while we were losing my dad to cancer, just so her daughter could be there again for me.
She has been SUCH a blessing in my life since I was 14 years old. When she was suffering she put it all aside to be there for me and many others.
To be a mom, going through cancer, watching your best friends parents go through the same thing must have been a very hard thing to do.
This is why I need to nominate my best friends mom. To show her some of the blessings and comfort she provided me.
I would like to nominate my friend Cheryl who had kidney cancer. She has been cancer free for 3 yrs now using an experimental drug. She also travels the country spreading Gods word/grace which she knows was the real force for her recovery!
I'd like to nominate my Aunt Trish. She is battling the return of breast cancer which has spread to her brain and other areas. She is the glue that holds her children and grandchildren together. Even as she battles this awful disease, she asks for others to pray for her girls. Her hope and strength comes from the Lord, and we are praying that she is able to pull through this battle once again. I know she would feel so blessed to receive a gifted blardigan. As I look out my window at the snow – I know she would love and appreciate the warmth those blardigans provide! 🙂 Thank you for the opportunity to bless so many women fighting this beast!
I'd like to nominate my Aunt Trish. She is battling the return of breast cancer which has spread to her brain and other areas. She is the glue that holds her children and grandchildren together. Even as she battles this awful disease, she asks for others to pray for her girls. Her hope and strength comes from the Lord, and we are praying that she is able to pull through this battle once again. I know she would feel so blessed to receive a gifted blardigan. As I look out my window at the snow – I know she would love and appreciate the warmth those blardigans provide! 🙂 Thank you for the opportunity to bless so many women fighting this beast!
I would love to nominate my beautiful mama. She has currently battling pancreatic cancer and is literally the strongest person I know. When first diagnosed, she was given 12-18 months and on June 17th (her 18 months), we will celebrate her strength and unwillingness to let cancer win. #noonefightsalone
Hello. I'd like to nominate my mom, Vicki. She was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer 9 months ago. She's getting her 20th chemo treatment tomorrow. She is my best friend and the rock of our family. She lights up a room and is loved by so many people.
Welcome back! I love what you and your "posse" are doing. I continue to pray for all of you and Manda's friends and family.
I would like to nominate, Lauren Kuehn, an incredible woman of God who has battled breast cancer only to find out shortly after it had spread at a very rapid pace. She has never once lost faith but remained firm on the foundation of Jesus Christ. She has fought this so hard and I am so happy to report that she is seeing amazing results that only God can give. She was not supposed to survive but her cancer is leaving and the doctors are amazed! I am always so inspired by her. Her family and mine have gone to church together for years and years and our parents have been friends forever. Shortly after her cancer diagnosis her younger brother died tragically and unexpectedly so this family has been put through a lot in such a short amount of time- but they have kept on going and sing the praises of Jesus each and every day. If you'd like to read more of her story she updates her blog every once in a while. laurenkuehn.wordpress.com and as a matter of fact I think she, her husband and their children just moved to McKinney a few months ago! You'd love her instantly!
I'm so sorry about your friend, Manda, and know your community of friends will be there for her young family going forward. I would like to nominate my mother, Rita, as she battles lung cancer. She's a non-smoker, and so we were shocked when she received her diagnosis after testing done once she noticed that she became short of breath fairly often. She's been the quiet rock of our family and is stoic in her fight. She's also of a generation that doesn't like to talk about personal battles publicly, and so my brother and I are trying to gently have some very serious conversations with her and my father about what the future holds.
I would like to nominate my mother in law she is going through her second type of chemo and we ar praying this is the one that kills it. We haven't always seen eye to eye but I had my own cancer journey and through this we have been able to bond and now I am closer to her than ever before. She is truly one of the strongest ladies I know. She has been through a lot in her life and I know this would brighten her day. I know no matter who wins they will be blessed. Prayers for all those fighting cancer right now it is horrible. God Bless.
I would be honored to receive a Blardigan in Manda's memory. I am a 35 year old mom to a precious daughter – Annabelle. I am also a fellow ASTATE alumni. Go Indians!
I was recently diagnosed with two cancers – ovarian and uterine. I have had two surgeries since the beginning of the year and I have my 2nd chemo treatment next week.
When I first received my diagnosis, I immediately re-read all the posts on Manda. She is a shining example on how to face this scary disease with grace and dignity. Faith over fear. Always.
What a thoughtful way to honor your friend's memory… I know just the friend of mine who could use this comfort!