Renewal

So, I'll be the first to admit that the last few weeks have been a bit hectic, and I have had to spend a lot of time working through important issues in my life.  I am thankful for the friends that have been in my path... so many of them have been blessings to me.

Another such blessing was the opportunity to attend a conference presented by Living Beyond Breast Cancer and Young Survival  Coalition this past weekend. I wasn't sure how I would feel going into the conference. I had not gone before and with so much going on in my personal life, I honestly wanted every reason to sit home and not attend. Last week, instead of putting my full attention toward work tasks and personal tasks, that I needed to focus on, my attention was on things that didn't truly serve my higher self or a higher purpose. 

At the conference, I was floored.  I don't think I expected to meet so many wonderful people, learn so much helpful information, and especially, I was unprepared...and overwhelmed by meeting so many of the beautiful women whom Tigerlily Foundation has supported through out the years.

So, you can see that I didn't get out of going to the conference... I guess I truly know now that everything happens for a reason, because what I got instead was a sense of renewal. Renewal for the work that I do on a daily basis to support young women with breast cancer. Renewal because I met several ladies we have supported over the years. Renewal in the sense that I realized even more the higher purpose that we as advocates and change makers serve.  Renewal for myself personally. A change of pace. A new city to see that I've never been to before. A fresh start this week in my work and the purpose for the work that I do.

All of these amazing benefits because of angels along the way.  From the bottom of my heart, I thank all my angels. This week, I encourage you to thank the angels in your life, look beyond what you're facing today for a higher purpose or reason, and know that situations that you may not want to look for can be blessings in disguise.

Words from Tigerlily's Erin: Finding Inspiration

Life hands everyone a different deck of cards. During the mix of it all, it may not seem fair and honestly, it usually doesn't make any sense. But one thing I've learned over the years, is that each one of those crazy, I don't understand, why moments has taught me a very good lesson. They were all moments and situations I would never take back. After all, I like to think God only puts you through situations you can handle...and I always tell myself, I'm stronger, braver and more courageous than I know. I'd love to share with you all of my down moments, but instead I'm going to share with you why I've decided to have a different outlook on life.

I saw this quote awhile back and it really stuck with me. "Stay strong, you never know who you are inspiring." I'm lucky enough to have a handful of people in my life who constantly inspire me, including all of the women at Tigerlily. The people you can count on to not pick you up when you fall, but rather sit down, make you stand up on your own, wipe yourself off and begin again. Trust me, it's never easy...lots of tears and bruises, but at the end of the day, I know it was just a bad day, not a bad life.

After building my strong foundation, I decided I wanted to inspire others no matter how big or small. I want to share my positive outlook, show people that being mentally strong will get you through any situation. I live positively daily, even when it comes to my fitness lifestyle (yes, I'm a fitness nut!) I just completed my second half marathon this past weekend. After all the training, strict diet and mental preparation, I see the run as a life journey. It's nerve racking at times, it has its random turns, long relaxing stretches, followed by uphill battles. It's always at mile 10 you want to give up. You feel as if you can't do it anymore, you're tired, feel beat up...the last 3 miles seem like a lifetime away. You know what I tell myself? "Stay strong, you never know who you are inspiring." I run those last 3 miles for the person who can't, for those who may not be as strong right now. Each time I cross that finish line, the feeling is invigorating. I even had someone come up to me after and say, "Thanks for keeping the pace. You kept me going." I inspired someone. 

Wake up each day with a positive outlook, be strong and know it's not always going to be easy, but you can get through it. Do it for the person who isn't as strong right now. You too are braver, stronger and more courageous than you will ever know. Inspire Someone.

With love & inspiration,
Erin Maestas
Marketing/Media Manager

Living with a Diagnosis

For the past few years, I have been looking for an organization where I feel I could truly make a difference.  Where I could share my story to inspire and help other people. The thing I love about Tigerlily is we all have stories to share, and by sharing our stories we help make each other stronger and motivate each other on our personal journeys. I, like many of the women with Tigerlily, live with a diagnosis everyday that has presented it’s own unique set of challenges and  shaped my life.

I received the diagnosis of congenital heart disease when I was 7 days old. I had major open heart surgery at 9 months old. When I was 4, the doctors realized there was  a problem, and open heart surgery was required again. All my surgeries were in the 1970’s, when medicine was much more raw, and not as refined as it is today. Growing up, I visited the pediatric cardiologist often and was told although my surgeries were holding up good, I had an uncertain future. I could need a heart transplant, I might not have children, and we just didn’t know what the future held.

Despite this diagnosis there was something deep down inside of me that told me I had to keep going. As much as I lived in fear of what the future might hold, I knew I could still have a bright future. The one thing I always kept in mind was I may have heart disease, but it doesn’t have me.  I went on to marry a man who loved me despite the scars on my chest, back, stomach and wrists from surgery. I went on to have three beautiful children.  I attended college, then graduate school and earned three college degrees, two bachelor’s and a master’s degrees. There were times when life was 10 times harder, the road filled with a few more hurdles, but I was determined not to let the diagnosis of “heart disease” shape who I was.

I have a scar that runs down my chest that looks like a zipper. I explain to my children how when I was very little the doctors unzipped me, fixed my heart, and zipped me back up. I take my heart medication every day, as I will the rest of my life. I live a healthy lifestyle, and am determined to make it to the gym more.  Last year my cardiologist said the most beautiful words I had ever heard. I had extensive testing on my heart done. He told me he came in expecting for the worse, but was surprised to see my heart looked almost “normal”. As we all know when a doctor says the word “normal”, it is the most beautiful word in the world.

The important thing I want to share with people, is to never let your diagnosis define who you are. You can do anything in this world despite the circumstance or diagnosis you have received. The road ahead may be filled with uncertainties, but it is important to always keep reaching for your dreams, and know your future can be bright and beautiful.

Paige Migliozzi, RN, MSN, CNOR
Community Relations Manager

Susy Wu: Why I Chose Tigerlily

Throughout my professional career, figuring out what I really wanted to do was a struggle.  The private sector was rewarding, but it left me unfulfilled and unsatisfied.  All my life, I had a strong desire to help others and do something meaningful.  I wanted to help better my community or even the world and I wanted to make a difference. I decided to look into non-profit organizations.  I searched high and low for the right organization where I could stay true to my values and fulfill my career goals and I found it in cancer.

Cancer has affected millions of people around the world.  It has affected me.  I lost my father to cancer.  My husband’s father died of cancer.  I could not begin to list the relatives, friends, neighbors who have all been affected by this disease. Cancer was going to be my motivation and I started looking into cancer related organizations. I was fortunate enough to have met Maimah and after talking with her and hearing her story as well as her passion to help other women with breast cancer, I knew this is where I wanted to be.

I feel honored and privileged to be one of the newest members of the Tigerlily Foundation family.  It is extremely rewarding knowing that the work I am doing will have a positive effect on someone and I look forward to being a part of and supporting such a great cause. 

Susy Wu
Lead Program Manager