Project LEAD

The National Breast Cancer Coalition holds a scientific training program called Project LEAD each summer. This training program is focused on teaching not only basic science (like how cells work), but also how breast cancer itself proliferates along with the process of getting new medication approved by the FDA. After completing the Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) Hear My Voice Advocacy program in 2019, I’d applied for Project LEAD for 2020.

And then the pandemic happened and my Father in Law died. My application was deferred over and over. I finally got to fly out to La Jolla, CA this past weekend to attend. I’ll be here (near San Diego) for a week and am really excited about learning more and meeting all of the other students (plus meeting quite a few people in person for the first time that I’ve gotten to know online) along with the faculty. There’s a super stellar line up!

One thing I’ve learned about this living with MBC thing is that we each have to do it in the way that makes the most sense to us individually. There aren’t many “wrong” answers in how we do this. Always seeking out new learning opportunities is one of the ways that I handle the stress and pressure of living with something that will end my life. The more I understand how the cancer behaves, the better I can make decisions about treatment, nutrition, complimentary treatment, lifestyle, etc.

I’ll likely not be posting much this week since the days are long and intense and I have a roommate and others that I want to spend time with. Stay tuned for updates upon my return!!

I’ll be sure to report back about what this program has taught me!