Robyn’s Red Breasts inspired to ride by brave friend

A large group of riders will line up for the start of FORCE’s Nello event to celebrate the courage of a friend and fellow cyclist.

Robyn Walton found out she had breast cancer in November 2022 at the age of 37.

After the initial shock of being told she might not make it to her 50^th birthday, she went through a brutal regime of life-saving treatment and is now slowly rebuilding her world.

The way Robyn handled her diagnosis and treatment has been inspirational.

Motivated

It has motivated around 30 people to join Team Robyn’s Red Breasts and sign up for the 25^th Nello.

They’ll all ride with specially crocheted boobs on the front of their bikes as they tackle the twin goal of raising money for FORCE and awareness of what the charity does to support local people dealing with cancer.

“My friends and family have seen the support from FORCE and that has held me together,” said Robyn, a geography teacher at St James School in Exeter.

“Cancer can be treated with chemicals and surgery but you need psychological support for the mind.”

Fitness

Robyn has ridden the Nello before and this year will be handing out medals at the finish.

She’s enjoying building her fitness levels again but admits: “I’m having to hold myself back. I’ve got to take it slowly and that’s frustrating. At the very least I may cycle the last mile.”

Robyn went to her GP after she felt a lump in her breast. She was referred to the RDUH where she was told to prepare for some tough times ahead and that she might be kept alive for 11 years.

Acronyms became part of her everyday language – CT, MRI, PET CT – scans that confirmed primary breast cancer with a spread to a lymph node.

Problems

She admits the first two weeks after diagnosis were frightening but once she had received a treatment plan – “You wouldn’t believe how comforting that is.” – her confidence grew.

She had six cycles of triple chemotherapy and chemoradiation – chemotherapy and radiotherapy delivered at the same time – and radiotherapy.

Treatment wasn’t without its problems. During the first round she developed a blood clot in her right atrium and had to go on blood thinners and in the second cycle she caught COVID and pneumonia and had shingles.

Despite a gruelling regime, Robyn was determined to stay active and managed to walk most days, whether it was just to the end of the drive or up to five kilometres on a good day.

Riding The Nello, our flagship fundraiser, was her only connection to FORCE until her diagnosis.

Gifts

She has since had counselling, acupuncture – “It was nice to be in group activity sessions for the first time and good to speak to people with cancer. That was really powerful.” – complementary therapies, relaxation and anxiety management sessions and has found just visiting our Support and Information Centre in the grounds of the RD&E a tonic.

“When you’re poorly it’s exhausting,” said Robin. “I really appreciated being able to come to a space where you can relax away from the hospital, get some fresh air on the way over and sit in the beautiful gardens. It’s a wonderful, relaxing building.

“One thing cancer has taught me is that I don’t need more things, it has given me more gifts than I could have imagined, including a real focus on family and friends. When I was diagnosed, I felt like had such a privileged life.”

Friendship

Jo Pope is part of Team Robyn’s Red Breasts. She has known Robyn for 15 years, a friendship born out of a love of sport and strengthened by the events of the last two years.

“For someone as young as her to be facing what she was came as a massive shock to us all,” said Jo.

“She has been amazing and very open about everything she’s going through. It’s her way of coping and it’s pulled us all in. It’s made us want to be part of the journey with her and made it easier for us to support her.

Brutal

“She’s been through so much. The side-effects of the chemo were particularly brutal.”

Many of her friends have ridden The Nello before but Robyn’s experience has given a whole new context to taking part in this year’s event.

“It feels like a really good opportunity to celebrate that she has got through this and to repay FORCE for all they’ve done for her,” said Jo.

“We are very lucky to have something like FORCE here in Exeter. It’s a tremendous comfort to know that it’s there for people who need it.”

Support

The Robyn’s Red Breasts idea was initially tongue in cheek – some people had already signed up as Robyn’s Riders – but Robyn loved it and when she spread the word, more and more people joined the team.

Martin Latchem is one of them and his wife, Angie, is crocheting the woollen boobs.

You can support Robyn’s Red Breast at

https://www.justgiving.com/page/lorraine-stone-1715021547345