Robin Greene

I had just purchased a home and was in the process of moving and very tired in the evening.  I was stretching and found a lump.  I had been having mammograms every 6 months for the past 10 or so years.  They were keeping an eye on thickening in the right breast; but this was the left.  I had just had my last mammogram in December.  I immediately phoned my friend, Janelle, who is a four-year breast cancer survivor.  After explanation, she said to call my doctor right away.  The following week, I saw my family doctor who immediately sent me for a mammogram which was followed by a biopsy.  This was in May 2008.  I'll never forget that phone call on June 6th about 3:45pm.  My family doctor saying "I need to see you tomorrow morning." I knew my fate.

I decided after several consults with surgeons to have the full flap double mastectomy.  The earliest they could schedule the surgery was August 15th.  I have several friends that are survivors who said that I need to take you to Michelle's Place.  After visiting this awesome organization, I realized why God placed us in Riverside County.  I could not have walked this journey without my husband, wonderful friends, our church, my family and Michelle's Place.  Giving up my job and income was tough but with Michelle's Place supplying me with wigs, bras, hats, prosthetic and books to read to understand the journey were wonderful.  Their smiling uplifting calls from Cheryl and the many wonderful volunteers were so helpful and uplifting.

I had surgery on August 15th with success and then developed hematoma and returned to the operating room on August 17th.  Several weeks later, we realized that the reconstruction did not take on the right breast, therefore the right breast was removed on September 7th.  Following six weeks recovery, with six lymph nodes affected, I started the much dreaded chemo part of the journey (October through February) followed by five weeks of radiation - driving to Orange County Hoag Hospital for all of my treatments was a tough and tiring process but with all of our wonderful friends and our church family supplying much of our meals and the awesome cards and calls from Michelle's Place, I was able to complete the above process with continuous upbeat and positive attitude.

And WOW, Christmas from Michelle's Place and the Blue Thong Society was our best Christmas ever.  Gifts for our daughters, Julia 8, and Bianca 13 were like an Angel had read their wish list.  Christmas was so overwhelmingly wonderful for our family.  

When I had my final radiation treatment, my hair fell out one week later.  My Bosom Buddies Friends call me the "Breast Cancer Failure" ...for all that could have gone wrong...did.  I  am planning reconstruction again and am so grateful for Michelle's Place.  Our daughters love Kids Konnected which has helped them deal with Mom's cancer.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

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