Our Story
It was Valentine’s Day, 2023, when Barbara was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer. She was scheduled for a partial hysterectomy, but everything changed when the surgeon walked into the waiting area and told our father that a complete hysterectomy was performed because cancer was discovered unexpectedly. The diagnosis and subsequent surgery were a shock to Barbara as she awoke from anesthesia and her husband Guy had to share the news to their adult children, that Mom’s prognosis, though encouraging, was not routine and would now require chemotherapy treatments.
Barbara’s daughters immediately immersed themselves in everything regarding Ovarian cancer and Chemotherapy because cancer did not run in the family, they joined online support groups, read articles and gathered supplies, socks, blankets and creams to help ease the stresses associated with the process. Daughter Robyn was able to visit and stay with her mom, offering support, care and also dutifully documented the multitude of symptoms and experiences that ensued, such as heat coming off her body, electric shock like symptoms, joint and back pains as well as neuropathy in her hands, feet and a worrisome case of throat neuropathy that affected her swallowing. Although initially discouraged, Barbara would rebound and declare, “I’m beating this, it’s not beating me”!
As the months wore on, Barb would continue to inspire her family with her positive attitude, despite the cycles of treatment, pain, weakness and fatigue, she managed a positive attitude and glimpses of her strength and sense of humor would show. She would often remark about the fellow chemo patients that sat nearby in the infusion area and how each had their own story and how everyone, despite the current circumstance, was upbeat and encouraging to her.
While being there for her mother, Robyn and her husband discovered Pickleball and quickly became enthused and “hooked” on the sport, activity and spirited comradery that fellow players displayed. It became a perfect outlet from stress for Robyn while also providing time well spent with her husband and their new friends.
This is when and where DropShots.net was born. We believe in offering inspiration and hope for those struggling with cancers and chose to do so by designing jewelry that would remind them of their strength and resilience, while teaming up with the spirit, fun and comradery of the Pickleball sport. Our jewelry has Purpose, Strength and Spirit and we hope to spread this far and wide.