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!
I am smiling, and crying and laughing, and just LOVING that we all love our WHOLE FAM DAMILY! and OUR OLD FRIENDS TOO!!! Hey, Lila! Your words and prayers have moved me as we have traveled with Madelene through her journey! Everyone has a story, and a journey to the "other side"! So... here we are living an loving! Madelene, I love the lashes! Will see you tomorrow! Happy Mother's Day to all!
In perfect condition, especially health; the very pinnacle of something.
My story!
September 2008: My journey with cancer begins: I have three sisters and when I was a little girl I was convinced they didn't love me. I was just the aggravating little sister who got locked out of the bedroom while they played without me! And I would cry to my mom and say "Nobody loves me!" Boy was I wrong. My sisters love me so much. I cannot even tell you in words how much they love me, for no measure would accurately describe it. Our hearts are so connected yet our lives are so different, and somewhere in that magical mixture it just works and I am grateful to have them love me and support me as they do!
My husband, Ricky, is the most loving person I know. There is no comfort like the comfort I feel when I am in his arms! We have 8 children, yes they are all ours and yes we are "good" Catholics! Bryan is our oldest son, tall dark and handsome with a great business sense. He and his wife are both Chiropractors, and they just opened CAJUN SPINE AND SPORT in Lafayette. He is married to Kristin, a beautiful young woman who we love dearly. A year ago Kristin gave birth to our first grandchild, Elle, who was brought into the world prematurely. Elle lived for only 11 days, but her brief precious life impacted us profoundly. When she arrived, I had chosen to be called "MIMI" and Ricky had chosen to be called "HAPPY". On the day of my lumpectomy, Bryan and Kristin wanted to share some GOOD news and they announced that they are expecting another baby. That made "MIMI" so happy!! Next in line is Blanche. Blanche is a speech pathologist who loves working with kids and she is my organized, detail person. She has the most gorgeous eyes and she loves me sooo much and she is very concerned about me right now. Then there is Blair. She and her husband Glen got married in 2000 and they are expecting their first child, a little girl, Audrey Lane, in February. Mimi will be very busy next year! Blair works with me in our salon and she and I have lots of fun creating all kinds of things together. She is a very talented artist and she and I just developed a really delicious dip mix. We call the company Dip Divas and you can check out our blog at www.dipdivas.com . Blair is a sweetheart and is always kind to everyone. Next is Malorie, my free-spirited, animal loving, newlywed, who just married her high school sweetheart Tyler. They are so precious and love each other so much. I love to see the stars in their eyes! Then comes Ben, testosterone prevailing in a house full of girls, he loves hunting, fishing, dirt bikes, anything outdoors. He just got a black lab puppy as a gift for his birthday. (that makes 3 dogs for us now!) Now for the twins, Maddie and Haley, they are in the 8th grade, they both play volley ball and basketball.(They are both very good athletes) Maddie loves to cook and aspires to be a famous chef one day(she really is a great cook) and she is always making sure we're taken care of. Haley pays close attention to my emotional needs all the time and, like her mom, she loves to shop and she can't ever have enough bags and purses!! Last, but certainly not least, there's Layni Bug! She loves to sing, she can entertain herself by playing music in her room all day long, she is a super little volley ball player and she is smart as a whip! Layni was born when I was 40 years old and has reminded me that when she is 40 I will be 80! And she is right!!!!
My life is full and precious, each day full of surprises, some more challenging than others. I love my work, letting my creative energy flow. As a hairdresser and a decorator, I am blessed to serve the people who allow me to be part of their lives.
I invite you all along with me on my journey to see the goodness that God has in store. Please feel free to share your favorite words of encouragement and any information other women will need to hear.
Meanwhile I trust that "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be numbered." Job 9:10
Ricky really looks like his sister Carol with this wig on!!!
Sheila with the curly wig!!
Blanche and Matt
Sucking her fingers just like Maddie used to!
Audrey Lane
SO WE'RE COUSINS, NOW WHAT?
Ben and Drake
Evie in her Elle's Angel's T-shirt
Jay doing his "Swayze"!
Bella won a special prize for her kid's entry of Apple Sundae Delight
Evangelene Ava Boudreaux
Here comes Audrey Cottontail!
A tree at Avery Island that I can certainly relate to!
Where's my Harley?
Cullen and Audrey, lil sleeping angels!
Chillin' in the Limo!
Mimi always has her camera ready when Audrey comes over.
A bright eyed baby girl.
Nanny Blanche and Audrey
Sweet Pea!
BOSCO!
What about this cute Baby Cake?
Looks like an epidemic!
Our delicious DIP DIVA dip mixes!
Blair and I at Melba's
It's time to shave it!
The Sun Sets on a beautiful day!
All the Girls
Smoochy, smoochy!
Blanche
Blair (and Little Baby Audrey)
Today Layni was St. Katherine Drexel at the school mass.
Layni and her Nanny Blanche
Toledo Bend pics
Momo Joyce and her BIG fish!
Blanche said she's tired of kissing frogs, she's switching to FISH!
Layni, Maddie, Sarah and Haley
What is Brooke doing, teaching aerobics on the dock?
Blanche and Brooke
So we all BOBBED for apples!
David and Brayden
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
Since when is it okay to bite the apple by the stem?
Too little to bob, but loved the apples and the water!
Fun Pics From THINK PINK DAY!
Me and my friend Ella Cantrell
Mr. and Mrs. PINK! (Our principal and his wife, Dawn)
Now that's the SPIRIT! Smiles for Miles!
Surrounded by Layni and her friends!
Pink 8th Grade Girls
Me and the twins and friends
A Night with The Buble'
Cheryl, Kathy and Me at Zea's
The Gang with Jumaane, our hero trumpet player
Looks like an album cover, great shot Cheryl!
In the corridor with Jumaane and Rob (guys in the band)
He looks so CHILLAXED!
TRYING ON NEW HAIR!
Do blondes have more fun?
I had this exact hairdo in the 8th grade, no lie!
move over OPRAH!
Do we look alike?
Room Makeover: "While I was Out"
With the prospect of recuperating in bed for a while, I voiced my wishes of having a more cheerful surrounding to heal in. Our bedroom was a dark green color and I knew I wanted to lighten up the room. Before I could blink Ricky was already buying paint and my sister Sheila had a plan to transform my room into a soothing, tranquil retreat suitable for my recovery. Sheila then enlisted the help of a few really great friends and VOILA, my room could be featured on the next episode of "While You Were Out" (completely under anesthesia knocked OUT!)
I am so grateful to my sister, husband, and friends for the time, effort and love they put into my sweet retreat!
2 comments:
Hey-ey Aunt Donna: my long, lost friend...great to see you!!!!
I am smiling, and crying and laughing, and just LOVING that we all love our WHOLE FAM DAMILY! and OUR OLD FRIENDS TOO!!! Hey, Lila! Your words and prayers have moved me as we have traveled with Madelene through her journey! Everyone has a story, and a journey to the "other side"! So... here we are living an loving!
Madelene, I love the lashes! Will see you tomorrow! Happy Mother's Day to all!
crossingthesabineagainsista!
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