Finding out my mom has cancer was a tough pill for me to swallow. She is so vivacious and full of life it was hard for me to wrap my head around. She is the busiest retired person I know. She volunteers at various organizations, plays pickleball, does workout classes, is in five book clubs (yes you read that correctly, FIVE). She is also very active in the Cape Cod theater community and attends, directs, and acts in shows whenever she can. This whole thing has opened my eyes to the fact that when it come to this horrible disease, no one is off limits.

A few months ago she had a surgery and the doctors were hopeful that it would take care of those evil cancerous cells in her body. Sadly, it didn't get the job done so now my mama is in the process of having for radiation five days a week for five weeks. Sayonara, Summer! Of course, things could always be worse. We are grateful that she has been cared for by the most wonderful medical staff and the fact that she hasn't needed chemo is also blessing.

If you've ever met my mom you know she is a total fashionista. She can put together an outfit like nobody's business and accessorize it to a T. So it's no surprise that the nurses she has been seeing five days a week have been very complimentary of her outfits. Well, now Mama Lew has a standard to uphold. If the nurses are looking forward to what she will wear then she mustn't disappoint them!  Each night she methodically picks out an adorable radiation outfit. NO RERUNS!

Getting radiation 5 days a week for 5 weeks is a poop sandwich no matter which way you slice it but I admire her ability to find the fun in any situation. I like to think I inherited some of that optimism. I thought I’d share with you some of Mama Lew’s radiation looks. It made me smile and I hope it does the same for you:

Ruthe Lew
Ruthe Lew
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Ruthe Lew
Ruthe Lew
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Ruthe Lew
Ruthe Lew
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Ruthe Lew
Ruthe Lew
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I love you, Mama! May you always treat life like your very own fashion show. 💜

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KEEP READING: Here are the most popular baby names in every state

Using March 2019 data from the Social Security Administration, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular names in each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., according to their 2018 SSA rankings. The top five boy names and top five girl names are listed for each state, as well as the number of babies born in 2018 with that name. Historically common names like Michael only made the top five in three states, while the less common name Harper ranks in the top five for 22 states.

Curious what names are trending in your home state? Keep reading to see if your name made the top five -- or to find inspiration for naming your baby.

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