About Me

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Rayne, Louisiana
You've got to be kidding me, I have Breast Cancer? My name is Madelene Boudreaux. I just had my 51st birthday and my present was cancer. Although it wasn't the present I was expecting, I have decided to embrace it as such. My life as it existed is changed. Even though my diagnosis is that I have the most common breast cancer you can have (80% of the women who get breast cancer have this one) and the actual tumor was only 1.2 centimeters and there was only a microscopic spec in one lymph node... things just changed overnight. I feel confident that I will be healed with all the surgery, chemo and radiation, as well as the prayers, the shift in lifestyle and health changes, all of this with God as my Healer overseeing the whole plan. Most importantly, sunsets are more beautiful, my children are more precious and I cry for everything. Such clarity prevails, where life was blurry. I know my healing will come gently through trusted medical professionals, faith in a loving God and prayerful friends. I am surrounded by love with my family of eight kids and a great husband and a community of kind spirits!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Valentines Locks of Love Day





Every year Rayne Catholic's Angel Network sponsors a Locks of Love Day and little girls from the school donate their pony tails to be used to make wigs for children who have lost their hair as a result of illness and chemo. This year I spoke to the kids about my cancer experience and my own fears about losing my hair and needing a wig of my own. Before we began the haircutting ceremony I took off my wig and  revealed to them my very bald head and the gym thundered with applause! 
From the very first time we ever sponsored the event, Blair and I have been on hand  as hairdressers to help cut the hair. It is always a very touching and emotional ceremony. This year, in particular, was extremely emotional for me and my girls. Blanche and Blair, (my two oldest girls) both volunteered to have their hair cut and donate their pony tails this year in my honor. Both of them had very long hair and I was so touched that they would sacrifice their beautiful hair to help others. But I know they really did it to show me their love and support. 
The kids at school laughed when I said the wigs made out of the hair donated that day would not melt when you open the oven to check your brownies!!
It was a magnificent demonstration of love and kindness, certainly fitting for a Valentine Celebration. Julie Kelley from the Miles Perret Center was on hand to talk to the kids about the generous services of the Center. We, in  turn, presented her with a check from the money the kids donated that day for Pink and Red /Jeans Day! 
Speaking of the generous services of the Miles Perret Center, today our family went Valentine Bowling in Lafayette. It was sponsored by the Junior League and available to patients and their families of the Miles Perret Center. Their focus is not only to help the cancer patient but their family, as well. The kids had fun and Layni Bug had the best score of all, sorry Ben!!! 

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Four years ago, I shared with my students how you were someone I was most inspired by. I said that you always made me want to be a better person and most importantly a better mother. Yesterday was a spiritual, emotional and inspiring day! I was so proud of you and all the girls! It was an awesome sight to see you share with the kids the REAL you. The mom who was worried about her two daughters and what cutting their hair meant to them. The wife who had Ricky, her support, her "rock" present before the wig came off. But also the woman who was so driven to teach a lesson that she took off the wig, put on the glasses, and starting cutting hair, even with the TV cameras on!!! Today, you move me more than I would have ever imagined!!! I thank God for being able to call you my friend!

Love, Dawn