Ashley Hunter, Greene Publishing, Inc.
Cindy Vees moved to Madison from Orlando in 2009. She was employed at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce under the former Executive Director Ted Ensminger, and including the move, her life had taken a series of new paths.
A fresh start in a new town would have the backdrop for a good story, but every tale has it's villain.
In this case, the malefactor in Vees' life came in the form of a spot that was discovered during one of her routine mammograms.
Suspecting a cancerous growth, Vees' doctor sent her to a specialist, who performed an ultrasound and discovered not one, but two spots. Vees was told to come back after six months for a follow up to see if there was any marked growth on the spots. At the end of her wait period, Vees underwent another ultrasound. One of her spots had disappeared, but the good news was tainted by the fact that one of the remaining spots had grown. After a biopsy, it was discovered that Vees had lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), which is an area of abnormal cell growth that increases a person's risk of developing breast cancer. A more in-depth biopsy was ordered and lobular carcinoma was found in her left breast.
The next couple of months would put Vees through fire as it tested what she was made of. Realizing she was at Stage 2 (which meant the cancerous cells had grown into her lymph nodes), Vees had to undergo a bilateral mastectomy. Starting in November of 2009 and not ending until June of 2010, Vees underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy, and when it was completed, she was technically announced cancer free.
It wasn't until January of this year, six months after her five-year mark on June of 2015, Vees was finally given the all clear; she had beaten the monster that invaded her.
Vees did not fight the battle alone, however. She remarked that many people, some whom she didn't really know, brought her meals and provided prayer. It was the assistance and support of her boss, Ted Ensminger; her church family; a friend, Cheryl Abercrombie, who took her to and from many of her chemo treatments, and greatest of all, her own children who helped her make it through the difficult days.
“Even though my faith was weak, it was their smiles and prayers that kept me going,” said Vees.
Further, Vees feels as if the hardcore, dedication and true heroics of the people who take care of cancer fighters aren't fully praised. “It is really hard for the caregivers,” said Vees. Survivors are often exalted, but without the people who cared for them and watched out for them during the fight, the task of fighting and surviving would be a whole lot harder.
Vees encourages women to make sure to get their mammograms regularly. If it wasn't for her scheduled mammogram, Vees would have either never caught her cancer, or it would have been caught much later, when the damage would be harder to repair. “Make sure you get your mammogram,” stressed Vees.
To those who are currently fighting, she offered words of encouragement. “The journey is not easy,” said Vees. “But the battle can be fought and won.”
She also encouraged fighters to keep their chin up, and surround themselves with people who promote positivity, not negativity. “Where your mind goes, your body follows,” said Vees. The same advice had been given to her by her doctor when she was still fighting hard against breast cancer. “Surround yourself with positive people, and remove all negativity,” added Vees.
After her chemo treatments ended in 2010, Vees became the Madison Chamber of Commerce's Executive Director from 2011 through 2014. Currently, Vees is the CEO of Cindy Vees & Associates, LLC., which is a public relations and marketing consultant group.
“I know God sustained me through it, healed me from it, and is going to use it to benefit others and for that I am grateful for it,” said Vees.