Go pink

Well, I'm doing this blogging thing again.

Today, this blog is for people who have fought and survived breast cancer, in memory of breast cancer fighters, and families and friends touched by the battle.

October is Breast cancer awareness month.  It's a cancer that I always thought was fun to fight for because it was pink; till a few years ago, I had a whole new reason for making breast cancer survival and early detection a mission of mine.

I know there are other cancers and I fight for survival and a cure for a lot. I take on one at a time and when I feel my calling for the cause is done; then I move on to the next cause that needs my attention.

Some facts for you:

• About 1 in 8 women in the United States (between 12 and 13%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
• About 39,840 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2010 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1991. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.
• For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer.
• A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 20-30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of breast cancer.

Now, I'm the first to say that the monthly breast exam never happens for me; I'm 24!!!!!  That should not be a worry that I have, but Monday morning on the radio, I hear a story from a 24 year old woman who has already beat breast cancer.  At the age of 24 she has accomplished such a task and now speaks to others about it.


I have older female friends who have fought and beat breast cancer......  to you women, congratulations, you are a role model for me and your families, you are survivors, you are warriors that didn't take no for an answer.  You are women who took the negative and celebrated it!!!  Congratulations on life everyday!!!


Some of you are probably asking, why breast cancer??  Why is that your cause?  Is it because of the pink ribbon?  NO  Is it because most women choose that cause?  NO


It's because my best friend and biggest fan has survived breast cancer  Not once, but twice.  


Cancer is a scary thing, it almost seems like a death sentence.  BUT....a person's attitude can affect a lot when it comes to cancer...between the power of God and positive thinking, you would be amazed at what can change in a person. 


My mother and I are best friends, she is my parent first and foremost, but I've always chose to take my own path so instead of fighting me; she is just there along the way when I make it or need to turn around.  We haven't always been the best of friends. My mother and I clashed horribly when I was younger and well into my teens; even after moving out of her house. She would say things or do something or not even do anything and it was irritating.  I thought, God, give me a break; why does she have to be this way.


It was a few months later I noticed a lot of Dr's appts and mom never said anything to me.  It went on for awhile and it wasn't until she was on her way to recovery that she slightly mentioned what was going on.  Se assured me she was ok; I quickly adjusted my attitude.  Moms aren't perfect; I mean at one time they were children, they do the best they can.  I never again asked God for a break or why she had to be irritating (and he knows she can irritate me like no other). Instead I take a breath step back.  I can say that we are a lot more honest with each other and just say it, argue it, and move on.  No grudges, no nothing.  Well, I thanked God that Mom made it through that and I decided to be an advocate for breast cancer fighters, survivors, and daughters.  Seem like a good plan.


Well, I donated and wore pink, THEN  mom was diagnosed again.  I mean really????  As much as I need my Mom for things, God would do that?  She has always had a positive outlook on it and doesn't ever complain (ok, not like I think she should).  Mom has fault, she has fault hard and long. She fault for herself but for more than anything; she fought cancer for 2 kids who would be lost without her; who are not ready to give their mom to heaven.  She fought for the right to live. 


I spent one year as the ambassador for the avon breast cancer walk, I donate money, I purchase the merchandise, I have help causes, and I listen to other fighters or families of fighters. I use to take part in an online website where daughters of breast cancer fighters went to talk.  It was nice to have that to do on a bad day.  My day never seemed quite that bad by the time I finished. 


So, my point here, do your examinations, go to the Dr, pay attention, and love each other. Cancer is spreading more in 2010 than ever before. It strikes when you least need it to.


Mom, to you, thank you for being a fighter and a survivor.  It doesn't define you but its you.  Know that every fight I have in me and all the strength I have to make it through is mostly to your fight and your inner strength. Thank you for fighting for me!!!  I love you!!!


To people who didn't win their battle, thank you, for the awareness you give, and the fight you put up.  Your memories are kept alive in families.


To everyone else, pick a cause, doesn't have to be cancer.  Just pick one and stand for it, fight for it, fight for the survivors!!  It is an eye opening experience and fills you with a self of purpose. 


October is breast cancer awareness month, do your exam, wear pink, and pay attention. Do research, find out what yoru chances are.  Women have to help women and we have to educate ourselves. 

A new start

Ok, I haven't blogged in FOREVER!!!  Love to write but it's been awhile since I was in the blogging world. So here goes again. I use to love to do it and my girl Ashley has gotten me started again.

I don't neccesarily blog about any one subject or another; I just blog!!  So, if you don't care, don't read!!

So this first blog is going to cover it all, me, growing up, hard times, happy times, and where I am today and why I am so thankful to be where I am.

First warning with this blog is the truth will come out...so if you don't want to know some truths about some people and situations; I suggest you stop reading now. :)

My name is Amanda Lynn Medford, I'm 24 and will be turning the dreaded 25 on December 1st!!!!  I was born in Beaufort, SC in 1985 to Jeff and Ellie Medford.  I lived in Beaufort for a little while, then we moved to Oklahoma where my Daddy went to Air traffic control...Then it was on to TN; there my parents had my brother.  After a few years there we moved to Alexis, NC where I started school. Then it was on to Rutherford County where I got stuck....that is what I use to feel like, stuck.

I went to Ellenboro, East middle, and East high school.  Made friends, had the usual teenage drama.  Had some good and bad relationships.  My junior year I met Danny who I married at the age of 19 and he was 22.  The thing about the marriage is that it was NEVER meant to be.  I cared for him and he use to be a good man, but he had an issue with accepting me as his wife, to honor me and realize that I had to take some kind of priority in his life. After about a year of that; I knew I was never going to be as much to him as I should have been.  We had very many struggles in marriage and none of them ever resolved.

April 3rd of 2009 I walked out.  I left and left it all behind. I was willing to take the bad mouthing, the blame, and all the struggles just to seek some kind of happiness. I in that time made a good many bad decisions along the way.  Dated a person I should have never come to date. BUT.....

one thing that came out of dating that person was.....true love and happiness.  Everything I had been searching for was now right in front of me.  It seemed too easy, it seemed to be a trick!!  I was convinced that love couldn't appear this easy.  He was my best friend LONG before he was my boyfriend.  He had been with me through a lot in a short time and always seem to know when and I needed him; even if I didn't say it.

I spent many nights thinking about him and why   I couldn't seem to get through a day without "needing" him. So after a couple months of being friends and hanging out we decided to date, but not so seriously.

It was too late.....I had already grow to love him and had fallen in love with him before I knew it.  Everything he did seemed amazing, but I didn't trusts him with my heart.  Everyone had taken pieces of it and never gave the pieces back.  I couldn't give another piece away.

So I built walls; never letting him know exactly what he meant to me; which was a mistake on my part and caused mistakes to be made on his part.

After a couple incidents of hurt and a serious conversation; we knew that we were right for each other and it was time to get on that track.

I have been through it all with relationships....I had my first heart break, my first crush, the abusive your not good enough, and the you'll never compare and I'm not off mom's breast milk relationship.  (seriously, the last of them all was the worst!)  LOL.

David is gentle, he is strong, he sensitive, but he is hard enough.  David loves me completely, he stands up for me, he goes against the world WITH me.  We are truly a team. He works with me and is at times patient with me. David was the first thing in the new start to my new life.

I had a new job; I was getting out of Rutherford County; and he was right there with me to help with the adjustment.  I had the man I had always dreamed of.

Now the next step in our life together is approaching in almost 8 months and I care about nothing but being his wife and growing old with him. HE supports me when I need it; he listens when I need it; and he has become my everything!!

David is successful and he works hard for everything. Not a day goes by that I don't look at him and think of how proud I am and how lucky I am to be his

Now, don't get me wrong; he has his faults and his flaws, but that is what makes him perfect for me.

I finally have someone that I can talk to and a team mate who will work with me and not against me in life.

So....David Henry Lester Jr.........know that you are my world, every time I pray, I thank God for you and ask that he make me into what you want and have dreamed of!!!!