An Update From Robbie (He's Doing Great!)
It’s been almost a year since we first told you all about Robbie’s battle with lymphoma. After several months of treatment and an incredible amount of support from the Andytown community, Robbie came back to his role as Roastery Lead Barista in March of 2021. He’s been doing amazing in his role, and has recently taken on more responsibility by helping facilitate continuing coffee education with the kiosk team.
Customers have reached out to us over the past few months to check on Robbie’s progress and health. We thought we’d let Robbie tell you in his own words, so we did a short interview with him. You can check in with Robbie yourself most days at our Roastery cafe on Taraval and 40th Ave.
ANDYTOWN: First things first. How are you feeling?
ROBBIE: I am overall feeling great! I was luckily able to stay fairly physically strong throughout my treatment and have been doing my best to continue healthy habits post-treatment. I’d say one of the main things I’ve learned through this process is trying be self-aware with how I’m feeling so I can take the necessary steps to stay healthy—whether that be more rest, exercise, or just staying hydrated!
Tell us a little bit about your journey to health. How did COVID complicate things?
My health journey honestly felt like a snowball—rolling and gaining momentum. This whole thing started from a lump in my neck, which led to medicine, tests, biopsies, scans, and long-term treatment over 6 months, and a long-term relationship with doctors for the next 5 years. It feels daunting at times. COVID certainly complicated things with a lack of physical accompaniment during appointments and such. Thankfully, Facetime/Video chatting is a thing, and really aided the times.
How did the Andytown community support you during your journey? Not just fundraising, but other support too!
Thoughts and prayers come to mind! People would check-in with me. They’d ask how I was doing, or if there was anything they could do for me. It meant a lot just to know that I had a support system in general that genuinely cared for me and my well-being.
Do you have any messages for the customers who supported your fundraiser? (Between Robbie’s GoFundMe and Andytown’s fundraiser, the community raised over $14,500 for Robbie’s recovery.)
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! It was truly so kind of you to decide to support me. I’m in a lot stronger of a financial situation because of your support, and feel a lot more prepared to tackle the medical expenses of this journey.
We are so happy to have you back at the Roastery Kiosk. What did you miss most while you were away?
My coworkers, the customers, the cute dogs, and, of course, the coffee! The Andytown Community as a whole really. It’s so nice to be back!
Now that you’re back, what does the future hold for Robbie?
Now that I’m back, I’m looking to give Andytown my best! I was away for a bit, and Andytown went through its own journey because of COVID, and I’m looking to support them now! I have recently transitioned to take on more training responsibilities, staying very familiar with our coffee menu while continuing to support Kiosk as a lead barista.
