Oak Park woman fights for her life, place to live

By Sylvie Belmond Acorn Staff Writer

SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers Karen Terrien and Robin Josephson

Although she was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer over two years ago, Robin Josephson went scuba diving off Catalina Island recently. Her will to survive and thrive has led her to stay positive in spite of remarkably trying conditions.

Josephson, a teaching nurse who was working in Saudi Arabia, was initially told she had a cyst in her breast when, concerned about lumps under her arm, she visited the doctor.

A year later, Josephson collapsed, and when she was brought to the hospital, doctors found that she had advanced breast cancer, which had spread to her back.

After a few months of radiation treatment to stabilize her for the long journey, Josephson came back to the U.S. to be closer to her sister in Oak Park.

"They gave her nine months to live but she continues to struggle, she just loves life and she wants to be normal and productive," said Karen Terrien, Josephson’s sister and caregiver.

Seeing that October is breast cancer month, the sisters wanted to remind women that they should get regular mammograms. "Ask for more testing for greater peace of mind if a cyst is detected," Josephson recommended.

But returning to the U.S. brought new challenges for Josephson, who didn’t have employer-sponsored medical insurance. As she continues her treatment at the City of Hope in Duarte, Josephson’s Medi-Cal coverage doesn’t pay for any of the scans needed, which cost $2,000 to $3,000 every other month. The state-sponsored program also doesn’t cover most of the medicines Josephson needs.

Despite a multitude of physical obstacles, as she sat in her small Oak Park apartment, Josephson was still brainstorming for ways to carry on. Her zest and optimism prompt her to strive for a productive life.

"I don’t want to dwell on the cancer, I just want to walk, go to work, come home, eat, watch TV and go to sleep like everyone else," Josephson said. But back surgeries to remove cancerous bones make it difficult for her to get around.

Still, the sisters have plans to start a medical billing business. Terrien had to give up her job as an audio book distributor and printing broker to care for her sister. The county does provide some compensation, but the rate of $7 per hour for four hours a day is not enough to sustain the full-time care Josephson needs. Terrien lives with her husband in an apartment nearby.

The sisters recently purchased the necessary software to operate a business from home, and they earned a medical billing certificate. Now they are looking for accounts to manage.

However, this dream to start a business may come to an end if Josephson has to move away from her sister, an impending possibility because Josephson is no longer able to pay the $1,050 rent to stay in Oak Park.To date, Josephson has survived on a small Social Security income and with the help of friends and family. When she initially moved to Oak Park, Josephson received a grant from the Jewish Family Fund, but the money has run out.

Medical bills continue to pile up while the two sisters continue to hope that they can stay together. Terrien is the only source of constant support for Josephson. She takes her sister to the City of Hope twice a week for regular visits. Consequently, staying in Oak Park would make Josephson’s life significantly easier.

While she is no longer on chemotherapy because the treatment was making her too ill, the cancer is still in her bones.

In a letter to the editor in The Acorn last year when Josephson’s story was first published, S. Niebloom of Oak Park wrote: "We’ve all heard life isn’t fair and this is one example. It isn’t fair that someone who gave and gave all of her life—picked up and moved to a third-world country because there was a need for newborn intensive care nurses, despite the political ramifications of going there, just to help God’s children—should wind up not only with cancer but penniless."

Terrien created a fund, "Friends Helping Robin," at Downey Savings, hoping to enable Josephson to remain in Oak Park where she can continue to get the support she needs. Funds can also be sent directly to Terrien at 771 Skyridge Lane #282, Oak Park, CA 91377. In an attempt to make ends meet, Josephson and Terrien also sell Avon products.