Pink October

This weekend has given us the first hint of fall weather. And I. LOVE. IT.

October is probably my favorite month of the year. There is so much going on. Football. Good weather. Getting ready for holidays. On so on...

But the most importantly, it's breast cancer awareness month.

In 2008, during my first year of PT school, Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Luckily (ironic word when talking about cancer), she was diagnosed with DCIS, ductal carcinoma in situ, in her right breast. Meaning, a non-invasive form. She did, however, have one microscopic focus outside of the ducts. She had a mastectomy followed by reconstruction, as well as removal of three lymph nodes from her right axilla. Though her prognosis was good, the word "cancer" resonated all the same. Since her surgery and beginning Tamoxifen, every scan since has come back cancer-free.

For our family, Mom's early detection was key! Though she is a woman who despises taking medicine, she has always been religious with her annual check-ups. Her last mammogram (prior to diagnosis) had shown a change in density of some fibrous tissue, and for good measure, a biopsy was ordered. Sure enough, the C word. Who knows how much those cells could have and would have spread over time had she not kept up with her annual mammogram. Possibly outside the ducts. Possibly to her lungs. Possibly to a point where she may not have been here today. But by God's grace, and His alone, she is here with us today as healthy as can be. Quite honestly, healthier than me.

Mom is no longer working. Though keeping a house is enough work in itself. But she isn't sitting around, wasting her time, becoming sedentary. She is incredibly active, playing both golf and tennis regularly. Let's be honest. Daily :) And she is benefiting others along the way.

Several weeks ago, she hosted a golf tournament at Ridgeway Country Club to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and breast cancer awareness. Here are a few pictures to show:

{mom and mike's house full of donated goodies for a raffle}

{more goodies}

{everything packaged pretty in pink}

{all the golfers in the tournament-men in pink too. mike, my stepdad, is a good sport.}

{her golf group-mom on the right}

{mom was honored for all her hard work with a beautiful crocheted blanket that looked like a patch-work quilt. i secretly wanted to steal it from her house last week.}

{blanket}

With the start of October yesterday, the Avenue at Carriage Crossing in Collierville hosted its third annual Pink Tie Event to raise awareness for breast cancer. Shops from around the mall donated items for door prizes, Baptist was there offering mammograms, and survivors and supporters enjoyed a fashion show.

Who were the models you ask? All the models in the show were breast cancer survivors. Mom being one of them!

Each model donned an outfit fit for fall, donated by the women's retail stores at the mall.

My mother loves all things Talbots, so it goes without saying where her outfit came from.

My friend Springer (Lauren Springer that is) and I ate lunch at Firebirds yesterday and then headed over to catch the show.

{the catwalk}

{here comes the model}

{stopping to show off her sequins}

{workin' it}

{strutting her stuff}

{i have a feeling at this point she was thinking "don't fall, don't fall, don't fall...}

{cheesin' for her favorite daughter}

{the finale}

{mom-on the right- and her friend laura}

{laura and mom}

{me and mom-the model}

Mom, I am so proud of you and so thankful to God for your life. You definitely exude Proverbs 31:25 when it says "strength and dignity are her clothing..." Your strength and character are what make you beautiful! I love you! And I hope I look like you when I am 50!

And now I will wait for the phone call from you where you yell at me for telling everyone your age... :)