anecdotes and studies

an anecdote, which comes to me while i am wiping down the breakfast table with windex this morning (and wondering if i'm poisoning my family with carcinogens concurrent to my cleaning).

jane and i go out for dinner, many years ago - sushi actually, with a very nice couple in great neck. we don't know them all that well, but they are very nice and their son is friends with jared.  we talk about all manner of things, very first date like actually.  when the subject turns to business, the husband tells us how he came to america as a teenager, and studied in school, and used his training to start up a business.  we go on and on, and it is clear that they are not only personally successful - a lovely family, etc. - but also professionally accomplished.  finally, jane (who is skeptical about how anyone actually makes money) blurts out: "it's amazing that there are so many people around the world interested in buying CAMEL COATS".  we all just stare at her blankly.  i snicker, used to these foibles.  "well, actually", the husband refutes, "i am in CHEMICALS, and my work is with dow, dupont, and the like!".  'nough said.

yesterday, we are invited to a delightful luncheon at the plaza hotel, courtesy of rochelle and jeff (thank you again!).  it is part of their work with ICRF (israel cancer research foundation) that brings us to the grand ballroom of this venerable hotel.  the room is lovely, filled with eager and participatory women (primarily, as it is a 'women of action' event); the food, tasty; the company, divine; the cause, extremely worthy.  however, beyond all of this, four women are being recognized for their courage and determination in fighting cancer, and for the assistance they provide to the community by sharing their stories, or using their circumstances to inform others.

the first recipient is the one i'd like to talk about. hoda kotb is her name, and she is a co-host of the fourth hour of the today show.  she shares her own personal story - a breast cancer diagnosis, the ensuing emotional rollercoaster, sharing her own 'private' story with others, and using it as a professional catalyst.  she specifically uses the phrase 'you can't scare me' as a mantra to find courage to do things that she may not otherwise have the energy or gumption to do.  very inspiring and engaging, this lovely and smart lady.

i am so happy that jane is with me to hear this; i think in a certain way that this is exactly what she needs to listen to.  she is at that point - not quite sure if she should retreat or charge, and i push her towards the latter direction, even when she resists or is unwilling.  i need her, for herself, to forge ahead and create a new course from this event.  this will ultimately empower her ... share her story, get involved with programs at susan g. komen for the cure, do the september race with a team of friends ... 

on another front, the drug that we see a story on recently, zometa, is the subject of a european study.  jane's oncologist has just been to vienna and knows the product well, and does, in fact, recommend that she starts this medicine.  it seems very promising, and all indicators suggest that there is nothing to loose, and potentially much to gain.  so we hope for the benefits when she begins this course in july ... good news, cancer research marches onward, upward.