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Pink RibbonsWelcome to the Month of Pink. I do like the color pink, and I’ll proudly wear a rhinestone pink press on tattoo. BUT, Breast cancer is not a pink ribbon. About 1/8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. About 1/1000 men. Yes, MEN get breast cancer too. This does not take into account DCIS – the earliest form of breast cancer (before the cancer cells leave the milk duct). I dare say that number is MUCH higher. Being aware does not mean wearing a ribbon. It means considering the risk, educating yourself on prevention, and getting checked. Feel yourself up, get screened, and listen to your body – if something doesn’t feel right, honor your intuition. I can write this note today because I listened to my body. I took into consideration that breast cancer ran in my family, and insisted on an MRI when the mammogram and ultrasound were absolutely clear. I also demanded a second reading of that MRI when I was told I could wait 6 months and do another. The whole story can be found in my Ponderings from July 2013. But today I’m going to tell you another story, my Mom’s:

Beautiful MommyMy Mother is a 22 year breast cancer survivor. She told me the morning I got home from tour last week that there was a “questionable” area on her MRI. NOTHING had shown up on her mammogram or ultrasound that same month (like me!). I got her an appointment that evening with Dr. Kristi Funk who was able to find the spot on ultrasound and biopsy the area. We knew within 24 hours that it was cancerous. The tumor is small, but invasive, which means that the cells broke out of the milk duct into the surrounding tissue. So we didn’t waste any time and got the first appointment for surgery which is tomorrow. We could use your positive energy and prayers. I told her how much it helped me get through my journey with the “Little F**&er” and she agreed to let that energy in as well. Here are two pictures -both taken last week while we waited for her biopsy. The first was in the park and the second was taken at Pink Lotus Breast Center. I told her to “punch out cancer” and she gave me that fist.

Punch out cancer!I hope this is your takeaway – if something doesn’t feel right, or it’s “Questionable” – don’t wait. Get it checked out immediately. If you have a history of breast cancer or a first degree relative that has had it, get an MRI. Hey Mom – we got this. We know what to do when life throws us a #Curve. Love, C

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The release of a cd is like the birth of a child. “Wait!” you say…”You’re a Mom. How can you say that!?” Why, because I’m a Mom. Because the miracle of creating something out of nothing takes different forms. Sometimes it’s human, sometimes it’s art. Sometimes it’s magic, and sometimes it’s crafted from the mind, the heart and the soul. A child is all that – human and art, magic, mind, heart and soul. Music is not human, but it can allow us to find and feel our humanity. Both can renew our faith.

This has been a year of tremendous loss, felt throughout the world as we watch one tragedy after another.   To everyone touched by the recent devastating events (and I can’t imagine anyone hasn’t been), I believe that it’s a collective heart that’s been broken. We can pick up the pieces together, and carry on. All I need to do is look in my children’s eyes and know – we don’t have a choice.

“Fading out and falling away
On the path of least resistance
Day by day by day
We can change it if we try”

(From “Path of Least Resistance” by Colin Devlin/Cindy Alexander – off the new record Deep Waters)

Throughout my life, I have used music to heal, to transform, and to connect. I am so blessed to be able to make music, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share it with you.

Love,
Cindy