Life’s Lemons

Life'sLemons

On occasion, one has the privilege of mee� ng a bright shining star, a lovely human soul with so much light, joy and an infec� ous laugh to go with it. What was going to be a brief woman-owned business ar� cle, turned into something quite diff erent when I had the chance to meet Keneithia “Keke” White.

Last November, Keke lost her mom, and a� er struggling through that darkness, she needed a radical change. She applied to be a fl ight a� endant and got the job! Then COVID-19 hit. Keke didn’t really know what to do during the delay, so she started ordering bou� que items. “I have an eye for things that are simple and diff erent. I’ve always go� en compliments on my clothes that are cute and sassy,” she said. “When I had cancer, I lost my hair, and so I really got into the hair.” Suddenly, people were asking her to buy extra items they could purchase from her, and “it just snowballed into something amazing.” Not only is Keneithia a single mom with two beau� ful kids, but

she is also a three-� me, stage 4 breast cancer survivor. Originally diagnosed in 2013 when she was just 33 years old, the doctors found that her stage 4 breast cancer had metastasized, causing twenty tumors on her liver. Keke’s fi rst thought was, “I have no room for failure. I have to be here for TV, radio my kids, my mom and my dad.” and interviewed for newspaper ar� cles. I want to bring I feel like when life gives you lemons, you make awareness to breast cancer and to share hope with humor!” lemonade vodka shots ! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month As Keke tells it, she has learned

Keneithia beat it the fi rst � me, then again a second � me, and again a third � me. to roll with the punches and take every twist and turn that life gives her as a unique opportunity. More and more people started

So what got her through it? ordering the special luxury items

Her contagious and exuberant she provided at aff ordable prices. posi� ve a� tude. “I’m just so thankful for life, and I feel like when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade vodka shots! In May, she decided to take this li� le business to the next level and Lavish A. Lux was born.

Regardless of whether you have someone to hold your hand, you go� a get through it. It’s yours to So what about the fl ight a� endant job? go through,” says Keke. She adds that her kids and parents helped her win this fi ght. “It could always be worse. When you go through things in life, the changes they make become your new way of life “I haven’t decided about that yet. I guess it depends on how well Lavish A. Lux does before I’m scheduled for training. But I’m open to anything,” explains Keke. without even realizing it. And I’ve been rock’n and rollin ever since.” We have no doubt that whatver Keke chooses, her future is

“I became an advocate when I bright! got sick and made it my mission to share everything about my Wri en by journey. My story has been highlighted a lot. I’ve been on Christine Walker

OCT BER

I S

“My mom is a 5-year survivor. I took care of her a� er her double mastectomy with reconstruc� on. Every November, I walk 60 BREAST CANCER miles to honor her, as well as those currently fi gh� ng, other AWARENESS MONTH survivors and those who have passed.” – Deana Huff man Ki� le

“I am a 36-year-old mom of 3 with a wonderful husband. Our world shook “ I was diagnosed with HER2b posi� ve breast cancer when I was 41. It’s a ba� le requiring you to stay posi� ve on your worst days. It takes an emo� onal and physical toll on you. During some of nearly 2 months ago when I was my worst days, I would tell myself 3 posi� ves…I’m happy, I’m diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma, a very aggressive form of breast cancer. “ I sent my mom chemo care pack with li� le word healthy, I’m strong. Believing this is what got me through.” – Angelica Rowell

I found a lump under my arm and thankfully went in to have it checked out. I’ll be doing 6 rounds of chemo, followed by a double mastectomy puzzles, Bible verses and prayer cards, mints, gum, hand sani� zer ..anything that I thought could help My mom was diagnosed when I was 18. They gave her a 20% chance of living thru the end of the year. I had so many emo� ons and feelings. It was the hardest thing I’d “ with reconstruc� on, then up to 35 or li� her spirits.” ever gone thru. It was hard to watch someone so strong rounds of radia� on. I am SO ready to - Stephanie French who never needed anyone to now need me. Let go of kick cancer’s ass! We will beat this! disagreements. Focus on your rela� onship NOW. Be

Fight like a girl!” – Laura Bullard present. Our rela� onship changed, and I do not take her

“My mom was diagnosed with 2 en� rely diff erent cancers in the le� breast. She had it removed but declined for granted. She’s an 18-year survivor and exudes strength and kindness in everything she does.” – Misty Schmidt recommended treatments of chemo and radia� on. At 80, she opted for quality of life over quan� ty. She was diagnosed about a year and a half ago and is doing well on “ My mom, who lived with us here in PV, just passed away last month. She was diagnosed 6 years ago when she was only 59. One tamoxifen and close maintenance.” – Suzanne Levesque of my fondest memories was that my mom would always just keep chugging like a train, no ma� er what she was going thru. She never

“I believe that your a� tude has a lot to do with your recovery. It is impera� ve that gave up, kept chugging. We just loved her thru everything, and we all went thru it together.” – Melissa Govea you eat well and have a posi� ve a� tude to help your body heal, no ma� er what kind of affl ic� on you have. I also believe it helps “ I had pre� y intense treatment with 6 surgeries and 6 rounds of chemo in about 18 months. I learned a diagnosis is not a to laugh and be able to laugh at yourself. death sentence. My daughter helped me a lot. She learned When my surgery was done, I said I looked early on that she wasn’t there to fi x it, but to help me.” like Frankenstein to see all the s� tches.” – Anne Masters, 18-year survivor. – Virginia Johnston, 7-year survivor

According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams and

scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.

Open 7 Days a Week Monday - Saturday 7am - 7pm & Sunday 7am - 3pm Dinner Served Tuesday - Saturday 3pm-7pm Breakfast Served All Day

Welcome to Starwood Café, home of the all-day breakfast. You may know us for great breakfast options like omelets, crepes, waffl es and pancakes, as well as healthy lunch options, but now you can also join us for dinner! From chicken fried steak and chicken fried chicken to rib eyes, shrimp and catfi sh, we have lots of homestyle options to delight your taste buds.

We’re less than 10 minutes from Providence Village, making it super-convenient for the whole family!

Starwood Café is a family-friendly restaurant and will treat you as such. We specialize in customer service and satisfaction, and your dining experience is our #1 priority.

The moment you step into our restaurant, you’ll instantly feel like you’ve never left home at all!

• Join us for Dinner Tuesday-Saturday, 3-7 pm • Breakfast Served All Day • Kid’s menu

Are Unknown Breathing Issues

Affecting Your Child’s Learning?

Do you have a child who struggles with ADD/ADHD, bedwetting, chronic allergies, dark circles under the eyes, swollen tonsils and adenoids, trouble at school, irritability, frequent headaches, restless sleep, snoring, aggressive behavior, daytime drowsiness, nightmares or night terrors, arrested growth or crowded/crooked teeth? It may not be what you think!

Navo Family Dental is now working with children who struggle to breathe when they sleep, using a system of orthodontic appliances and therapies. These treatments may help the upper and lower jaws to develop and reshape the oral cavity fully. As these areas develop more fully, the child’s airway may widen and expand, allowing the child to breathe better, and some of these symptoms may disappear. When children can breathe properly, they can begin to grow, learn and blossom into their full potential.

When a child has an underdeveloped upper and/or lower jaw, the airway could be impacted, and the child may struggle with other health issues during their lifetime. It may not be what you think, so call us for a free evaluation.

Do you suffer from sleep apnea? It may be the result of an obstruction in the airway caused by narrow dental arches and/or an underdeveloped jaw. Dr. Kim is now treating people of all ages with a proprietary, non-invasive, non-surgical option for the treatment of mild to moderate sleep apnea, snoring and sleep-disordered breathing. Call us today for more information!