Ellyn Davidson’s Weblog

Last night, I was lying in bed with my 7 year old and remembering a very similar night almost 2 years ago—the night I was diagnosed.  It prompted a discussion about my experience.  I’ve wanted to talk to him for awhile to make sure he is not afraid—I’ve had little indications that he still thinks a lot about my experience.   It’s not entirely surprising since we certainly didn’t sweep my experience under the rug.  It’s become a big part of who I am and the activities we do as a family—fundraisers, walks, cheering at the 3-Day.  Right now he is making an art book to sell to raise money for cancer. 

The conversation was so interesting and his questions were so insightful.  I almost forgot I was talking to a 7 year old.  And I was reminded that he doesn’t forget anything.  He wanted to know why there was one survivor at the 3-Day in a wheelchair and what happened to her.  I explained that they didn’t find her cancer early enough and it had spread to other parts of her body.  I also talked about how important it is to find new and better medicines to treat cancer when it’s spread.  I told him that’s a big reason why we work to raise money.  From there, he wanted to know how you find cancer.  Can they see it in your pee he asked? So I talked a bit about my lump and how I initially felt the lump.  He also asked how they knew it was cancer and I was able to tell him how they looked at the cells very carefully.  I was amazed at his comprehension and interest in the little details.  I know he loves science and he seemed fascinated by everything.  I even explained why I went to Dallas last week and learned how to look at proposals for research.  He said, “You mean the research that doctors and scientists do?” He totally gets it, and he didn’t seem afraid. 

I’m more confident that he talks about cancer because he is interested and not because he is scared.  I hope he sees cancer the way I do as something we need to conquer and not something we need to fear.  I’ve learned that fear is not helpful but action is, and I hope in little ways this cancer experience has taught my children the same lesson.

I’ve posted before about the importance of the EARLY Act.  FORCE is submitting a wonderful letter showing their support and I urge you to add your name to the letter.  Feel free to read the full letter or some of my other breast cancer posts on this topic to understand the importance of the EARLY Act.   If you would like your name added to the letter, just email info@facingourrisk.org and type EARLY in the subject line. 

Thank you again for all your support!

I’ve been so busy in Dallas, I neglected to post a blog about our fundraiser Saturday Night.  Huge success—lots of people, lots of fun and great weather.  And we raised almost $3,000.  Not too much else to say except enjoy the pictures and thank you everyone for your support!  Now on to the walk which by the way starts one month from today (actually yesterday by the time I get this blog posted).

I just wrapped up an intense day of training with Susan G. Komen as an Advocate in Science.  I have pages and pages of PowerPoint presentations with notes scribbled all over the pages.  For most of the 10 hour day, my eyes were glued to the podium and the PowerPoint showing me what’s happening in breast cancer research.   I sat with 50 other people and had the absolute pleasure of listening to leading researchers who are making a difference in this disease.   I’m certain many people are wondering what it means to be an Advocate in Science (I wondered that too yesterday).

By presentation #2, I had my answer.  Komen’s strategic focus is to reduce incidence and mortality of breast cancer within the decade.  And all research grant requests will have to line up with this strategic focus.  As Advocates in Science, we have the unique opportunity to help review them—not as scientists, medical professionals or researchers, but as breast cancer advocates and survivors.  Pretty darn cool.  I will share a couple nuggets of information that may help clarify my passion for raising money.

• The first researcher talked about her discovery of Molecular Breast Imaging. Susan G. Komen took a chance on her and gave her funding to move this forward.  Seems that MBI is a very useful tool in detecting breast cancer–far better than Mammograms which BTW completely missed my breast cancer and far less expensive than MRIs.  Not to mention, while the MBI looks similar to a Mammogram machine, there is no need to press your breast into a complete pancake to get the image.
• This evenings presenter has a Promise Grant—a multi-year, multi-disciplinary grant to the tune of 7.5 million dollars to study the deadliest form of breast cancer—Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). This is huge and much needed research.  Many IBCs go misdiagnosed before it’s too late.  They present themselves in so many ways and look much like a breast infection.  Once discovered, they are difficult to treat often because they have metastasized.

These are just two of so many ways Susan G. Komen is impacting research.  So if there is any doubt in your mind where your donation goes, trust me when I say it’s making a difference.   Last year Susan G. Komen spent $100 million dollars on research. That’s a lot of money focused on saving lives.

I’m coming up on a big huge breast cancer weekend starting bright and early Saturday morning with a team training walk.  We’ve been at it for several weekends meeting at various locations and logging anywhere from 10-15 miles.  It’s been great getting to know our team members.  We’re so busy talking, the miles fly by and the time goes so quickly.

Saturday night is our big huge summer bash to benefit breast cancer.  Team member Leslie Hawring is working so hard to create a fantastic party with great food and great auction items.   Where else can you spend $20 on a Saturday Night for wine, beer and tons of food?  On top of that, we’ll have great auction items including teeth bleaching valued at $500 courtesy of Dr. Paul Darmon and a gym membership from Snap Fitness in Ferndale.  There are lots more just take a look at our totally cool banner for all of our donors.  And all the money is going to fight breast cancer–funding life-saving research.  Now we have to pray for great weather!

And on Sunday, I’m off to Dallas for my two day Advocate in Science Training for Susan G. Komen.  It starts bright and early Monday morning and I’ll be heading back late Tuesday Night.  I’ll have lots to share when I return next week.