After two bouts with breast cancer on the same side, and going through two lumpectomies, the shape and size of my breast had changed considerably. The Tacoma Breast Cancer Resource Center was truly a blessing to me! The staff there were just incredible!! They were so friendly and compassionate and very helpful. They made a very trying time in my life so much more bearable. I encourage anyone who is going through breast cancer to visit the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Tacoma to meet the people who are doing such a great service for the ladies of this area.

Hello friend. You don't know me, but if you're reading this we share a common enemy. It's probably not the one you're thinking of. The enemy we share is fear. When each one of us get a diagnosis of cancer, fear is the first thing that attacks us. Body, mind and soul. Of all the things that are out of our control while going through treatment, it is the one thing we can fight with a vengeance. When we choose to laugh instead of cry, we rob a little bit of power from the fear. when we pray, a larger portion is stolen away. When we see a sister in a store with a scarf covering her baldness and reach out with a word of encouragement, we chip away still more. I know that most people would think that cancer is the true enemy, but its just the physical.

I was 38 years old when I was told that I had Breast cancer. The first question I asked my Doctor was would I live to see 39? After all the usual test were done I was told it was stage 4. At that point I just knew I only had months at the most. Can we say WRONG!!! my diagnosis was on Nov. 6, 2002. I have been in complete remission for over 3 years, I'm healthy and happy and life is good. My husband and I are about to bring home a baby girl that we're adopting from Guatemala.

I still have weekly infusions of Herceptin. I look forward to going to the Chemo clinic each week because there's always friends to laugh with. I mean really, where else are you going to be able to have hot flashes and talk about bowel functions, (or lack there of) and not be considered a freak. The nurses look forward to Friday mornings because they know that laughter and silliness are one the menu. I'm not trying to say that going through Chemo is easy if you just make a joke of it. It's one of the hardest roads I've traveled in my life. I just think I've taken the high road. I refuse to let fear win. For me it's that simple. I let the Doctors work their magic, and I put it all in God's loving hands. My part is keeping the faith and facing those dark thoughts head on. Live, Love and Laugh. I know it sounds corny, but you've got to find what works. Just remember that even though you have to walk down this road, you never ever walk alone. My favorite poem is FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND, if you've ever read it you'll know why. Take care my sister, my friend. As long as there is laughter there is life, as long as there is life there is hope. Any Questions???

Blessings, Robbie

p.s. When I had my breast removed I was very relieved to be done with it. I just forgot one little thing. You need 2 boobs to fill a bra. I had been told by many women how expensive that prosthetics and the bras are. My husband had been out of work for 5 months and we just didn't have an extra $500.00 laying around the house. A few of my Chemo buddies and I were talking about homemade solutions to this problem and I came up with a very simple but odd alternative. I made a bird seed boob. Yes, you read that right. After making different sizes, I finally got just the right sag factor. Victoria's Secret I'm not. Anyway, a friend of mine had recently found this wonderful group of women at the Breast Cancer Resource Center. They provided her with a new prosthetic and a couple of bras at no charge. Well I wasted no time getting one of my own. I was finally able to hug people without worrying about how it might feel and the birds no longer had to worry about a food shortage. when I had my second breast removed they fixed me up with a matched set. These ladies go above and beyond. I'm just one of many they have helped along the way. I make sure I pass on their name whenever I meet a new patient. They have given me something I haven't had for a very, very long time. Perky boobs! All joking aside, I can not thank enough all of the beautiful women who do so much for so many. Not only do they provide prosthetics, bras and wigs, there is an abundance of moral support and compassion that is given to each women in need of it. I am very grateful to the BCRC . I've often joked that there is no dignity in breast cancer. Bree and Kim and the other ladies at the BCRC showed me just how wrong I was . Thank you ladies.

For more on Robbie's story, please feel free to visit her blog at rj06.blogspot.com