0:11
if you know me personally you know that I admire Robin Roberts she’s a great
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woman and she’s a spider
0:16
take a look at her journey her now Robin Roberts
0:20
on a very special edition 2020 that you’re on a TC
0:23
on Friday that you were a twenty seconds
0:26
and meanwhile thank you my beloved mother always told her four children
0:32
your message well for much of this past year I felt like my life was a complete
0:38
but tonight I am so grateful to be back and doing well
0:43
and i wanna share with you what I’ve learned I’ve met some amazing people on
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they’ve given me courage and filled my heart
0:52
ultimately they taught me the true meaning
0:55
%uh home weather was a hospital room
0:58
my native Gulf Coast or this TV studio
1:02
so I hope you’ll come with me as I take you on an incredible journey
1:07
that started exactly a year ago Ford
1:19
until you come home I have been waiting 174 days to say this
1:24
good morning america. you never really get to see the patterns adventure
1:29
understanding I hack
1:33
635 a safe be breast cancer in 2007
1:39
0 why would be there five years later
1:43
I was covering one my favorite Channelside welcome once again the
1:47
Huskers right hospital I
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it had no idea I was about to be tested like never before
1:55
people in our lives but I did how
1:58
exhausted I was this was
2:05
exhaustion difficult to focus
2:08
difficult concentrate and at that moment I said you know
2:13
I’m really gotta I want to see my doctor right away
2:16
since I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy
2:21
I have grown accustomed to getting tested but this was different
2:25
I went to see the the specialist or the end
2:28
%uh March and that was the first time
2:31
I heard MTS and I was like
2:36
have have IMATS no in DS
2:39
and he spelled it out for me myelodysplastic syndrome
2:44
this completely foreign to me and I did
2:48
the thing that we tell people not to do I went on the internet
2:52
and I had a reaction
2:56
that some man I just start crying
3:02
poop telling my family was the hardest part
3:06
especially sharing the news with my mom who was ill
3:09
it was very difficult to call my mom
3:13
time the baby had already put them through
3:17
then quite a bit with my breast cancer journey
3:26
I kept on going on the air fell
3:34
but on the inside I was in turmoil
3:36
I’m ironically at the very same time
3:40
good morning america. respect is stored High Point becoming the number one
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after 852 weeks when people see this picture
3:50
they don’t see it the same way I see it because on that same date
3:55
is when I got the official
3:58
diagnosis for MDS scope
4:01
two main number one we have a big party that night
4:05
and that’s what it was like for me April 19th
4:09
2012 soon the reality of my diagnosis became more clear
4:16
in the computer its there was a graph
4:19
and tourists one-year two years and a dot in the middle
4:23
and the doctor kept pointing to that
4:26
dot in the middle team one year two years this
4:30
and I said what’s that and the doctor said
4:33
if you don’t do anything that is your life
4:37
expect stick and I’m like
4:41
away from the office for quite a few hours
4:45
and I turn on my blackberry my phone
4:49
there are several messages and calls from the office and I
4:53
where recalling Ben Sherwood from the car head he said you’re interviewing the
4:58
at the white house I Mike arm
5:02
hope ok hope okay an isometric been
5:06
very excited can take it back to you
5:09
I’ll call you back I remember putting the phone down and I remember thinking
5:14
that is so strange something’s going on there something going on palomas present
5:19
house love you mom that’s okay
5:21
again no one knows all these things that are going on
5:24
and in a sit down and pass the president a
5:27
are you still oppose to same-sex marriage he mixes his store
5:31
response I think same-sex couples should be able to get me through a Mickey and
5:36
here too sheesh all I can really think about was finding a bone marrow match
5:41
immediately I reached out to my sisters Dorothy and Sally M
5:45
the old one it can be a match when only thirty persona siblings are
5:50
so many people in this country depend on donations from strangers
5:53
hoping for max like the 1i would get extremely humbling
5:58
so fine just a quick read 10th
6:01
after an agonizing wait my prayers were answered
6:05
sally-ann was a perfect match its
6:08
very hard for me to except
6:11
this being the giver
6:15
CS thanks to receiving but
6:19
it’s a great gift scripture
6:27
daughter Judith said so many people mom wonder what their purpose is in life
6:32
and now you know your purpose your purpose
6:35
is to give bone marrow to your sister Robin
6:38
you were born for this
6:40
now I could begin my preparation for a bone marrow transplant
6:44
accounting series and daily chemotherapy sessions to wipe out
6:48
my entire immune system so it can be built back from scratch
6:52
with new life from Sally and stem cells
6:56
that after you recover from friends like you actually get her allergies
6:59
you actually will get her lifetime we won’t get her case for music I
7:04
promises promises laptop they also knew I had reached the point where I could no
7:10
longer keep my diagnosis a secret from the public
7:12
how would I tell the viewers and how would I do it
7:16
or something else in my personal life was falling apart
7:29
I’m going to leave happy P today is a gift from God
7:33
in the church say Amen a man
7:36
on the morning of june eleventh the outpouring of support from my family
7:39
friends and colleagues like doctor rich Besser
7:42
was overwhelming they gave me the strength I needed as I prepared to share
7:47
news above very personal nature sometimes
7:51
treatment for cancer can lead to other serious
7:55
medical issues and that’s what I’ve facing
7:58
right now it is something that is called MDS
8:02
but in sleep much the night before going over my head
8:07
you know what I would say worried about how
8:11
it would be received my big a sister
8:14
this bay virtually perfect match
8:18
for me and she is going to be my donor
8:21
you gonna be my girl hand
8:25
they remember seeing Diana rich let studio
8:29
can spend a little time with them before making the announcement
8:34
and we can a huddle together because for the longest time
8:38
sister three of us %uh Diane and I have been down this road before
8:43
when I battle breast cancer in 2007 and this is my family call ourselves that
8:48
we thought we were a little still team yeah you have your back sister
8:52
I know that you do then I know the it has been replaying
8:56
I can’t watch it I’m cam ported
9:03
did watch and the reaction to my nails better NDS
9:06
was beyond what I could have ever imagined the day that I
9:10
announced my diagnosis was also there began
9:14
pre-treatment quality room
9:18
home to grab for so many questions
9:21
I decided to bring cameras along because no matter what would happen
9:24
I wanted to share my story I’m
9:27
question physical exams blood test
9:31
and chemo were will let bliss camp we were
9:34
doing this again as for that so it’s different for you
9:40
the last time I had zero which is warmer and
9:44
lose my here yeah I know this may be hard to believe but even the painful
9:51
became routine this is my fourth
9:54
cool mails yes came forward so
9:58
you know good getting a little easier but no more
10:02
up what to expect condoms and you know you can biondi
10:07
squirrel that you and I and II to omou
10:10
woman yeah this poem I wrote sooo percent finished
10:14
you they did awesome my oncologist doctor gayle rubles
10:19
treats so many patients just like me she certainly knew how to make this easier
10:26
my GMA family and viewers also did everything they could
10:30
to keep my spirits up here we are rocking
10:34
the armbands and here’s why because I know the ball
10:43
piece to one’s here soon makes it easier to
10:47
draw blood an almost too much to administer medication like the chiro
10:52
I’m about to happen yell something I was not expecting
10:56
my colleagues in viewers termite pic light cover into a fashion trend
11:01
so I started being sent these really different my little pick %uh first it
11:06
was funny to me how people were saying I was making fashion statement but now I’m
11:09
just trying to keep it clean
11:10
and there are a few viewers that word colleges pointed out to the pic lie was
11:15
on loved covers divers pretty you know what will you know you can have a
11:19
my all along I was worried about selling aunt
11:24
her tests and her fear needles that she and I want everyone around the country
11:29
being a bone marrow donor is a gift to you
11:32
really couldn’t he have I have my kg I had my butt
11:40
easy to use me are you scared no not skeered
11:44
I don’t feel evening fear
11:47
the procedure I I just totally trust
11:51
that everything is going to work out
11:53
sure you know you need be
11:56
levy you second good
12:03
just as I thought everything was finally in place for my transplant
12:06
mom’s health took a turn my mother
12:09
had suffered a stroke middle jhalak
12:14
and I was going home every weekend at
12:18
I don’t care if you’re too or 52
12:21
when you’re sick you what your mommy you what you wanna be
12:26
she knew that tomorrow
12:30
12 Robin will begin attorney should take some medical use
12:34
August 30th was my final day on GMA
12:37
my GMA family my family they’re at home
12:40
I love you and I’ll see you soon get the
12:45
Daugherty said a text and she said
12:49
on her mother is on her way home
12:54
her they’re playing could get there fast enough
13:01
made it home in time to be by mom side
13:04
during her final moments from a decaf
13:08
I got up im told her hand and she turned them
13:14
do so aspirin there’s nothing like a mothers work
13:20
my beloved mother laid to rest
13:23
now it was time for me to face the unknown road ahead without her here
13:27
it was time for the transplant I remember
13:31
thing tips inducted rolls eyes
13:41
this leaves them his singles too
13:45
nice just to be able to understand hi no
13:48
paula has outlook.com
14:01
in early September after Lehman harassed I returned to New York for my bone
14:06
marrow transplant a tool I shave my head
14:09
the day before I entered the hospital it was
14:13
so dramatic last time and
14:17
I wanted to be in control
14:20
high-handed controlled I am deciding
14:24
with my here goes on on the waiting room
14:27
yes in a hospital bed for the fallout
14:41
once in the hospital my underwear 10 consecutive days of intensive
14:46
my constant companion an IV pole
14:50
I could even see the pole for all the bags that were hanging are
14:53
of a bit and so it was nutrition in their system white
14:58
bag called lipids and
15:02
it would come in the room when I could just smell it and it looked like
15:06
arm white-out that’s how it was guru
15:09
and but it was giving me life it was keeping me
15:14
was keep me alive now I grew so attached to my IV pole
15:19
I just had to give it a name friend went online and saw that the disco name for
15:24
Robin is rush on this over sunday was a day with my
15:27
IV pole that was all like Google to dispose of old
15:31
Department who do like today you look for things you know putting up
15:36
GI jane I love putting up signs uva
15:41
whole yeen the Greek aisles and is all about visualizing and and seeing
15:47
the morning a my transplant was a blur I
15:51
tone remember I was in another place
15:55
I was I was just you have to remember I had gone to 10
16:00
consecutive days up chemotherapy
16:07
yeah I was surrounded by Dorothy and selling and another love ones who were
16:14
and witness this miraculous moment
16:27
I feel although I love being here fall below are you going to secure morning
16:33
with a syringe filled with millions of selling and stem cells
16:38
my transplant doctor doctor Sergio Geralt
16:41
gave me the gift of life I hear anybody else
16:46
title see anybody else by desi doctor jerome
16:51
any start inserting the syringe
16:55
into a port I have my chest
16:59
and I remember seeing tears he has mass comm remember seeing tips
17:03
inducted year old science
17:06
hand I can see that his mouth is moving the saying something
17:10
I say a small prayer a small saying that both my wife and my
17:14
mother live topping let God do is work going to work to mediate
17:19
does capture the real sense of the moment the way this finally involves
17:25
is a whole joint events that may be beyond components on a concall
17:29
a power above us and our role is to do the best we can with
17:33
the instruments that we have I think now’s a good time to say
17:37
cosell ego a spelling
17:43
you’re doing hmm your
17:46
well you want to know what happens now I think yeah
17:50
when you see the hell excellent health
17:54
you will realize I had to go through it
17:58
so to get to this the new after the transplant
18:02
it began to sink in how much I was still deeply grieving mom
18:42
shooter so she could do
18:43
more powerful for for you
18:47
moo moo moo moo moo moo yeah
18:50
beautiful want to you cozy with the cutest little girl
18:57
I will never forget the 24-hour dedication of doctors and nurses working
19:02
I’m a believer but no one said it would be easy
19:06
for days and days following my transplant
19:10
I was in isolation my grandma used to always say
19:13
she loved the mornings and she looks quiet time
19:17
boy did I have a lot to quiet time
19:20
0 and I learned to appreciate it
19:24
because I’ve always been just go in nonstop
19:27
slowly I began to regain my physical strength
19:32
and was able to sit in a chair just long enough for a second
19:36
haircut good stuff really want to
19:47
am through through Bowl
19:54
that’s all I know huh
19:58
thank you good I’m if you move
20:28
I’m it wouldn’t be long before I was back on my feet
20:36
but what would life be like for me on the outside
20:53
go the day has come I can finally leave the hospital
21:08
my saying goodbye to my fabulous medical team
21:12
is bittersweet where’s the other foot up when I get home
21:17
go take a wrong way over there was a Yahoo anniversary party
21:27
30 days a isolation I take my first breath
21:37
amid the wind was blowing and feeling the way and
21:41
and just feeling the hair
21:44
it is washed over me so overwhelming that
21:48
think it’s gone apply tell you all use the company or Galway
22:03
there is no place like home
22:14
for the next few months day in and day out
22:17
I would stay in my apartment a virtual bubble
22:21
from the outside world away from the germs that could derail my healing
22:28
little by little I began to add to my life
22:32
building up my system and getting stronger
22:40
after a long five months I was now ready to venture out and start
22:49
now I could be the one to offer encouragement and this morning to
22:53
someone early in recovery from the very same transplant I had
22:56
gardens another reminder how
23:01
close this strikes David Aponte is a colleague of mine
23:05
a cell man at ABC News and look at his stats here
23:09
thank you so I’m assuming I should be doing exactly where
23:13
never give up thought ever give up and that’s what we’re doing see it’s nice to
23:18
their to talk to somebody is it the same this this
23:26
missus soccer kissing you guys know a girl that a significant is work that out
23:31
all rolled the dice
23:32
your family your forever family
23:36
Dave it’s fine is just starting and thankfully he is doing well
23:40
and offer him home well that’s just a blessing
23:44
yeah thanks again another blessing something as simple as being able to sit
23:49
down with my GMA Co Inc urs
23:51
at the restaurant we’d even together so many times before
23:55
sitting on the couch that they have the diagnosis
23:58
something that you said Josh what I said about fighting
24:02
you know that focus on the might that the frightening he said it’s a bar fight
24:06
what I was going through we were going through together
24:11
good morning everyone hello to robin at home we are you know I love it when
24:15
every morning when you say
24:16
you know robin at home curious mister roberts. I would love to have you share
24:21
and by sharing it Eve you know I helped countless
24:25
people and that is a huge thing for us
24:29
walk among the K my eggs
24:32
so good on word my waking up one of mine
24:35
but I knew that before I would be able to return to the sack
24:39
and to my GMA family
24:42
it was time to go home and I needed to do that
24:45
for I couldn’t come home to GMA
24:50
beyond my family’s home turf to see
24:53
someone the oldest friends I’m ever had the Gulf Coast is my home
24:57
grab I wanted to be with my family for Superbowl reunion weekend
25:06
and they’re also so many people to fame Southeastern Louisiana University
25:12
day are making it happens
25:16
although bone marrow donor drives like swapping from Robert have my beloved
25:21
and be the match thousands of people
25:24
stepping up to be donors the other outpouring
25:28
of love and so many people wearing those bracelets to show their support
25:34
when I see someone wearing the bracelet
25:37
this is something that tugs at my heart lied
25:41
love power presents skiing back home was not just a big step for me
25:52
emotionally but physically to I have the flagellum new system
25:57
have a newborn baby good to see you
26:01
yeah I gotta tell you following my doctor’s orders to avoid germs is not
26:07
especially around lots of people like these wonderful supporters
26:14
many out here on this month watch GMA broadcast live
26:18
from your I do not blind
26:22
I 400 I’m proud owner
26:26
you I’ve been out of congress to I’m southern
26:30
it’s what we do it is hard
26:36
XP like the happiest like a so
26:39
your thank you so nice because I know what I will pick you
26:43
looking at me I could so I’m getting better
26:47
because the way you look at me is like you know I’m back
26:51
%uh the truth is that while I believe
26:57
I will be back mix deep down inside
27:04
I wasn’t really sure that I’d never can travel to
27:07
familiar road from New Orleans to my childhood home and Pass Christian
27:12
and coming home after a parent’s death is something most of us have to face it
27:17
one time or another and
27:23
I hope sharing this moment might show how overcoming loss is possible
27:27
the even under the worst circumstances
27:30
let’s go inside thankfully my sister dorothy was fair for me to lean on
27:56
she knows that interest happy she thought their
28:05
scum if it’s fair for texts
28:08
to slow cooker work new doll
28:11
I am going to miss I’m on sitting right here the most
28:18
there you go you I think about that ok
28:22
time the evils were in New York number last visits and we went to
28:26
a recording studio at her request in seeing play the piano in you saying and
28:47
al-marri’s she could just sit down
28:50
Francisco I I nerve got to come together here with my sisters and my big brother
29:02
is another energizing step in my healing process
29:08
without mom we have to make a concerted effort
29:12
to stay close and and I think that that’s our necks
29:16
journey if you if you will to continue that
29:20
close-knit family which I believe that we
29:23
we r the outpouring of love for people who I just are even know a barely know
29:29
what’s your sister love you sister how’s your sister doing you
29:33
are on the road to spectacular
29:37
the the darkest hours always before the dawn
29:40
and it’s a new day deemed
29:47
I 3 entirely shooters
29:51
he sat down with him you saw my house has teamed
29:59
I was feeling ready but getting back to me a good cheer
30:03
would be the next big step
30:14
I was finally starting to feel truly like myself again
30:18
almost ready to go back to the life I’d left behind
30:22
but I first wanted to take another stab trying to place the meaning of this
30:26
experience in my life
30:28
I needed the huddle with my dear friend Diane
30:34
dozens I relief some things never change how we should your life as you step by
30:40
jimmy and i know i buttons button
30:42
know i’m always write a good i cant so
30:46
when you wake up in the morning what’s different now
30:52
I would wake up an almost kinda like barely open when I go home I gotta feel
30:57
today oh I still feel yucky
30:59
so now to wake up and to feel
31:07
as I haven’t been such a long time but is that close to normal
31:11
you feel pretty much like myself mean but dumb
31:14
and no pain whatsoever I have always been
31:18
an optimist and I will say this: to people who when they’re facing at
31:24
a tough challenge being optimistic is like a muscle
31:28
taken stronger bookings you don’t think you can learn it you can learn up my
31:32
I think in time I think you can be aware over a bit I bill
31:35
I’ve been an optimistic person home my wife and I know that drive some people
31:40
you know I specially like morning morning people like how can you I’m come
31:44
in in the morning and to still do now Mike I am love
31:47
coming in and I love the morning I love all that and there’s some people who are
31:52
from Pier um in the morning from
31:55
a few I mean I’m apart from don’t talk to me
32:00
I don’t know why you think I’m you I think that it can be
32:05
I think it’s just easier if you
32:08
if you’ve done it all your life for the majority of your life
32:12
I think it just makes it easier for Windows tough times como
32:16
the one-time I thought you were trying to
32:21
you you were trying to make it okay for me was when you tell me the story
32:27
I’ve the nurse saying your name
32:29
name I remember one particular reaping not feeling well at all
32:33
and chests slipping away
32:38
and I was in this coma like state
32:41
and then all of a sudden as clear as all get out
32:44
I heard my name Robin
32:47
Robin and it for some workers helping you remember so I was so we’re different
32:53
and I just remember opening my eyes and my sweet nurse Jenny
32:57
this always had a mask on so good to see their eyes her eyes like this
33:01
forward since its kinda look at you know how’re
33:04
am I going to get through this how am I going to be
33:07
be better but did you think at that moment you had a choice
33:13
if she hadn’t been there I was thinking about my mom a lot
33:18
and in fact truth be known it for some thoughts my mom
33:21
calling my name that was my mom
33:29
type that was my mom’s voice and the
33:33
mmm then I realized
33:36
whenever my eyes it was Jenny miners
33:39
in a way I think it was my mom’s voice
33:43
and not for me to come to where she
33:46
there’s now but for me to stay where I am
33:51
and I don’t know hedging up in the air
33:55
I was in that kind of just a boy
33:58
you know what she was and a
34:02
it was shortly thereafter that I turned the corner
34:06
I definitely turned a corner then and this week
34:10
well I just kept going
34:12
I share this morning this day of celebration with evidence she’s the
34:17
heart and soul of this place
34:19
why we know she’s just getting started Jojo
34:24
faster good morning america.
34:27
she makes me happier person those the people you wan around in your life
34:32
and Robin is that to me she is a role model
34:36
and how you deal with the struggles of life
34:40
do you think in terms of being foreal bit no
34:43
or is it is that not a
34:46
useful way to thick what I am facing now is
34:50
is different my doctors have been cautious to use the word remission
34:57
I’ve been cautious to say that were too
35:01
at this very moment this day that I’m talking to die and
35:05
I do not have MDS I do not have pre leukemia
35:08
on this day and that’s all I can control right now
35:11
my heart still beats very fast when I go in to see the doctor a regular basis
35:17
and blood work is drawn and I wait for the results
35:21
everyone says that dissipate over time
35:25
you don’t have to go as frequently as more time passes
35:28
but it’s nothing that’s going to to stay with me long term i cant
35:33
then it’s that’s what I’m and you know I’m competitive MIGO
35:38
I highlight those and I don’t want to wait in the AM
35:42
if fifth if the fear overtakes me
35:46
bennett williams then wonder why did I go to all that I do I go to all these
35:50
last six months all this pain all this
35:52
pink with all this everything to sit here now and be
35:56
in fear nowhere is it written that
35:59
we should not be happy that you get extra bonus points
36:03
at the end because you you know we trudged along the new
36:07
you did what you know you thought you should do I wanna be happy
36:12
no other days this is a good day and there are some days you have that
36:16
the kinda creeps and but I had to have something you do when it does
36:22
what is it fear and doubt all it needs is test
36:25
from you know that PI have a needle that’s all it needs to get through
36:30
turned it takes over what do I do
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every Pat Summitt only this left for
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right foot re left foot right foot breed
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what do you see when you
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look in your eye is here own eyes now
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and I see a strong woman I know people have said that about me
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but we all know our own insecurities and we all know how we really feel about
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I feel strength like I’ve never felt before
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I do 90 how fortunate I was to receive such excellent health care
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it’s a blessing I wish everyone could have
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if I’ve learned one lesson the hong all others during this journey
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is that with faith family and friends
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you are strong even stronger
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word this makes you feel better
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I there is no place like home