Wow, I can not believe that I have not posted since August. Time is flying by. I have done extremely well, Well at least I think so. As I stated before I had a couple of bad weeks but after about 2 1/2 weeks it all started easing up and I was able to get off meds. Which I hate taking anyway. I do admit that I take a few tylenols now every now and then which is okay. I am still going to my PS about every two to three weeks and working on my right side reconstruction. I started my Radiation today and will be heading to Charlottesville everyday for 6 weeks/5 days a week. Family members and my friend Lisa are going to be taking me so that it wont be so hard on Jay on an everyday basis. But I will enjoy being able to stop and eat, like Cracker Barrel, etc. and sometimes go shopping, which I do love.And also stopping to see Meg and have dinner. I have got to stay away from TJMAx and Ross. Those places are simply addicting, to many pretty things in those stores. Trying to be just as "Girly" as I can these days though. My hair is growing back and hopefully it wont be too long before I can shed this DOO and have my own new hairstyle!! Like Dolly says, "It Cost alot to Look this Cheap" Ha Ha, noting all of the things that she has done also. Just thankful to the Lord that he has opened these doors up for me to do these things and the oportunities that he has given me through this! I do still get amazed everyday when I sit and think about it all. It is truly a process, but I am so grateful and God has healed me of this Breast Cancer and is continuing to work on me each day!! Hope this updates any of you who still read this! Thanks again and continue to pray for me everyday, I am sure that riding 4 1/2 hours each day is going to get tiring sooner than I know!!! Take Care!

Did a little better today, although my chest is sooo uncomfortable!! You just can not imagine how this feels unless you have been through it. I just pray that it will ease up as the days go on. Had a bad day Tuesday, I guess the medicine had gotten me depressed, but I really need to take it to ease the pain. Went to the doctor on Wednesday and he had to draw out some of the cc's because it was just to much in their right now and more than I could handle. He also took out two of my drains. i go back on Monday to take the other one out. Not sure if he will do anything with my expander or not. I know that I am not the first and wont be the last, but this is a feeling that ve never gone through. People say that it will be like child labor, after it is all over with, you wont remember it. I hope so, just dont want to wait that long. I praise the Lord that he has removed all of my cancer, and I just pray that he will give peace to my body and ease this pain! My body is his temple.

Surgery

Well, I had my Surgery last Tuesday, July 27 at UVA. I came home on thursday. As of today, I am doing good, but extremely sore, I guess that it is just the skin that is healing and soooo tight. I was nervous going in but i had prayed and prayed that the Lord would just cover me with his arms and let me know his peace. i did feel that and had also felt almost like a doves wings wrapped around me. As of right now, my chest is very numb, but I am hoping that this will pass very soon. Just please keep praying for me and for fast healing. The Lord worked through the doctors and removed everything that was cancerous and there were no positive lymph nodes on my right side, which was a blessing too. The Lord is Good!

I can't believe that I havent posted in a while. Well, I am finished with my Chemo treatments and feel that I was soooo blessed during them, with hardly no side effects to really complain about. My Surgery is scheduled for July 27 for a double mastectomy. I met today with my reconstruction doctor (plastic surgeon) to see what my options are for now with that. I will also have to do six weeks of radiation, but will hopefully do those here in Danville. God has been so good to me during all of this, when I talk to others about how sick they were, I feel so blessed. i know that this is a long process and am trying to just deal with each step one day at a time. I do hope that in some way I can be a blessing to someone else and help them. I do not want to be a burden on anyone but just want to be able to help someone else anyway that I can. Just all please remember me in your prayers and that all will go well with my upcoming surgeries that I will have to have. The Lord is Good!!! Robyn

The picture that I have posted with my recent update is a picture of Tyler. He won Athlete of the Year at Westover. I am very proud of him and this was a well deserved win. He has worked hard and is an extremely good athlete in every sport he plays. Just bragging a little. lol

Hi Everyone, Just updating on my treatment yesterday. All went well for my 6th treatment. Just two more to go and those will be over. Cant wait to do an ultrasound and just confirm how God is healing me. Havent had any side effects yet from this Taxol Drug. Not sure if it will build up or if the Lord will do me like Shadrack, Meshack and Abendigo and bring me out without even the smell of Smoke. That is what I am believing everyday. He is so Good to me!!! Had an unexpected gift from two older friends the other day. They were a blessing! Also another gift from my friend Lisa who has always had something waiting for me after each time. Just toooo sweet to me.. I hope that everyone is well. Prayers still go out to the families at UVA!! Thanks to all who are interested in reading my babbling here. Feeling Good!!!! Love Robyn

Thank you to a dear friend, Cathy Lucas, who brought me over a special gift today. Things like that mean alot to me. I know that people are continuing to pray for me each day and that is what I depend on. The Lord has revealed to me many things during this time, but the one thing is that he is not only changing me but he is changing others around me. It is amazing how you begin to look at things differently. Happy Mothers Day to all the moms and to my mom in heaven. I miss you each day!

update on my progress. I went last week on thursday for my 5th treatment. They started me on the Taxol Drug, which does take longer. They say that side effects are bones aching, tingling in fingers and toes, but as of right now, praise the lord, I havent had any of the side effects. I also pray for the lord to protect my organs and bones and my bloood. Will be meeting with the radiation doctor on my next trip to discuss radiation and reconstruction and what affects. Just praying that we can do reconstruction the first time and will not have to wait. God has been so good to me and has protected me from so many side effects that I could be having. Head back up on the 13th then the last two in June. Skipping some time around Tylers graduation so that I can make sure that I get through that okay with no problems. Just will ocntinue to go through all of this one day at a time!

I also pray today for the families of the two kids at UVA and that tragedy. Lord be with the boy and his family and be with the Love girls family, comfort them and get them all through this time.

robyn

Jr Sr picture

JR SR picture

Hey everybody, havent blogged in a while. Just thought that I would update. My last treatment went well, which was my fourth one. I felt good afterwards up till I got this cold last monday. It seemed to go into my eyes, and I have been stuggling with that but hopefully getting better. I was bless though to be able to enjoy Tyler and Meghans JR SR pictures and also go to go to the after party til 2. Didnt think I would make it, but I felt good so I stayed.
This thursday I go back for start of new kind of chemo, taxol. which should have less side effects. We will see how it affects me though. So far I have been so blessed. Will have a busy month next month, so I need to be feeling good, so please pray for me. Tyler turns 18 on monday. Has several athletic things and also his senior trip in May then graduates May 29. Just be praying for me to feel good because I dont want anything to interrupt for Tyler. Thanks everyone for being interested in reading my blog. I always enjoy comments too! Thanks and please keep me in your prayers. Also please be praying for Karen Arnns dad who is sick and needs salvation. thanks, robyn

Went to my third treatment last thursday at uva. went well, although they were behind because of a fire drill so i sat there from 1 until 5 before starting treatment. although others were behind me too. feeling good, just tired and seem to be a little nervous today for some reason. i try to get a little done and then i get tired, so i have to stop. after my next treatment, they will switch up on a different type of chemo, i think a milder one than what i am taking now. getting used to this hair thing, i guess. but do you really ever get used to it? just something that i have to do right now. part of this process. I do get kinda sad when i cant do some of things that i am used to doing inthe summer, like tanning, but i will next year. When you go to the infusion center at uva, you really see what people are going through, im really thankful to be doing so good. praises to the lord for how he is bringing me through this each time!!!!

Well, after the last post on friday, I started getting tired. I wasnt sick, just no energy, which really gets to me because if you know me, I am a worker, and I like to stay busy doing something all of the time, so sitting around just isnt me in any shape, form or fashion. So anyway, I stayed that way off and on all week. And of course, right in the middle of this, had to thrown in a good old wisdom tooth ache, which just about killed me for about three or four days. Not sure if I can even get it out now, but I have got to do something soon about that one last wisdom tooth. You would think that my mouth would be big enought to support just one little extra tooth, but I guess not. Anyway, my birthday was on monday and I had been struggling with this hair thing about everyeday since the prior wednesday with my hair thinning each and every day. But I was determined that I wasnt going to cut in on my birthday, so I waited. Finally on tuesday night, I told Jay that I was going to do it. He, Tyler and I went in the bathroom and I had a good cry and Tyler prayed for me and they went out. I turned Spirit fm on and as I started shaving a new song came on, This is the first day of the rest of your life, which seemed appropriate. Its not a pretty site, but I havent cried again about it. I guess that it was sort of a relief. Now I am just trying to get to used to wearing a wig. I pray for courage and confidence in this and not to be self conscience about it. As my friend Karen Arnn, who has gone through this too, says, when hair is coming out then it is working and that is true. Having a few little abnormalities that I guess are side effects, like a huge rudoloph size place on the end of my nose, just woke up one morning and my nose was glowing, go figure! But as of today, it is better! Thank you Lord! Well, felt good today. Started back thinking about doing this Resale/Thrift Shop, which I really do want to do. I know that it will help others who cant afford regular retail pricing these days and as you know, I love a good bargain and a good thrift shop.

Thank you all again for my sweet cards, you dont know what they mean to me and to especially hear from people that I havent seen in years means so much to. Just keep praying for me and I go back to UVA this coming Thursday. This will be my third treatment. Count Down!!!!

God is SO GOOD!!

Well, i had a good but long day yesterday. had to go back to uva, but had a great report, the place under my arm has shrunk alot, the doctors were very pleased and me too. God is so good, and he is working so much in my life. I love the saying make a message out of my mess and a testimony out of my test. My heart test was also normal as well which was good.

We didnt get home until about 830 but came hone to a delicious meal from Janet and Ed Nunn, boy she can cook. and also two wonderful little gifts from Lisa Gibson and Maryann. God continues to show me his love through his people, everyday.

Well, i guess it is almost time to do the hair thing. I am dreading that but i am trying to prepare myself everyday. I know that it is just hair and the lord is going to give me double for my trouble for this. IT IS JUST HAIR! Praises to because I have not been sick. which is so great. And I have felt good today. The last time I was soooo tired, but I had been through alot prior to the treatment.

Thank you lord too for this beautiful weather today. And my prayers go out to Peggy and Ryan Martin in the loss of Jackie, my prayers are with you both!

sunday fellowship

I have had a really good day today. Went to church for a wonderful service by Pastor Jonathan speaking on Hope. Also Travis Ducite, not sure on the spelling, was there playing the electric piano. He is the one who wrote God of the Ages sung by Charles Billingsley. He also is a wonderful singer. We were blessed to have him there. Then a good lunch with friends and time at home. Had several friends bring food and groceries over, which was very nice. I have felt really good the past two days, getting my laundry room painted and organized was tiring but felt so good accomplishing something. Out tonight with family to eat. God has been so good to me and keeping me surrounded by his love and Jay, the boys and my family have been so good to me. Just found out that I now have people in California praying for me too. From East to West and North to South. God is amazing and I give him all the praise. You know, for a while I had been asking the Lord to use me in some way that I am willing, and he is!

Also Ultrasounds!!!!

I urge every woman to not just have mammograms, but also have ultrasounds. I have had mammograms for 23 years consistently and all have been negative. Even the one recently didnt show this primary spot. The only way it was found was through the ultrasound. Please, Please, have ultrasounds too!

another beautiful day < 3

Another beautiful day, the sunshine has been great. had to go back to uva today for another follow up test, which showed nothing on right side lymph nodes, praises to the lord. feeling better, just still a little tired, hopefully tomorrow i will be back to normal.

Treatment

Thursday was a long day, first I had to have the port put in, which was a minor surgery, then went back over to redo the marker on one spot, because they were never seeing it on the mammogram. they did redo it, but still couldnot locate it on the mammogram. I think that i have even been in that machine upside down trying to find it. Finally they just had to mark it permanently outside for the doctor for later. My chemo went well, I am tired, not really sick just taking meds for that, hope that stays okay. Trying to eat something, not wanting much though today. Everyone is being so sweet to meet. I am going to try and load a picture of a heart later and i will explain what it was. God was truly with me. love robyn

UVA today!

Wow, it has been a long day. but i know that they had to get these things done. i have had three core biopsys today and three mammograms. i think that i have had my share for a very long time. these doctors and ladies were so nice to me and so pleasant to be around. you could not have asked for a better team. I am very sore, but I will be better tomorrow. Headed over early in the morning and then to start my treatments. please pray for me for comfort and peace. Also had a good report that there is no c anywhere else in my body. PRAISE THE LORD for that one. I had prayed and prayed for health to my bones, blood and organs, and he has answered that prayer. New miracles everyday.

well, it seems like i havent been home long enough to post anything. tyler has had ballgames in roanoke on friday and today. we lost both games, but thats okay, they all played great. i am very proud of our team. the guys have tried very hard. got results back friday and really didnt show what they wanted, so now i have to go back monday, wed and thursday of next week to do more testing and to start my treatments. please pray for me. i am very nervous about this, since it is an unknown thing to me. i know that the lord is going to refine me as pure gold and bring me through it. just keep me in your thoughts and prayers and you all just really dont know how humbled i am just knowing that i have so many praying for me each day! i pray that he will use me in some way to touch someone else next week during this time!

Well, today was a long day, but got alot accomplished. mammogram, ultrasound and mri. still looking! They will have the results either friday or monday. It is amazing the technology and what goes on there.. But God is so much more than that and I know that he is in control of this situation and will work accordingly, in his time and how he wants it to go. I know that he is going to work through these doctors to show his hand. I just pray for patience, peace, comfort and healing and also to be a light to others for him through all of this. please keep me everyone in your prayers daily!

Prayer Warriors

Well, I have people praying for me in MD, PA, Wisconsin, Missouri, Texas, FL, SC, NC, TN and VA. God is in control and I know that he is hearing these prayers!

What really matters.......

You know, you go through everyday wondering how your going to do this and how your going to do that, but does it all really matter. All of the little things that bind your time so much and take so much of your days, does it really matter. When it is all said and done, do you even remember what you did a week ago, and we spent all of that time trying to get things done. I myself am really quilty of spending alot of time on this computer and my cellphone, but do we also spend as much of that time in meditation and reading Gods word. How much better off we would be if we put that energy and our minds into the Lord and spending time with him and building that relationship with him instead of concentrating on these things that really dont matter! Things are so trivial and we let ourselves get so involved in things that Really Dont Matter! Just a Thought!

What an awesome day at church today. God is always so present and you can just feel his spirit there. Pastor Jonathan presented another great message on The Father Knows Best talking about Love. We had a wonderful membership meeting with Matt Wilmington presenting the missions and goals of Dan River Church. Also a wonderful lunch from the Checkered Pig. The music is always so good at church. I always have such a worshipful time singing! Feeling pretty good. The Lord is good and his mercies endureth forever!

Feeling good today. helped cleaned at the church then we decided to go to the jv boys tournament game in lynchburg. They won the tournament. I have gotten a little tired today though. My energy level gets zapped. I am finding that I really dont need to sit and concentrate on this problem, just my solution. People do continue to amaze me. I pray for those people and thank God for the good ones. God is my Healer. I will put my trust in Him!

well, this was really special. I had a very special lady tell me tonight that she is in a group at her church of ladies who pray and fast for people and my name has been added to that. so I have some very special godly women praying and fasting for me. This feeling doesnt get much better than that!!!

As I continue to state, God is showing me his love for me through his people. They are not just praying for me, but keeping me lifted up daily!

Friday, February 19, 2010
Feeling a little emotional today, a little overwhelming at uva yesterday, but they know so much there and have so many resources to do so much. uva wants to do more testing and approach this in a different direction with chemo first. God is so good and I know I have to go through the fire for him to use me. I am alittle sad today though because I am just getting tired just thinking about everything that I am going to have to go through. But I want to Live! God is Good, He is my Rock!

February 17,2010

Today is Wednesday, February 17, 2010. A few weeks ago I was sort of interested in starting a blog, but my comment to someone was, well, I really dont have anything to blog about. Well, now I do! I was recently diagnosed last week with Breast Cancer. This is something that I guess has always been in the back of my mind because of my family history. My mom first had breast cancer at the age of 24, back in 1962 when they found hers she was pregnant with me. They couldnt do anything until after she had me and then they removed her right breast. Thirty years after that, she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, Stage 4, she passed away in 1992 about a year and a half after diagnoses. My case is this. I have had mammograms every year since I was 24. Never having any problems. I was in a study at Duke back in 1994 for a gene testing.
I found this knot under my left arm back in November 2009. My first doctors appt. was in January, doing an ultrasound and mammogram. The mammogram came back okay, but of course the ultrasound showed the tumor. My doctor has ordered a gene test (BRACA) that will show if I have this gene and then he will know which way to do my surgery. So I go to UVA tomorrow, thursday. Also, having some pain under my left shoulder blade. Hope its not moving or growing!

I am trying to take this all one day at a time. I know that my Lord is going to heal me and get me through this. I have asked him to show me his love through his people, and boy does he do that every single day! I know that he is going to strengthen me and lift me up every minute of the day. I just pray for him to use me and show me how I can help others! This is definately a road that I have never experienced, but I will get through it and only by Gods Mercy and Grace and Healing!! John 11:4