Kayellen M.

“Finding out I have metastatic breast cancer that has spread to my bones and liver was probably the hardest thing I have ever had to hear. I was scared, sad, mad, did I say scared – I was petrified.   I feel very lucky to have Dana Farber taking care of me. Their doctors and nurses and all the research they do and cutting-edge technology they utilize, makes me feel so taken care of. They are just on top of all of it and doing everything they can to make me feel better.   I also belong to a group called Survivors by the Sea. A group of women primarily with breast cancer, that help and support you in so many ways. We help answer questions any woman has from everyone’s experience. It’s very real. We do dinners, and fundraisers and give back to the community. Mostly though, we are able to get together, and the conversation does not have to be all about cancer.   Then there is my family, oh my family and my friends, I knew they were great but there just aren’t the words to describe how they have rallied around me and for me. They would do ANYTHING for me, and they have. I never worry about having someone to go to appts with me or help me when I can’t do something on my own, or to make me laugh or pick me up when I get down.    And then one night, when I was in the hospital, the midnight shift nurse came to tell me her story of breast cancer and how the Ellie fund helped her. Although it sounded great, I wasn’t going to call. I didn’t know if it was for me. I didn’t understand what they could do for me…but she said “just call” so after waiting a few weeks I called. Now I have realized this is the most unique group that has come into my life since my diagnosis.   This isn’t the group that is going to do research and it’s not the group that is going to meet for potluck suppers and sit around and knit xmas presents with you, it’s not your family that will take you to appts or hold your hair when you are getting sick.   This group just wants to put a smile on my face. It’s like they just want to give you a gift to help make your day better, less stressful, and help you think (which doesn’t happen all that often) wow something really great happened to me because of this diagnosis. “Let us buy you some groceries, how about we fill up your car with gas, let us get that house cleaned so you don’t have to this month”.    They have done all of that for me, and then on a cold rainy Monday morning my doorbell rang. I opened to find a dozen pink roses for me with a note – “just because” – I smiled so hard I cried. I think that is when I finally got it – they just want to make me feel good during the absolute worst time of my life.    Every decision, every plan I make seems to revolve around stage 4 breast cancer, The Ellie Fund has figured out a way to be part of it just to make me smile, to make me feel good, for no other reason than “just because”.   I will be forever grateful for them for their wonderful staff and for my amazing liaison Cheryl Whetstone –  even though I have never actually met her in person – every time I talk with her I feel like I am talking to a friend I have known my whole life, and yes she puts a huge smile on my face.   Keep up the incredible work Ellie Fund – I for one, know she would be so proud.”