Robin Marshalls Arts: Voice and Paint

Very Vocal - Very Creative - Artistically WILD!

You are here: Home / Archives for cancer survivor

Girlfriends In Trouble

//  Leave a Comment

Dallas, Tx  8-13-2014 Gotta' Keep smilin'! Gotta’ Keep smilin’!
 
Best wishes for my Girlfriend today. She beat breast cancer 12 years ago, .. I saw her speak the week after I had been diagnosed, while I was attending a seminar in San Diego called The Secret Knock. While there, I never told a soul that I had been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and had postponed my surgery so that I could still attend this event! I was there pushing my book, “The Diary of a Sugar Mom. Don’t Tell the Kids.” 
After hearing her speak about what she’d been through, I decided I was going to talk about it BEFORE I went through it, while I went through it, and After- if there WAS an after!  I then realized this was more about being a Sugar Mom! A word I made up, right then and there! A woman who can think for herself, speak eloquently, want to continue to learn on a daily basis, takes good care of herself at our age, takes Time for herself and understands that SHE Matters too! A Sugar Mom is “a woman who lives a life less Ordinary!”
This woman, Susan… may not know it, but she’s at the top of the Sugar Mom List! She’s doing what it takes to make it right for HER, and her attitude is outstandingly Positive! 
This was my way of egging her on, to start writing a blog Before the big event and to continue sharing with us, just what she’s about to go through.
 
XO
Robin

And how is my girlfriend Susan Santsche doing tonight? She’s been on my mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    • Robin Marshall I am happy to hear this, since you were my first inspiration after hearing you speak at Greg S. Reid‘s Secret Knock! I knew I was sick, but kept quiet while wondering how you had the guts to Talk about it. I just followed your lead, but backwards! I talked before, during and after I was sick! Now? It’s your turn. You should talk about this “anticipation.” It’s a hell of a story. XO
      Like · 12 hrs

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

    •  
      Susan Santsche The anticipation and the way people do not know how to respond to you is the interesting dynamic!! And the dynamic in how some people or some in your medical community have an issue when you are just being pro-active ..My ob gyn called me and told me…See More
      Unlike · 1 · 12 hrs · Edited

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

    •  
      Robin Marshall Agreed. That’s why I shot my mouth off- and why I suggest you keep doing the same, sistah’.
      Like · 12 hrs

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

    •  
      Susan Santsche Ok Need to get to blogging!!
      Like · 12 hrs

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

    •  
      Robin Marshall My second three month checkup is next month- and I’m going to make sure that all friends that followed along with me, during this horrific time- including YOU- STAY with me, for better or worse. The love you feel from your friends can make all the difference in the world. 
      Like · 12 hrs

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

    •  
      Susan Santsche Its the Better …Celebrate YOU Every Day ! :}
      Unlike · 1 · 12 hrs

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

    •  
      Robin Marshall And You. Very proud to know you. And- Thank you for giving me the courage to Open My Mouth! I feel MUCH BETTER!!! Lol! Women need to talk to each other and encourage each other to be proactive when their health is in consideration, right?

       

      Please direct…See More

      Like · 12 hrs

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

    •  
      Susan Santsche I am honored to know I did @ and Have gotten to be a part of your amazing Journey ! Thanks Greg Greg S. Reid Secret Knock to unite 2 powerful women fighting for the Change we need in our Health Care!
      Unlike · 1 · 12 hrs

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

    •  
      Robin Marshall I know, it started with You. I heard you- and I’ve saved a few lives because I was “ballsy” enough to write about it. I feel Good about it even though I don’t know the end of my story! You will feel GREAT talking about it because you already know You started the chain! Let me know if you hit a low point. You can dictate and I can Edit. ?
      Like · 11 hrs

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

    •  
      Robin Marshall Get some Sleep!!!
      Like · 11 hrs

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

    •  
      Susan Santsche Be careful to say edit ..Have you read my emails ..LOL
      Like · 11 hrs

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

    •  
      Robin Marshall YES! You need an editor!!!!!! Hahahaha! We can’t always Say what we Feel- Exactly? 
      Like · 11 hrsHide 13 Repli

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

  • ke · Reply · 12 hrs · Edited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  •  

     

     

     

     

     

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She Goes, and She Comes.

//  2 Comments

DFW June 10th, 2015     
Two Endings
 I find that the only time I’ve got available to write lately is while I’m flying from city  to city.
 
9 days to go…I’m down to the wire now. My three-month check-up is on the 19th of June. I know this will sound crazy, but sometimes I feel as if I’m self-sabotaging.For example, not eating, resting, drinking enough water. I just don’t want “Cancer” to have the right to screw up this next blood test; I’d rather take the blame myself! As warped as that sounds, it still allows me to have some sense of control!
So much has happened,… I don’t even know how to pretend that “everything’s OK,” anymore. When you’ve been sick, healed, really gotten a lot better, enjoyed life and then are faced with a reality check like this one coming up… it’s a tough pill to swallow.
 
Within these last three months, looking back…
 
I had my final chemo session.
I made several trips back and forth to see my mom while she was in the hospital.
I made several trips to SC to spend time with my kids.
I took my family to Disney World! I was afraid, “what if there’s not another chance?”
All the while working full-time from a multitude of homemade, nationally sounding studios.
My corporate office and studio closed down, forcing my staff to a relocation to our separate homes, for now.
 
My mom passed away…. No words.
 
I’ve been moving into a new house nearby, slowly… car load by car load with a red mustang with the top down. Something out of a modern day “Beverly HillBilly’s” episode.
The movers finally showed up last Saturday for the stuff I couldn’t fit into my car! They unloaded all by 3:30 am during torrential downpours!
I left the next day for my youngest’s HS graduation, which is the beginning of her life- one which I was so thrilled to have a part in, and worked from yet another SC home studio, in between dogs barking and a friggin’ bird that wouldn’t stop chirping!
A week later, I’m now on the plane heading home.
After a grueling work week, I walked into a house filled with boxes and no sense of order whatsoever.
I’ve spent from that night after my flight landed, until the next evening unpacking, searching for things I’d forgotten I had, …and then putting them away.
I talked to 25 plants in my courtyard, bargaining with them; “I’ll stay home if you’ll come back to life? I promise I won’t neglect you anymore? Just GROW God damn it?”
 
I’ve made this house into a home.
 
I walk around from room to room wondering what my mom would’ve thought about ‘this and that’… sorry that she’ll never see this part of my life.
 
I’ve found the answer to my age-old question: “Do we Ever stop being the child?” No. Even after they die, we’re still wishing for their praise. We take nuggets of “atta girls”  from others, and make them bigger than they really are because we know we’ll never get that parental praise again. We milk whatever we can get until we finally realize we’re acting ridiculously.
 
I’m still trying to find it within me to mourn properly. I don’t know what’s wrong with me! I’ve still not mourned properly for my Dad- and that was 4 years ago. How long can we hold things in until the dam breaks?
 
I’m so tired.
I have also made an appointment at MD Anderson,…. just in case. They have new technology and studies that deal with Ovarian Cancer. I’m seeing the head of the department, and I argued over the fact that it might take 2-3 days for the completion of the tests! Who have I become? It all goes back to self-sabotaging. I should be grateful that she’s seeing me – at all, -and yet I put up a wall. 
My mom would call it a “phase, or a stage” that I’m going through. Can someone tell me- When do those things END?
 
I guess it’s been a huge life lesson, to not take anyone or anything for granted. Even while I’m feeling great, … I was feeling great the last time too… and had no knowledge of what was battling inside my body? So why should I feel contented This time around?
“Twists and turns build character,” as my mom would’ve said… but, as my dad would’ve said, “You need a strong set of “sea legs” too.” Well? I have enough character to last a FULL lifetime, and my sea legs are stronger than anyone else’s I know. Gimme’ a ship that’s rockin’ and I’ll throw in the air guitar! BTW I play 11,000 air guitars, so you ‘d never tire of my style. :-).
 
While in such a hurry to pack before I left – I thought about unpacking and taking  my time when I returned, … really? Who am I kidding! I’m the ‘Type A’ woman who wants what she wants when she wants it; even if it Kills her! And I don’t mind doing it myself! Although- there was this gigundous (sp?) mirror that arrived. It was the first thing in this house that I admitted defeat on; “NO Robin, you can NOT hang a 6 foot 75 lb mirror by yourself!” At least I listened?
 
Each box that I unpacked contained a piece of my life while  throwing out the baggage that no longer matters.
 
That’s what Life is all about. Taking our time, holding on to what matters and throwing out the tumult; and by all means- taking risks! That risk will make or break your life! How intense to know that we CAN make a difference!
Thank you for following along, and feel free to make comments, I’ve finally figured out how to Answer! Hahaha!
 
In spite of the 3 mont h check up I’ve got all kinds of things going on….
 
I’m about to make you “silly up” and laugh like an idiot! No, this is not my day job… but our nights are going to take on a new life!! Does the idea of conversing with a blow-up doll spike your interest? “WHOA! What he said to me??? I should have slapped him! But? He’s full of hot air anyway! ;-” (It’s called foreshadowing.)
 
Look forward to hearing from me whether good news or bad, because I’m just not the type who can stand by and watch things happen. We’ll be laughing together all the way to the end, or there by the grace of God, a new beginning!
Glasses raised to June 19th! Cross everything ya’ got! I could use it!
 
Much love,
 
Robin

You Will Not Believe My News!

//  10 Comments

Feb 16th, 2015 Dallas, Tx.

Never Say Never!

If you have been following my blog, you’ll know that 2 days ago I posted I was to go in today to have 4 chemo injections done in a 6 hour session. You know I have dreaded this- but they felt as I felt- I couldn’t handle the week to week any more. My body felt so filled up with chemo that I just knew I was the equivalent to being “Done!” 

FOR ONCE- Something has gone MY WAY in this medical nightmare!!!

I woke up to a voice message from my Dr’s PA (no, that is not something you listen to music through! It stands for Physician’s Assistant, you radio/DJ nuts).

The message read like this: “Robin, I’ve sat and gone through your chart, took it tothe Dr, and she agrees: We Miscalculated! You have already completed 6 cycles of chemo- YOU ARE DONE!”

Picture me- in bed, listening to this message on the day that I felt would be the worst day of my life-… I sat straight up… literally threw the covers off and started jumping up and down!!!

I’M DONE!!!! I’m a SURVIVOR!!! You Helped me through- and I can’t Thank you enough for all the support that has come my way!!!

All this on the day before my birthday!!! WHAT A GIFT!!!! Holy Shit!!! Hey- I’m allowed to swear, it’s MY Birthday. Hmph!!!

This weekend I’m going to see my mom! 🙂 Finally….

The only bad news is, I’ve been choreographing my “happy dance” and figured I still had two weeks left- so I’m gonna’ have to wing it, which won’t be difficult since I’m pretty much dancing in my seat anyway!!! Be watching for my Youtube video! LOL!

I seriously don’t think I’ve ever written a piece and used so many exclamation points in my life. Improper, but who gives??

This is the best birthday gift I’ve ever received in my life.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes too, and NO- you’re not late! It’s tomorrow. My life begins again, today, said the Sugar Mom! …. <3

Love you all,

Robin

It’s a Number’s Game!

//  Leave a Comment

CA-125This is a quickie! It's meant for every woman to see and every person that loves that woman to see! It's a gentle reminder before the New Year to please don't ignore any symptoms that your body might be trying to tell you. From migraines to unnecessary bleeding… to losing weight or feeling swollen. We know our bodies better than anyone and I for one, care about you as do the people that love you.

This is my chart for a test called CA125. It measures the detection of cancer in your system- but it's also just an indicator that something is amiss, for instance where you see the higher number this just followed my surgery. As my doctor explained to me, all your insides were stirred up so we expect the number to go higher.

What I'm wanting you to see is the steady decline in that number which shows the chemo is working! I have a very positive attitude and my wish for the New Year is to keep that attitude!!! Plus throw in my humor like a staple, as I do!

Never be afraid to call me if you have questions, and we all know at this point in time- my gmail account was hacked into so I'm WAITING like a Good Girl for Google to give it BACK! You can reach me through FB for now.

Take a look! The lower the number the better!

I actually think I'm gonna' beat this!!! Nothin' up my sleeve? Presto!