“I feel like a million bucks!”

Carla’s first day back in the gym following cancer surgery, “her crowning achievement!”

So proclaimed our BHS’68 classmate, Carla Robinson Pollard, as she wrote to RSVP to the 50th Class Reunion. You may recall that we heard from Carla four years ago in October 2013 (see post “Fabric artists“) and saw some of her beautiful handiwork.

I have a remarkable life—among other reasons—I’m a cancer survivor.  Was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in April of 2016, went through chemo and radiation last summer, then successful surgery in November when they got it all.  I was extremely fortunate to have a medical team of gladiators out of the Marin General Hospital network; my surgery was at the Mission Bay campus of UCSF in San Francisco by a world class surgeon who specializes in only my kind of cancer/surgery. 

Carla Robinson, 1968

Although I was strong as a bull  going into it, I wound up in the hospital twice afterward with infections; then a third time after having a seizure from one of the meds I was taking to clear up an infection (sepsis).  I had a couple of docs tell me I could have died!  Not quite ready for THAT!  Lol.  So my 67th birthday this year was particularly significant.  And, many of our classmates will be 68 for the class of ’68’s 50th!

Now I feel like a million bucks, living the dream still running two small businesses for which I am sole proprietor: I have a custom sewing studio in Sausalito—with an abundance of wonderful clients, including interior designers from the SF Bay area.  I also maintain a bookkeeping business with clients who have a variety of businesses.  I’m blessed to have a huge network of ongoing support, colleagues, clients and friends. 

Although I wasn’t directly affected by the unspeakable tragedy of the wine country fires I spent a lot of time in Napa some years ago visiting a close friend on a regular basis who used to live there.  I also have a dear friend whose parents lived in the Fountaingrove community of Santa Rosa who lost absolutely everything.  Unlike hundreds of others at least they had another place to move to (in with my friend, their son) here in Mill Valley where I still live (going on 29 years!) This event has touched so many I know, it’s positively unbelievable.

So that’s the scoop on me right now.  I feel extraordinarily grateful every day.

The picture above was posted on Instagram, on Carla’s first day back in the gym. Her trainer wrote: “It’s been a long year for Carla. Cancer, chemo, radiation, surgeries, hospitalizations. Things got dark, but she pulled through. Today Carla worked out with me for the first time since October. And you know what? She’s as strong as ever. A take-no-s*** attitude and a will to survive will get you through almost anything, and Carla is living proof.”

We’re so happy for you, Carla, and look forward to seeing you at the reunion!

Carla’s favorite photo.