A Fresh New Start, Down In Sugarland...
I can tell you exactly where I was when I heard “Baby Girl” for the first time on the radio. It was early evening on a Wednesday night August 18th, I was 18 years old and they were playing “Pass or Play” where they debut 2 new artist’s singles back2back and listeners pick which gets passed on and which will stay. I was on Hwy 212 in Damascus Oregon driving home from a full summer day’s work teaching swim lessons and I almost crashed my 4Runner into our only Astro gas station trying to get my cell phone to vote for this amazing song. Flash forward to today walking around the hospital, I had Jasper walk by who is 3 (fighting Leukemia) singing “Joey, I’m so sorry” as loud as he could with the biggest smile he had in him plastered all over his face. Their music and words have given so many; comfort and strength unlike anything we have ever known. It is hard being here so much of the time. I am 23 and was a flight attendant before it came back and receiving treatment at the children’s hospital has its pros and cons. The closest kid to my age is 12 and they all look to me as the one who sets the pace, leaving no room for you to cry about a botched spinal tap or the fact you have thrown up for the past 11 hours straight. These little kids have trusted me enough to let me into their world and I try to do whatever I can to make their time here better. I lost my whole world, friends, some family, my social life, my job and for a while the only thing that helped pass the time was listening to Sugarland’s cds and spending hours online searching for any new videos or articles I could find. Over time the kids started wanting to listen and watch and before I knew it, we had an army of little Sugarland junkies piled around my laptop screen in the chemo room. Then my world changed Feb 6th… At the hands of Jennifer and Kristian for posting their Grammy video. Because of that video I found my best friend Amy. Over the next few days we realized how much we had in common and I was able to hide for a little while, the fact I was sick (seeing as she lives in Florida and I live in Oregon). But it didn’t take long. Before I knew it, I had a real family who loved and cared about me, her and her parent’s flew across the country to be with me through operations, flew me out to stay with them, even taking me to the CMT Awards to see Sugarland win this past June! Now we come to this July 30th. I found the key after the contest was over but Hellen helped me out and I was talking with Kristian and he remembered about him and I emailing back and forth about their songs when it hit him who I was. No joke, time stood still and I had to just sit there and take in the moment. This whole past year went racing through my mind and here I am talking to people who helped me make it this far. A moment I will never forget as long as I LIVE! I was able to see Sugarland in concert, meet them and the best part was being able to thank them; because without Kristian & Jennifer I would not have found a best friend and a family when I needed it the most. Then Kristian called Amy at 2am her time to talk to her for a few minutes about this whole journey. Then they invited me to the next night’s concert! So here I am getting set for a bone marrow transplant in October but the week before hand, my buddy Jake is opening for Sugarland in Florida where Amy lives and he said we could go see the show if I am well enough. It will all come full circle when Amy and I are side by side watching Sugarland in person singing my theme song “Settlin”. That high will ride through the next 8 weeks of pure hell as they kill off my immune system through chemo, total body radiation and graft in the donor’s marrow (mind you the odds of finding that match were 1 in 650,000). If I make it through all of that, in a few months’ time I will be able to say I am cancer free. While getting all moved in because Amy’s family are taking me home to Florida to live with them! THANK YOU JEN AND KRISTIAN FOR EVERY 30 SECOND YOUTUBE VIDEO, INTERVIEW, CONCERT, TWITTER, CD AND SONG BECAUSE THROUGH GOD’S HANDS AND YOUR MOUTH I HAVE THE BEST LIFE, BEYOND MY WILEST DREAMS! YOUR WORDS HELD ME UP WHEN I WAS ALONE AND BROUGHT MY FAMILY TO ME THROUGH A GOOFY PRE-GRAMMY VIDEO BLOG! Thank you is not enough but it is all I have to offer in return, Molly
8/10/2009
Comments
congrats
Congrats on FOTW! Hope you enjoy it!! You are such a strong person...keep being strong & fighting!!
10/1/2009 8:18 PM (GMT-04:00)WHOOO HOOO FAN OF THE WEEK
We are so happy for you .....it is so much deserved. Enjoy your week. Lv, Jennifer and Brooke!
9/28/2009 8:40 PM (GMT-04:00)Keep the Faith!
Hello...I'm sorry to hear about everything you are going through. I can only imagine how difficult it is to be diagnosed with cancer and having to have bone marrow transplants, etc. but am glad Sugarland can help ease some of that pain with their music...they are an inspiration to so many people! I, too, am listening to their musisc for inspiration..my son has been diagnosed with a tumor in the middle of his brain...the location makes it nearly impossible to do a biopsy to find out what kind it is...they are hoping for a cyst, but cannot tell me it isn't cancer either at this point..(we just got back from Emory hospital in Atlanta a couple of days ago...more tests to follow). Anyway, I truly hope everything with you will work out for the best...I'm sure it will..you will be in my prayers..keep listening to Sugarland because their music will help relax and soothe your soul..from one Sugarland fan to another....we love you and take care...*Terri*
8/15/2009 10:21 PM (GMT-04:00)Thanks for the friend invite !!
That's the power of Sugarland,everyone is touched by their music ,every song has a meaning that helps everyone overcome so many barriers in life,glad they've helped you along the way ! All the best from Scotland !!!
8/15/2009 3:08 PM (GMT-04:00)youuuuuuuu...are the greatest :)
aw Molly, what a story! And all thanks to Sugarland. Oh man, I remember the first time you asking me about my repost of their video you thinking I copied you! haha. But everything every has said in their comments back are right. Jasper, Beckly, Carly, and all those other kids that i don't even know, are really lucky to have you there. You are so strong for them and yourself but also remember to let others be strong for you too :) and boy I can't wait till we see Sugarland together!! I am finding that darn key!! haha. alrighty well, I was going to go into the whole, act like i don't know you think and talk more about how awesome this awesome story is but...i'll just talk to you on aim right now, hehe. I love you!! OH and now we have another site to talk to each other on...SCORE! ha. -Bug/Ames/AmyPants/AmyHaha
8/14/2009 2:40 AM (GMT-04:00)To Molly
Molly, I don't know where to begin... well first off, thank you for requesting me as a friend on here. I have become more active on the site lately and continue to encounter some of the nicest fans. I loved looking at your pictures you have uploaded into your gallery. I read your blog and I have to say I feel absolutely inspired from your writing and your story. I'm so proud of you and your undeniable courage. And I want to thank you for sharing your strength with us. I have a hard time channeling my emotions after reading such a story. My mother had a very difficult battle with cancer and I lost her when I was just 14 years old. Just the word cancer alone is enough to bring my chills. It is hard not to be overcome with sadness when facing such a heart wrenching matter, but you remind me that in the end no matter how tough things get there is still hope. You have the right mind set and such a heart of gold that not only are you able to carry your spirits high, you are able to lift the spirits of others as well. You have done that for me and though it may be difficult at times, you do it for those children as well. I admire you so much and the way Sugarland has inspired you through their music, their character, and their love is contagious to us all. They have brought you to Amy and I hope you can even confide in me at times if you just want to get something off your chest, have a laugh, or just need someone to talk to. Sugarland has such a way of bringing people together. I love and appreciate a band that is so sooo good to their fans! I feel so lucky to love and appreciate Jennifer and Kristian, because although I have not met them... hopefully one day... I know that they love and appreciate me back. Their genuine characters and their music connects so deeply within me that I can honestly say I can support them through anything and they would do the same for any of their fans. And that is truly saying something big. Molly, I wish the absolute best for you. You're in my thoughts and prayers, but most of all I am rooting for you. When in doubt just smile and let go laughing. Your bright outlook and positive nature will carry you far and you have my support through everything. I know we don't know each other, but I don't doubt the power of human connection at all on any level. I hope Florida will be a happy new step forward for you. My whole extended family is down there and I visit quite a few times a year. A FL Sugarland concert is definitely still on my list! :)
8/14/2009 12:54 AM (GMT-04:00)friend request
....this is Brooke's mom Jennifer. She just read your blog but I wanted to reply. What a story about Sugarland's music and how it has helped you through so much. Last October Brooke's brother Bryce came up with a tumor that appeared to be cancerous. He had a biopsi on Halloween that came back not cancer but a cell that appears to be cancer in tumor form. While in the hospital that day we watched a costume parade of children staying in the hospital thats diagnosis was not as good as his. Long story short so far no reoccurences which usually means he will be just fine. That of course was the scariest week of my life. So I can only imagine having to face treatment like you are going through and how tough that can be. To hear how Sugarland's music has helped you through so much brings joy to us as we can totally understand just having loved their music for the last few years. Your friend Amy is an Angel sent to you....God knew one that loved Sugarland was just what you needed!! Sorta like how you are an Angel for all of those younger patients that needed someone to look up to facing similar obstacles. I know you don't know us from a hole in the wall and I hope I am not sounding too sappy but I truly believe things happen for a reason. If Brooke had not been FOTW then we would not have been able to read your blog that has made me realize all my gripes in the world are meaningless and more importantly we would not have made a new Sugarland fan friend!! Now, what part of Florida does your friend Amy call home. We are in Tampa. So hopefully in 8 weeks we can meet you in person!!! That is so awesome you were able to make the CMT awards. Brooke and I were there too! We didn't have tickets but ended with pit armbands and right by the catwalk...Kristian leaned down and gave her his pick as he was leaving!! Made her night complete!! We were also at the CMA fanfest....funny you are a friend/fan of Jake as I have some good pictures of him. We never could get in his lines so settled for pictures!! We just came home from visiting my mom in Pensacola so Brooke went to bed after reading your blog. I am giving you a link to our viewing party pictures on photobucket http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b21/sieragold/?action=view¤t=a0612b6e.pbw you can also see alot of our SL pictures through the last couple of years. I also have to tell you how funny it is you mention Settlin, as our friend Tammy (huge SL Fan) calls that song her theme song!! I hope we can stay in touch...Brooke would be thrilled to have another SL friend!! Jennifer
8/12/2009 11:17 PM (GMT-04:00)The Best of Luck
Sometimes while I'm at work, and need a break, I'll get on here and read what people have written, and lately it's just been people complaining about Sugarland having to cancel, and it just makes me mad. But today, today is different. I read this, and it just puts everything into prespective, and I wish that those people who complain will read this. Your story breaks my heart, and at the same time I have a feeling of happiness that you have found a great friend in such a hard time. I am sitting here at work trying to fight back the tears, and I don't even know you, yet I felt compelled to send you a message. I am 25 and could not even imagine having to go through what you are going through. I know it is hard, I've got family and friends that have gone through these same hard times. All I can say is that I wish you well, I'm glad that you have found inspiration and comfort in Sugarland's music, as well as a great friend and family. I will keep you in my prayers, the best of luck, keep fighting, and if you ever need someone else to talk to, feel free to send me a message. Alexis (Charlotte, NC)
8/11/2009 1:29 PM (GMT-04:00)