Isn't It Shocking?

A friend emailed me a nice little connection yesterday afternoon, so rather than email her back, I decided to give her a call. During the course of the conversation, she said, "isn't it shocking about Ellen?" I had no idea what she was talking about. The Ellen that she referred to is Ellen March, the editor of Sew News Magazine. Somehow, I had missed the news that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. 
I was out in Denver at the Sew News studios a little over a year and a half ago. While we were filming the sew along videos, I noticed that Ellen had gained a little weight, thought nothing of it. Later in the day, she shared that she was pregnant and had just found out that she was carrying twins. How exciting! The girls were born a year ago, It has been a huge challenge as I'm sure that all of you who are mother's know, whether it's twins or not, more children equals more of everything! Her mother has been a huge help, basically taking over the babysitting duties so that Ellen and her husband could continue to work. Remember, she's the editor of Sew News, not The New York Times Magazine, so a huge difference in pay.
As it turns out, her girls were the first to alert her that something was wrong when they began to refuse one of her breasts while breast feeding. A mammogram showed that there was a tumor in her breast and that it was cancer. 
She has begun her chemotherapy treatment. A bit of a rocky start, but she is on her way.

You may read her story HERE.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up. Being able to help someone with the cost burden of all of this is wonderful, but I think that Ellen also needs our thoughts and prayers, a card, thoughts of encouragement. Maybe you sharing your story and how you were able to get through and come out victorious on the other side. There is incredible power in our thoughts. So yes, while the money is a wonderful gesture, what she needs most now is healing and I believe that thoughts and prayers can heal. 
Ellen has posted her home address on her page, so you may send your thoughts to her directly.
My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in the early 1940's, a time when a diagnosis of breast cancer was a death sentence. Not only did she not die, she lived to be 88 years old and did not die from cancer. Her doctor did a radical mastectomy and at the same time did a full hysterectomy. Radical yes, but they knew so little then. I am so very grateful for that doctor, as he saved my grandmother's life and in turn saved our family. Had she not been there, well, let's just say that my life would look radically different today. 
We live our lives as though tomorrow will always come and we are shocked when we are forced to face the fact that there is no promise of tomorrow. If this note today does nothing more than prompt you to get the mammogram that you have been putting off, then this message will not have been in vain. You are important, your life is important. You could be the person that helps to change the path of your family for generations to come.  
On behalf of Ellen, I thank you for the support that I know you will send her way.
Thank you.
Rhonda