Judy Newdom- Pink Angels Feature

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Her Cancer, Her Story

WQ mag begins our Pink Angels program with one remarkable woman’s story. Judy Newdom is many things in life: mother of a 37 year old son, devoted partner of 33 years, lover of cruises, teacher of black jack, event planner, and retiree from the corporate world with roles which included being a consultant, keynote speaker, and Chief Information Officer of a 2 billion dollar retailer. Judy is also an artist whose talents include stained glass, ceramics and oil painting. She now makes a career of art as a permanent make-up artist. And suddenly in the midst of suffering the horrific effects of bowel obstruction, Judy became a woman with breast cancer.
Judy was all too familiar with breast cancer; it took her mother’s life in 2002. Her mother’s cancer was the impetus to help other breast cancer survivors by using her artistry skills to recreate their areolas with tattoo at no charge. In spite of seemingly endless medical appointments, Judy continues her work as a permanent makeup artist at Neoderm and Lakewood Ranch Plastic Surgery, where she believes she is the only practitioner in the area to perform scar camouflage.

Judy was nominated for the Pink Angels by Sondra Conk who describes Judy “as one of the bravest woman I have ever known.” Talking with Judy, her courage is plain to see. In fact, cancer has made her less fearful in life. So much so that she’s considering bungee jumping, stating “it doesn’t scare me anymore; it’s the idea of something I can do.”

Indeed, Judy is full of surprises. When doctors uncovered her in the operating room to perform a double mastectomy, they found two doll’s eyes staring at them instead of nipples. On a traumatic day in her life, Judy was thinking of how to make the surgeons laugh. It’s the same comedic nature that resulted in her naming an 8 pound benign stomach tumor “Baby Huey,” making a scale model of it, and proudly displaying it on her counter. You gotta laugh.

Judy is clearly a woman who loves life and perseveres through life’s struggles. You get the feeling she could make lemonade with only a sour lemon. After multiple surgeries for various health issues over the past few years and 5 months of chemotherapy, she is facing 28 radiations treatments and breast reconstruction that will take almost 2 years to complete. Still, she’s not complaining; she’s thinking of bungee jumping! Keep this amazing woman in your prayers.

***If you know of someone that is battling cancer, let us know simply by submitting her name in the “reply to this” comment box. Every woman has a personal story to tell about her life and her cancer and we at WQ Mag want her voice to be heard. Judy also is receiving a prize package to be pampered by local women and men business professionals that want to make what she is going through a little easier.

***If you would like to donate services or products to the Pink Angel program to help bring a little sunshine to these courageous women then submit your name and business to the “reply to this” comment box as well. We have already had many generous businesses donate to this worthy program. All who donate to the Pink Angels program will be recognized as a Pink Angel Pamper Partner in our promotional ads and recognition forums. We realize that is not why you would donate, but it is our way of thanking you for caring about those who are going through this horrible disease.

[June McEldowney]

Wes. . we chatted briefly last Wednesday in regards to the complimentary services Mary Kay can provide for the Pink Angels Program ~ MK offers skin care treatments & color consultations ~ in addition we have added spa facial treatments with microdermabrasion & lavender . . that are really a relaxing, comforting treatment!! Just let me know how we can help as our company is a true advocate for enriching other women's lives!!

My contact information is June McEldowney @ 755-1099 or 685-0180 (Mobile#). . look forward to working with you!!