This is the story of Cootamundra’s Robyn Harris and a story alarmingly similar to dozens of other ladies in our town. 

Every six weeks or so these ladies get together for an informal afternoon or morning tea catch up to chat about their everyday lives and wellbeing as part of a Breast Cancer Support Network. 

Robyn said while the support of family and friends is invaluable at times of cancer diagnosis and treatment, unless someone has been through that same situation they can not truly understand what breast cancer does to a woman. It is because of this she says the support group has been so valuable to her. 

“You can have a discussion with the ladies and know they know what you’ve been through,” Robyn said. 

“It is good therapy to talk about what you’ve been through,” she added. 

Any woman in the local area who has been touched by breast cancer can be part of the group who will meet next Tuesday at 12.30pm as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at E’Claires. All breast cancer survivors are welcome. 

The survivors group has been in existence in Cootamundra for more than 15 years providing valuable support for those affected by breast cancer. 

“It is very reassuring to know others are going through the same things you go through,” Robyn said. 

Robyn was one of the fortunate ones who had their breast cancer detected early. 

She had a sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer and treated in Melbourne and also knew of a paternal aunt who had breast cancer. 

Knowing the genetic links of the disease Robyn had herself checked out and the news wasn’t good. The disease existed in her, however the positive news was they had found it early and her prospects of survival were very positive. 

This was the year 2000 and Robyn was 49 years of age. 

She says today that if she had not gone through the testing when she did and left it 12 months more she is sure the cancer would have spread to a point where she would not have survived. 

As it was, Robyn said she always knew she would make it. She had a husband, children, grandchildren and a life to live - there was no way she was going to die. 

“I had just come back from an overseas trip with my husband Colin and my only grandchild was living in America, I remember thinking I’m going to see my grandchild grow up so let’s get on with this,” Robyn said. 

So she set her mind to going through the rigours of treatment including chemotherapy and while there were times she felt it was almost too much to bear she always came out the other side of these moments with a renewed positive outlook and drive to survive. 

“At my lowest I would be sitting at the kitchen table at 2am thinking I’m never going to get better but I always kept going,” Robyn said. 

She spent 10 years on cancer treatment medications following her operation, twice as long as many women. 

This was ultimately a personal choice made after reading research which said breast cancer patients had a much reduced risk of the disease reoccurring if they remained on medication for longer. 

Increasingly 10 years on medication is becoming the norm. 

“I wanted to have the best chance possible and I did what I thought was right for me,” Robyn said. 

Now more than 12 months since she has come off the medication Robyn said she realises how greatly it affected her energy levels. 

She said though the breast cancer journey is never over, while she is no longer on medication and has been cleared of the disease every woman must always be vigilant. 

“I didn’t feel the lump I had, it was more of a dimpling of the breast, so even if you can’t feel something it doesn’t mean it is not there, women need to have their tests done,” Robyn said. 

“You really have to know and understand your body and know that if something is different get it checked straight away,” she encouraged. 

~ A quilt of hope ~

ROBYN has been an active fundraiser for the Cancer Council for many years and this year she has been busy making a fabulous quilt on honour of breast cancer awareness. 

While holidaying in Canada for the 60th birthdays of her and husband Col, Robyn found a ream of fabric with a pink ribbon print. 

She immediately snapped it up and has joined it with other swatches of fabric used over the years including bits and pieces from items she has made for her granddaughter. 

“That fabric inspired me to get going,” she said. 

Robyn has been selling raffle tickets for the quilt and it will be drawn at Tuesday’s lunch at E’Claires Coffee Shop with all funds to go to the Cancer Council. 

Already more than $1500 has been raised for the cause. 

She estimates more than 30 hours has gone into the creation of the quilt including the cutting and sewing then hand-stitching the outside. The quilting was then done by Sonia at Patchwork on Parker. 

“It has been a labour of love,” Robyn said.

The label on the quilt “Lovingly made by Robyn Harris 2013” sums up this gorgeous quilt.