The Story Begins . . .

My name is Renae.  I'm 41 years old and I am in the best shape of my life.  I have a wonderful husband, Joel, and 3 kids--Dylan (age 12), Connor (age 10) and Kenzie (age 7).  On December 14, 2011 I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  The two words that will forever change my life.

Here's the simple story . . .
I felt a lump in my right breast.  Went to my OBGYN and was scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound.  At that appointment, they found the lump and calcifications.  I was sent to see a surgeon and on December 14, they took out both the lump and the calcifications.  Soon after I recovered from the anesthesia, my doctor came out and delivered the news--cancer.  We headed home with heavy hearts and many tears.

After the initial pathology report came back, I was scheduled for a lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy.  During this surgery they would take out more tissue surrounding the original lump to make sure the margins were clear and they would test my lymph nodes to see if the cancer had spread.

On January 4, 2012 I went back into surgery for the lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy.  We were all praying that the reports would come back positive and that the lymph nodes would be clear.  After surgery the doctor reported that the lymph nodes were clear and we thanked God for answered prayer.  Little did we know what was around the next corner.

On January 20 I was back in my surgeon's office for an incision check.  It was at this point that he told Joel and I that there had been a mistake by the pathologists.  When my slides and records were sent to University of Pennsylvania they found cancer cells in one of my lymph nodes.  I was devastated.  This was truly the most difficult day of my life.  In the doctor's office I could not talk--just covered my face with my hands while Joel tried to ask questions and figure out how something like this could happen.  I came home and sobbed.  How could this be happening to me?  How could this be my life?

On January 23 we went to see Dr. Kevin Fox at University of Pennsylvania for a second opinion.  His treatment plan?  16 weeks of chemo and 4-6 weeks of radiation.  Tough words to hear.

I wanted one more opinion.  We will be going to Fox Chase to meet with Lori Goldstein and hear her treament plan.  We are hoping that both suggested treatments will be similiar.  Then we will decide between the two cancer centers and get this ball rolling.  It will truly be the hardest year of my life.