Hello Friends
It feels like a year has gone by but I know in reality it has only been a little over 4 months. A lot can happen in a short amount of time. Life is so funny that way sometimes. When last I left you lovely readers, I was attending the National Barbie Convention in Nashville. It was a trip filled with wonderful friends( old and new) and good memories not to mention fabulous Barbie purchases and gifts. I was on such a high. That high ended abruptly Sunday morning after convention.
We all have friends in our lives. Some of us are blessed to have close friends. A small number of us are truly blessed to have what I like to call a “sister friend”. I was not blessed with close familial sister bonds so these “sister friend’s” in my life have become my family. On the last evening of convention, during the final banquet actually, I received a call from my friend Carole. She is and always will be my sister by another mother. She had been admitted to the hospital with what she thought were complications from pneumonia. By Sunday morning, the doctors were using words like, “mass” and “abnormal” and “Lymphoma”.
Carole was diagnosed with an unusual T-cell non Hodgkin’s lymphoma the week after convention and an aggressive regime of chemotherapy was recommended. She would have to quit her job for the next 8 months to undergo treatment and she was going to need help. When your family needs help, you help. The past four months have a been a journey of discovery. It has been a process of three steps forward then two steps back. New words have entered my every day vocabulary “ Neutropenic”, “Chemo protectant”, “Nadir” and “Petechiae” . It was a lot to take in and deal with so I needed to give it a large chunk of my time and effort. The blog took a back seat and I thank everyone for understanding that.
After four months of treatment, I am happy to announce that Carole is doing well in treatment. She is responding beautifully to the chemotherapy regime. I am in awe every single day by her grace, strength and resilience in the face of so much. Her faith sustains her. It always has and it is so inspiring to see and feel that. I feel privileged to be part of a team of family and friends who have and continue to care for her in this journey. The journey will continue on for the next couple of months and beyond. It will continue to require my time and energy. I am hopeful though that I will be able to carve out some time to pick the blog back up.
You will see sporadic posts at first while I start to get back into the swing of things ( and Nutcracker season ends) and I hope to be back to posting on a somewhat more regular basis by January. A big “Thank You” to everyone who has commented, emailed, prayed and offered encouragement. It means more than you will ever know. Another big “Thank You” to everyone for being patient and for being the best blog readers in the world.
-Rebecca
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 
We really missed you! I’m glad to know your friend is recovering
December 11, 2014 at 11:30 am
I am so very glad Carole is doing much better, I have thought and prayed for her and you. I sure will look forward to new posts from your blog. Merry Christmas to you Rebecca, Carole and your family. I too have realized just how important sister friends are. And I won’t be sorry to see this year go. Hugs Mary
December 13, 2014 at 11:08 pm
Yes, we all missed you. So glad to hear your friend is doing well and I will continue to pray for her. Take care and have a wonderful holiday.
December 11, 2014 at 11:44 am
I hope your Friend keeps improving, darling! I wish you the best!
December 11, 2014 at 11:46 am
Courage! Your friend will defeat the desease, I’m sure! … and she is lucky because it has close to if a special friend like you 🙂
December 11, 2014 at 12:09 pm
You’ve definitely been missed! I’ll be thinking good thoughts for your friend Carole and you. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays! (just in case you don’t have a chance to make it back here before then)
December 11, 2014 at 12:10 pm
We’ve missed you! Glad to hear your friend is doing well. Dealing with a friend here in the same boat and I know how it takes a toll on e everyone involved in their lives. Have a happy holiday and nutcracker season! xoxo
December 11, 2014 at 1:01 pm
I am so glad there is a happy ending. Yes, I believe in healings and miracles so I will call this a happy ending now! Both you and Carole will be on my prayer list. Healing hugs!
December 11, 2014 at 1:05 pm
It is so wonderful to see you back on the blog Rebecca. Your friend is very blessed to have you by her side and truly you are an angel among us for so many reasons. You kindness will return to you tenfold!! Have a great holiday season. hugs
December 11, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays Rebecca! May God bless you, your family, and friends during the holidays and beyond! And a special wish for Carole! May God bless her and keep her in his care! 🔔🎄🔔
December 11, 2014 at 2:26 pm
You are an inspiration to us who someday may have a sister friend or family member who needs our love and support in the manner that you have given over your life. I applaud you for your strength and character. Carole is lucky to have you as family. Stay strong and come back when you can!
December 11, 2014 at 2:37 pm
I sent you a private e-mail. Nice to see you back on!! I will keep your sister friend in all of my prayers for sure!! 🙂 Hugs!! Debi Drlik
December 11, 2014 at 3:02 pm
Rebecca, so glad to hear the good news about Carole! Best wishes to you and your family this Christmas. Healing hugs to Carole. Love you!
December 11, 2014 at 3:22 pm
You were missed, but I knew there was something going on in your life that required your undivided attention and I kept you in my thoughts and was hoping that everything would turn out alright. Glad that your friend is doing okay and I hope that continues. May you and all your “family” be well and enjoy the Christmas Season. Look forward to you easing back in to your blog.
December 11, 2014 at 5:05 pm
So glad to here that she is responding well. It was a nice surprise to see your post. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, Carole, and your family. Happy Holidays.
Joan
December 11, 2014 at 6:01 pm
You blog is well the worth the wait! Prayers for your sister from another mother. I have one of those too. She doesn’t share my Barbie obsession but listens attentively to my gushing. I am looking forward to your next blog regardless of what it is about.
Lauren
December 11, 2014 at 6:23 pm
my thoughts are with you both sweety,take care…<3
December 11, 2014 at 6:30 pm
You are blessing and anyone who knows you are bless. Best wishes to you alway.
December 11, 2014 at 6:44 pm
Dear Rebecca,
I am so happy to read Carole is doing better. I remember the nice luncheon we had in Paris altogether. I send her my deepest sympathy.
She sure could not have a better friend than yourself.
Happy holidays
Rebecca
December 12, 2014 at 7:17 am
HI Rebecca,
I am so happy to hear that your friend is doing so well she is truly blessed to have friends like you to care for her. I will keep hoping and praying that her health continues to improve. Have a wonderful Christmas. I always love reading your blogs and seeing the lovely dollies you photography.
Take Care Suzanne
December 12, 2014 at 12:45 pm
hello i am very happy that my lovely blogger is back and you made all of your reader proud on you and also taught what is a relation between people and care for your people. God bless u and sister(freind)and she truly blessed by god that she got you.thankyou.
December 12, 2014 at 8:36 pm
Dear Rebecca:
Family illnesses are frightening – I understand about “sister friends” – and you are so right that they are rare and wonderful. She is blessed to have you there for support and comfort during this trying time. I wish the best of health and healing for Carole. May the holiday bring you both rest and peace.
Robyne
December 12, 2014 at 11:55 pm
Hi Rebecca,
So good to have you back blogging again. I’ve missed your beautiful photographs and doll news. Glad to hear you and your friend Carole are doing fine. Hope you and your friends and family have a happy holiday season. Also I hope for you both a very happy new year free of all those new vocabulary words. Things like these can really make you appreciate even the dullest “normal” day. Best wishes to you all.
December 15, 2014 at 9:38 pm
dear rebecca im so glad that carole is doing well. both of you have a merry christmas! you are both in my prayers love debbie
December 17, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Oh, Rebecca, it is sooooooo good to see you back on! You are such an inspiration. Blessings to you and Carole, family and friends…and thank you for being a blessing to us.
love, Ruth
December 17, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Glad to see you back and happy to read that your friend is doing well! Love and light! xo
December 21, 2014 at 4:13 am
Glad you are back and that your friend is doing so well!!!
December 22, 2014 at 6:54 pm