This girl is beautiful AND a real inspiration

landusepbb · 11-14-2006, 05:56 PM

Miss Rodeo North Dakota ready for Las Vegas after beating cancer

Bismarck Tribune

By TONY SPILDEB

Out there past the prairie grass of southwestern North Dakota, the neon horizon looms.

Ashley Andrews doesn't have to squint to see it now.

In just 12 days, the cowgirl from Bowman will leave for Las Vegas. Soon, the cold, quiet nights on the Northern Plains will give way to the Circus Circus of the big city.

As the reigning Miss Rodeo North Dakota, Andrews will represent her state at the eight-day Miss Rodeo America pageant. It's a dream come true for a girl who grew up on a ranch and could ride a horse by age 2. A year ago, the Vegas pageant probably seemed like it would be the biggest competition of Andrews' life.

It's got to be a distant second now.

On Monday, Andrews had her first checkup since finishing chemotherapy this summer.

Her cancer is in remission.

A new perspective

A day after Tuesday's general election, Andrews was beaming.

She works in Bismarck as the financial manager for the state Democratic Party, which performed well nationally and also picked up some seats in the state Legislature.

But the political good fortune couldn't claim sole responsibility for putting the color back in Andrews' cheeks. Three months have passed since her chemo treatments ended, and Miss Rodeo can feel the bounce back in her step. Her blond hair is growing back, she's living on her own again and life is looking good.

"Ihave so much more energy - Ican make it through an entire day now without having to sit down or take a nap,"Andrews said. "There's so much going on, so I don't have time to think about it a lot. That's good."

She has come a long way since July. During the height of the rodeo season, Andrews was on the road constantly to make appearances, despite receiving poison through a port in her chest every other week to kill the cancer cells.

She was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin's disease in January, right after returning from the National Western Stock Show in Denver, her first major event as Miss Rodeo North Dakota. While in Denver, Andrews visited a children's hospital and had her photo taken with a little boy who was undergoing chemotherapy. She didn't know she had cancer in her lymph nodes. She didn't know she'd be next in the chemo chair.

After her diagnosis, Andrews moved in with her sister, Rhonda Breuer, and brother-in-law. She couldn't get better on her own, she said, and needed her family around.

"We'd never had anybody with cancer in the family," Andrews' father, Bowman rancher Bob Andrews, said. "It really makes you stop and think. It's really a low blow."

Breuer said her sister never complained about being sick, despite having many tough nights.

Andrews kept up her public appearances, kept that smile on her face. She saw people whisper as she walked away, and can understand why.

Andrews doesn't want to be known as The Queen Who Had Cancer, but won't shy away from talking about it. She wants to use her position in the public eye to educate people about the disease that affects so many but that most people don't like to discuss.

"It was the best when people would treat me like just me," Andrews said. "People are afraid to talk to you about it. But this is such an open thing for me. I'll talk to anyone about it; people are scared of cancer and don't even want to say the word, but at the same time they want to know more about it."

Andrews has been a spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Bismarck and Dickinson, and been involved with the North Dakota Cancer Coalition's state plan to reduce occurrences of the disease.

"My perspective on life has changed a lot," Andrews said. "I've realized that no matter who you are, you are going to face setbacks in life. Getting through this has taught me that you can overcome obstacles that get in your way."

Andrews has adopted a three-pronged outlook on life: Everything happens for a reason; God only gives you as much as you can handle; and something good comes out of every situation.

"It was a bad thing to go through," Andrews said. "But when you realize how many people care for you and how many people you can help, that's a blessing."

The pageant

Andrews grew up on her family's ranch near Bowman, the youngest of Bob and Rita Andrews' six children.

She was the last of the kids to live at home and developed a very close relationship to her parents. They will accompany her to Las Vegas for the pageant, which makes Andrews especially happy. She'd always wanted to take her dad to a major rodeo but missed the Calgary Stampede this year because she was too sick to travel. When Frontier Days rolled around in Cheyenne, Wyo., he was stuck harvesting winter wheat.

The Miss Rodeo America pageant immediately precedes the National Finals Rodeo.

Ashley Andrews' four sisters also are going to make the trip.

"I'm almost more excited for my family to go down there than for me," she said. "Especially my dad. He's going to love it."

Bob Andrews said his youngest daughter's illness didn't slow her down much.

"She really hasn't changed, because Ashley's Ashley," Bob Andrews said. "She was worried when she had cancer, but that's natural. She's back to her normal self now."

She's back to normal, but is maybe more playful than she used to be. In addition to her family, Andrews also will be accompanied on her trip by three unique personalities: Brittani, Brandy and Bridget.

They're her wigs.

"The one Iwear to work and around, the one for 'Normal Ashley,' is Brittani,"Andrews said. "Brandy is for 'Queen Ashley.' And I'm getting a new one before the trip. Her name is going to be Bridget."

When Andrews felt particularly down during her chemo treatments, she always found something lighthearted to pick up her spirits. Naming her wigs was one. Watching her tough rancher father try them on was another.

"When times got tough, Ihad comic relief," she said. "That was another way we got through it."

Andrews has her light moments - but the Miss Rodeo America pageant won't be one of them. She plans to have a good time but takes the competition seriously.

The 28 state titleholders will compete over eight days in personality, appearance and horsemanship categories. Andrews said the focus should be on horsemanship, which is what really sets rodeo queens apart from contestants in other pageants.

"Miss Rodeo America should be able to handle herself very well (on horseback),"Andrews said.

She said working with animals and the bonding with other contestants are what make rodeo great.

"This is not only a sport to us, it's a way of life," she said. "It's the rodeo family: We were brought up with the same values."

Throughout the competition, finalists are quizzed on critical issues facing the country and the professional rodeo industry. They'll have long days, often starting at 7 a.m. and finishing at 11 p.m.

North Dakota has had only one Miss Rodeo America - Carson's Brenda Lee Bonogofsky, in 1983 - and that was before Andrews was born. As if the long days and lack of local winners weren't enough pressure, Andrews has to deal with being labeled as the one who had cancer.

"Even the most healthy person, this is going to be hard on,"Andrews said. "I know it will be hard on me. People are going to look for me to be weak - but I'll tell you right now I won't be the weak one. I'll be the toughest one there."

Sometimes obstacles in life get in the way or knock you down.

But if anyone knows about getting back on the horse, it's Ashley Andrews.

(Reach reporter Tony Spilde at 250-8260 or tony.spilde@;bismarcktribune.com.)

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/artic...ews/123786.txt

doomdogg666 · 11-14-2006, 06:11 PM

i'm inspired, lets see her milk bubbles.............

landusepbb · 11-14-2006, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doomdogg666

i'm inspired, lets see her milk bubbles.............

Did you even bother to read the story?

spencurai · 11-14-2006, 06:36 PM

I know I didn't.

muddinmike · 11-14-2006, 06:38 PM

I read up till they said democrat. lets see some bewbers

OlBlueCJ7 · 11-14-2006, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddinmike

I read up till they said democrat. lets see some bewbers

That's exactly where I stopped too.

Fawking democrats. Not that I can vote..

doomdogg666 · 11-14-2006, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landuseorc

Did you even bother to read the story?

what, she's a man? if no, then lets see some stuffed milk bubbles!!!!

i don't even care is she leaves her wig off,, at least we won't see any fuzzy nipples!!!!

trampas · 11-14-2006, 08:28 PM

milk bubbles

TatorZuk · 11-14-2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OlBlueCJ7

That's exactly where I stopped too.

Fawking democrats. Not that I can vote..

She's sick you fucktard...

She lives up the road from me.

How come all you gays and fags side with the GOP the way they treat you???

Not that you can vote...

BryanS · 11-14-2006, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TatorZuk

Not that you can vote...

Are you referring to age or felony conviction?

bad80cj-7 · 11-14-2006, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doomdogg666

at least we won't see any fuzzy nipples!!!!

He said "fuzzy nipples!"

Thats shit's funnahh!

SonoraBob · 11-14-2006, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OlBlueCJ7

That's exactly where I stopped too.

Fawking democrats. Not that I can vote..

Me too. What can I say.

11-14-2006, 05:56 PM	#1
landusepbb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9328 Location: At the Mountains of Madness Posts: 2,684	This girl is beautiful AND a real inspiration Miss Rodeo North Dakota ready for Las Vegas after beating cancer Bismarck Tribune By TONY SPILDEB Out there past the prairie grass of southwestern North Dakota, the neon horizon looms. Ashley Andrews doesn't have to squint to see it now. In just 12 days, the cowgirl from Bowman will leave for Las Vegas. Soon, the cold, quiet nights on the Northern Plains will give way to the Circus Circus of the big city. As the reigning Miss Rodeo North Dakota, Andrews will represent her state at the eight-day Miss Rodeo America pageant. It's a dream come true for a girl who grew up on a ranch and could ride a horse by age 2. A year ago, the Vegas pageant probably seemed like it would be the biggest competition of Andrews' life. It's got to be a distant second now. On Monday, Andrews had her first checkup since finishing chemotherapy this summer. Her cancer is in remission. A new perspective A day after Tuesday's general election, Andrews was beaming. She works in Bismarck as the financial manager for the state Democratic Party, which performed well nationally and also picked up some seats in the state Legislature. But the political good fortune couldn't claim sole responsibility for putting the color back in Andrews' cheeks. Three months have passed since her chemo treatments ended, and Miss Rodeo can feel the bounce back in her step. Her blond hair is growing back, she's living on her own again and life is looking good. "Ihave so much more energy - Ican make it through an entire day now without having to sit down or take a nap,"Andrews said. "There's so much going on, so I don't have time to think about it a lot. That's good." She has come a long way since July. During the height of the rodeo season, Andrews was on the road constantly to make appearances, despite receiving poison through a port in her chest every other week to kill the cancer cells. She was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin's disease in January, right after returning from the National Western Stock Show in Denver, her first major event as Miss Rodeo North Dakota. While in Denver, Andrews visited a children's hospital and had her photo taken with a little boy who was undergoing chemotherapy. She didn't know she had cancer in her lymph nodes. She didn't know she'd be next in the chemo chair. After her diagnosis, Andrews moved in with her sister, Rhonda Breuer, and brother-in-law. She couldn't get better on her own, she said, and needed her family around. "We'd never had anybody with cancer in the family," Andrews' father, Bowman rancher Bob Andrews, said. "It really makes you stop and think. It's really a low blow." Breuer said her sister never complained about being sick, despite having many tough nights. Andrews kept up her public appearances, kept that smile on her face. She saw people whisper as she walked away, and can understand why. Andrews doesn't want to be known as The Queen Who Had Cancer, but won't shy away from talking about it. She wants to use her position in the public eye to educate people about the disease that affects so many but that most people don't like to discuss. "It was the best when people would treat me like just me," Andrews said. "People are afraid to talk to you about it. But this is such an open thing for me. I'll talk to anyone about it; people are scared of cancer and don't even want to say the word, but at the same time they want to know more about it." Andrews has been a spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Bismarck and Dickinson, and been involved with the North Dakota Cancer Coalition's state plan to reduce occurrences of the disease. "My perspective on life has changed a lot," Andrews said. "I've realized that no matter who you are, you are going to face setbacks in life. Getting through this has taught me that you can overcome obstacles that get in your way." Andrews has adopted a three-pronged outlook on life: Everything happens for a reason; God only gives you as much as you can handle; and something good comes out of every situation. "It was a bad thing to go through," Andrews said. "But when you realize how many people care for you and how many people you can help, that's a blessing." The pageant Andrews grew up on her family's ranch near Bowman, the youngest of Bob and Rita Andrews' six children. She was the last of the kids to live at home and developed a very close relationship to her parents. They will accompany her to Las Vegas for the pageant, which makes Andrews especially happy. She'd always wanted to take her dad to a major rodeo but missed the Calgary Stampede this year because she was too sick to travel. When Frontier Days rolled around in Cheyenne, Wyo., he was stuck harvesting winter wheat. The Miss Rodeo America pageant immediately precedes the National Finals Rodeo. Ashley Andrews' four sisters also are going to make the trip. "I'm almost more excited for my family to go down there than for me," she said. "Especially my dad. He's going to love it." Bob Andrews said his youngest daughter's illness didn't slow her down much. "She really hasn't changed, because Ashley's Ashley," Bob Andrews said. "She was worried when she had cancer, but that's natural. She's back to her normal self now." She's back to normal, but is maybe more playful than she used to be. In addition to her family, Andrews also will be accompanied on her trip by three unique personalities: Brittani, Brandy and Bridget. They're her wigs. "The one Iwear to work and around, the one for 'Normal Ashley,' is Brittani,"Andrews said. "Brandy is for 'Queen Ashley.' And I'm getting a new one before the trip. Her name is going to be Bridget." When Andrews felt particularly down during her chemo treatments, she always found something lighthearted to pick up her spirits. Naming her wigs was one. Watching her tough rancher father try them on was another. "When times got tough, Ihad comic relief," she said. "That was another way we got through it." Andrews has her light moments - but the Miss Rodeo America pageant won't be one of them. She plans to have a good time but takes the competition seriously. The 28 state titleholders will compete over eight days in personality, appearance and horsemanship categories. Andrews said the focus should be on horsemanship, which is what really sets rodeo queens apart from contestants in other pageants. "Miss Rodeo America should be able to handle herself very well (on horseback),"Andrews said. She said working with animals and the bonding with other contestants are what make rodeo great. "This is not only a sport to us, it's a way of life," she said. "It's the rodeo family: We were brought up with the same values." Throughout the competition, finalists are quizzed on critical issues facing the country and the professional rodeo industry. They'll have long days, often starting at 7 a.m. and finishing at 11 p.m. North Dakota has had only one Miss Rodeo America - Carson's Brenda Lee Bonogofsky, in 1983 - and that was before Andrews was born. As if the long days and lack of local winners weren't enough pressure, Andrews has to deal with being labeled as the one who had cancer. "Even the most healthy person, this is going to be hard on,"Andrews said. "I know it will be hard on me. People are going to look for me to be weak - but I'll tell you right now I won't be the weak one. I'll be the toughest one there." Sometimes obstacles in life get in the way or knock you down. But if anyone knows about getting back on the horse, it's Ashley Andrews. (Reach reporter Tony Spilde at 250-8260 or tony.spilde@;bismarcktribune.com.) http://www.bismarcktribune.com/artic...ews/123786.txt

11-14-2006, 06:11 PM	#2
doomdogg666 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Member # 72736 Posts: 39	i'm inspired, lets see her milk bubbles............. __________________ devil made me do it.

11-14-2006, 08:28 PM	#8
trampas i think not Join Date: Jun 2001 Member # 5433 Location: San Mexico, Ca. Posts: 6,814	milk bubbles __________________ What are we supposed to do with nature... just look at it?

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11-14-2006, 06:36 PM	#4
spencurai Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7882 Location: we am spase peepole Posts: 1,556	I know I didn't.

11-14-2006, 06:38 PM	#5
muddinmike Granite Guru Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 19049 Location: Idaho, the new california Posts: 856	I read up till they said democrat. lets see some bewbers