My Name is Robin Josephson. In 2002, I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.
It had spread to my lung, liver and bones in my spinal column. My world was shaken
on the day I was told I has cancer. Everything changed and I will never be the same.
When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was working for a hospital overseas. One day I
had severe back pain and went to the emergency room. I had no idea that my
diagnosis would be breast cancer. I was not well enough to return home to the United
States. I needed emergency radiation on my spine to try and shrink the tumor. I also
had 2 emergency procedures on my spine to help stabilize it. I then had 6
chemotherapy sessions. After 6 months, I was able to come home.
I am a registered nurse with a 28 year career history. My speciality is caring for critically
ill babies and children, many of these children had cancer. I was no longer a
knowledgeable, dedicated caregiver to these children. I was a frightened cancer
patient fighting for my life, seeking the best medical care I could find.
Thanks to my sister, Karen Therrien, I found that care at the City of Hope in Duarte,
California. I was treated with 4 surgeries on my spine, 18 chemotherapy sessions,
and needed emergency radiation for a new occurrence of cancer. I was diagnosed
with Horner's Syndrome, which is a type of cancer in the lung. The latest problem I
was faced with was a re occurrence of breast cancer in March, 2005. I had a
mastectomy as a life saving treatment.
My cancer is still active. I have not been able to work in 3 and a half years. I am
physically handicapped and need assistance to walk. I have many neurological
problems as a result of my treatment. I have memory loss, mini seizures, loss of
bladder control and severe pain in my back and hip, requiring continual narcotic
infusions. Most recently due to a side effect of radiation, I have lost my voice and have
daily coughing spasms that can last up to 2 hours.
My wonderful team of physicians continue to work to help me heal my body. Friends,
family and my support group at the Wellness Community and Conejo Valley Hospice
give me inspiration to heal my mind and spirit. My fight is a daily battle, I am
determined to win.
I struggle monthly with my finances to cover rent, bills and to pay for medications and
treatment that my insurance does not cover. I have exhausted my savings and survive
through the love and support of my family and friends.
My sister and I thought it would be a great idea to design a bracelet dedicated to breast
cancer awareness. We turned to lifelong friend Susan Rice for help. She is a nurse
and also designs jewelry. These bracelets shown here are the fruits of our labor.
They are all hand strung by myself, family and friends.
I have always been able to take care of myself financially and care for my family. It has
been very difficult for me not to be able to work and support myself. Making these
bracelets gives me support with my income and allows me to give back to all of those
who have helped me along my journey.
Please buy and wear a bracelet in honor of all of the lives who have been touched by
cancer.
PLEASE REMEMBER THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE!
It had spread to my lung, liver and bones in my spinal column. My world was shaken
on the day I was told I has cancer. Everything changed and I will never be the same.
When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was working for a hospital overseas. One day I
had severe back pain and went to the emergency room. I had no idea that my
diagnosis would be breast cancer. I was not well enough to return home to the United
States. I needed emergency radiation on my spine to try and shrink the tumor. I also
had 2 emergency procedures on my spine to help stabilize it. I then had 6
chemotherapy sessions. After 6 months, I was able to come home.
I am a registered nurse with a 28 year career history. My speciality is caring for critically
ill babies and children, many of these children had cancer. I was no longer a
knowledgeable, dedicated caregiver to these children. I was a frightened cancer
patient fighting for my life, seeking the best medical care I could find.
Thanks to my sister, Karen Therrien, I found that care at the City of Hope in Duarte,
California. I was treated with 4 surgeries on my spine, 18 chemotherapy sessions,
and needed emergency radiation for a new occurrence of cancer. I was diagnosed
with Horner's Syndrome, which is a type of cancer in the lung. The latest problem I
was faced with was a re occurrence of breast cancer in March, 2005. I had a
mastectomy as a life saving treatment.
My cancer is still active. I have not been able to work in 3 and a half years. I am
physically handicapped and need assistance to walk. I have many neurological
problems as a result of my treatment. I have memory loss, mini seizures, loss of
bladder control and severe pain in my back and hip, requiring continual narcotic
infusions. Most recently due to a side effect of radiation, I have lost my voice and have
daily coughing spasms that can last up to 2 hours.
My wonderful team of physicians continue to work to help me heal my body. Friends,
family and my support group at the Wellness Community and Conejo Valley Hospice
give me inspiration to heal my mind and spirit. My fight is a daily battle, I am
determined to win.
I struggle monthly with my finances to cover rent, bills and to pay for medications and
treatment that my insurance does not cover. I have exhausted my savings and survive
through the love and support of my family and friends.
My sister and I thought it would be a great idea to design a bracelet dedicated to breast
cancer awareness. We turned to lifelong friend Susan Rice for help. She is a nurse
and also designs jewelry. These bracelets shown here are the fruits of our labor.
They are all hand strung by myself, family and friends.
I have always been able to take care of myself financially and care for my family. It has
been very difficult for me not to be able to work and support myself. Making these
bracelets gives me support with my income and allows me to give back to all of those
who have helped me along my journey.
Please buy and wear a bracelet in honor of all of the lives who have been touched by
cancer.
PLEASE REMEMBER THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE!
| Robin's Story Written by Robin Josephson, before her passing. |
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| Update on Robin Robin continued her daily fight with Breast Cancer. Her condition continued to worsen, mostly metastasis to her bones which left her very disabled and with severe neurological problems. She never gave up her fight, always believed she would get better and was a tremendous influence and inspiration to all who knew her. She never spent a day in remission nor a day without pain, or a day of not worrying about her family or finances, yet her priority was always helping others, solving problems and giving advice. One of Robin’s dearest friends Teresa, remarked about her last visit with Robin, Teresa asked, “Robin, what can I do for you?”, Robin responded “Teresa, what can I do to help you?”. Sadly, Robin passed away a few days later on July 17, 2009. She never lost her hope, diginity or love of life. Robin will be missed greatly and we were all blessed to have had her in our lives. |
| Above: Robin's Memorial Video 1 - By Meredith Clark, Robin's Niece. |
| Above: Robin's Memorial Video 2 - By Sarah House, Santa Barbara, Ca. |
Our work hasn't ended with the
loss of Robin, it has just begun.
Let us keep her legacy alive by
continuing to make and wear the
bracelets she loved. In doing so
we will fulfill her dreams of
raising breast cancer
awareness, finding a cure and
give back to the organizations
and community that she was so
passionate about.
loss of Robin, it has just begun.
Let us keep her legacy alive by
continuing to make and wear the
bracelets she loved. In doing so
we will fulfill her dreams of
raising breast cancer
awareness, finding a cure and
give back to the organizations
and community that she was so
passionate about.
| In memory of and inspired by Robin Josephson |
