FasXinators Series: Meet Elisha Daniels
Our featured FasXinator this week is Elisha Daniels. Elisha is a luxury fashion stylist in Boston with a wide range of fashion and beauty experience throughout her career. Featured in Boston Globe as one of "The 25 Most Stylish Bostonians", and on New England Cable News "Style Boston Trend Setters”, Elisha is well known in Boston as an inspiration for women and style.
Elisha is a breast cancer survivor and co-authored the book You Can Do This! Surviving Breast Cancer Without Losing Your Sanity Or Your Style and is on the advisory board of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I sat with her to hear more about her story and her advice to all of us.
How did you discover your breast cancer?
I scratched myself under my right arm one night and found a big lump. Thank God I acted on it. I went to the doctor and went through a battery of tests and I was diagnosed on my 40th birthday with stage III breast cancer, which had spread into my lymph nodes.
I had no family history and had never had a mammogram because I wasn’t 40 yet.
Do you have any advice to pass along to other women?
I do believe that women should be getting a mammogram at 35. That’s pretty controversial and has to do with costs, but especially if you do have a family history of cancer. I found my own lump. I was really lucky that I acted on it when I found it, but I didn’t know until I felt it and it had already gone so far.
I think we all have to listen to our own bodies and be in tune to ourselves. If you’re in tune to your body you know if something has changed, if something feels different. Breast self exams are very, very important. That’s something we can all do for ourselves.
One more question about another aspect of our health–beauty sleep! What’s your favorite self-care rituals to help you prepare for a good night’s sleep?
Sleep is so important and we don’t get enough. Routine is key, getting to sleep at the same time and waking up at the same time. Getting enough sleep effects our looks and our brains. When I get enough sleep I feel sharp and energized and can take on the day.
I drink warm lemon water at night and also in the morning. It’s a great cleanser. I also never go to bed without taking off my makeup. I use the same Clarins cleanser and toner, and Nivea moisturizer that I’ve been using since I was young. I have sensitive skin and stick with the tried and true!
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