A few years ago, I met Elle the Author at the LA Times Festival of Books, where we shared a table. We’d both written psych thrillers loosely based on personal (traumatic) experience, shared a background in acting and an obsession with lofty dreams, and couldn’t seem to stop squealing enthusiastically at passersby.
“If we sing and dance do you think they’ll buy our books?!?!?” That sort of thing.
(TG it finally dawned on us that we were scaring kind strangers away…)
We’ve since cohosted a live-streamed anorexia and abuse themed “happy hour” (long story), caught up over lunches, celebrated her newfound love and supported each other’s ventures from afar.
Elle has appeared on Girl Boner® before, for excellent reasons:
A – She’s a brilliant communicator.
B – She has a lot to say about thriving against the odds, relationship abuse and, most recently, breast cancer.
C – She contributed a gorgeous story for Embraceable, written the night before her double mastectomy. Here’s an excerpt:
They’re just tits. Granted, yours are fabulous, but they’re still just tits.
No matter how many times others or even I convey this to me, I refuse to believe it. I love the way my tits feel when I glide my fingers over them, the way my boyfriend’s fingers do it much better. I relish the feel of hot breath on my nipples that causes tingles down to my toes. I adore the bottom curve of a supple tit when it is hanging free and I am carnally drawn to the very unnatural curve caused by the push-up bra. My tits are the tits, as they say. And now they are taking them away from me.
More specifically, cancer is taking them away from me.
D – She’s one of the bravest people I know.
One year after her initial cancer diagnosis, just as she was beginning to feel fully like herself again, she received daunting medical news; cancer had returned. When I learned she was visiting LA shortly after, I told her I’d love to see her, if she felt up for it. Her response? “Is it a good time for an interview?” She was feeling raw, she said, which made it an ideal time.
Like I said, BRAVE.
Our chat goes down as one of my all-time faves. Definitely stay tuned for the end, for happy news you’ll want to hear.
Listen on iTunes or here:
This episode is sponsored, in part, by The Pleasure Chest. Definitely check them out!
What did you think of the episode? Any thoughts to share with Elle? What did you think of Dr. Megan’s advice on staying close to a partner through dark times? I love hearing from you.
I haven’t struggled with cancer, but I do know what it’s like to live with chronic illness every single day. And Elle is a very brave woman. It takes a lot of determination and perseverance to stay the course and fight the fine fight. Thank you for sharing your story with us! ((Hugs))
I’m sure your encouragement will mean a lot to her, Karen. Wishing you the best in your journey, too!
August,
I have followed you for awhile now, a long while.
My Sis just found out about 2 months ago that she has colorectal cancer. I refuse to capitalize cancer as I refuse to give it that importance. She just finished chem / rad before the surgery. I am so proud of her. It was a horrible experience for me to realize she was going through this and could die. That realization could have brought me to my knees in fear. She handled it like a trooper, actually helping others to know it can be beaten and her faith in God remained strong.
I am just happy for her as I believe the cancer is gone and the surgery and all will just be making certain. It helps when I listen to things like this broadcast.
Scott
I’m so sorry your sister has had to face such a disease, Scott, though I’m thrilled for her prognosis. She sounds like a truly wonderful and inspiring person.
Thanks so much for listening. It warms my heart to know it brought you comfort!
As an admirer of Elle’s story in Embraceable, I have saved this episode, knowing I would recognize when the time was right to listen. My life-changing issue is not cancer but I face increasing complications of chronic illness. Tomorrow, I will learn of yet another phase. So, a bit of Elle is exactly what I needed.
Listening to the mindfulness of Elle reminds me that raw is good and may just be when we find what is best in us. More than once, I have been moved by GB episodes but this interview is like no other. It is humbling, inspiring, and in quiet defiance, it is wise. I do not know how anyone, after listening to this episode, cannot begin to look within to find what’s best and offer it to the world. And that is life-changing.
Kudos to you, August, and Dr. Megan for reminding each one of us that we are always in relationship for we are all connected, each a unique thread in the human web.
Thank you, Universe, for GB radio!
Karen