Mom Monday and Sydney

Today is not about me, my family or the greatest newly found recipe to share.  

Today is about a mom's fight for her daughter.

Deanna and her daughter Sydney.

I just found out this morning that my friend Deanna's daughter Sydney was recently diagnosed with Lymphatic Cancer.  If you don't know Deanna and Sydney Senior's names, you soon will.

Deanna and I met nearly 20 years ago with so much in common...we were both young pageant queens, interior designers for a major developer in So. Cal., married and had children around the same time...we even lived down the street from each other for many years.  We shared a love for Mexican food, a nice bottle of wine and a good contagious laugh.

Also in common, like so many other Californians, when the economy dropped out for us there, we had to make very difficult life decisions and transplant our lives and families to different states.  We also had to reinvent ourselves for careers in our new locations and grow emotionally while trying to stay strong for our kids.

Deanna and her family ended up moving to Williston, North Dakota to try and start over in the oil field business.  You will get to know Deanna and her family as they were selected to be part of the cast of Boomtowners premiering on the Smithsonian Channel this coming Sunday.

I know Deanna and her family have been through incredibly difficult times and many, many changes. Now, after all of this, she has been given this opportunity for her family to start a new life, her 15 minutes of fame has arrived and now life throws this curve ball...I don't understand it and even though we have not seen each other in many years, as a mom, my heart breaks for her and their family.

I don't "tweet" or do Facebook and I have no idea if this blog of mine reaches anyone out there.  If by chance you happen to read this, please pass it on to your family and friends.  Deanna and her family need prayers and medical support.

They have started a GoFundMe page in an effort to help raise funds for the increasing medical expenses their family is incurring.  If you cannot help financially, please help get the word out and take a moment for a prayer.

Update: April 2016...Sydney has now been cancer free for one year.  However, her mom Deanna has just been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Please keep Deanna and her family in your thoughts and prayers.