DETROIT – “How are you?” is such a simple question, but for someone fighting cancer, there are no simple answers.
So when I saw Elissa Robinson over Zoom this week, I asked, “How are you doing today?” For cancer fighters, where you are, now, in the present, is how to keep perspective.
Elissa was diagnosed with colon cancer three years ago, in her late 30s.
Chances are you’ve read Elissa’s work on Freep.com, and I introduced you to her last year on Local 4 as she shared her story. She’s married to her wonderful husband Russell and has a daughter, 10-year-old Harper.
Chances are you’ve seen her on social media, too. Her Facebook and TikTok posts show the real journey she is on, from treatments out of town to upsetting CT scans. Elissa shares the journey of living with colon cancer in a raw and honest way. All the highs and lows -- and every time urging people to get screened for this disease.
We caught up this week because on Sunday morning, we’ll both be at the Walk to End Colon Cancer along the Detroit Riverfront. It’s being put on by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. (Click here if you’d like to help out.)
It’s also been my mission to spread awareness for screening since I lost my husband, Jamie, to colon cancer four years ago. He, like Elissa, was one of the growing cases of early onset colorectal cancer that doctors say are on the rise.
The advocacy role is one we both thought we’d never play. But for both Elissa and me, it’s because we don’t want anyone else to have to face a colon cancer diagnosis. To have to take life one day at a time.
So if you can make it on Sunday, come and say hi! If not, just remember a few things for me:
- If you’re 45, get your colonoscopy.
- Talk to your doctor if you have any changes in your bowel habits.
- Know your family history of cancer.
Knowledge is power, and your health is a gift. To Life!
You can watch Christy’s full conversation with Elissa here: