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Remember that you are not alone. Just when you think you are, God sends an angel your way to remind you.

The morning my husband was scheduled for triple by-pass surgery, I found myself in a waiting room, alone, and trying desperately not to cry in front of strangers. God sent me an angel, a pastor we did not know from a local church we had never attended, to comfort me and pray with me. This was just one of many times in my life that God used to remind me that I am not alone.

Praise each day. It truly is a gift from God.

Even if you only do it once in your lifetime, watch a sunrise at the beach. I guarantee that it will be an experience you will never forget.

Never lose hope. It’s difficult not to lose hope when you feel like you are drowning. The third time I was diagnosed with cancer, I was mad at the world and at God. Once I got over feeling sorry for myself, I created a monthly newsletter reminding women of the importance of getting a yearly check-up. I got so involved in what I was doing, I almost forgot I was going through cancer!

Sing, sing, sing. Sing in the shower. Turn up the dial on the radio or CD player and sing along. It doesn’t matter if you can’t sing, sing anyway. If your kids or your spouse make fun of your singing, sing louder! Scientific research has shown that singing can boost your immune system.

Laugh every day. Research has shown that the health benefits of laughter are far-ranging. I admit, I have a quirky sense of humor. My husband does not understand it, my kids don’t understand, and so far I’m the only one that understands it. BUT… my patients loved it! A quick laugh here and there used to make them forget about their pain for a few moments. Always laugh at yourself… never laugh at others.

Be courteous, always. Open the door for someone, man or woman. Say “thank you” and “you are welcome” even if they don’t say it to you.

Smile at a stranger. You probably just made his day.

Brother, can you spare a dime? Don’t ignore the homeless. Don’t worry about what you think he’s going to do with that spare change.

Respect the elderly. They were here before you. Whether you like it or not, they do know better.

It’s OK to get old, we all do, but remain young at heart. Go on a swing, watch cartoons, blow bubbles, neck in the car, and stop acting your age!

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Amy Young is a mother, a wife, a three-time cancer survivor, a speaker, an entrepreneur, author of In God's Eyes, a radio talk show co-host, and the Founder and CEO of Yes! to Mammograms, a non-profit organization that provides free mammograms to low-income and uninsured women.

Amy's story is one of survival. Soon after arriving in England on a military assignment with a 3-month old and a 14-month old, Amy discovered she had a brain tumor. She was treated, went into remission for a year, and a year later discovered another tumor had surfaced. Amy was alone in a foreign country, trying to take care of a newborn and a toddler who could not walk, the result of Cerebral Palsy, and trying to adjust to military life overseas. Then, in 1995, just three months before her husband was scheduled to retire from the Air Force, Amy was diagnosed with cervical cancer during a routine PAP exam. Amy not only survived these experiences, but has thrived.

While working in an oncology unit at a local hospital, Amy came face to face with the devastation cancer has on the patient's family and close friends, not just the patient. Cancer was not just about the patient anymore. Many of the breast cancer patients had never had a mammogram. In 2008, Amy created Yes! To Mammograms, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. She and her husband began pooling their personal money together at the end of each month so they could help at least one low-income or uninsured woman a month get a mammogram.

Amy and her story of survival and encouragement have been featured in several newspapers and magazines, and she has been a popular guest on several radio talk shows. Amy's story is featured in Dr. Christina Schlachter's book, She Leads the Way: How to Lead Your Own Career & Life Transformation ... And the Stories of Women Who Have." Amy has also been nominated for the L'Oreal Women of Worth Award. 

For more information, please visit yestomammograms.org

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Holy Amy. That is such an amazing inspiration, and life journey. My sister went through brest cancer, and survived it. She now has a daughter, and living life.

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