Betsy Burton on cancer, dwarf baby goats & farming
Inner Visions, Outer Triumphs Series, #3
Betsy Burton’s latest project raising three adorable baby dwarf goats keeps her pretty busy, but that’s only one of the few dozen tasks she has at the business she owns with husband, Mike Whipp. Burton’s Lyons Farmette is home to dozens of chickens, goats, ducks, and a lama, and she takes care of them all. She also built and maintains her own website, assembles her own monthly e-newsletter, organizes regular weddings, classes, and dinners, and takes daily, lengthy bike rides in the Rocky Mountains. Burton contends that she sometimes feels overwhelmed, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s been going strong her whole life, and even a bout with breast cancer didn’t slow her down. If anything, she says, it firmed her resolve to remain fit and active. Stonewear Designs sat down with Burton recently to talk about her active lifestyle, her experience with cancer, and her sweet farmette. We hope you enjoy this video and accompanying interview.
Stonewear Designs: Can you tell us a bit about your experience with cancer?
Betsy Burton: I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 31 while living a very healthy lifestyle in Eldora, Colo. It was an aggressive form of cancer, but I was fortunate to have a great team of doctors in Boulder that I learned a lot from and trusted. After some big decisions, I went through some surgery and many months of chemotherapy and radiation. Not fun, but all of that may be one reason that I’m here today 22 years later. My husband and I had just been married 2 months earlier so this was quite a shocker to a young couple’s awareness of life and reality.
SWD: How did your perspective on life change after you were diagnosed with cancer?
BB: I’m not sure if my perspective to life changed dramatically. I’ve also had a very positive outlook and have loved life and all it has to offer. I do think it brought more reality to how short life can be, as I also had some friends die at early ages from different things. My advice is live it up, spend time doing things that are important to you and doing good things for others. Be sure to follow your heart. I love this quote ~ “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
SWD: What do you think helped you most in getting through it?
BB: My friends, husband, and dog. You can’t have too many girlfriends and my dog, Cody, never left my side. If there was a humorous (but kinda gross) side to my chemo experience, it’s when I got up one night to throw up and my dog got up at the some time and also threw up. Sympathy chemo???
SWD: Where are you now with your health and attitude about life?
BB: Great. I’ve had some little scares over the last 20 years, but all is good and I feel strong and healthy.
SWD: Where can people find out more information about you and the Lyons Farmette?
BB: We have a website ~ www.LyonsFarmette.com and can also get our e-newsletter.
Interview by Lizzy Scully
Video by Brad Clement
Photos courtesy of Betsy Burton
Betsy is wearing the Tulip Dress in the video interview.
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