Eff Cancer.

marleylikeair

So, I just found out this week that an old co-worker of mine from NYC is in a pretty bad spot. Her husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer, and about a week later, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. They have an 18-month-old daughter to care for.

The good news is that their friends and family are rallying around them. They made a website to help. The NY Daily News has picked up the story:

http://tinyurl.com/6adpxt9

The site, which includes a really sweet video of them (warning: you will cry) is here:

http://www.friendsofnathanandelisa.blogspot.com/

I just can't believe it. Elisa is such a good person. Just makes me shake my head in disbelief. So, I'm invoking Knottie vibes again. Please send them toward Brooklyn if you've got 'em, ladies. Thanks.

calindi

Geez, that really sucks, Marley!  I'm so sorry to hear that!  I'll certainly think good thoughts for them and hope to hear good news!  The treatment for cancer becomes more successful and less painful every year, so here's hoping that they are on the other side of this soon with a happy and long life.

I fear that we'll see a lot more of this coming from Japan in 15-20 years from the children who are now drinking water contaminated with radiation.  It's a scary, scary thing!

marleylikeair

Thanks, Cate! I hope so, too. Her prognosis looks pretty grim, but with all the help, love, support, and donations, anything is possible. The human spirit is a remarkable thing.

Side note: I've never quite been able to figure out how to post links without posting a huge, long line of text. I go to the link button and try to set it up, but I always end up with the long version. Can anybody help?

MissOwl

so sorry to hear it girl.

LizzyTish88

Marley I'm sorry to hear this. Cancer is such a tough thing. I actually just signed up this morning to do the local Relay for Life. I would love to have a bag dedicated to these people. They will also have my T&P's.

As for the link, highlight a work or phrase and then hit the link button. Paste in the link and it will go to that word or phrase.

marleylikeair

Thanks, you guys. Cde, that's what I did! It still doesn't work.

ETA: Okay, I just make a tinyurl instead. At least that'll keep the text lines readable.

peekaboo2011

Marley, I'm so sorry.  That's awful.  I'll be sending lots of vibes their way.

I'm also going to share this story.  My girl scout leader from SC started a foundation for Breast Cancer a few years ago.  Kim's a great woman, and I know she would want to help in any way that she can.  And, I was going to skip Relay this year, but I'll be walking now.

marleylikeair

Thanks, peekaboo! That's awesome.

Cde, sorry I missed the part of your post where you talked about having a bag dedicated to them; what does that mean, exactly? I've never done Relay for Life. But now that you and Peek have mentioned it, maybe I should look into it!

LizzyTish88

When you do Relay, you can pay for a bag that is white. On the bag you write the name/names of the people who you are walking for. They put candles in the bags and line them up around the field where you walk. The candles stay lit the entire time.

peekaboo2011

Marley, YGPM

Beads921

This is so sad My strongest vibes are headed their way (and yours as well, Marley).

marleylikeair

Thanks, beads!

Peekaboo, YGPM back.

cu97tiger

Marley, what a sad story. I emailed them through their website. 

I have to say, my first thought after drying my eyes was that I need to give myself breast exams more often. I do it sporadically, maybe twice a year plus my annual OBGYN visit, but that isn't enough. Elisa and I are the same age, so this scares the crap out of me.

Elle1036

marleylikeair

Tiger, definitely! Feel those boobies once a month!

And heck, get a mammogram. I was floored when I found out they changed the recommendation of the age to start mammograms from 40 to 50, and from yearly to every other year. I know at least two women who would not be alive now if a routine mammogram hadn't caught cancer early on, and they were both in their 40s. Obviously, even 40 isn't early enough!

cu97tiger

Yeah, I'm seriously considering getting a mammogram. I'm *only* 35, but if insurance will pay for it, why not?

marleylikeair

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_eff-cancer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:34ffb416-66ba-4b58-a9ea-40f1c3e02dc9Post:16cbe96a-9143-4777-94e9-c32651d57602">Re: Eff Cancer.</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah, I'm seriously considering getting a mammogram. I'm *only* 35, but if insurance will pay for it, why not?
Posted by cu97tiger[/QUOTE]

Exactly. Do it. If nothing else, you'll have peace of mind and a clean exam to compare future ones to.

alanna91

Ugh.
I'm so hopeful for them, and I don't even know them.
They have a new daughter, I really feel like that's going to give them so much more to fight for- eachother, their daughter, and themselves.
I tried to make a Paypal donation, but none of the buttons are working...?
I'm sending over some vibes!

marleylikeair

Alanna, thanks!

The donation links are working for me. Maybe it was a momentary glitch or would work with a different computer/browser? Hmm.

peekaboo2011

Marley, YGPM back too.

GreenPepperBurger

Holy crap. I'm so sorry for them and will definitely keep them in my prayers. Us Brooklynites got to stick together!

marleylikeair

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_eff-cancer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:34ffb416-66ba-4b58-a9ea-40f1c3e02dc9Post:dfdf5b6c-9280-4184-9a9a-6765b6f91b18">Re: Eff Cancer.</a>:
[QUOTE]Holy crap. I'm so sorry for them and will definitely keep them in my prayers. Us Brooklynites got to stick together!
Posted by GreenPepperBurger[/QUOTE]

Word. Thanks, lady!

jemmini6

I can't do the links right now because I'm at work, but holy moly is that awful.  Definitely sending T&P their way.

It's things like this that make me wish there was more we could do to cure cancer patients.  I'm a registered bone marrow donor, but unfortunately that doesn't help with all kinds of cancer.  The best thing to do for now is to advocate for early detection and keep funding cancer research.  Hopefully this couple will be able to benefit from some of the medical advances we have made!

sparkles88

That's so sad

I'll be sending good thoughts their way. It's insane to think she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer so shortly after the initial finding of a lump.

mellimel19

Oh Marley, what a truly heartbreaking story. You're right, that video WILL make you cry... I will certainly keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

As a side note, I live in the same neighborhood as this couple, and have forwarded the link to several friends, many of whom also live in Bay Ridge and I'm sure would like to show some support for a neighbor.

Wrkn925

That's so sad. :-(

My Uncle that died earlier this month died of cancer.

Really, eff cancer. 

I hope everything works out for them. 

PaigeMcC

Oh Marley, I'm so sorry.  What an awful situation.  But they are so lucky to have such amazing friends and family.

My thoughts are with them.

marleylikeair

Thanks, you guys! Wrkn, I'm so sorry about your uncle.

calindi

Cancer sucks.  A lot.  Like A LOT a lot.  I f-ing hate cancer.

Gotta say, running that half marathon made me feel like I took a big upper cut at cancer's nose.  It might not have stopped it, but I like to think it made cancer bleed a little bit.  Hopefully with a bunch more jabs and right hooks, we can knock this sucker out!!!!

I wanna go Jenelle on cancer (Teen Mom reference - LINK)

marleylikeair

Yeah, Cate! That rocks. It's great that you did the half marathon. I hope we do someday stamp out stupid cancer.

ravenray

Somehow I failed to post on this before.  I am so sorry Marley.  It makes me so sad to see families being torn apart by cancer. I hate it.  And what I hate most is I am sure in 10 years or so they will find a cure, just like influenza and scarlet fever.  It makes me so sad that people have to die.