About
My name is Christina Heald. I am a wife and mother of 3 beautiful children. I have operated Kids Korner Daycare out of my home for about 15 years now and I also teach piano at Grigg’s Music in Davenport, IA. I went back to school in 2007 on a T.E.A.C.H. scholarship to study Early Elementary Education. I also work with the Rock Island Arsenal both on and off the Island. I am currently awaiting my National Accreditation as an in in-home child care provider–a credential I’ve worked on for two years.
If I could, I’d love to write all day. I’ve started this blog to journal my experience at just being diagnosed with breast cancer. It is raw, real, and filled with many emotions. In my attempt to make sense out of what is happening to me and to my life, I am trying to redefine everything I ever knew.
My life will never be what it was. This year has changed the very core of everything I ever believed. It is my goal now to take each day as it comes–whether I want to or not. In order to work through my greatest challenges and fears–I will need to face them head on. It is the most defining year of my life so far. I pray that I will find the strength to get through it.
**Update** as of November 2010:
I am two classes shy of transferring in a 4 yr. university. I could have graduated last Christmas, but took the whole year off to recuperate from 3 surgeries. I started 2010 with my 4th surgery and 2 weeks later began school again. I lasted one full semester and the condensed summer one as well before becoming becoming completely overwhelmed. Even though I could graduate in a month–I have taken off another semester. I have to catch up on my life. I have to catch up on my personal responsibilities and paperwork. It may take me through the spring as well, but I’m no longer in a hurry to get it done. Plus, I’m reconsidering my life path. Not sure I want to go into Early Ed. anymore. More on that later…
I received my National Accreditation in December of 2009. It was an accomplishment I had worked two years on achieving. From there I have begun to really expand my conference speaking to a broader base throughout Iowa and now am setting my sights on going national for 2011 with the additional hope I will land a few keynote gigs. This is where my newfound perspective on life is lending itself very well. This arena is the perfect platform for me to begin networking and branching out so that I may include motivational speaking and work with children afflicted by cancer.
I am living this year OUT LOUD and in FULL COLOR! and I am loving every minute of it! Can you say the same?
Specifically Speaking 
Feb 11, 2009 @ 01:03:05
I am proud of your transparent writing about your life. It is an act of bravery. Your writing is very clear. I am praying every day for you. Hugs. Respectfully, PM
Feb 12, 2009 @ 23:02:33
Your writing is so awesome. I wish I had your level of talent at it! I’ve been thinking of you so much – you know my heart goes out to you. (Sorry it took me so long to reply – I read this as soon as you sent it but didn’t figure out where to reply til now.) Laura
Mar 01, 2009 @ 21:22:56
Dear Christine, I just found your blog from Frugal Abundance. I was diagnosted like you after a routine mammogram. I had a lumpectomy, radiation, and chemo. You are in my thoughts and prayers as I read your blog. Many of us have been through this and God will get you through. If you need to talk my email is below. I understand all you are feeling and hope things go well for you. Cheryl
Mar 11, 2009 @ 23:07:07
I randomly came by your site…wow. Talk about living out your (my) nightmares during the daytime. I really appreciate your willingness to talk about these incredibly personal steps in your journey to random strangers. My utmost respect to you and your husband.
Mar 15, 2009 @ 07:23:49
Hi Christine,
I came across your site from Frugal Abundance. My mom had breast cancer when I was little and she continues to do well today, 25 years later. I’m 33, married, and have 3 children. I will read your blog through your journey. It’s easily relatable. Thanks for sharing it.
Apr 02, 2009 @ 21:44:41
I peeked on other blogs when it had been a while. I am so damn sorry. I don’t even know you, just hit on random blogs and yours caught my eye and you are living out my worst nightmare. I send you positive thoughts for strength each day to do what needs to be done. Words can’t even express…you don’t need to post this, I just wanted to let you know and blogs don’t have privacy buttons.
Apr 07, 2009 @ 11:58:41
Still praying… God answers all of them, just hope it’s an easy answer for you!
Aug 25, 2009 @ 09:03:26
Hi Christina, so nice to meet you you! From what I could read so far, you’ve been through some very cruel challenges this past year. Living it day by day and taking each day as it comes is wonderful positive attitude. Sending you good vibes and strength to get through all of this. You’ll come out stronger, just remember that. You are a beautiful strong woman and an awesome writer, and if you should ever come to Belgium, I’d love to meet you. As for me, I’ll be in Chicago next November.
Aug 25, 2009 @ 12:06:01
Jientje–I am so thrilled that you stopped by my blog! I loved the pictures on your blog and can’t wait to go back in late tonight when I have some quiet time. Looking at the pictures, I feel as though I’m going home. The majority of my family on my dad’s side lives in Belgium. I have been there a few times, but not since I was 16. I remember it vividly and would love to return. Most of my family is in Zomerghem with many more cousins dotting the countryside. I miss the language and hearing the accent and inflections in someone’s conversation. When I hear it, I immediately think of my dad.
It’s so amazing to me that I found you in this worldwide maze. I’m also quite amazed at the why’s certain individuals are leaving my life as others are coming in to replace them. It really begs me to want to explore the whole premise of that saying–people come into your life for a reason, season, or a lifetime. I’m glad you showed up and i would love to meet you when you come to Chicago. I’m only 2 hours away. November ’09 or Nov. ’10? I hope you can follow me through Networked Blogs–I’ve already signed on to follow yours. I really like it and thanks for bringing me the pictures. You have no idea how much it means to me to see them. When I look at them, it helps me remember that I am also from there. I hope to get to know you more. CJ
Aug 26, 2009 @ 08:19:39
I’m just getting started at your site and, of course, this is one of my first stops. I can’t wait to get to know you more. I’ll drop comments when I can, otherwise, please know that one of those hits to your site belongs to me.
Smile, because in the grandness of it all, we exist, if nothing else.
Nov 05, 2009 @ 12:56:45
“I spent 40 years wishing for a boob job. I finally got one, but
now I wish I would’ve been SPECIFIC.”
ROTFLMAO. Oh honey, that is so funny, and so poignant too. There are many things about my body I have longed to change, and I am reminded to be careful what I wish for, because one day I may get it. Better perhaps to respect my body and appreciate it for the miracle it is. Ugh, way too easy to take it for granted.
My next favorite quote is this one:
“In order to become the person I want to be–I need to throw away the person I am.”
Sheesh I need that tatooed to my forehead. I think my own biased opinions about who I am, hold me in tigher fetters than anything anyone else could contrive.
Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom.
Love you so MUCH.–Cousin Maggie 🙂
Nov 05, 2009 @ 15:14:24
Yeah! You’re back!! This year has been a major lesson in being specific. I am going to make a T-shirt that screams B SPECIFIC!! I’ll give you another one that has come to light–you knowing me–I used to always be the HOT chick, right? I never thought in my whole life that it would come to mean hot as in RADIOACTIVE! Be careful how you put things out into the universe. Give Granny a big hug for me next time you see her, K? Tell everyone up in the hollow that I love them tons! cj
Mar 06, 2011 @ 11:55:03
Hi Christina,
I just wanted you to know that a man supposedly named Cliff Grant is claiming the picture of your daughter Jordan with the Harp from christmas 2009 is his daughter – I had been in contact with this person through a dating site and when my suspicions got the better of me I used tineye.com to search the picture he had given me – which is your daughter Jordan!!! You may want to put some copyright channels in place to protect your children.
Good luck with your battle!!
Regards
Melissa
Apr 18, 2011 @ 08:57:18
THANKS FOR SHARING THE BLOG SITE W/ ME.