It’s been a tough couple of months for The Rainey Sisters. In June, Susan found out that she has breast cancer (on her birthday no less!). Sally immediately went in for the mammogram that she had postponed during Covid. As usual, she was following in her sister’s footsteps. Susan had two surgeries in July and Sally had surgery this week. The good news is we are both very early stage and very treatable. No chemo for either of us. Just radiation therapy. We can still knit, though any plans for a nude photo shoot have been completely ruled out (for Susan anyway!).
We wanted to share this with our loyal readers and urge you all to get your mammogram, get vaccinated, get a colonoscopy, and take care of yourselves!!
Surly visiting after Susan’s First Surgery
PS: Our sisterly sweaters are both Woodfords! Surly just finished hers.
Dearest Susan and Sally, so thankful your breast cancer was caught early, Continued prayers for a complete recovery. Hugs to both of you. ??
Comment by Caryl P — August 13, 2021 @ 12:35 pm
I am so very happy you both are doing well, now. Your last sentence is so very important. I hope others will take your advice.
PS–Your knitting amazes me and I look forward to reading about it for many more years.
Comment by Mary Jo — August 13, 2021 @ 1:12 pm
So happy to hear you are both doing well. Covid definitely kept people from getting regular screenings! Take care.
Comment by Amy — August 13, 2021 @ 1:28 pm
Thanks for the reminders. You never know who needs that extra little push. I am thankful that both of you are recovering well. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Comment by Bertha Mallard — August 13, 2021 @ 2:59 pm
Thank you for the reminders! And to add to that get your Covid vaccines!
Comment by Tobie — August 13, 2021 @ 3:12 pm
So glad they caught it in time and that you are both doing well. Thank you for that important reminder. We all need to do remember that.
Comment by Chloe — August 13, 2021 @ 3:41 pm
Wishing you both a complete recovery. I love the sisterly sweaters.
Comment by technikat — August 13, 2021 @ 5:43 pm
Echoing technikat’s wishes. So glad you don’t need chemo.
Comment by Elaine in NYC — August 13, 2021 @ 6:10 pm
So glad to hear it was caught in time and you are heading in the right direction!
Comment by Matilda — August 13, 2021 @ 7:31 pm
Wow, scary news! I’m so glad you’re both on the mend & wish you a full recovery. Also think you should rethink the nude photo shoot. You can do some really classy stuff with your knitwear!
Comment by Samina — August 13, 2021 @ 7:45 pm
So happy that you caught it early. I’m an 8 yr. survivor. Pamper yourselves. Skin care during radiation is essential. Looking forward to sharing your blog entries for many years to come.
Comment by Robin — August 14, 2021 @ 12:04 am
I’m so sorry to hear this, but glad it was caught early. May you both have an easy and complete recovery.
Comment by Lissa — August 14, 2021 @ 1:20 am
So good to hear of your victory over this setback. Please keep us posted as you are both so lovely and talented.
Comment by Marlys — August 14, 2021 @ 6:44 am
Wishing you both speedy healing and complete recovery.
Comment by Gale Zucker — August 14, 2021 @ 7:34 am
Oh, my! I am so sorry to hear about this for both of you. I am happy though that this was caught early. Sisters go through everything together, even this. Thank God you have each other and that you understand what the other is going through in a way no one else could. I wish you continued health as you move ahead of this thing. Knitting will see you through these treatments. As EZ said, “Knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crises.”
Comment by PT — August 14, 2021 @ 8:02 am
I went through this last May though the summer-surgery and radiation and in the midst of Covid so no family members allowed to visits or procedures. I still have to take tamoxifen for four more years but otherwise I am “back in the saddle” and “full speed ahead”. I wish the same for the both of you.
Comment by Barbara — August 14, 2021 @ 8:26 am
I am sending you both love and positive healing thoughts. Radiation can make you super, super tired, it is not easy. Please take care.
Comment by Meredith Morgan — August 14, 2021 @ 8:49 am
Susan and Sally, all best to you two darlings.
-=c
Comment by Catherine — August 14, 2021 @ 8:51 am
Oh wow, all the best to you both. Very lovely picture.
Comment by Deb — August 14, 2021 @ 9:00 am
You are both beautiful women and I love your blog, your knitting and your patterns! Take care.
Comment by Annette — August 14, 2021 @ 9:43 am
All the best to you both. I had breast cancer twenty years ago – surgery, chemo, and radiation therapy, the whole deal – and have flourished ever since. I wish the same for you.
Comment by Gretchen (aka stashdragon) — August 14, 2021 @ 10:44 am
I’m another who had the whole deal — surgery, radiation, chemo and tamoxifen — more than 20 years ago and has been thriving ever since. Wishing you delightful sisters complete healing, with peace and love.
Comment by Purlgin — August 14, 2021 @ 1:23 pm
I’m so sorry you both had cancer. But glad to hear you’re doing well and getting the treatment you need. Add me to the list of readers with breast cancer in their past – 15 years ago for me, with surgery, chemo, radiation and tamoxifen. My colonoscopy is schedule for October (dang it – it’s the worst) but I know better than to pretend things only happen to other people. I join Meredith in encouraging you to take extra care of yourselves during radiation. It’s insidiously exhausting. And hard on your skin. But worth it for the years of life ahead. Thank you for sharing what’s happening.
Comment by Pam — August 14, 2021 @ 2:15 pm
Take good care of each other.
I’m blessed to have a sister I can still knit with.
She had preventive Breast surgery 2.5 years ago.
Sending healing thoughts, and thanks for your blog.
Molly
Comment by Molly — August 14, 2021 @ 4:11 pm
Positive thoughts and prayers going your way. So glad the Drs caught it early. Hugs to you both!
Comment by Penny — August 14, 2021 @ 6:29 pm
Sorry you two are going through this. Get better soon! Take care of yourselves. My best curing thoughts to you!
Comment by Pinkskatinggirl — August 15, 2021 @ 9:52 am
Wishing you both a complete recovery. Fingers crossed we can meet up at 2.75 next year for a hug. And knitting of course!
Comment by Mike — August 15, 2021 @ 10:56 am
Sending best wishes to both of you. Thank you for the reminders.
Comment by Laurie — August 15, 2021 @ 3:14 pm
Oh, my, I’m so sorry to hear this, but so glad to hear things for both of you are moving in the right direction. Please take care of yourselves, and each other!
Anne C.
Comment by Anne C. — August 15, 2021 @ 3:22 pm
Wishing you both a speedy recovery and good health moving forward
Comment by Rhonda — August 15, 2021 @ 4:44 pm
Thinking of you two, glad you both are on recovery road and wishing you many years of good health!
Comment by Bonnie — August 15, 2021 @ 6:04 pm
Sorry about the diagnosis. I have the BRCA2 breast cancer gene. I had breast cancer in 1992 and again in 2012. I am glad that both of you caught it early. I wish both of you many years of excellent health. Knitting is great therapy as you are recovering from the shock of the diagnosis, surgery, and radiation!
Comment by Renee Kaplan — August 15, 2021 @ 7:23 pm
Thank you for the lovely photo of you in your matching sweaters – and for sharing the situation with the blog readers.
Very glad to hear you have had fast treatment with good results.
Please keep very well!
I hope you have energy for lots of knitting as usual. We look forward to your future projects.
Comment by Lisa RR — August 15, 2021 @ 9:13 pm
I am very sorry you both have been through so much these last few months. I missed our July meet-up. Hopefully next year will bring new and brighter memories.
Comment by Linda — August 16, 2021 @ 11:59 am
I can’t believe I am seeing the two of you together – thought you two were like Superman / Clark Kent cause we never see the two of you together. Keep that sister power going and lift each other up! Best to both of you and knit away!
Comment by OHSue — August 17, 2021 @ 1:30 am
Such wonderful, heartfelt, positive comments from your fans! Cancer stinks! But the 2 of you together form a formidible foe to your cancer insults! You are so fortunate to have each other in this. You both look so healthy and strong in your lovely sweaters! Cancer beware! You have the Rainey Sisters and their families, fans, friends, doctors, research, radiation, breast cancer survivors, in their camp and you WILL go down!!!!THANK YOU beautiful sisters for sharing and the reminders! We are with you!!!
Comment by Kathy W. — August 17, 2021 @ 5:01 pm
Oh my goodness! What a blow for both of you! So happy you are both going to be fine!
Comment by Jenny Dukeshire — August 18, 2021 @ 10:14 am
Wishing you both a speedy and uneventful healing as you move forward with your lives. Thank you for the reminders and the push some of us might need to be proactive in regards to our health. Take good care of yourselves.
Comment by Ruth — August 18, 2021 @ 11:43 am
So glad you both are on the road to recovery and survivorship! Early detection means everything! I am two years out from my breast cancer diagnosis and back to myself but with a renewed commitment to healthy eating and exercise. Oh I do eat pie and cake but am much more thoughtful. My cancer required chemo and radiation though early stage and small. Mammograms are so important for women!
Comment by Geri — August 18, 2021 @ 5:23 pm
Oh wow, and we all thought Covid was the only thing to worry about. This is the worst kind of coincidence. Glad that the surgeries went well and that you have a good course of treatment ahead. I’ll hold good thoughts for you both xxx
Comment by Pru — August 19, 2021 @ 5:45 pm
I just read no masks will be required at the State Fair.
I hope they can deliver the prize you are sure to win for the amazing beehive hat.
Comment by Lisa RR — August 19, 2021 @ 8:28 pm
I’m just happy this means you two have many more years to knit! (Together)
Comment by Grace Doolittle — August 20, 2021 @ 7:48 pm
I’m so sorry you had to go through this, but so, so glad your future looks great . You must know you two are my knitting idols. Nobody does it better, and to me that says you’re smart and meticulous in all you do. You got this! Wishing you speedy recoveries and a most healthy future. You’re so beautiful in your Woodfords. Love that photo. Stay Rainey Strong!
Comment by annie — August 20, 2021 @ 11:09 pm
Oh no! I just saw this and am so very sorry, but so very happy for you both that you caught it early and came through surgery well! All my best to you and your sister during your recuperation. I am delighted for your sake that you can still knit with out any discomfort.
All my best wishes!!
Pat Olski
Comment by Pat — August 21, 2021 @ 11:58 am
Catching up…
Wishing you both complete recoveries, peace and good health in the days ahead. Thank goodness for early detection.
Comment by Beth — August 28, 2021 @ 7:58 pm
I am so sorry for falling behind and then not reading all the old posts – I just saw this one today. I am so glad to hear you both caught things early and so sorry you had to go through the uncertainty before finding out where you were at. I am hoping for many, many years of happy knitting together for you to come!
Comment by twinsetellen — August 30, 2021 @ 4:51 pm
Oh, dear Rainey sisters, I hope you’ll get well very soon. I have been following you for so many years that I really feel for you. And in a pandemic year, on top of everything! Big hugs!
Comment by Luisa Oliveira — September 9, 2021 @ 1:38 pm
Hugs and full recovery to you both! I’ve been following you for many years and you’ve brought me so much knowledge and enjoyment! Thank you! PS: where was your cover photo taken? It reminds me of my days as a student in Aix-en-Provence. Junior year abroad and all that…
Comment by Augusta — October 10, 2021 @ 10:20 am