10-years Cancer-free and Clicking my Heels!

By | All Posts | One Comment

@cindy_metzler

A brush with cancer can change your life. And rightfully so––mortality is the mother of all wake up calls. I know it sounds warped, but sometimes I think everyone should experience a little health scare at some point in their lives to create a more glass-half-full mentality. Being alarmed into an awakening is not exactly the optimal way to arrive at what really matters in life, but there are some advantages.

I was diagnosed with melanoma shortly after I had my first child. It’s something I will never forget, and subsequently I frequently reflect on it. My daughter was two-months-old. Being a new mom, I was still figuring out how to balance my business and motherhood; I was sleep deprived, nursing, and my hormones were running rampant. It’s never a good time to get a phone call informing you that you have malignant melanoma. But that window of time seemed particularly overwhelming.

The doctor on the other end of the phone told me the cancer was caught early, and that I would not need chemotherapy. He said I had a good chance of being cancer-free as long as the margins were clear after the melanoma excision. Looking back now, that was positive news. At the time however, I recall hearing the words “melanoma” and “chemotherapy” and a chill ran through my entire body. I had a sick feeling of helplessness and feared for my family and my future. Tears began to well, and they would not stop. I tried to mask the anxiety in my voice and thanked the doctor for the “good news” as he kindly transferred me to the receptionist who would help to arrange my forthcoming melanoma surgery.

I scheduled the surgery A-sap. I wanted it gone. Within one week, the surgery was performed and about a week after that the pathology came back (waiting was the worst). Turns out it was deeper than the original biopsy had shown and the margins were not clear. Perhaps post-pregnancy hormones had an effect, but whatever the reason, I scheduled a second––more invasive––excision right away. This time all the margins came back clear! Amen to that.

I was told once the wound healed I could have cortisone injections into the area in order to minimize the scar and plump up the dent in my leg from the excision. I didn’t want to mess with that; instead I proudly don my melanoma indentation (which has since minimized on its own over the years). I look to it as a daily reminder of how blessed I am. Since then I’ve had countless biopsies—several of which were precancerous—but thankfully… 10 years later, no reoccurrence of melanoma! God is good.

I look back and realize that entire experience was defining for me. From that moment on my life would never be the same. Instead of making a deal with the devil, I made a deal with my soul. I pinch myself every day as a reminder that there are no guarantees in life. Sorry to sound cliché, but every day is a gift, and I choose to live each day with gratitude.

A former colleague of mine used to sarcastically say to me “not everyone sees the world through the eyes of Cindy Brady.” My positive attitude apparently got on his nerves. But then again everything did ;). I’d rather be known for being pleasant than just the opposite. And pleasantness should never be mistaken for weakness. You can be successful without leaving a trail of casualties. The way we live our lives, conduct our businesses, treat our customers, clients, and colleagues is all part of the mosaic of our brand. It tells the story of who we are and what we represent. Proof is always in the pudding, not in pretending. Authenticity and experience matters more than ever.

Do I have bad days? Absolutely. Am I still tested by life’s challenges? Of course. We are all human. But I remember to smile, be humble, and try to keep things in perspective––this from a native New Yorker! We live in a digital world where so many of us are overworked and overwhelmed. Life is short and can be very fragile. In most cases you get what you give.

Try not to let small stuff or small people suck the spirit out of you. Breathe, love on your family, revel in friendships, smell the salt in the ocean, enjoy life’s ups (and downs!). And next time you are having a bad day… remember to carpe diem from this cancer-free friend!

Xo, Cindy

FYI: One American dies from melanoma every hour according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Survival rates can be as high as 97 percent when found early. Get an annual skin exam from your dermatologist to help spot skin cancer early :). 

Guns N’ Roses Groupie for a Night

By | All Posts | One Comment

When I was in my early twenties I had my 15-minutes of fame. I appeared in a Guns n’ Roses video. Growing up in NYC, I’ve never really been what I would consider “star struck”. I’ve been exposed to legendary rock stars at local restaurants (Billy Joel, but who’s name-dropping), A-list movie stars being filmed on street corners (Robert De Niro and Robin Williams in The Awakenings), and myriad of celebrities walking down city streets (David Letterman, Diana Ross, Drew Barrymore, Rob Lowe and Cameron Diaz for instance). I even played pool with actor Matt Dillon and his brother, but I digress. Appearing in a Gun n’ Roses video, was huge. Epic, in fact. Read More

Namaste’ing Next to Wayne Dyer

By | All Posts | One Comment

I’m a self-proclaimed yoga junkie. Yes, I’m addicted to Omming. Bikram. Ashtanga. Hatha. You name it, I love it. I started practicing yoga when I was a teenager in the ‘80s (a dead giveaway from this shiny leotard I’m sporting, circa Olivia Newton John’s “Let’s get Physical” era). Yeesh.

At 13, I also suffered from an aversion to smiling. It’s worth noting that I’ve gone 180 since my teen years. It sounds cliché, but smiling is infectious. When you are happy and energized, it sets the tone of your day and puts positivity in motion. Good things happen. People are attracted to enthusiasm.

Read More

Storytelling Trumps Selling

By | All Posts | No Comments

Transparency is the new black. I’ve always been what I would consider transparent. Admittedly at times it has been to my detriment. Like that time early in my career when I first launched my own PR firm and I candidly told a client (and a friend at the time) about my spouse’s forthcoming promotion and raise (cha-ching!). Unfortunately that translated into me no longer needing a raise. Ever. But that’s a story for another time ;). Fortunately, it was early in my career, I enjoyed the work, and it parlayed into other high profile clients who believed in just compensation. In the end it all works out! Read More

Thank you for being part of my life <3

By | Cindy Personal Note | 2 Comments

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to send a sincere thank you for being a valued part of my network.

It’s been an exciting year for me and I wanted to thank each of you for making 2015 my most successful year yet!

Without clients, colleagues, connections, and cheerleaders–like you–who put your trust in my talents, I would not have achieved this milestone, so thank you from the bottom of my heart! It’s because of your support that I give thanks today :).

In December I will be giving you my new book:

“10 Essential Tools & Tips to Generate Leads Today”

Screen Shot 2015-10-20 at 10.31.43 PM

The elves are still working on the finishing touches, but it’s another accomplishment I am excited to gift to you as a small token of my appreciation. After all, giving is the ultimate gift. Please reach out to tell me what you think and if there is anything I can do for you! I aways welcome feedback and opportunities for collaboration.

A heartfelt note of thanks to the below friends & clients in particular. I look forward to doing more exciting things together in 2016!

With gratitude in my heart, Happy Thanksgiving to you all and your families. XO

  • Air Systems
  • Art Smith Smart Bowl
  • Austen Enterprises
  • Bath Planet
  • Boca Raton Plastic Surgery Center
  • The Buyer Group
  • D-Air
  • Faceshirts
  • Florida Institute for Health Innovation
  • Dawn Gallagher
  • HVAC Business Solutions
  • Milton Solutions Corp.
  • Pretty Things & Co.
  • Roots Ethiopia
  • Topazery
  • Transdermal Solutions Corp.
  • Southwest Florida Rheem Team
  • Spanish Impact

 

 

ommmedia