Hi, I am Sheryl’s mother… You have heard the words, “Where do I start”,,, well, that is the case here…. One thing I want to get “out there’ is how proud I am of my daughter… There is no way I can say that enough… She has been the bravest woman I know.. During all the pain she has been through I have not heard her complain …She just keeps on going… I wanted to add a little something to her Journey.. When Sheryl first told me about her lump I just knew , (unlike her) , that it “wasn’t” cancer… Why would that happen to such a sweet wonderful girl like her.. She has four children, a wonderful husband, she never does anything wrong… Not her….. When she called me on Oct. 11th to tell me indeed it was cancer, I couldn’t even talk… Sheryl thought I had hung up on her… AND you think her world came to an end… You wouldn’t believe what that news done to MY world…. I can honestly say if it hadn’t been for Sheryl being so strong ( I am sure just in front of us ) that I wouldn’t have been able to handle the news…

There have been a lot of ups and downs… so many tears, so many prayers… SO many good people out there helping Sheryl.. I could make a list of all the wonderful things people have done for her but would be afraid of leaving someone off that most important list….

One of the longest and hardest days of my life was Nov. 13th when she had her mastectomy.. I’ll never forget the smile she gave us when she started to come around after surgery… That’s Sheryl always trying to comfort us…. A lot of hard times, another was when she cut her long beautiful hair… She wanted it to be a fun time, but still very hard to deal with…. Her children and family have been much comfort to her… She is the one always “there” for us instead of the other way round….. Bless her heart…. She has all kinds of support.. I sometimes don’t think I help her much… I try, but have to deal with my own pain of seeing what is going on with her…. I would have to say next to losing a child; this has to be the hardest thing to go though… Sheryl has made it easy on us all… She is such a trouper… There is so much more I would write about, but to make it to the point, I wish I could be half the woman she is…. She is truly something… A very special awesome lady… I love her deeply … God, My husband, Sheryl , her brother, Michael, my grandchildren, Matt (Sheryl,s husband), Julie (Michael’s wife) have all been a very big part of my life… Without them I would be nothing… I thank God everyday for them and HE will see Sheryl though all this… I know he will… There is a reason for everything…

Thanks for letting me share……



A note from my daughter Alie

Ever since I was little I have thought of my mom as my hero, and as the bravest person I knew. When I was younger I thought of my mom as my hero because she could make my painful scrapes and bruises go away with kisses and band aids. Also, when I was little I was so afraid of the dark and hated to sleep by myself in my room. I knew my mom was so brave when she used to let me sleep in her bed…because she was never scared of the dark, she wasn’t afraid of anything. As I grew older I learned the hardships that come with becoming a teenager. The boy that I thought was the love of my life ended up breaking my heart and I really thought it was the end of the world, but my mom showed me differently. She showed my how it wasn’t and helped me through what I thought was absolutely devastating, even though im sure she thought it was petty, she never showed me differently. She was always there to comfort me in my time of need. That’s when I knew she was and always would be my hero. As I grew even older into my teens I became one of those “I don’t care about anything” teenagers. I was a total rebel who wouldn’t listen to anything my mom told me. I was headed down a horrible road and going there fast. My mom showed me the hardest thing a parent could ever try to show their child, she showed me tough love. There was a time that I thought she was the worst parent in the world and I told her that…but she knew the truth, she saw right through me and didn’t give up. It was then that I realized my mom was scared of something. She was scared of letting me go down that wrong path and losing myself and becoming someone I would grow to hate. It was then that I realized my mom truly was the strongest and bravest person. She never gave up and its because of her persistent bravery that I am who I am today. I like who I am, and I owe that all to my mom. She showed me once more that she is truly my hero. I thought that was possibly the hardest thing my mom would ever have to go through…trying to get me back on the right track. When I found out it wasn’t the hardest thing, that she would have the hardest battle ahead of her to fight, I didn’t know what to think. I was mad and sad and heartbroken. But, my mom prepared to fight. She read up on breast cancer and taught herself everything there is to know about it. She made sure she was prepared for this life depending battle. I admired at how she took on the fight. She didn’t seem angry, though im sure she was. She didn’t cry, and always had a smile on her face when I saw her. She never complained of the pain, even thought I know the pain was absolutely horrible. My mom never gave up. She showed me once again how she is brave and most definitely my hero for always. Shes not my hero just because she took on this extremely difficult battle and came out a victorious winner, not just because she was so brave throughout the whole process, and not just because she dealt with the pain and never complained, but because even though she was going through everything she did and had to endure all the pain that she did, she never quit being my mom. She didn’t ignore me when I needed to talk to her about my petty little pains of heartbreak. She listened, as she always did, and continued to put myself and her entire family before her. My mom had every right to be selfish and concentrate on only the things she needed to win this fight that she did, but she didn’t…..she focused on all those around her that she loves. And because of that, my mom has showed me that she is the bravest women I know. She has shown me what a real hero is. And someday, when I grow older and more mature, I hope that I can be half the woman she is. My mother is absolutely amazing and truly a hero.



A poem from my daughter Alyssa

A poem for my mommy
Mom please don't cry
no more do you have to lie
Even if you have no hair, you see,
you're still the prettiest girl in the world to me.
I hate seeing you sad
it makes me so mad
that I can't help you
but if I could I promise I would
so mom when you go to sleep 2nite
don't think ahead to the awful fight
you'll be fine with me by your side
no more needing to feel lonely inside
nothing can ever take you away
this is just an awful delay
of all the wonderful things you wanted to do
but don't worry mom, it'll only take a few
As you lay there in your bed, remember its almost over
this will NOT take over
so if you need someone
please don't run
because I'll always be here
no need to shed a tear
now remember mom, you're almost done
no need to worry, you have won!
I'm so glad to see your smile
its been quite awhile
now that this has passed
the happiness will last
you don't no how proud I am of you its ture,
Mom, I love you!