It’s a God Thing

Grace Phillips

The Ashland Beacon

   Looking back at her experience with breast cancer, Cathy Collins says she can only think of one thing to sum it up….” it’s a God thing.”  Collins journey began in 2006.  She was a mom, grandmother, wife, and daughter.  She had begun painting as a hobby, was raising a granddaughter who was a toddler at the time and singing with the Gospel Tide.  It was a very busy yet rewarding life that was about to take a turn no one saw coming. 

   Collins had always been very adamant about getting her yearly mammogram and this year was no different.  She received a call soon after from her doctor’s office that something suspicious had been found.  The plan of action was to wait for 6 months and do a repeat. 

   It was difficult waiting for the six months to pass but at the same time Collins was sure it was nothing.   The day finally came, and Collins went to have the second mammogram…. this is where the “God thing” started.   When the mammogram was done, she discovered they had checked the WRONG breast.   It may have been a mistake; however, it was a mistake that possibly saved her life.  There it was on the films, a small mass that had not been there 6 months earlier. 

   “I received a phone call and was told I would need a biopsy which was scheduled and done rather quickly.  They said it would take about 10 days to get the results back.” recalled Collins.  By this time, it was early September 2006. 

   The National Quartet Convention was held in Louisville, KY during the third week of September each year.    The Gospel Tide had a booth space as a part of the convention to promote their ministry.  They also sang during a promoter’s showcase that allowed radio and concert promoters to meet groups as well as hear them perform live.  Collins traveled with the other group members, Larry, and Ellen Keaton, to Louisville for the week.

   “I knew I was going to have to call the doctor during the week for my results.  The National Quartet Convention was always a crazy, fun, and busy week.” Collins went on to add, “It was Wednesday, and we needed a few things from Walmart.  I sat down on the bench outside the door and Ellen went into Walmart to shop.  I remember thinking…I need to make this call, but I really don’t want to…but I’m sure everything is OK.   I called the office and the nurse said they had been trying to reach me with the biopsy results….it was malignant.   It was like everything was a blur for a while…. almost like I was watching what was happening.  All at once I felt as if everything just drained out of me. I just thought I have to tell someone and went in to find Ellen.”

   Ellen Keaton shared that this is one of the times she will never forget.  “Cathy walked down the aisle where I was, and she didn’t have to say a word.  There was this blank look on her face, she was trying to tell me but just couldn’t get the words out.  This was a lady that was as close to me as my own sister.  We traveled and sang nearly every weekend together for almost ten years.  I had no idea how to help her at this point. I just remember trying really hard not to cry.  I knew if I started, we would both cry.  I do remember asking her if she wanted me to take her home.”

   Surprisingly she said, “no.”  Collins noted that, “This was very strange for me. I almost couldn’t believe I said it.  The doctor wanted me to come in right away for the surgery, but I just felt like there was something there for me and if I went home, I would miss out on it.” 

   That night at the convention center, Collins shared her diagnosis with a few very close friends and each one prayed with her.  The group was scheduled to sing the next morning at a promoter’s showcase.  Doug Collins, Cathy’s husband arrived later that night to be with her. 

  The next morning the group sang at the Patterson Promotions showcase.  After they had finished singing, Pauline Patterson told the group that was gathered there about the news Cathy had received.   She asked everyone to gather around and have prayer ….and that is exactly what they did. 

   Collins recalls, “I was blown away by the outpouring of love I felt.  Not only at the showcase but somehow word had made it to several other groups there that we had sung with, and they were stopping by our booth to ask if they could pray for me also.   I can’t explain it. I should have been in a panic but there was just such peace all around me.” 

   Once back home a lumpectomy was done, and the results showed an aggressive ductile carcinoma.   “This was not a hormone related cancer, so medication was not an open.  I could have taken chemo or radiation. But doing both there was a greater percentage that it would not return. So, I opted for both” Collins shared.  She had eight weeks of chemo followed by 32 radiation treatments. 

   It has now been 17 years since that day in Louisville when Collins heard the word “malignant”.  Her granddaughter is now grown with a toddler of her own.  She has become an amazing artist and has sold several paintings.  She says she looks at things very different since then. “I think everyone should enjoy life every day.  You never know when your life will end.  I think of God in everything.  It was so funny the first time I was going to get on a plane.  I was really nervous and then I realized that if God can get me through cancer, then he can keep me safe on this plane.”  Cathy urges everyone to have their yearly mammogram.  Who knows…. you may have “a God thing” in your life also.

Symmetry Studio: Rebuilding the Confidence of Women

One Areola at a Time

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

   Like most young girls, Maddy Ryan had always loved playing in make-up.  As Ryan got older a favorite childhood pastime quickly turned in to a passion and at the age of 18 Ryan decided to share her talents with the world. She started out slowly by doing makeup for local photographers, high school students dances, and big events.

   Ryan quickly came to the realization that there was a high demand for her talented artistry and decided to pursue her passion further. Ryan shared, “I decided to create a social media space where I would show my art and was quickly recognized and signed on with some of the largest names in the beauty industry. I traveled across the United States working with these companies on commercials, marketing, and social media. I was the face of Benefit Cosmetics for a year where I worked with them specifically showing my artistic ability to do makeup with a heavy emphasis on their brow products and I had incredible support from our community during this time.”

    The opportunity to work with big name companies like Benefit Cosmetics provided Ryan with the perfect opportunity to share both her hobby and creative outlet with the residents of Ashland. “I had always had a rough outline of what I hoped my career would be, but for the first time the picture was becoming clear: I was going to combine art with beauty, and this became the foundation of my business.” Explained Ryan.

   Eventually, Ryan expanded her business by offering permanent make-up services. That’s when Ryan began to notice that there was real need, and she possessed the talents to fill that need. “I noticed that a large portion of my clients had a history with breast cancer. I, myself, have a family history of breast cancer and felt a push to do something for these women. I started doing areola restoration for women and found my niche. This was a passion project of mine and I wanted to share this art with everyone,” Ryan noted.

   Ryan attempted to get insurance companies to cover the cost of the services that she offered, but unfortunately, she was told that the services that she offered was both unnecessary and were considered to be an elective procedure. Ryan didn’t let that stop her from finding a way to help those in need. “I was on a mission to be the one to help these women get the confidence back that cancer took from them. I was finally linked with a nonprofit organization that started their application process with me,” shared Ryan.

   The process was long and drawn out and over the next few weeks Ryan had to fill out masses of paperwork and submit examples of her restorative work with areola restoration and microblading. “I was so excited once I found out that I was accepted into this program and was now able to offer these services at no cost to the client,” expressed an emotional Ryan.

   Ryan explained that no two women have the same skin tone, size, shape, or scar patterns. So, it is important to Ryan that every service is a custom fit for the client’s needs.  Ryan stated that, “This makes each client a unique challenge and allows me tap into my artistic side in order to make sure each woman leaves there feeling like she has her body back, and not the cold feeling of a copy/paste anatomy.”

   Ryan is now considered the top provider in the nation for her work in areola restoration and for the nonprofit organization and has provided over $53,000 in services at no cost to these women. The service that Ryan provides to these women and the community in general is invaluable and she continues to build the confidence of those who have gone through breast cancer and came out a warrior.

   Ryan’s studio, Symmetry |The Aesthetics Studio, located at 2154 Carter Ave,  is a studio like none other. “It didn’t take long for my goals and vision to expand to other avenues of the beauty artistry industry, a goal that eventually became Symmetry | The Aesthetics Studio. Medical spas often have a reputation of having a cold, clinical feel that can often alienate those who otherwise would benefit from these services. I wanted to create an environment that represented the same warmness, self-expression, and feminine empowerment that fueled my art and helped women feel comfortable and confident being themselves. As soon as you step into my studio, you’ll find the colors, personality, and uplifting art direction that represents what I want to bring to an industry that too feels clinical and uninviting,” Ryan explained.

   We all know someone who has been burdened by the diagnosis of breast cancer. If you would like to help Ryan in her mission to restore the confidence of women everywhere… now you can. On October 21, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Symmetry Studio will be having its annual “Save the Boo-bies” fundraiser event. Ryan elaborated, “This is Symmetry’s biggest event of the year, Save the Boo-bies breast cancer awareness event! This event will raise money for our nonprofit partner Sharsheret that allow us to provide free services for breast cancer survivors.”

   The event will include thousands of dollars in giveaways, a spooky open bar, amazing Hors d'oeuvres, a psychic medium, a tarot card reader, the biggest discounts ever offered at Symmetry and our favorite vendors. “We are also showcasing our newest machine and you will get to demo this at the event,” added Ryan. This year Ryan will be holding this annual event at Gathered AKY (formally the Jewel Art Gallery) which is located at 323 15th Street, Ashland. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased by contacting the studio at 606.547.2231 for more information.

 You Are a Survivor!

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

“You were given this life because you were strong enough to live it”. 

-Ain Eineziz

   We all possess a strength that is often not revealed until we are at our most vulnerable moments in life. Those moments where it feels as if the world is caving in around us and we simply can’t see a way out. It is in such a time as this that many have thoughts of giving up, but that’s when you need to remember that fighting takes far more strength than giving up.

   It’s easy to give up and let the unfortunate and often unexpected events of life drag you down into the bottomless pits of darkness.  This is when you must come to the realization that your only option is to become a survivor!

   A survivor is someone that has been pushed to the edge and looked over into the bottomless abyss of despair and declared that “today is simply not the day that I will allow myself to venture into this darkness! Today is not the day that I will give up! But rather that today is the day that I will collect all my sorrow… all my fears… all my strength… and fight!”

   Because fighting is the only thing that makes sense. “Fighting is the only thing that you have left to do. Fight for yourself, your family, your friends, and fight for those that have lost their lives to this horrible disease that may have not had a chance to fight for themselves.  A diagnosis of breast cancer can be one of the most terrifying moments in a person’s life and often they are left feeling that they are in that fight alone. Many people may find themselves embarrassed or ashamed to share their diagnosis with others because they fear they may be looked upon as weak or broken.

   You my friend are not weak nor broken. YOU are a survivor! You have the heart of a warrior and strength of a bear. You need only to realize it and embrace it. Share your diagnosis with the world so that others may see your impeccable strength and inspiring courage which might be exactly what the next person needs to find their own strength to get through this difficult journey. 

   Having the courage to fight doesn’t mean that every day will be easy or great, but it does mean that every day you can lay your head down at night and rest easy knowing that you faced the day with every ounce of strength that you had and that my friend takes real courage.

   “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says… I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher.

Time to Think Pink with Shield of Faith

Gwen Akers

The Ashland Beacon

   It is time to “Think Pink” with Shield of Faith Gift and Boutique as they prepare for their second “Think Pink” after hours shopping event in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The event is run by owner Crissy Mayhan and is sure to be a fantastic experience for both awareness and community.

   Shield of Faith Gift and Boutique has been a staple business in Ashland for many years, as the business was originally owned by Mayhan’s mom, before being passed down to Crissy in 2021. The boutique started when Mayhan was five-years-old and was based out of their garage. Crissy Mayhan has been working at the business since she was in high school. They were able to host their first “Think Pink” event in 2019 before the pandemic, and now they are ready to resume the tradition. This year’s event is planned for October 21 from 6 to 8 p.m.

   In 2019, the event was sponsored by Vera Bradley, and was a massive hit with both new and returning shoppers. This year’s event is in the works and they are currently collecting donations for local breast cancer awareness charities. The event is centered around connection and support – two pillars of helping those that have breast cancer and those that are affected by it. Crissy Mayhan herself lost her aunt to breast cancer, and ever since she has wanted to help those in the community who might be going through the same things.

   “It’s just so nice to be able to even talk to some of our customers and hear some of their experiences and just in hopes of one day finding, you know, hopefully they can find a cure for all,” expressed Mayhan.

   Gift bags and goodies will be available for survivors and those going through breast cancer, as well as sales and discounts during the event throughout the store for the public.

   “We just want people to come out and have a good time,” commented Mayhan.

   Missy McCalvin is a longtime customer of Shield of Faith, who cannot wait to be a part of the Think Pink event this year. Her mom is a stage four ovarian cancer survivor, and both love the store and the event.

   “Well, I have had several great aunts that have survived breast cancer,” said McCalvin. “It’s important awareness, and something my mom and I take very seriously.”

   McCalvin began shopping at Shield of Faith when she became her church’s Youth Director. The store was a wonderful resource for her and her church. McCalvin attended the event in 2019 and loves the support and fellowship of the event.

   Think Pink is hopefully going to be an annual event according to Mayhan and is certainly going to be an event you don’t want to miss.

   Fellowship, community, and awareness are the pillars of Shield of Faith—as it continues to be a staple business of Ashland. Those interested in the event should be sure to check it out on October 21 from 6 to 8 p.m., as it is sure to allow the community to Think Pink!