Hello everyone,
I want to first put a disclaimer out here. I’m not a writer, this is my first time doing a “blog”. With that said this page is kinda just for my thoughts, what’s going on in this crazy life I’ve been handed lately. So if it’s not “grammatically correct” please don’t judge me!
Now, back to how this journey started…
Back in May I went for my normal yearly mammogram. I opted to pay the extra $40 for 3D (in case my insurance didn’t cover it). That was a blessing in disguise. 2-3 days later I got a call to go get an ultrasound as “something” showed up…
Have you ever had that feeling of just “knowing”… I told Jeff that day that I didn’t have a good feeling about this. So I went for the ultrasound and the girl said she’d be right back. She was going to let someone read it and they might come and talk to me. And he did. He told me I would need a biopsy of said “something”. I told him ok, I was supposed to have had one years ago and my surgeon said it just needed draining. He looked at me and said “yeah sometimes you can tell if it’s just fluid, but this REALLY needed a biopsy of it.” He kept asking me if I had questions- sign #1 lol
Met with Dr Shouse in like 2 days
There’s your sign #2 (when everything is so fast paced – you know something isn’t right). He informed me there would need to be an ultrasound guided biopsy. This was scheduled for May 31st.
Had the biopsy and then had to wait another week before I went back to see Dr Shouse with the results.
Let’s move on to June 7th. The day you hear the news that “You have breast cancer” this was a Friday. Jeff and Kim went with me that day. Dr Shouse explained that I would need a lumpectomy and asked if I wanted to have surgery right away and of course we said yes. He asked if Monday worked… again this was all soo fast paced. Of course we said yes!
We all left the doctors office feeling somewhat devastated so what do you do on a day like that you might ask … you go pick Merle up and the four of you head to our favorite Mexican restaurant for Margaritas! Yep, I got hammered. No way to sugar coat that lol
I breeze through surgery on the 10th of June. Went back to see Shouse the following Friday – all was good. They set up appointments with Oncologist and Radiologist.
On June 21st Kim, Jeff and I went to Dr Arekapudi (oncologist). The three of us loved her! She made phone calls while we were there to gather a little more info. Size wise the tumor removed didn’t require chemo only radiation. But I had a few more factors going against me. I was triple negative. So she requested a mamma print. This is were the pathologist gets back out what was removed and looks at it a little differently. He studies it, my gene makeup and such and determines a factor as to if I would benefit from Chemo.
Skip to June 25th – saw Dr Carlsen the radiologist. Basically said they can’t start anything till the mamma print is returned.
So we wait…………
July 2nd – probably my worst day through all of this!! When Arekapudia informed me that I needed chemo I felt like the air was sucked out of the room, my sails were deflated so to speak. I had prayed that I wouldn’t need chemo but I also told our God that I was turning it over to him.
With the chemo I have a 95% chance of it not returning within 5 years.
Yes, I’ll take door #1 and have the chemo! So I’ll have 16 chemo treatments followed by a possible 2 week break then 6-7 weeks of radiation. The chemo is only every other week. The radiation is everyday Monday-Friday. So we are looking at approximately 40 weeks before it’s all said and done.
First things first – cancel our darn 3 week vacation in September to HHI!
I am strong, I believe in the power of prayer and I WILL Win! Cancer will not define me, I will kick it’s sorry ass to the curb and down the drain!!!
God’s got this and so do I !!
Monday the 8th I get my port placed and Thursday the 11th I have my first treatment. So it begins…
Now I’ll introduce you to my support team (my tribe) Jeff Croley – my soul mate my ROCK! I couldn’t imagine going through this without him by my side. Or through this life in general.
Kim Satterwhite- my bestie! She has been by my side through every step.
Becky Myers – my sister from another mother. We have been friends for more years than I care to count lol
Jackye Hammond – another bestie that I couldn’t live without.
My Sister Brenda Vernia – we all know I couldn’t do this without her. One of the strongest women I know!
There are many others in my tribe that have already done so much for me. Brenda and Terry Denny, my high school friends dubbed as “The Troublemakers”, Carol Taylor and Kendyl and Michael- the list goes on..
I’ll close for now. I will probably not update again till Monday. But who know I may have some thoughts I wish to share over the weekend.
————-
Renée Moss
I think you are a wonderful writer and I would read a book you wrote any day. Thanks for sharing. Stay strong!
Renee know that my thoughts and prayers are with you every step. Prayers for healing and a successful treatment. You got this girl!!
Thanks
Loved your first post, tears are rolling again! I’ve got to get some meds to be able to continue this journey with you! Love you to pieces and WE WILL WIN this damn battle! 💗💗💗💗💗💗
Yes we will JJ!
Thank you for sharing. I will be praying for you and your tribe.
Thank you for sharing!! I will be following your journey and sending prayers your way.. I believe in prayer too, I pray that god will be with you and give you strength for the journey.
Renee, well written! I am proud of you! This is a journey that isn’t for the faint of heart. You are already a survivor and will continue to be. Triple Negative is a tough cancer but you are tougher! I am hearing of more and more Triple Negative breast cancers. Keep your fighting spirit! I am cheering you on! 💜💜💜
Thanks Mary
Renee. Looking forward to your success story.
Renee if you don’t care, I will put you on our prayer chain at Hillcrest Baptist Church. From reading your blog, you’ve put God first and he will get you through this. The power of prayer will get anyone through anything. I will be praying for you. You have a great support team too.
Thanks Mary Jo
We will be following. Our prayers are with you, We are here if you need anything. Love you.
Prayers for you as you go through this journey. With your positive attitude and determination, I know that you will win this battle.
We love you so much! You are strong and gonna beat this!!! Lilly asks everyday if you have beat it yet (cuz she dont understand a 100%) I just tell her your fighting and you will. Our thoughts and prayers are with you everyday. We will try and come visit before school starts back. Stay positive…..xoxoxo
😘😍🤗
Love,
Heather, Jax, and Lillybug
Bless her heart. Give them babies a big hug for me. Tell them I love them. Love you too sweetie
Heather love you and the sweet babies!!
Ms. Renee, I will he praying for you. And yes Our God is so much bigger than cancer. You shall have the Victory in the matchless name of Jesus.
Can’t be there to help hold your hand but you know you are in my heart. I pray for you often and I know you’ve got this. You’ve got a good man right beside you. Make sure you lean on him when you need to. 💕
Hey lady! Great idea for a blog! Its such a great outlet for our thoughts and updates. I’m here if you have questions or wanna talk. Welcome to the Triple Negative Family… ugh!! It’s a crazy ride but you’re a tough lady and I know GOD has you in the palm of HIS hand carrying you through the entire journey. Praying for strength and courage for you and your tribe. Caregivers are life saving ❤
Sweet Renee if anyone can defeat the beast it’s you. You will be in my constant prayers and even for constant celebrations as you travel this path. Love and hugs friend. You have a Awesome tribe with you.
My dear friend Renee,I know you will beat this. You never do anything half way so therefore I know you will go at it with everything you have. We have been friends for many years and I cherish that friendship. If you need me for anything at all I will be there for you. Love you my friend and go get that beast!
Renee, I know that you will beat this because you never do anything half way. You have the right attitude and so many friends and loved ones to help see you through this. I love you pal and your Margie D will be there if you ever need her.
Love u too Margie
You’ve got this!!!
It helps to put your thoughts to paper, so your blog will keep you focused on the battle and will also be helpful to others who may be facing a similar battle. It also serves as notes to take to your doctor for a reference. My mother and my sister-in-law also went through breast cancer, and the support of your tribe will be priceless. My sister-in-law had triple negative. She just reached the five year mark, so you can do this! Arekapudi is my local oncologist as well. Our paths may cross on our cancer journeys. I will be keeping you in my prayers.
Love your first post. You spoke straight from the heart. Going through similar journey with my dad. He has melanoma and I am now his transport to all his appointments and so thankful for the good quality time I have with him. I have been and will continue to pray for you. I look forward to your next post. I know you will kick Cancer’s butt. You got this. Love you my dear friend.
Renee – I’ll be thinking of you on Monday as you get your port installed – it’s definitely the way to go. Prayers for you as you start chemo – you’ll kick cancer’s butt!!!
~ Kathy
Thanks Kathy
Renee, Our thoughts and prayers are with you throughout this unexpected journey. We are here, look forward to you updates, and can help please let us know.
Thank you so much for doing this blog so we can follow your journey. I hate that you have to fight this battle, but I know you will win. Love and prayers, let me know if there is anything I can do. Love ya