Breast cancer

Team Believe Lives

- robin

One week in October, I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in my life and a few days later, a tree fell into our house.

Because of these things, we postponed our trip to France to stay home, have the house fixed, have surgery and start cancer treatment.

I feel deflated. I could not go on blogging / journaling without sharing the things happening in our life.

Sharing this news is always difficult. It is 2019 and people still gossip about cancer. I dread so many things over the next months, so, please if there is a crazy post on Blog, forgive me and we can blame it on the meds.

TEAM BELIEVE LIVES

Love you beyond the pink ribbons.

Me

Sunday Highlights From The Cottage

- robin

Breast Cancer Fact: On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.

Photo: The apple cobbler is out of the oven before we leave for church.


Photo: The Cowboys play Green Bay at 3:25 today

Photo: Ready for church.

Please get your breast cancer screening soon.

Love you beyond squishy boobs.

Me

Pink And Protein

- robin

Breast Cancer fact: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers.

Photo: Pink at the Imaging center

***

Yesterday, between conference calls and reports, at lunch, Larry, Pink and I went to the blood donation center. Larry gives double reds twice a year. Yesterday was the day. I cannot give blood.

Photo: At Carter Blood Center

When Larry donates, we never know what will happen. He gets ill, passes out, or various other interesting things happen.

That is why, whenever he gives blood, double reds, we go and have a hamburger after. Even if he does not want it, this is what we do. The protein seems to help him very much.

Photo: Pink at lunch

Today before he went to work, Larry and I walked our laps at the lake. He seems fine. {for now} It is Friday and I am glad. It is going to be a busy weekend, but one filled with special people.

I wish you a wonderful weekend too.

Love you beyond special moments.

Me.

A Red Hat

- robin

Breast Cancer fact: This year, an estimated 41,760 women will die from breast cancer in the U.S.

Photo: Pink in tulle

I hated sharing the above fact with you. There is one way to change that number. Have your yearly screenings.

***

Today is going to be hot…again. My afternoon is super busy but this morning is just for me. {Larry is in Dallas}

Since I finished Lauren’s Christmas gift, {don’t worry about me mentioning her gift. She never reads ze blog} I am starting on my Halloween costume. We have a few events that I wear a costume to and waiting till the last minute drives me mad. Besides. I love how happy people are around Halloween.

Photo: Hat fabric and pattern

Today is “Hat Day” using the pattern shown. The hat I am making is the view on the bottom left. The hat will be red, lined in dots.

It was a coincidence that I chose the dot fabric. It matches the boots I bought weeks ago!

Photo: My new Wellies

Will you celebrate Halloween this year? {I dislike when people say that they do not celebrate Halloween because it is an evil holiday. Halloween can be anything YOU want it to be. Please don’t use the excuse evil….because, if your heart is true, you can do anything} My plan is to make people smile this year! Last year I had the same plan. BUT I tried on a huge costume head at the market to make Larry laugh. For my reward and trying on that huge head, I got my very first case of pink eye. Go figure. Sixty four years old and getting pink eye for the first time The fun thing is, I can still hear Larry laugh when I tried on the costume head!

My sewing machine has brand new red thread threaded in it and I am off to make a hat! I have never made a hat like this before. Stay tuned!

Please make today, whatever you want it to be.

Love you beyond Pink and tulle,

Me

Pink and Paddington

- robin

*Breast cancer fact : 62% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage, for which the 5-year survival rate is 99%. This is where my breast cancer fits in. I was stage one prior to surgery. During surgery they discovered that the tumor was much larger. I then became stage two in a matter of moments. Early detection is life saving.

***

Yesterday, Pink and Paddington went with Larry and I to the fabric store. I am making a Halloween costume. What I have planned needs blue and red fabric. Bet you cannot guess.

Photo: Pink and Paddington

You can guess, but just don’t guess out loud. The little Paddington in the photo is from Paddington Station in London. His pearls are from Poip’u Kaua’i. Pink was given to me and it was a special gift. They are my treasures.

There is a Christmas gift in progress, on the floor of my work room, it is almost finished. When it is complete, I will start to make my Halloween costume and then I have one more Christmas gift to finish before November. My goal: To finish all hand work before going away on holiday. HOLIDAY!!!

My back has been hurting and I feel like I have taken on to much. Making two huge Christmas gifts this year and there are 85 days till Christmas! It seems so far, but it will be here sooner than we imagine.

The sun is streaming into the room. It is 80 degrees outside. Already I have a little fan blowing on me as I work at the sewing machine. It is an interesting morning. I feel tired but inspired, with a get things done attitude.

I wish you a happy day. Please fill it with all of the things you love. That way, if something unexpected happens, you will be surrounded by love.

Love you beyond PINK RIBBONS.

Me.

Pink And Picnics

- robin

Breast Cancer Awareness Month- *The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2019 about 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.

Photo: Pink in the studio

I am happy to start October, Breast Cancer Awareness month today. {one day early} Pink is in the work room, my mammogram is scheduled and I feel super nervous. The breast surgeon I have gone to during my 7 year breast cancer journey, retired this year. It feels like I have been left alone on a new journey. Sweet, wonderful Larry reminded me that I do not need certain things anymore.

I can do this!!!

***

Sunday Picnic

Photo: Heart shaped sandwiches, white chocolate scones and Champagne

Yesterday I planned a picnic, created the menu, baked and made goodies.

We had chicken salad and pimento cheese, heart shaped sandwiches. Sweet, salty mixed nuts and white chocolate scones. Tsarine Champagne and for dessert we had macaroons and truffles.

Photo: Picnic dessert

We sat on our bench at the Dallas Arboretum, enjoying the picnic in extreme heat. It was September 29th and our picnic was one to remember.

I am glad the weekend is over. This month holds many, wonderful and interesting things. {including Halloween!}

Have a good day.

Love you beyond the stars and moon.

Me

Five Days Till October

- robin

I truly did not want to walk my miles today. Bed was comfortable and I felt tired. Then I heard his voice.

Larry said: Come on.

So I hopped out of bed, threw on shorts and a t shirt.

Off we went, into the dark morning. We watched the sun rise over the lake. We talked about fun things, I bitched about bitchy things, we said hello to other walkers who we have come to know and we breathed in the amazing fresh air of a brand new day.

My Larry, my daughters, granddaughter and my health. Moments during my day remind me that God has blessed me many times during my life.

By His grace, I am here to journal daily. I am here to create, worry and love the loves in my life.

This is my testimony. This is my faith. As we approach October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, I need to remember the women who are fighting.

So many of you support me in the spring as we raise funds for breast cancer reasearch and screenings, will you join me in October? With positive thoughts, kindly reminding our loved ones to get mammograms and supporting anyone who might be fighting the fight.

I am not sure why I call it that. “Fighting The Fight”…perhaps it is because that is how I felt when I was in the middle of treatment.

October starts in five days. Do you know anyone who is fighting the fight? I do. I will be sending cards, writing letters, baking treats and anything else I can do to support anyone who is in treatment. Lets do this together?

Love you beyond pink ribbons.

Me

The Win

- robin

Today is the day.

Today I extended my walk. I was awake at 3:30 am, ready to go, except I don’t exercise in the dark. Then I fell back to sleep and woke with a “start”…throwing on my shorts and a t shirt. Darn. I just did not want to start the day half asleep.

I decided to add length to my walk on this special day. {more about that later} Last year I was very ill. During recovery, I stared walking. I have always been a walker and it felt right. During the summer {2018} Larry and I signed up for a quarter marathon. It is part of a half marathon in Dallas. Sounds easy, right? Baaahahahaha. I wish I had known then what I know now.

A quarter marathon is 6.5 miles. Last year I came in last. Larry says it was not dead last, but I think that he is being kind. Many people lined the path cheering for me. I ran the last bit, but it was embarassing. This year I will do better.

The marathon is in September. I am ready!

Today while half asleep and exercising. I felt happy and thankful. I am healthy, my strength is getting better every day and Mr Heron waited for me at the lake.

Photo: Mr. Heron says hello this morning

I might have come in last at the marathon last year, but I did it. I finished. That whats it all about isn’t it?

Please be happy today. Life is about the moments. Not the win.

Love you beyond the lake.

Me

PS: Kim, I have saved your special gifts for today. Thank you so much.

Photo: Special gifts from a special friend.

Four Days Until Raffle For A Cure

- robin

In four days, all the names of Team Believe 2019 members and their respective numbers of chances, will be in a bowl. (But you still have time to be part of the fun!) From there one name will be picked out and that will be this years winner of a $100.00 dollar gift card from Williams Sonoma and a hand embroidered dish towel. If you would like to find out more about the give away, please go to this link:
https://robintolbert.com/team-believe-year-five/

I would like to thank everyone involved in my annual efforts to support early detection. You all mean the world to me.

Love you.

Me